Contemporary minimalism and rich materiality
The Cart & Horses pub in Stratford, London—renowned as the birthplace of legendary rock band Iron Maiden—now features twenty-nine premium apartments by property developers Developland. These design-focused apartments present a custom-made, hand-finished Plykea kitchen made with FENIX®.
The linear kitchen model showcases the intensity of FENIX Nero Ingo fronts on plywood combined with the touch of light of brass edge pull handles. This sleek, contemporary design is accompanied by reeded glass wall units and a marble texture top and backsplash.
Why did you choose FENIX for these high-end apartments?
FENIX offered the ideal balance of luxury and practicality. Its super-matt, anti-fingerprint surface delivers a refined, elegant aesthetic, while its durability and thermal-healing qualities ensure longevity. Importantly, it allowed the developer to achieve bespoke, high-end kitchen solutions while staying within budget.
FENIX, brass, reeded glass and marble. What kind of visual and haptic experience did you want to achieve through this material combination?
We wanted to create a layered, sensory experience. The velvety opacity of FENIX provides a dramatic backdrop, brass adds warmth and elegance, reeded glass introduces depth and subtle detail, and marble brings timeless natural luxury. Together, they strike a balance between contemporary minimalism and rich materiality.
What are the advantages of an extremely matt, black kitchen?
An extremely matt, black look creates a bold, atmospheric aesthetic that acts as a neutral canvas for other details in the room. With FENIX, it’s also highly practical—resistant to fingerprints and designed to look flawless for years to come.
Plykea
Plykea was founded by two friends who set out to solve a problem—finding high-quality, reasonably priced plywood kitchen fronts. What started as a personal project quickly grew into a trusted brand for homeowners and professionals looking to create bespoke kitchens with ease, quality, and style. Specialising in fronts, panels, and worktops, Plykea is designed to pair seamlessly with IKEA’s kitchen cabinets and wardrobe systems. With over 240 colours and finishes, Plykea offers a broad design possibilities—from the warmth of natural wood veneers to the innovative surfaces of FENIX® and Arpa® Bloom, as well as the bold, vibrant hues of Formica® Laminate brights.