PRIZED PANTRIE

All the smartest kitchens have this sought-after feature - but what was once just a practical addition is now a way to up the style stakes in the heart of the home

- LINDA CLAYTON

CHARM SCHOOL

For Tom Cox, co-founder of HÁM Interiors, pantries are hard-working back-of-house spaces, designed to ease the load and bring a sense of order to the kitchen. This secondary role doesn't mean you can afford to be any less thorough about the design; Tom insisted upon layers of pattern, texture and colour for this pantry. "To contrast the more relaxed feel of the main kitchen, we chose Loggia by Farrow & Ball for the joinery - a bold yet grounded choice, thanks to its deep, earthy tone,' he says. The marble chequerboard floor adds visual interest, while a cafe curtain softens the scheme. Even the Belgian Blue limestone worktops were meticulously crafted, featuring chiselled edge profiles and an integrated chopping board.

A similar bespoke pantry by HÁM Interiors would start at: £30,000

PAINT LESSON

Even a small space can make a strong impression. This built-in larder by Naked Kitchens is as practical as it is pleasing, artfully unfolding to reveal a striking two-tone colour scheme paired with the warm, textural quality of oak. ‘A thoughtful approach to interior design means your pantry can remain wide open during meal preparation — even when guests are around — ensuring that spices and other ingredients are effortlessly within reach,’ explains creative designer Jayne Everett. ‘We enhanced this practical design by painting the spice racks in our deeper Old Huns’ton hue, making this detail truly pop against its surroundings.’ Crafted from brushed limed oak, this elegant double-door unit is not only a functional storage solution but also a statement piece that elevates the entire kitchen design. A similar bespoke larder in brushed limed oak would start at £4,500, Naked Kitchens