Finest Materials from Around the World

So what sets Touch Kitchen apart from other luxury brands? “Sourcing and selecting the finest and latest materials from around the world is one of the unique aspects of the Touch Kitchen offer,” explains Richard. Many of these finishes are held in the extensive Materials Library at Touch HQ. Testament to their commitment to sourcing the very best, the library holds literally thousands of samples from across the globe including a vast array of veneers, timbers, stone and composite materials. “Clients love the fact that they can come to us and experience first-hand the extraordinary variety of finishes that are available to them, many of which are exclusive to Touch,” adds Richard. “If we can’t access a particular material direct, then we’ll partner with a manufacturer who can.”

Materials are clearly extremely important to the approach at Touch Kitchen and this passion is perhaps what makes their portfolio so striking. Recently completed projects showcase the extraordinary range of materials as well as techniques on offer. From band sawn smoked oak to stainless steel, zinc, copper and a stunning array of stone finishes - to name but a few - each material has been painstakingly woven into the design scheme. It seems there are no lengths the design team at Touch won’t go to source the perfect finish. An example is a recent trip to Italy in which beautiful weathered and aged timbers combined to create a stunning finish for one of Touch’s clients. Produced from old staging posts used in Venice to tie up the gondolas, the weathered veneers were incredibly rare, and with a story all of their own. As well as sourcing materials, reinventing traditional forms with more cutting-edge materials is an area of design Touch are constantly exploring. For example, the use of rough-sawn veneer, sandblasted timber, textured stone worktops, concrete renders and recycled timbers are just some of the finishes that Touch have been incorporating into their bespoke designs.

Alongside new techniques, regular trips to Europe to visit specialist factories and furniture fairs - such as Milan’s world-famous Salon de Mobil - are key to staying ahead of the curve. “We regularly send members of the team to Italy to explore the latest innovations,” explains Richard. “Such trips expand our knowledge and influence our design decisions going forward.”

Attention to detail is another factor integral to the Touch approach. Not only in the way in which each component of the kitchen is painstakingly crafted - frequently involving multiple skilled processes to create each element - but also in the way in which clients are led through the process. “Each project is unique but our approach is always the same: we begin with the client,” explains Richard. “Understanding their needs and interpreting them in a way that will maximise the creative process is key. We want them clients to feel fully engaged in the design journey. The whole process, from concept to installation, is an incredibly creative one and our clients are invited to be involved as much or as little as they like.”

In a climate where the customer increasingly wants to know where their goods and services come from, Touch provides an enviable provenance. “We’re incredibly proud of our team and where possible, we like our clients to meet our makers,” explains David Crosby. “From our designers and technicians in the studio through to the cabinet makers and specialist installation teams, each has a crucial role to play in the process. Many of our clients choose to visit our workshops and studios, initially as part of the design process and later to see their pieces coming together in our workshops. It’s an exciting stage of the project.” Once the finished kitchen has been built, it is dry assembled before arriving on site, to guarantee it can be moved from workshop to residence, with as little disruption to site as possible.

It’s clear that Touch Kitchen’s customised approach is growing in appeal. With recently completed projects in London’s Knightsbridge and Notting Hill, and an impressive list of commissions currently underway - including a contemporary bespoke kitchen for a renowned Swedish architect and an ultra-modern second home overlooking the North Coast of Devon - the future for this luxury brand couldn’t be brighter.

For more information visit www.touchdesigngroup.com