When Mr and Mrs McFadden began planning a full renovation of their Kirkstall home, they were clear about one thing: the kitchen had to work as hard as it looked. They wanted a practical space for a family that cooks together and entertains often. The result is a striking super matt black Kühlmann kitchen centred around a large U-shaped island with 11-degree angled, waterfall-ended sides, forming the heart of an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space designed around the way the family live and entertain.
Designed and installed by Arlington Interiors, this project shows what's possible when bold design is backed by thoughtful planning and everyday usability.
Kitchen Design Brief
Mr and Mrs McFadden's brief was refreshingly open: something bold and contemporary, built first and foremost for entertaining, with real creative freedom given to our designers to push further than a typical family kitchen. The room needed to work as a genuine entertaining space, dining for around twelve, a full lounge area, and an island substantial enough to anchor the whole room, while still holding its own as a proper working kitchen day to day.
Cooking sat at the centre of the design. Rather than relying on a single hob, the island combines a Bora induction hob with integrated teppanyaki plate alongside a separate two-burner gas hob, giving the family genuine flexibility depending on how they like to cook. Behind this, a carefully planned bank of Miele appliances provides everything needed for everyday family life and larger occasions alike, while two wine conditioners, a warming drawer and integrated refrigeration complete an appliance specification designed to be used, not simply admired.
Specification at a Glance
- Cabinetry: Kühlmann Feel, Super Matt Black
- Worktop: Dekton Domoos throughout
- Island: U-shaped, 11° angled sides with waterfall ends
- Hob: Dual Bora Classic 2.0 induction with teppanyaki and downdraft, plus 2-burner gas
- Ovens: Miele M Touch Pyro, Combination Microwave & Combination Steam, Airline Black
- Warming drawer: Miele Airline Black
- Wine storage: Two Miele MasterCool 24in Wine Conditioners
- Fridge/freezer: Miele integrated larder fridge & freezer
- Dishwasher: Miele integrated
- Tap: Zip HydroTap Celsius Arc, gunmetal
- Gin bar with feature mirror and lighting
Designing a Large Black Kitchen Island for Everyday Entertaining
At the heart of the room is the island itself: super matt black Kühlmann Feel cabinetry in a U-shape, with 11-degree angled sides and a waterfall-edged Dekton Domoos worktop that wraps from surface to floor without a visible joint. Integrated LED lighting beneath the overhang gives the island a subtle floating appearance after dark, while its generous proportions allow it to function equally well as a preparation area, breakfast bar and natural gathering point.
Behind it, a full wall of Miele appliances in Airline Black sits neatly within the cabinetry, including two wine conditioners, a warming drawer and a combination of pyro, steam and microwave ovens. The result is extensive cooking capability without interrupting the clean architectural lines of the room.
The kitchen flows directly into a dining area seating around twelve and a separate lounge beneath a series of skylights that fill the room with natural light. Rather than feeling like three separate spaces, the kitchen, dining and living areas work together as one, allowing cooking, conversation and entertaining to happen naturally. A bespoke gin bar with feature mirror and lighting provides a final touch for a family who enjoy hosting.
Every design decision supports the original brief. Dual cooking zones provide flexibility, dedicated wine storage complements the entertaining space, and the generous island ensures there is always room for family and guests to gather without feeling crowded.
Kühlmann Matt Black Cabinetry
Kühlmann kitchens are designed and manufactured in Germany to exacting standards. For this project we specified the Feel range in Super Matt Black, creating a seamless handleless finish with a soft-touch surface that runs the full length of the room without a single joint out of place. It’s the kind of precision cabinetry that makes a genuinely large kitchen feel calm rather than overwhelming. 
Dekton Domoos Worktops
The worktops are finished in Dekton Domoos, an ultra-compact surface from Cosentino with a deep charcoal appearance that complements the cabinetry. Highly resistant to heat, scratches and stains, it is ideally suited to a kitchen that is used every day.
Bora Induction Hob
The island houses two hobs side by side: a Bora Classic 2.0 induction hob with an integrated tepan yaki plate and downdraft extraction, and a two-burner Bora Classic gas hob. Extracting cooking vapours directly through the worktop, rather than through an overhead hood, keeps the sightlines across this open-plan space completely uninterrupted, exactly what a room built for entertaining needs.
Miele Mastercool Wine Conditioner
The wall of Miele appliances is where this kitchen's cooking capability really shows. A pyro oven, combination microwave and combination steam oven sit alongside a warming drawer and an integrated dishwasher, while two Mastercool 24-inch wine conditioners, complete with a Sommelier Set, provide excellent storage for entertaining. Every appliance is finished in Airline Black to disappear into the run of cabinetry.
Zip Hydrotap
The Zip HydroTap Celsius Arc in gunmetal delivers boiling, chilled and sparkling water on demand at the island sink, removing the need for a kettle, a chilled water jug or extra clutter on the worktop while complementing the other finishes throughout the kitchen.
Bespoke Kitchen Design in Leeds and Yorkshire
Arlington Interiors designs and installs bespoke kitchens across Leeds and Yorkshire. Whether you're renovating, extending or building a new home, our experienced designers will create a kitchen tailored to your home and the way you live. Visit our Farsley showroom, complete our contact form or call us on 0113 255 5566 to start your project.