Cabinetry That Defines the Space

“Cabinetry provides storage and sets the overall tone, often influencing every other decision. Whether you favour a classic shaker or a sleek slab front, it should reflect the feeling you want to evoke — traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between. While soft whites and warm timber remain favourites, we’re seeing clients embrace bolder choices, with deep navy, forest green, and matte black. Two-tone cabinetry is also worth considering. Combining light upper units with darker base cabinets can help to anchor the space while adding interest and subtle contrast.”

Customisation Makes the Difference

“What really sets a luxury kitchen apart isn’t necessarily what you see at first glance but what lies beneath — functional touches tailored to how you live, cook, and entertain. These small details are where true craftsmanship and design insight shine. Bespoke drawer inserts that keep everything organised; integrated charging points that help keep surfaces clutter-free; breakfast cupboards or built-in coffee stations to bring calm to busy mornings; or tailored finishes on hardware, taps, and lighting to match your scheme. This layer of quiet detail is what elevates a kitchen from beautiful to exceptional.”

Appliances That Work Beautifully

“A luxury kitchen should be as functional as it is beautiful, and appliances play a key role in achieving both. Choose manufacturers trusted not just for their innovative technology, but for the way their products integrate seamlessly into bespoke cabinetry and design schemes. Some of the most popular choices include smart fridges with internal cameras, energy-efficient modes, and sleek finishes; steam ovens with intuitive controls and self-cleaning features; induction cooktops that offer precision control and faster cooking; and built-in wine fridges and climate-controlled storage drawers.”

Countertops That Make an Impact

“Practical and visual, the material and finish you choose influences the room’s overall character. Marble’s traditional style and heat resistance have retained popularity, but consider how it can scratch or stain when choosing, and it also requires regular maintenance. Quartz remains a top pick owing to its solidness and low maintenance needs, with a non-porous surface stopping liquids and bacteria from getting inside. The use of natural stone and quartzite is also popular for both their attractive look and resilience, while granite offers a selection of possibilities that are aesthetically pleasing as well as being highly functional.”

Lighting That Brings the Room to Life

“Good lighting gives you the chance to introduce texture or finish, expressing personality without overwhelming the overall design. Pendants can add style, as they come in various shapes, sizes, and colours, or there’s sophistication offered by crystal chandeliers, which range from contemporary Sputnik to classic and which fit any kind of luxury interior. Recessed lighting also offers a modern aesthetic by evenly distributing light and highlighting luxurious features. Natural materials, sculptural designs, and bold fixtures with nostalgic elements are popular choices to achieve this desired effect.”

Storage That Feels Effortless

“Storage is not just about fitting in more cupboards but creating systems to help the space flow. Consider a hidden pantry, from wall cabinets that fit in with any décor to floor-to-ceiling systems designed around aesthetics or even freestanding cupboards. Built-in banquettes are also great for storage, as well as providing a seating solution. Then there’s open shelving: when used thoughtfully, they bring personality to a space, giving you an opportunity to display your favourite cookware, ceramics or decorative objects, adding warmth and individuality to more streamlined cabinetry.”

Kitchen Islands That Do More

“Now a defining feature of many homes, islands bring people together as well as providing extra worktop space. Built-in seating creates a more relaxed environment, with multi-level designs or curved ends making it feel like an integrated part of the space. For regular entertainers, a built-in wine cooler is functional and refined, and, with proper care, becomes a lasting feature for performance with elegant design. Integrated sinks continue to be popular: built directly into the surface, they support a minimalist aesthetic and can be tailored in size, depth, and material to suit your cooking and cleaning habits.”

Flooring That Grounds the Design

“One of the most important kitchen features, flooring needs to be durable, comfortable underfoot, and complement the overall design. Depending on your preference, a hardwood floor’s natural wood brings warmth and texture, especially in open-plan spaces; choosing wide planks in neutral finishes for a timeless foundation. Porcelain or ceramic tiles offer easy maintenance, with many colours and textures to suit both classic and contemporary styles, while polished concrete makes a strong statement in modern kitchens and is practical, striking, and ideal for use with underfloor heating.”

Backsplashes That Add Personality

“This is your opportunity to introduce pattern, texture or material into your design and can tie elements together or act as a feature in its own right. Antique-style mirror splashbacks bring depth and character, especially in smaller spaces where they reflect light and make the room feel larger. Aged brass offers a look that pairs with natural materials and darker cabinetry. Or for those seeking an artisanal feel, glazed tiles in muted or earthy tones are timeless, bringing individuality to the space, with a subtle variation in shade and texture adding visual interest without overwhelming the design.”

The post Here’s How to Create Your Dream Luxury Kitchen appeared first on Best of Living.

Positive Relationships

Buying and selling property will always be exhilarating — and exhausting — but according to Nathan, successful investments begin with the relationships you build. “Start by identifying and concentrating on one or two specific areas where you’d like to buy. This focus allows you to become familiar with local pricing and availability, and enables you to build strong relationships with estate agents who specialise in those neighbourhoods. A good relationship with local estate agents can also give you a competitive edge: agents are more likely to call serious buyers first when new properties come to market. By maintaining regular contact and demonstrating your commitment, you’ll stay at the front of their minds.”

