The white kitchen worktops are Hi-Macs. It’s a very similar material to Corian, but I chose it because of its 15-year, new-for-old guarantee.
The material is very practical and hygienic. I was worried that it would mark but Jonathan assured me that it was pretty bombproof. And he worked on it in the studio, sanding it down just enough to ensure that scuffs wouldn’t show. The result was a matt white surface that feels clean and pleasant.
Alongside this, Jonathan had a quirky proposal for me. He knew I wanted a good-sized space for food preparation. He also knew that I love wood and didn’t want my kitchen to look too clinical. So he proposed a beech workbench reclaimed from the London Met University architectural department. It dated from 1930 – approximately the same time as my house – so it felt fitting.
In the studio, the workbench looked as rough as hell. I loved the idea but it was hard to imagine it in my kitchen. Saying yes was a leap of faith. Jonathan sanded the beech down, taking care to preserve its wear from over the years, then oiled it and transformed it into something akin to a giant butcher’s block, with the beech’s tight grain making it naturally food-safe and hygienic.
The result is as beautiful as it is unique.
