Emma Britton designs colourful glass splashbacks for the kitchen which pair incredibly well with Everhot range cookers. Emma is a British designer known for her floral patterns, and scenes inspired by nature and its bright colour palette. We wanted to find out from her all about the process of designing and buying a splashback. Essential reading for anyone currently considering a splashback for their new kitchen design to frame their Everhot.
What does a splashback do? Why do I need one in my kitchen?
“Very simply, splashbacks protect your bare painted walls from cooking splashes and spills. Think whisking, frying and making a sauce! Glass splashbacks are good for hardworking kitchens, easy to wipe clean and won’t stain. Depending on what kind of cook you are, and how you use your kitchen, will inform where your splashback should go. Do have a think about this before ordering.”
Emma Britton’s Willow Splashback above an Everhot 120i in Sage
At what stage of your kitchen planning should you think about a splashback?
“If you’re having a brand new kitchen, there are a lot of decisions to make. And even though a splashback is the last thing to be fitted after your cabinetry and worktops, it’s worth thinking about what you want from your splashback from the outset. What kind of look and feel do you want it to have in your room? The advantages of deciding on your splashback mean it will work with the Everhot you’ve chosen, for example. And you can also pick flooring, worktops or door colours to complement. The finish you choose to protect your walls is a key part of your kitchen design scheme.”
How would you start this process – how can I start the creative journey of thinking what would work well in my kitchen?
“With my designer floral splashbacks the starting point for lots of people in choosing or creating a look is driven by a strong emotional connection to a type of flower. Or the relationship their home has with nature, or the view from the room. Out of this a splashback design made to work with the kitchen emerges. For bespoke designs I start with a conversation, often visit clients in their homes and virtually, or they send me photographs and I use these to start my designing. After that, I draft some initial ideas and we take it from there. It is a very enjoyable exciting process.”
How can I visualise a splashback – do you send samples or drawings?
“Absolutely – samples of all my glass splashback collections can be ordered online. It is important to live with them for a few days. See how you like them and look at them in both natural and artificial light. I also offer a free visualisation service when I quote. With my bespoke splashbacks service the design is sampled before production. Customers can work closely with me and be as involved as they want to be in the design processes to finalise the look.”
Why do your splashbacks work so well with Everhot Cookers?
“An Everhot and Emma Britton made to measure splashback is a style statement. Both brands are contemporary but have a heritage appeal to them, which I think is what makes them such a good union with wide appeal, from sophisticated kitchens to fun kitchens.”
Everhot 120i in Teal together with Emma Britton Antique Peacock Glass Splashback, photography Earl Smith
Can you colour match to every single Everhot colour? In fact, would you match the colour of your Everhot to your splashback or is it better to introduce complementary
colours or accent colours?
“When I create bespoke designed splashbacks, I’ll often colour match them to other interior finishes. However, colour matching isn’t always necessary in design – complementary and contrast work just as well.”
Where do you discover your design inspiration?
“A good question, inspiration is all over the place. Nature’s accidental colour palettes, which I often find in British suburbia or walks in the countryside, really spark ideas for my collections. But when I’m working with a client to create something truly bespoke, I love learning about them and designing something inspired by their kitchen choices and desires, in my style. It’s a very rewarding process.”
Emma Britton in her design studio, photography credit Elly Lucas
Your work focuses on nature and the outdoors with a real love for floral patterns, where does that come from?
“Flowers are just so interesting, I love drawing the shapes of their leaves and petals and how they grow together. I first got into painting florals when I was 21 and my aesthetic felt so natural I built a career around them! The seeds of my design style started as a child and I was very drawn to the fuchsias grown by my grandfather in my suburban garden. Their shapes and textural qualities are something special, inspiring a life long love of architectural flowers and my slightly nostalgic aesthetic.”
How does the process work if I would like a bespoke splashback above my Everhot?
“It starts with a conversation around how you use the space and what you want to achieve with a bespoke splashback design. I always ask clients to look at my portfolio and tell me what resonates with them from my previous projects. Together, we look at the areas available to put a splashback and I’ll work out the sizing and shape possibilities for your space, often there are different configurations really worth considering.”
How should I measure for a splashback?
“Measure twice and cut once! We support clients in taking their own measurements. Rectangles are relatively straightforward, but walls with plug sockets are a little trickier. We can offer onsite assistance and a nationwide installation service.”
Emma Britton bespoke splashback design featuring an Everhot 100i in Sage
Is the fact that you’re a small, all-female team an important part of Emma Britton as a business?
“I’m proud to be a female-founded business. When I started out in 2010 there weren’t many women entrepreneurs to aspire too, especially in the manufacturing industry. The landscape continues to change, but being a role model feels good. It just happens that my core studio team are all female and very good at connecting with customers. Alongside me though, my male glass installation team help lift and fit big splashback panels into situ. Over three metres of glass in some cases.”
Are there any colour or pattern trends we should be aware of for this year?
“It’s always interesting to see what the Pantone colour of the year is and the mood of the country. I don’t design to colour and pattern trends. My collections and bespoke commissions are created to be timeless and enduring and are often evocative of a mood or memory. I think your own kitchen should be something that brings joy to you on a personal level. It could be an all white, clean and bright space you desire, dark and cosy, or maximalist and colourful that floats your boat.”
Discover more about Emma Britton Glassware Designs here