Prepare for Prime

For many high-net-worth individuals, certain areas reign supreme. “Properties in locations like Knightsbridge, Belgravia, and Mayfair continue to be high demand London investments, closely followed by areas such as Chelsea, Kensington, and Holland Park in West London. The Beckhams reside in an impressive Grade II listed building in Holland Park – which obviously does no harm to property prices – but while the area will always be key to premium real estate, there are still some really good spots in Holland Park where you can find houses to buy, renovate, and then successfully flip. There are also lots of low leases around the area, which make it appealing to developers.”

New Opportunities

London currently offers a wealth of new investment opportunities with premium postcodes. “There are some really exciting developments happening within prime areas, which are growing in popularity, including Chelsea Barracks, and 1 Mayfair, which is a brand-new development set to be completed in Spring 2026. Apartments start at a cool £35 million and overseas investors from China and Saudi Arabia are taking a keen interest in the area.”

Track Hotspots

For those looking for more square feet for their finances, Nathan suggests further afield. “I have seen a sudden boom for luxury homes in one of North London’s quieter areas, De Beauvoir, where the average price is around £855,213 – but it’s the more expensive properties that buyers are searching for, with demand for houses around £2 million. It is a peaceful area with a community feel, so families are making offers at or above the asking price, and out-bidding each other in an attempt to secure their home. When it comes to Notting Hill, Portobello and Westbourne Grove, the pound per square foot is quite high — between £1,300 and £2,000 — but this can go significantly higher for other prime property locations, meaning you can generally get a lot more for your money.”

Buy The Dream

Whether you love modern architecture or crave old-world charm, there’ll no doubt be some non-negotiable boxes that simply must be ticked. “For most buyers, a dream home will be a detached house with a large open plan kitchen, dining, and living area, with a sunny South-facing garden. Paying some thought to sustainability will also pay off — perhaps using solar panels or switching to a heat pump instead of gas combi boilers. And for an extra flourish, everything from tennis courts and swimming pools to boathouses will drive up value. We recently had a house in Woolwich with plenty of add-ons that sold for an impressive £4 million.”

Select Your Dream Team

Engaging with the right people will ensure your property journey runs smoothly. “Choosing the right solicitor is crucial in both buying and selling. Avoid large conveyancing firms that process cases in bulk with limited personal interaction. Instead, opt for a solicitor who offers clear communication, accessibility, and prompt service. If you’re selling, have a professional survey done in advance, and share it with potential buyers to help highlight any issues that might otherwise delay or derail the sale. Transparency builds trust and helps prevent deals from falling through later.”

Don’t Go Low

And finally, here are Nathan’s last words of advice for buying or selling in London. “Never, never be swayed by low fees. It is obviously tempting to go with the estate agent offering the lowest, but this may be a bad investment in the long-run. In the Capital, average fees typically range from 1.5% to 2%, but a slightly higher commission can incentivise agents to work harder on your behalf. Ultimately, a motivated and proactive agent is worth the investment.”

The post London’s Property Hotspots: Successful Buying and Selling appeared first on Best of Living.

More is more

“First off, I’m a strong believer that colour has the ability to change your life — it’s proven that different colours can influence your mood and the way you feel. For example, warm colours such as orange and yellow are linked to energy and warmth, while cool colours, such as blue and green, are generally more calming and relaxing. Colour is so much more than a paint on the wall: it’s a way of your interior speaking to your soul and the feeling that evokes. You will never wake up feeling low in a home full of colour and pattern. If you’re nervous, start with three to five colours that work together and build up from there.”

Layer patterns

“I love to layer patterns in my designs as I believe it brings a level of joy that cannot be achieved with plain walls and plain soft furnishings. My rule is to choose a ‘hero pattern’ such as a wallpaper, as the main feature, and then choose a variety of smaller patterns to complement the hero. As a former artist, I see a room in the same way as a painting. I start with a blank canvas then add the colour and pattern layer by layer to create a ‘masterpiece’. In my own collection, The Penally House Garden Collection with Wear the Walls, I designed the pieces to be layered. The collection includes various wallpapers, fabrics and home accessories with different patterns in various colours and sizes.”

There are no rules

“Ignore the naysayers and build a space that makes your heart sing. Take risks with colour and choose a design scheme you love and that reflects your personality. Add colour by incorporating items that tell your story — artwork, antiques, travel finds, and personal items. Your house will only feel like a home if it reflects you and your life. For my Dining Room at Penally House, I decided to wrap the room in a piece of art by my favourite artist, Kristjana Williams. I wanted to create the feeling of dining at the bottom of the ocean. The wallpaper is immersive as it was 3D scanned, and some of the hero characters printed onto Perspex and layered over the wallpaper to give extra depth.”

The post An Interior Designer’s Advice to Adding Colour to Your Home appeared first on Best of Living.