The driving aim behind this project was the owners’ desire to create an open-plan kitchen and living area that would become the heart of their Parisian home. It needed to be welcoming and functional whilst also looking chic and elegant. The result is a bespoke open-plan kitchen with a large central island, clean lines and discreet storage solutions that make it suited to busy family life.
Designing an open-plan kitchen with an island
This kitchen, almost 18m2, brings together comfort, considered design and generous storage. Created using the FINE range from Santos – renowned for its clean lines and understated elegance – it was designed to support everyday life without compromising on the quality of materials or precision of finishes.
We chose to use Silk Pearl White for this project - a soft, luminous shade that blends naturally with the interior architecture. This choice of colour helps to create a bright, pleasant ambiance, whilst showcasing the kitchen’s natural materials.
Redesigning the layout for ease of movement
The original kitchen in this Parisian apartment was partially closed and divided the living space. The owners wanted a completely open-plan kitchen that would seamlessly transition between the kitchen, living room and adjoining terrace. This change has made the room feel visually cohesive as well as bigger and brighter, as natural light now circulates through the whole space.
This new layout priorities movement and entertaining, with the large kitchen island becoming the central focal point. It can be used as an additional food prep area as well as a space for friends and family to gather. The island seats up to six people, which was an essential criterion for the owners, who are regularly joined by their children.
Details that make the difference
Opposite the dining table, the pocket door unit’s Earth Walnut interior brings warmth to the space and gently contrasts with the bright white unit fronts. This combination creates visual depth and illustrates the care taken in the details of the design.
The units are built without handles, using a combination of integrated pull and push opening systems, which are ergonomic for daily use and guarantee a clean finish across the units.
The team also paid particular attention to the lighting, which was designed as an element of the project in its own right. Built-in LED lights give structure to the units and make everyday use more comfortable by ensuring the worktops are well lit. The open-plan kitchen and living areas feel visually balanced thanks to the uniform lighting.
Advanced storage solutions built into the large kitchen island
The need for storage played a central role in this kitchen’s design. Storage spaces needed to be generous without compromising on the feeling of openness or the units’ clean lines. To meet this challenge, we used units that extend all the way to the floor, and added plinth drawers to both the large central island and the back wall of units. This enabled us to exploit all available space.
Plinth drawers are built into the units, adding storage space by replacing the traditional plinth with a drawer. Pots, pans and other kitchen equipment can be discreetly stored in this extra drawer without cluttering the space.
High-quality, durable materials used throughout
The 2-cm thick worktop has been built using Quartzite Crystal White. It’s a natural stone renowned for its delicate veining and durability. Used on both the back wall of units and the large kitchen island, it helps the space feel bright and cohesive.
The natural stone backsplash continues this effect and adds structure to the main wall of the kitchen. It doubles as both a decorative element and a practical solution for daily use.
High-end appliances built into the units
All of the electronic appliances selected were chosen for their performance and easy integration into the kitchen and island. These include a dishwasher from Gaggenau, a hob with built-in extraction from Novy, and an oven and steam oven from Gaggenau. The refrigerator is also from Gaggenau and built into the column units, ensuring a uniform finish across all unit fronts.
A Pando wine cooler was also added to accommodate the owners’ interests and their desire to use the open-plan kitchen and island for hosting.
The sunken stainless steel and matching sink fittings from Franke Maris give the wash-up area a simple, functional look.
This open-plan kitchen with a large central island, designed by the eba Haussmann team, reflects an exacting vision of the contemporary kitchen – a living space designed to be the heart of the home, that can evolve and adapt to the needs of everyday life.
If you would like to design your own bespoke kitchen in collaboration with one of our teams, reach out to one of our teams today.
