A Contemporary Black and Walnut Kitchen

After extending the back of their home to create a large open-plan space for their new kitchen, they wanted something contemporary and different from the shaker-style kitchen they had before. They weren’t interested in a gloss finish and instead sought a design that felt classy and timeless.

The couple booked an appointment with Paul Harrington at Kitchen Design Centre’s Housing Units in Failsworth. When they visited the showroom, they were impressed not only by the vast selection and quality of the displays but also by Paul himself. He stood out for his thoughtful approach—he listened to their needs and never pushed them into a decision, which they really appreciated.

Using their architect’s plans, Paul crafted a bold design featuring matte black and natural walnut finishes. He encouraged the couple to trust his vision, explaining that such a large space deserved a strong, confident design with rich, solid colours.

“If someone had told me I’d have a black and walnut kitchen, I’d never have believed them,” says Gemma. “But I absolutely love it and am so glad we went with Paul’s suggestion.”

Paul recommended a matte black laminate worktop for the large island, selecting 25mm Perfect Sense for its sleek finish.

For contrast, the worktop on the opposite sink run was done in Glacier White Corian, paired with a full Corian splashback.

The couple also took Paul’s advice on appliances, opting for Neff, including two Flex Design Single Ovens and a Compact Oven with Microwave.

Paul also guided them on the placement of their wine cooler and helped them choose a Quooker Pro3 Flex Black tap.