A Beautiful British House Set In A Lush Orchard [video]

A fresh start begins for the proud homeowner of Claywood House in Hampshire, England, which is designed to smoothly incorporate wheelchair accessibility requirements. The sleek inclusion of wide hallways, low windows and flush thresholds that allow the client to move freely through her home and exterior spaces helped earn House of the Year 2022, British Homes Awards’ winner status. Created by the talented architectural team at Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt , this 5-bedroom house is also a cool contemporary, low-carbon home design with an airtight and insulated envelope. It includes a 12kw Photovoltaic array, a ground source heat pump, and a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system, all culminating in a highly sustainable new building.

Measuring 750 square metres, the modern house is located in an orchard that once belonged to the grounds of the client’s previous home. The original dwelling was a multi-level house that was unsuitable for conversion into a wheelchair accessible abode, and so was sold on.

The modern exterior is designed in contrast to the traditional architecture of the client’s former home, which represents the significant fresh start for her and her family.

The architecture was shaped in response to the sloping topography and natural boundary of the site, and to minimise impact upon the established landscape.

The composition of the house is structured to direct views away from the former home, looking out over the gardens instead. This arrangement creates a well-established entrance to the new property, as well as cosily sheltered living modules.

A colourful landscape design softens the sharp, linear nature of the contemporary architecture.

Smooth, gently sloping pathways ensure that a wheelchair user can make easy passage to and from the property.

A privately accessed guest annex projects to the south of the house.

When designing the exterior of the home, inspiration was drawn from the historic brickworks and clay pits that are located near the home. Pale, long-format bricks form a visually heavy base volume, which supports a contrasting timber-slatted upper.

The interior is an inclusive space that ensures continuous moments of connection for the whole family. The wooden dining table has space for a wheelchair user to pull up easily at the head of the table. The kitchen peninsula is low enough to see over from a seated position.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing and lower windows offer full and beautiful views out to the garden for both wheelchair-seated and standing family members. Wide walkways and hallways enable all members of the family to pass by one another with ease.

A sleek black kitchen design complements the black slatted timber cladding on the exterior of the home.

Modern artwork provides uplifting moments of colour throughout the home, which cheerfully contrast the crisp white, grey, and black backdrop.

The house includes a lift for full accessibility.

A simple, light timber staircase design rises past a black wood-slatted wall, creating fresh contrast.

A grand piano fills the open plan living space with music.

Sunlight cuts through gaps in the wood-slatted upper volume, creating wonderful light play in a corridor that leads to the bedrooms.

A geometric bedroom rug colours a large master bedroom, where bespoke wardrobes are built-in to flank each side of the bed. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the master bedroom in light and glorious green views.

An accessible bathroom design is fully encased with luxe travertine tiles.

Soft, atmospheric lighting lines the perimeter of the room.

The house also includes a physiotherapy pool, gym, and a carer’s suite.

Long slender windows and skylights dash sunbeams onto the water’s surface.

In the guest annex, another colourful rug brings cheerful vibes. The rug serves as a zoning device to establish a lounge area, where two comfortable grey armchairs rest. A rustic bed dominates the far end of the annex with a striking arched silhouette.

The opposite end of the annex is dedicated to a small dining area with a table for two. A unique bookcase modernly decorates the focal wall.

A home workspace fits neatly into a window nook.

An accessible shower room is fully-fitted with chrome handrails.

A smaller bathroom follows a conventional design. Grey granite tiles complete a simple, minimalist aesthetic across the walls, floor, and bathtub .

In the games room, bespoke cabinetry and bookshelves line the walls in an L-shape to embrace a snooker table at the centre.

Facilities for specialist care are all conveniently included on-site.

Deep reveals and chamfered cutaways are designed to articulate the depth and solidity of the ground floor brick volume.

The base volume of the home contains the main living spaces, parking garage, and the therapeutic indoor swimming pool area.

A massive window brings a garden panorama to the guest annex in the cantilevered upper volume.

Reveal windows on the east and west facades, with timber slats marching between, are designed to replicate the rhythmic pattern of the surrounding trees.

Smooth transitions across flush thresholds allow the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces to be blissfully blurred, ensuring easy wheelchair access to the garden.

Outdoor lights spotlight the house, s sweeping driveway, and the landscaped gardens at night.

A large garage and ample storage areas keep wheelchairs tucked away but easily accessible.

The modern home rests gently in the natural environment.

The tree-lined location affords privacy to the homeowners despite the inclusion of large and low windows.

Attractive borders create a picturesque pathway around the home.

Ground floor plan.

First floor plan.

