In time for the alfresco dining season, Clive Christian Furniture has released its first outdoor kitchen, taking your outdoor dinner parties and lazy Sunday brunches to the next, sophisticated level. Oh, and the kitchen’s sleek yet durable design started with a superyacht.

Images courtesy of Clive Christian Furniture

For the first time in its near five-decade history, the iconic British brand and originator of the statement kitchen has brought its stylish and inspired design capabilities to the outdoors with The Garden Kitchen.

The Garden Kitchen boasts all Clive Christian Furniture’s signature qualities – superior materiality, craftsmanship and unparalleled design prowess – in an ode to living life well.

The kitchen started out as a private commission for a repeatedly loyal client, and evolved into a passion project for the brand’s head of design, Oliver Deadman, who along with his team looked to the superyacht industry to research the marriage of sleek, clever design and robust, all-season materials.

‘The brief behind The Garden Kitchen was unlike any other previously undertaken by the team,’ said Deadman. ‘It required both the design and workshop teams to think about the performance of the product in an entirely new environment, one subject to the elements.’

Looking to superyacht veterans such as Riva, Cox & Stevens and Summers & Payne which are famed for designing yachts synonymous with wood craftsmanship, glamour and grandeur, the team deconstructed processes, materials and techniques to determine what they could utilise.

The Garden Kitchen cabinetry reflects one of the most identifiable elements in many yachts – the pinstriped deck, created by inlaying ebonised Iroko sections into the door and drawer fronts.

It is also peppered with elements recognisable in Clive Christian’s wider portfolio including distinctive inlay detail, contrasting internals, high-quality and luxurious materials, and dovetail internal box detailing.

The yacht-grade decorative hardware includes deck cleat handles, finished in an elegant mirror polish stainless steel, and subtly brandishing the Clive Christian mark.

Made from sustainably sourced Iroko timber, The Garden Kitchen is naturally resistant to insects and decomposition. The design accentuates the natural grain structure by adding a warm golden hue.

Although Iroko is hardy, the cabinetry has a further layer of UV blocking lacquer on top, which has been formulated in a way that it mimics the natural flexibility of a traditional oiled finish. The topcoat sinks into the timber, creating a protective coat which moves with the timber removing the risk of cracking or flaking, which you would expect with a traditional varnish or lacquer.

The Garden Kitchen starts from £50,000 and is designed around your specific requirements. It also comes with membership to the Clive Christian Concierge & Club which offers access to the brand’s wider portfolio of design services. 

Clive Christian Furniture Design Studio, 76 Brook Street, W1K 5EE. 

Clive Christian Furniture