Finalists - Young Designer Award for Kitchens - age 25 and under

Donna Grech - Grech & Grech

Cost: £29,800

What Donna says: “The design blends the living area, casual dining area and kitchen into a total concept, creating the hub of the home. The kitchen design embraces and captures elements of the outside garden’s natural beauty.”

What the judges say: “An understated and subtle kitchen for someone so young. With a brief like that, it would be easy to go over the top, but Donna has shown real maturity here.”

Donna’s clients wanted a great functional entertaining kitchen to blend seamlessly into a casual dining and living area - and she’s managed to marry the two with great effect. Using white high-gloss units with walnut cabinets combined with dark brown Silestone worktops, she’s achieved a highly contrasting effect. With some tricky technical problems to solve too, the end result has given the clients excellent value for money.

Nikita Pearce - Callisto Design

Cost: £22,550

What Nikita says: “The final design created a light and airy room, which now has a real sense of purpose and flow as well being stylish.”

What the judges say: “A tricky little job that shows what a good designer can do in a very unglamorous and awkward space. These kinds of job are the real bread and butter of kitchen retailers and Nikita has done a very good job.”

A really awkward space made for some interesting solutions from Nikita. The family wanted a practical functional kitchen that included the breakfast bar, but the budget was limited and so some wise product decisions gave them the kitchen they wanted at the price they stipulated. The curved units lead the users round the corners and the colour choices give a family-friendly feeling that more than makes the most of a difficult job.

Claire Lovell - Kitchens International

Cost: £22,300

What Claire says: “The kitchen is uncomplicated, light and simple with clean lines and a timeless design. Most importantly it sits well within the space and does not detract from the outside views.”

What the judges say: “It’s very easy to get carried away and try and match a spectacular location with a spectacular design, but Claire has taken all the right decisions with subtlety and restraint.”

A fantastic view across the Firth of Forth provides the backdrop to a subtle and contemporary kitchen by Claire. The clients’ large family home was being extended and they wanted a functional family kitchen that made the most of the views. Clear lines and subtle colours don’t overwhelm the view, instead working with it to make the most of the location.

Ian Keane - Krieder

Cost: £18,000

What Ian says: “The final design concept consisted of two main parts of the kitchen. There would be a tall bank of units that would house the cooling appliances and ovens, and then a large island that included the hobs and the sinks, his design achieved the clean minimal look.”

What the judges say: “A fine looking kitchen with clean lines and nice product choices - he’s succeeded in meeting the two conflicting briefs of minimal and practical.”

Ian’s client was a professional chef and restaurateur and had already decided he wanted a minimalist design - however he still wanted a practical food preparation area. The handleless doors and grey quartz finish on the worktop give the contemporary look, but the island still manages to include two sinks, large pan drawers and two hobs - one of which includes a barbecue griddle.