Black, grey, and greige decor elements boldly fuse together in the design of these two strong home interiors, visualised by Eugene Shkilnyuk . These dark interiors communicate a luxurious aesthetic with drama building in each shade, shadow, and moody lighting scheme. Open living room layouts are styled with laconic precision, sharp silhouettes, and an undercurrent of deep sophistication. In home design number one, a double-height living room makes a grand first impression, from which a glossy black marble staircase climbs above razor-sharp lighting. Home design number two is a suave apartment scheme that puts a twist on traditional wainscotting with uniquely curvaceous feature wall panelling.

A large modular sofa arrangement draws through the centre of our first featured home design, laying a light greige core inside a dark grey and black setting.

The double sided sofa layout faces toward the TV on one side of the living room and a serene treetop view on the other.

Huge globe pendant lights hover in a cluster above the lounge area, like great moons.

The TV is secured within a glossy black mount, which attaches onto a striking stone feature wall . The stone focal wall is atmospherically lit to accentuate its deep texture. Uplights highlight the delicate foliage of two indoor plants nearby.

A plush living room rug lays plush texture beneath and around the modern sofa, creating an island of comfort and design interest.

are colour matched to the modular sofa and the lying room rug to maintain the laconic decor palette.

The stone TV feature wall extends all the way up to the towering ceiling line of the double-height living room. Its LED perimeter lighting attracts the eye, calling attention to the spectacular dimensions of the space.

Huge slatted panels draw down the double-height void to create a light permeable room divider between the lounge and the dining room.

A small side table neatly wraps around the edge of the sofa to create a streamlined look.

Custom-made window drapes blend with the dark walls of the room and the black window frames.

Large format floor tiles further expand the sense of space in the impressive living room.

Black panels clad the ceiling, their dark colour causing the rafters to seem somewhat lower and the room to feel a little cosier. A smoked glass balustrade encloses the mezzanine landing and reflects the moon-like spherical pendants that descend through the void.

The dark ceiling treatment and large formal grey floor tiles continue through the lower, more enclosed hallway of the home to create a dramatic corridor of shadows.

Sculptural art appears out of the gloom, its angles and arches emphasised under the soft glow of sporadic mood lighting.

Just past the slatted room divider, dining room pendant lights match the moons above the neighbouring lounge. This they time appear even more dramatic by their proximity to a similarly sized dining table below.

The spherical pendant lights are complemented by a round dining table design and curvaceous modern dining chairs.

The midnight black dining chairs merge with the shadowy grey and black backdrop, coming alive only in moments of stolen light.

A spacious kitchen design unfolds nearby, with a large dining island placed at its heart.

A long, thin linear suspension light slices above the kitchen island , spilling soft illumination over its black worktop.

A cantilevered shelf extends around two sides of the kitchen island to form a breakfast bar.

SIx monolithic kitchen bar stools surround the sleek bar.

The kitchen sink and hob are situated at the back of the room, sandwiched between a bank of base and wall units with a cool industrial style finish.

A luxe black marble staircase design ascends to the upper floor of the home, with bright LED strip lights sharply defining every tread.

Another LED strip cuts down a custom-cut mirror in the home entryway, where it beams light onto a convenient dressing area by the front door.

This suave apartment design features an uber-soft tufted sofa as its hero piece.

The modular couch locks around a modern sofa table, whilst a smaller side table tightly hugs the arm rest.

Behind the sofa, the open layout flows into the kitchen and dining space.

In front of the couch, a sleek TV wall unfolds with a glossy black mount and rich walnut wall panelling.

A light rug gently brightens the room and adds a cosy touch.

Grey scatter cushions plump up the modern sofa design.

An indoor tree grows an explosion of texture and greenery into the restrained scheme.

The kitchen island is combined with a lower dining table design, where four unique dining stools sit at a comfortable height.

A modern chandelier twists and turns above the full length of the kitchen island and dining table to further unite the combined concept.

Candles and decorative bowls make a modern dining table centrepiece.

Large windows bring natural light into the dark kitchen .

The stone effect island complements a stone backsplash at the back of the room.

In the hallway, walnut wall panelling follows the same aesthetic as the TV wall in the lounge to achieve a cohesive flow.

A wide full length mirror creates an optical illusion of added space in the home entryway.

This interior design puts a new twist on traditional wainscotting with uniquely curvaceous feature wall panelling.

Dark isn’t the first theme that comes to mind when designing a kitchen. Stereotypical assumptions are of white and bright kitchens matched by light wood—something like the color of breakfast pancakes. Have you ever thought otherwise? Perhaps something like a modern dark kitchen?

We’ve got a collection of stunning spaces sure to switch up your vision. This black kitchen design inspiration is the sexiest interior design can muster. All divulging in shades of black, navy, or dark brown, they add what white kitchens cannot—a seductive allure that says sleekness and sophistication at the same time. Take a peek at some brilliant interiors on the darker side to see if a modern luxury black kitchen could be for you.

