In Conversation with AB.Co Architect Alex Arundel

With a focus on thoughtful spaces, natural materials and a collaborative approach, the studio brings together British and Scandinavian influences to create homes that feel considered, practical and full of character.

For this project, AB.Co paired Howdens cabinetry with HUSK fronts to create a kitchen that sits seamlessly within the wider architectural scheme.

We caught up with the AB.Co team to talk about a full home refurbishment they have just completed in Islington, their approach to kitchen design, why they chose to work with HUSK and the ideas that shape their studio.

Can you tell us a little about the project and what the clients were hoping to achieve with the renovation?

The existing home is a Townhouse located in close proximity to Highbury Fields and was previously a rental property that was in a tired condition. AB.Co were appointed to help the client refurbish the entire property into a contemporary family home, increasing the footprint where possible. The clients wanted us to introduce a cohesive interior design aesthetic throughout, but also be genuinely practical and liveable for everyday life.

What were some of the key ideas that shaped the design of the house and its material palette?

We wanted the ground floor to feel as open as possible and introduced two-key vistas creating strong visual sight lines; one upon entering the home and one from the front reception room to unlock the internal plan. Both of these views allowed you to see through to the rear garden, enhancing the overall sense of space. We wanted the material palette to be warm, tactile and natural; off-white finishes provided a suitable backdrop for warmer joinery elements, such as the oak fronts you provided for the kitchen.

How did you approach the kitchen design, and what role did you want the kitchen to play within the wider space?

Being at the heart of the ground floor, the kitchen needed to have a bespoke feel and provide a number of functions as well as just being a kitchen, including coat/shoes storage, general storage and built-in open shelving for personal artifacts. We approached it as if it was a bespoke piece of furniture!

You chose to combine Howdens cabinetry with HUSK fronts for the kitchen. What led you to that combination?

The flexibility and cost-effectiveness made Howdens a good choice for the different functions we required. This combined with the HUSK natural oak fronts brought in the natural materiality we desired along with a bespoke feel. The lasting impression is that it is crafted with care, at an accessible budget.

What was it about HUSK’s finishes and approach that worked particularly well with your plans for the project?

We found the quality of HUSK’s oak door fronts to be well suited for the overall craftsmanship quality we wanted in the project. HUSK’s collaborative and professional approach from the outset reassured us that we were in safe-hands.

AB.Co has a strong focus on natural materials and draws on both British and Scandinavian design. How does that influence the way you approach residential interiors and kitchens in particular?

We strongly believe that using natural materials enhances the occupiers well-being. Letting these materials take centre-stage throughout the home is always a priority for us. The kitchen is a great way of introducing these to a key space in the home and we lean towards the Scandinavian ethos of simplicity and functionality, when approaching the design.

How important is collaboration with makers, suppliers and specialists when bringing one of your projects together?

So important! We make every effort to involve trusted craftsmen and specialists to achieve the highest quality results. When we have a like-minded project team around us, we can achieve beautiful projects.

For someone at the very beginning of a renovation, what’s one piece of advice you’d give them about planning their kitchen?

Get specific about what functionality you want out of the kitchen at an early stage and how you want it to work in the space you have. The finishing details that make it beautiful can be integrated once this has been established, no one wants a kitchen where the underlying layout isn’t quite working for them.

What’s your favourite detail in this project, kitchen or otherwise?

The bespoke shelving we designed in between the snug and the kitchen, HUSK provided us with some bespoke oak panels to help achieve this and it adds a sense of personality to the design.

And finally, a quick one: if you could borrow one feature from this house for your own home, what would it be?

The beautiful tiled splash back underneath a generous new rooflight – it brings lots of natural light down onto the kitchen work surface and adds a sense of drama to the space.