The Kitchen Maker

Inglis Hall are a tight knit collection of designers and makers working from their studio and workshop in East Sussex, with people who appreciate that a kitchen is a serious investment. That buy less, buy better is a commitment and that materials are to a kitchen what ingredients are to a meal.

How do you develop new ideas for a project?

It always starts with a detailed conversation with the client to obtain the brief. We create the general layout that best utilises the space and fits within the context of the property, exploring options before agreeing the best design route. Our kitchens must function first and foremost, before we really get in to the form and materiality. We use material and cabinetry samples from our Actual Kitchen to nail down the look and feel.

We use cabinets to create spaces integral to the architecture, allowing for a walk-in larder or an oak tunnel through to the next room for example. Spaces that look cohesive and contribute greatly to the function of the kitchen.

In a professional kitchen, chefs have zones. A zone for each function, to maximise efficiency by having everything they need for any one task within arm’s reach. This is how we like to layout our kitchens, so that day to day use is effortless, and most importantly, enjoyable.

What design principles do you prioritise?

There are the obvious ones - like the famous golden triangle. Most notably we regularly use our interpretation of the Pareto principle - essentially using an 80:20 ratio. So for cabinetry finishes, 80% are a neutral, clean back drop paired with a feature material or colour. Or 80% contemporary cabinetry with a 20% touch of traditional joinery. This gives a good balance within most projects.

What is your signature, what makes an Inglis Hall Kitchen?

Using oak cladding in an architectural way and mostly significantly using real materials that are traditionally handcrafted into a contemporary and timeless kitchen. Our material palette comes from our love of materials, craft and timeless design. We like to use surfaces like unfinished metals or natural stone - that age and patina over the years, so our kitchens can serve as a subtle, dependable backdrops for a client to grow with over time. When we specify complimentary materials like Richlite, it gives us an opportunity to design contemporary kitchens without compromise. The texture and density provides practical, timeless and beautiful kitchens.

How do you continue to innovate and meet the ever-changing demands of design?

By continuing to refine our finishes, processes and craft and integrating with the architecture of a building to create exciting and dynamic spaces. We often collaborate with architects and interior designers which gives a wealth of inspiration. Most recently working with The Vawdrey House, in an impressive kitchen space with 4-metre high ceilings, a 13-metre long joinery installation, oak clad corridor and acoustic ceiling which redefined the scale of projects we can work on, with more in the making.