Modern Dark Kitchen Design Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation

1. Make it an All Black Kitchen

Visualizer:Design At Sketch

Almost completely covered in black, a few minor elements shine in chrome and wood in this kitchen interior. We love how the textures do the talking, especially through the matte table under black wood-panelled walls. But having an open approach like this means that every one of your accessories on display—including knives, wine glasses, mugs, cutting boards, teapots, cookie jars, etc.—need to be on point.

2. Add Wooden Elements

Visualizer:Bogdan Tovstyy

This black beauty edges towards wooden elements. We see a speckled floor, a white wall, and a central bench. Rounded black lamps hover over the island, providing functionality and style. If you’re wondering how visual intrigue is added to this modern black kitchen… a huge credit goes to the abstract art!

3. Complement the Black Kitchen with Orange

Source:Vancouver House

A bit of curve rounds out the hard edges—adding some much-needed warmth. This wave-design bench leads up to an orange-hued enclave in this black-and-silver interior. The burnt orange sure makes a design statement (apart from the unique central island).

4. Keep Your Dark Modern Kitchen Simple

Visualizer:Panda Fox Studios

A simplistic look makes this black kitchen a winner. We see the basics: a light floor, a black minimalist island, and sleek cabinetry. But the contrast between light and dark keeps the ambiance interesting, while the large window welcomes plenty of natural light.

5. Make it Dark… Or Not?

Visualizer:Who Cares Design

If you’re eyeing a dark kitchen aesthetic but are hesitant to make the change, this is it. Introducing more light, this black kitchen is hardly dark at all. Black benches, cabinetry, fixtures and stools are intersected by large-panel windows, a white shelving stand and light flooring.

6. Make Use of Asymmetry in the Black Modern Kitchen

Visualizer:Visual Method

This modern black kitchen takes another angle on this kaleidoscopic space, breaking all spatial boundaries. Black and glass alternate in this chic kitchen as the interesting ceiling design keeps the space unconventional. We’ve also got to appreciate the cherry blossoms, doubling as decor even within the interior.

7. Factor in Some Warmth

Source:Modulnova

This warmer-looking kitchen makes a move to brown. It strategically achieves the purpose with the use of wood. This not only introduces natural textures but also makes the ambiance inviting. Talk about a modern style that’s equal parts welcoming!

8. Place a White Island in a Black Modern Kitchen

Visualizer:Jean Regauer

An instant way to brighten up a dark kitchen (we mean, get the best of both worlds)? This kitchen space shows us how by using a white island on a black floor. The backsplash further enhances this dark-and-light effect, while the cowhide rug adds just the right amount of coziness.

9. Make Marble Your Best Friend

Architect:Chamberlain Javens Architects

If you’re looking to create a modern luxury black kitchen, you know what you’ve got to do: Go big on marble! This natural stone adds the luxe factor to any space, especially as a large, central island, as seen in the kitchen above. You can also add it through the backsplash.

10. Make it Mysterious

Visualizer:Tomek Michalski

You can double the visual intrigue in your all black kitchen by adding some mystery. In this kitchen, mood-lighting sets the scene in black and grey, while a marbled bench acts as the hero. The back inlet and flooring create contrast and depth. Taken together, these elements make the space an interesting one.

11. Layer Gray and Gold

Visualizer:Mitaka Dimov

Black kitchens are cool, but what if we layer in gray and add accents of gold? This stunning kitchen space uses gray flooring to add diversity to the otherwise black palette. The thick gold panel is one way that makes the space look incredibly high-end.

12. Add French Style to Black Kitchen Design

Visualizer:Aeroslon

Make your kitchen both modern and French with traditional black cabinetry. In this space, standing armoires act as sinks, and all other displayed items remain black. The stark white clock can surely act as the focal point of the space!

13. Consider Soft Elements

Visualizer:Julia Sultanova

Rough, light wood and low-hanging white lights set this kitchen interior a world apart. You can also notice a layer of light gray cabinetry, adding variation to the otherwise dark color palette. These elements factor in softness to the black kitchen design.

14. Let the Accessories Do the Talking

Photographer:Mikko Ryhänen

In this black-and-wood creation, the accessories take center stage in adorning the interior. We love the houseplant, but the crockery deserves a special mention for doubling as decor. The light oakwood backdrop further warms the space up.

15. Consider a Matte All Black Kitchen

Visualizer:HDR Designer

Neat square panels perfectly line up to emphasize the stark black minimalism that is at play here. We love how the cabinetry is matte black with no hardware, adding a sense of simplicity. The herb planters are a healthy green addition to bring the otherwise simple space.

16. Add Some Stencilling to Black Kitchens

Visualizer:Julia Sultanova

Fine lines and stencilling set this monochromatic space apart. Lined by black magnetic lights, black stencils and glossy white facades, it makes its mark on a light wooden floor.

