The dark oak Scavolini kitchen in the show unit at Longwood is uncompromisingly modern.

From Verona Living (051 336000) it cost €32,000 excluding appliances, and comes in a range of colours including teak, light oak and aluminium grey. Square aluminium handles inserted into doors make an even bolder statement.

Plinth lights help create an atmosphere at night when the main lights are switched off.

Verona Living created a boxed-in area over the tall kitchen units. This was pre-made, inserted and roller painted in almond white. It helps to give the kitchen a more streamlined finish and prevents junk accumulating on top of units.

Work-friendly features of the kitchen, which has a quartz worktop, include soft-closing doors, and sectioned drawers.

A reflective white splashback from Colourglass Ltd (01-295 5322) over the back wall units also helps create ambience in the kitchen when light bounces off it. This is available in a range of colours,

Spanish crema marfil tiles on the floor came from Nationwide Tiles and Bathrooms (01-605 5281) and cost around €70-€80 a sq metre .