Neolith® London Kitchen
Cool, Calm and Collected
Neolith® and MKW Surfaces delivers a lesson
in aesthetic understatement for London kitchen
Designing an interior with a relaxed atmosphere is no easy task. Visual harmony has to be achieved, minimising any freneticism and avoiding the use of bright, aggressive colour palettes.
Neolith, a market-leading brand of Sintered Stone, was recently specified by top stone fabricator MKW Surfaces for a contemporary kitchen conversion in a Victorian terraced house.
The project is the perfect example of restrained design, effectively demonstrating how less is often more.
Even in the Quietest Moments…
Commenting on the project, the architect Xinyu Xie says: “The brief for the kitchen was to create a monolithic element within the open plan space. It had to become the focal point of the space both visually and functionally, interacting with everyday family life unostentatiously.”
As such, a combination of unobtrusive but visually engaging materials was essential to delivering the desired, uncluttered ambience. As Xie continues, “We chose Estatuario Silk because it perfectly matched the requirement of the design brief. It makes the kitchen island jump out from the other spatial elements, but in a subtle, not overwhelming way.”
Combining classic marble motifs, matte greys and natural wood, the kitchen now has a clean, crisp décor. Flooded with natural light from large, timber-framed windows, the room evokes a quiet grandeur. This creates a perception of a much larger space than actually exists.
Rock on Wood
It is well known that Marble and the Woodso different in appearance, complement each other to create stylish and sophisticated interiors. However the materials’ lack of natural resistance often means that they are unsuitable for worktop surfaces. Here is where Neolith offers an ideal solution.
Xie’s decision to combine these two patterns reflects his interest in the design of traditional domestic spaces in East Asia, he comments, “where spatial simplicity and harmony is a dominant theme. Particularly I wanted to use elements of wood in conjunction with stone as a mental stimulus, distinguishing the setting as a residential one.”
Furthermore, the use of large windows and a glass door establishes a connection with the property’s outdoor space, allowing plenty of natural light to spill into the kitchen, emphasising the cool elegance of the marble and the natural grain of the wood.
The kitchen embodies Xie’s considered and holistic approach to design.
A Gentle Force
A technical masterpiece, this project neatly encapsulates the finesse and skill of fabricators MKW Surfaces, one of the capital’s leading suppliers of stone worktops.
Neolith’s exceptional performance qualities and highly detailed designs have made it a material of choice for residential architects and interior designers.
Commenting on the project and working with Neolith, Alan Brian Nussbaum, co-owner and co-director of MKW Surfaces, says “The consistency of the material is great for fabrication. In this case, the finish has incredible definition, which is difficult to match with other surfaces.”
Regarding the impact the brand is having on the world of architecture and design, Nussbaum continues, “It should not be underestimated. We believe Sintered Stone is now the main contender to quartz, which has recently overtaken granite to become the most popular decorative surfacing option on the market. We only see the appetite for using Neolith growing in the future.
“Furthermore, Neolith’s ability to capture the exact look and feel of traditional building products such as concrete and cement is appealing to specifiers who can achieve the look and feel of these products without the environmental stigma. Neolith’s 100% organic composition and new water-based inking technique (HYDRO NDD-2.0) means that it can meet the most rigorous sustainability brief.”
