Curve Appeal: The inspiration behind our bespoke kitchen designs

Giles started out heading for a career in yacht design. When he finished his training in 1985, the yacht industry was in a period of depression and the evolution of the superyacht had not yet taken off.

His passion for custom design led Giles to review alternative industries to persue his interests. He considered, food, furniture and transporation. In a resolute decision to focus on bespoke kitchen design, he combined his intrigue of the first two, Food and Furniture.

Bespoke kitchen design involves developing a very deep understanding of the client, because you have to translate a person’s very specific desire into a unique project that in some way evokes the preciousness and exclusivity of a handmade object, yet fits with the client’s budget. 

Giles’ training in boat yacht design has been put to great use. Yacht curves are physical templates that Giles regularly uses to introduce curves into our bespoke kitchen designs. These curves convey movement and dynamism and give spaces a sculptural quality.

Bespoke kitchen island and workstation design

Figura’s contemporary kitchen designs are not restricted by straight lines, sharp angles and boxy shapes. Giles is proud to bring his experience to each project, alongside his vast knowledge of design, and really work with each of our clients to create expressive and individual living spaces.

Yachting Curves

We often introduce curves to achieve a comfortable flow around a kitchen’s different zones. This can be done by introducing curves to larger items of furniture and in the floor design to gently guide family and friends to relax and be away from the central cooking zone.

Smaller curves can be employed to soften sharp corners and make the kitchen safer, especially for smaller members of the family. As with all our work, the design starts with the functionality of the kitchen first and look to add features such as curves where they are needed or wanted.

Some of the characteristic curves displayed in yacht design are reflected in Figura’s bespoke kitchen designs.

Curves can create a dramatic focus in a kitchen by fusing both architectural and design elements or subtly by appearing in the detail of the kitchen furniture and surfaces. Curves should be considered as part of an overall concept and do not necessarily have to be too bold or noticeable.

In terms of the kitchen furniture, the detail of the door, cornice, pilaster legs, surfaces and shelves should be styled together, with consideration given to their surroundings, so that the overall style of the room harmonises with that of the house. The curves will either compliment shapes already in the room or provide a contrast to a more regular, square space. Our goal is to make the overall design relevant and therefore timeless.

Curves help to counterbalance the serious, functional element of a kitchen whilst at the same time ensuring that the rest of the room feels inviting, relaxed and warm. The kitchen is now very much a living room, the centre of so many different activities. Curves can help each activity find its place, its zone, so that it can be all things to all people, often at the same time.

Curves are an integral part of Figura’s bespoke designs. The stretched corners and elongated lines in our projects showcase fluidity and elegance. And research has shown that people are far more likely to call a room beautiful when its design is round instead of linear.