The Grand Reveal: Celebrating the Luminaries of the Gem Awards 2025

A Panel of Distinction

To crown the best in the country, we have assembled a jury of industry luminaries who live and breathe high-end design. Our panel scrutinised every detail, from material harmony to the flawless execution of a finished edge.

• Laura Hamilton: The renowned property developer and A Place in the Sun presenter joined us with a keen eye for "practical elegance." Having just launched her new YouTube channel, Laura was looking for kitchens that balance high-end personality with the realities of luxury living.
• Francesca Robinson: A titan in KBB (Kitchen, Bedroom, and Bathroom) and interiors, Francesca looks beyond the surface. She seeks structural logic and a refined sense of proportion - the artistry hidden in the fine details.
• Nigel Fletcher: Representing the Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF), Nigel brings technical mastery to the panel. He was looking for the "flawless finish," ensuring our winners represent the pinnacle of stone craftsmanship.
• Lucy Carter: As a digital storyteller and curator of moments, Lucy was looking for the "it" factor - the kitchen that truly raises the bar for 2025.

From sleek urban minimalism to characterful country retreats, the standard this year was unprecedented. Here are the visionary winners who defined excellence in 2025.

🏆 Gem Awards 2025 – Category Winners

Best Modern Kitchen: Victoria King

In a category defined by super-sleek lines and contemporary "wow" factor, Victoria King’s design stood out for its impeccable balance.

• Judges’ Perspective: Laura Hamilton praised the "sleek shape of the worktop island," noting it truly delivers a "WOW" factor. Nigel Fletcher highlighted the "good use of the space with attention to detail" and the clever "use of lights to create warmth and zones".

Best Traditional Kitchen: Charlie Burgess

Charlie Burgess captured the essence of timeless character and craft, celebrating the very best of classic shaker and cottage styles.

• Judges’ Perspective: Lucy Carter noted the "timeless element" of the design, remarking that "neutral tones with the Siena Gold work so well". Laura Hamilton called it an "incredible transformation" with a "beautiful colour choice".

Biggest Transformation: Jonathan Lubert

Jonathan Lubert demonstrated the incredible power of a renovation, proving that vision can entirely reinvent a home’s footprint.

• Judges’ Perspective: Francesca Robinson described it as a "clever and carefully thought-out space" where "every inch has been considered". Nigel Fletcher was particularly impressed by the "bold and powerful use of vibrant colours".

Most Unique Design: Laura Storr

For one-of-a-kind beauty and exceptional design features, Laura Storr’s kitchen was the undisputed champion.

• Judges’ Perspective: The panel admired the "clever use of the space to create a dining kitchen," specifically noting how a "T-shaped peninsula meant that all space was utilised and nothing was wasted".

Stone Statement: Laura Holehan

When the stone is the star, the result is hypnotic. Laura Holehan’s use of quartz worktops was hailed for its focal-point brilliance.

• Judges’ Perspective: Nigel Fletcher applauded the "attention to detail, especially with the slope of the ceiling". Lucy Carter was enamoured by the "Gold Superior quartz with the ogee edge," calling it a "stunning space".

👑 The Overall Kitchen Winner: Warren Edwards & James Roper

Taking the "big one," Warren and James created a space that the judges described as "quirky and unique". Their kitchen is a masterclass in bespoke design, seamlessly integrating the room's soaring architecture with personal style.

James & Warren’s kitchen is due shortly to feature on Channel 4’s Outrageous Homes – series 2 so keep your eyes peeled as it will be airing shortly. The programme, hosted by the flamboyant Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, celebrates the UK’s most eccentric, daring, and unapologetic home designs. This kitchen - with its soaring 12ft ceilings and bespoke lighting - is the perfect star for a show dedicated to the "extraordinary."

"What they have created is perfect for the type of home they live in. They have really thought about how the kitchen works with the room architecture... quirky and unique."  — Francesca Robinson, Gem Awards Judge 

A Note from the Jury

Our judges - Laura Hamilton, Francesca Robinson, Nigel Fletcher, and Lucy Carter - commented that this was the most difficult year yet to judge. Every entry represented a remarkable benchmark for kitchen interiors in the UK today.

To all our winners and finalists: thank you for inviting us into the heart of your homes. You have shown us that with the right materials and a bold vision, the possibilities are truly endless.