Modern Kitchen in Co. Galway – Lyrath Noir & Calacatta Gold

Both layouts can work beautifully, but the right choice depends on the size, shape and flow of your space. In this Galway home, the proportions of the room naturally suited a peninsula, allowing us to maximise preparation space, storage and seating while maintaining an easy connection with the adjoining living area. By incorporating an AEG downdraft hob into the peninsula, we created a practical cooking zone without interrupting sightlines, helping the kitchen feel open, sociable and perfectly suited to everyday family life.

Dark cabinetry creates its greatest impact when it's balanced with lighter materials and natural textures. For this project, we paired Lyrath Noir cabinetry with warm oak detailing, Calacatta Gold quartz, gold hardware and generous natural light to soften the darker palette. The result is a kitchen with real presence that feels warm, welcoming and beautifully balanced rather than heavy or enclosed.

A full wall of cabinetry provides exceptional storage but can easily dominate a room if treated as one uninterrupted surface. In this kitchen, we introduced an oak-framed display niche with floating shelves and a quartz and antique mirrored back panel to break up the tall run of Lyrath Noir cabinetry. This single design decision adds warmth, creates a natural focal point and gives the entire elevation a lighter appearance.

A luxurious kitchen is rarely defined by one premium material; it's the way every element works together that creates a refined finish. In this project, extra-tall cabinetry, carefully layered materials, continuous Calacatta Gold quartz, integrated storage and the balanced contrast between Lyrath Noir and natural oak create a kitchen that feels elegant, bespoke and beautifully considered. It's these thoughtful design decisions, rather than individual features, that give the space its premium character.

A successful focal point should naturally draw the eye while complementing the overall design. In this kitchen, the oak-framed display niche was deliberately positioned to break up the darker cabinetry and create a feature that feels both practical and decorative. Floating shelves, subtle lighting and a quartz and antique mirrored back panel add depth and interest, transforming a functional section of cabinetry into one of the room's defining design features.

When designing an open-plan home, we often look beyond the kitchen itself. In this project, the cabinetry continues into the adjoining living space through bespoke furniture and a window seat with integrated storage, creating a seamless visual connection between the two areas. Using the same materials, colours and detailing throughout allows the entire space to feel cohesive, balanced and intentionally designed rather than divided into separate rooms.