Barn & Brass · Home Inspiration · Hardware & Design
A HUSK Kitchen Case Study · 6 min read
For years, the safest kitchen choice was a simple one: white cabinetry, neutral finishes, and a design that blended quietly into the background. There is nothing wrong with that approach, but more and more homeowners are now looking for spaces that feel personal and reflective of how they actually live.
The challenge is introducing colour without tying a kitchen to a particular moment in time. A successful scheme should still feel relevant, and enjoyable to live with, years from now.
This recent project by HUSK is a great example of how to get that balance right. Combining soft blue cabinetry, natural timber, open shelving, and carefully chosen brass details, the space feels fresh and distinctive while remaining timeless. It has character, but it never feels overwhelming.
Soft blue cabinetry, sage green walls and oak open shelving combine for a kitchen that feels calm rather than trend-led. Kitchen by HUSK.
The Growing Appeal of Colour in Kitchen Design
Across the UK, homeowners are becoming more confident with colour in their interiors. Rather than treating kitchens as purely functional spaces, they are creating rooms that feel warmer, more expressive, and more connected to the rest of the home.
What makes this HUSK kitchen particularly successful is the shade of blue chosen for the cabinetry. It feels calm rather than dramatic, adding visual interest without dominating the room. The colour creates a strong identity while remaining versatile enough to work with changing décor, furniture, and accessories over time.
This is often the difference between a kitchen that feels fashionable and one that feels enduring. Instead of chasing trends, it focuses on creating a balanced environment that people genuinely want to spend time in.
The blue extends across full-height cabinetry, anchored by warm oak joinery and brushed brass detailing.
Natural Materials Keep the Space Grounded
One of the most effective ways to use colour is to pair it with natural materials. Throughout this project, timber plays an important role in creating balance. The shelving, island detailing, flooring, and exposed wood elements soften the blue cabinetry and introduce warmth into the overall scheme.
Natural materials provide a sense of permanence that helps colourful interiors feel more timeless. They add texture and depth while preventing painted surfaces from feeling flat or overly polished.
This pairing of colour and timber has become a defining characteristic of many Scandinavian-inspired interiors. It creates spaces that feel relaxed and welcoming, rather than overly designed.
An oak island and exposed timber ceiling beams ground the scheme, keeping the colour feeling warm rather than cold.
Why the INGA Lip Pull Handle Works So Well
Hardware is often one of the last decisions made during a renovation, yet it can have a surprisingly large impact on the finished result.
In this kitchen, the INGA lip pull handle from Barn & Brass contributes to the overall design in a subtle but important way. Rather than drawing attention away from the cabinetry, it complements it. The warm brass finish introduces contrast against the blue fronts while connecting beautifully with the timber elements throughout the room.
The handle itself is deliberately understated. Its profile sits neatly along the cabinet edge, creating a clean appearance that allows the cabinetry to remain the focal point. This makes it particularly well suited to kitchens where colour, texture, or materiality are already playing a strong role in the design.
The INGA lip pull sits flush along the cabinet edge, letting the exposed plywood edge and blue front do the talking.
It's a good reminder that great hardware doesn't always need to be bold. Often, the best pieces are the ones that quietly enhance everything around them.
Brass Continues to Be a Favourite for Good Reason
Brass has remained one of the most sought-after finishes in kitchen design because of its versatility. Unlike cooler metals, it introduces warmth and softness while still feeling contemporary.
In this HUSK project, the brass hardware sits comfortably alongside the brass tap and lighting details, creating a sense of cohesion throughout the space. These repeated accents help the room feel considered, without appearing overly coordinated.
The brass tap and wall lights echo the cabinet hardware, tying the whole room together without feeling overdone.
Brass also works exceptionally well with a wide range of colours. Whether paired with deep greens, muted blues, natural oak, or painted neutrals, it brings a level of richness that many other finishes struggle to achieve.
For homeowners looking for hardware that will continue to feel relevant over time, solid brass remains one of the safest and most versatile choices available.
Open Shelving Creates Breathing Space
Another feature that contributes to the success of this kitchen is the use of open shelving. While large wall cabinets can sometimes make a space feel enclosed, open shelves introduce a sense of lightness and flexibility.
The timber shelves provide room for glassware, ceramics, books, and decorative objects, while also reinforcing the natural materials used elsewhere in the room. They help break up larger wall surfaces and create visual breathing space around the cabinetry.
The result is a kitchen that feels functional while still retaining a sense of personality.
A Kitchen Designed for the Long Term
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this project is that it doesn't rely on a single statement feature. Instead, it succeeds because every element works together.
The blue cabinetry provides character. The timber introduces warmth. The brass details add refinement. The shelving creates openness. None of these elements would have the same impact on their own, but together they create a kitchen that feels balanced and complete.
It's a reminder that timeless design rarely comes from following trends. More often, it comes from choosing materials, colours, and details that complement one another and age gracefully over time.
For Barn & Brass, the INGA lip pull handle represents exactly that philosophy. Simple, versatile, and thoughtfully designed, it proves that even the smallest details can play a meaningful role in shaping a space.
Shop the INGA Lip Pull Handle
Bring the same quiet, considered contrast to your own kitchen.
Shop Cabinet Handles →Frequently Asked Questions
Will a coloured kitchen go out of style?
Not if the colour is paired thoughtfully with natural materials and timeless hardware. Calm, muted tones — like the soft blue used in this HUSK kitchen — tend to age far better than bold, trend-led shades, especially when balanced with timber and brass accents.
Does brass hardware suit a coloured kitchen?
Yes. Brass pairs well with almost any cabinetry colour, from deep greens to muted blues and natural neutrals. Its warmth softens painted surfaces and adds richness without competing with the colour itself.
What is a lip pull handle?
A lip pull is a slim, integrated handle that sits along the top or bottom edge of a cabinet door or drawer front, rather than projecting outward. It offers a clean, understated look that works particularly well on coloured or textured cabinetry where the door itself is the focal point.
How do I keep solid brass hardware looking its best?
A soft damp cloth is usually all that's needed for routine cleaning. Avoid abrasive cleaners. If you prefer the warm, hand-finished look to deepen naturally over time, no maintenance is required at all — that's part of the character of solid brass.
Ready to Add Brass Detailing to Your Own Kitchen?
Explore the full range of solid brass cabinet handles and pulls, including the INGA lip pull featured in this HUSK kitchen project.
Shop Cabinet Handles →Kitchen design and photography: HUSK.
