The open plan nature of modern kitchens means that having guests, family and friends round for get togethers has become a prime function of the space and is top of the list of requirements in most briefs. But how do you balance what the client wants with what they need? What are the essential elements that make it work and how can you balance the desire to entertain with the day-to-day needs of a family kitchen?

We met up recently with a couple of excellent designers to discuss these very questions – Daniele Brutto from Onesta in Battersea (we actually met in their very nice showroom) and Katie Malik, who is a very accomplished interior designer based in Cambridge.