Linda Barker designs her dream kitchen with longevity in mind
Interior designer and TV personality, Linda Barker set out to refurbish her kitchen as part of the works to her grand Georgian house in Yorkshire. Linda always intended to have a big, bold, and richly coloured culinary hub. She wanted to completely transform the existing space, which was small, hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, and was trapped in the centre of the house – meaning it lacked natural light. After taking the entire home back to its bare bones, she and her husband rebuilt, replumbed, and rewired the property.
When it came time to design the kitchen, Linda selected a matt shade of olive green – a colour she “loves to wear and decorates with a lot” – and timber doors for the cabinetry. This organic palette is paired with Caesarstone 4033 Rugged Concrete worktops and splashbacks, which feature dramatic gradients of robust concrete greys, flushed with white-haze patinas and industrial-inspired imperfections that are accentuated by a deep textured finish.
Linda explains: “I wanted a strong aesthetic vibe for my kitchen. One packed with colour and texture, and very contemporary with an industrial feel. It’s a kitchen that’s very on trend, yet prioritises longevity. This is not a kitchen that is going to be replaced in 10 or 15 years, hopefully it will last much longer than that.” Linda carefully selected the material palette with this in mind. Caesarstone seamlessly aligned with her dream kitchen vision, offering a lifetime warranty across its indoor collections, championing the ‘buy once, buy well’ philosophy, and ensuring lasting beauty.
Linda continues: “I immediately loved Caesarstone’s concrete-look surfaces. The colour and pattern choices are fabulous. Rugged Concrete really suited the dark olive units and the reclaimed timber doors. I needed something that would last, and that was effortless to look after and maintain, and Caesarstone certainly delivers, which is perfect for my hard-working kitchen.”
The design’s large run of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, finished in recycled timber, features plenty of storage. Below waist level, across the wall and the island, it’s all drawers, rather than cupboards. A large preparation space has been included in the kitchen, which features a metallic knife block and brass open shelving that holds a plethora of oils and spices, next to two Miele ovens. Across from this sits the large island which houses drawer fridges on the chef’s side, and includes a hob with integrated downdraft extraction, a small preparation sink, and an overhang for casual seating. The back of the kitchen is home to a dedicated drinks area, featuring a coffee machine, Quooker boiling water tap, and a small fridge for milk and juice. This area is completed by a miniature island, which includes another seating area and a bespoke concrete sink.
Linda reflects: “I’m very much aware that in design these days, things can be quite transient. It shocks me how kitchens are removed or replaced when somebody fresh comes into the building. So, I’m hoping this is now rooted into the property. The kitchen sits within the Georgian house beautifully, but with a very contemporary edge to it. I’m hoping it will be everlasting.”
For the heart of your home, it’s important to choose materials that are equally beautiful and durable, promising to stand the test of time. With Caesarstone, you can curate an everlasting dream kitchen. Explore the Caesarstone catalogue today to discover the perfect surface for your space.