17. Build a Shape Out of Black

Visualizer:Huso

18. Create a Modern Dark Kitchen with Gradients

Visualizer:Mario Nogueira

If you’re wondering how the intrigue in this space is working… It’s the gradients from black, to charcoal, to light grey. White surrounds in the walls and a monochromatic hanging light. This clever design technique makes sure the space is anything but boring, even if it’s using mere neutrals (minus the stunning orange dining chairs, of course).

19. Leverage Black Textures

Visualizer:Nefeli Kallianou

One instant way to add interest to a black kitchen is with textures, as seen in this metallic matte kitchen. This accounts for decorative presence in the light and bright space, providing character to an otherwise simple room.

20. Work on the Functionality of the Modern Dark Kitchen

Visualizer:İbrahim Ethem KISACIK

This dark modern kitchen makes sure it’s as functional as is stylish. The central island is paired with a black dining table, while all necessary appliances are fixed into the cabinetry. We also see pendant lights and lighting under the hood providing just the right illumination.

21. Create a Modern Classic All Black Kitchen

Visualizer:A&L Interior Design

Folks seeking an inviting all black kitchen can look towards this modern classic space. It merges contemporary elements (through sleek black cabinetry) with traditional ones (as seen in the wooden backsplash) to bring together the best of both worlds.

22. Put Essentials on Display in Your Modern Black Kitchen Interior

Visualizer:Polygon

Yet another kitchen that uses black and wooden elements to create a dark-themed interior. What sets this one apart is the hanging pans. They do offer easy access as the residents cook, but they also double as decor! (Note how the pans also use black and wooden elements to stay coherent with the theme).

23. Add the Industrial Style to the All Black Kitchen

Via:Emotion School

Industrial style lovers, rejoice! This is THE inspiration to set up your favorite interior design style, the dark way. This kitchen uses rustic wood and exposed elements for the ceiling to create an industrial black kitchen interior.

24. Make a Statement with Black Chunky Lamps

Via:HomePicture.in

All eyes on the two chunky lamps hanging in this monochromatic setting. They do add focus but also allow the contrasting white inset to shine. Not to forget the central island, providing plenty of storage space.

25. Make Room for Keepsakes

Visualizer:Maxim Goryachev

There’s nothing like personalizing your space to who YOU are. This kitchen serves the purpose by adding keepsakes and heirlooms. Also, black leaves room for details, so it’s one of the best colors to use if you’re hoping to display knick-knacks.

26. Use Black to Add Intimacy

Visualizer:Helen Bank

Who says dark colors make small spaces feel smaller? We only see black adding luxury to this compact space (with some credit to the white flooring adding brightness). This kitchen—with black marble backsplash—speaks opulence, and for all the right reasons!

27. Enhance Black Kitchen Design with Patterns

Visualizer:Ksenia Lenski

This black kitchen interior makes a design statement with the patterned marble island. Its sleek metallic legs lift it off the floor, creating an illusion of space. Simultaneously, the textured inset makes sure visual interest is added.

28. Don’t Forget a Black and White Rug

Visualizer:Nada Aboelrous

If you’re not in for a complete kitchen renovation, simply painting your cabinets black and adding a black-and-white patterned rug will achieve the purpose! We love how this kitchen keeps sets the base with white and tops it with black.

29. Let the Lighting Make a Statement in the All Black Kitchen

Architect:Artpartner Architects

When everything else is understated, letting the lighting create a statement is a good idea. This matte black kitchen interior uses rod lighting to do the talking. It sticks to the all black kitchen color scheme, though!

30. Tone it Down

Visualizer:Valeria Mosolova

This open floor plan uses dark gray throughout, showing us that black can work in more spaces than the kitchen 😉 It sure makes a design statement for those cooking and dining—or lounging!

31. Consider a Black and Wooden Bar

Visualizer:Amir Emami

This is the ultimate modern luxury black kitchen! After all, what’s better than displaying your favorite collection of beer right behind the black kitchen island? The low-hanging pendant lights also add to the black kitchen design.

32. Add the Gothic Vibe

Visualizer:Sebastian Lorio

This dark-gray kitchen is super simple with its sleek, hardware-less cabinetry. Well, except the far left end. Here, we see a statement piece of art and intriguing layered lighting created a focal point.

33. Stick to the Minimalist Style for Black Kitchens

Visualizer:Miguel A. Ramos

This compact kitchen space follows the simple rule: white walls paired with black cabinetry and an island. Even in this nook, the space is able to make a style statement while providing optimal functionality. The window here gives a contrasting element of light to the otherwise dark modern kitchen.

34. Layer Lighting in the All Black Kitchen

Visualizer:Tatiana Durnescu

We see shades of gray and black coming together to bring this modern dark kitchen to life. What we especially love is the multiple types of lighting, all layered together to bring visual interest to the space.

35. Set the Backdrop For Your Living Space

Visualizer:Sasha Zolotukhin