The alpha kitchen

Shoparound: Fans of lavish kitchens will be delighted to hear that Clive Christian is back in Dublin with a new showroom set to open next month.

The UK-based firm specialises in over-the-top Victorian-style kitchens, in which solid-wood cabinetry is coupled with extravagant flourishes. The kitchens are popular with the stars - singer Shania Twain is reported to have one, as does Rod Stewart, Elton John and Roy Keane.

A dedicated Clive Christian showroom will open in the Sandyford Industrial Estate in early May. It will be one of more than 50 exclusive Clive Christian Home showrooms worldwide including those based in Knightsbridge, London and Madison Avenue, New York. The Dublin opening is part of the company's plans to appoint new exclusive dealerships worldwide.

On display at the showroom will be the latest offering from the firm - the Alpha kitchen. It is inspired by the decadent glamour of film director Stanley Kubrick's controversial film Eyes Wide Shut, which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. With dark wood and chrome detail it is a much more modern look for Clive Christian.

The kitchen features solid walnut cabinets with chrome handles. A large island unit is lit and raised off the floor to create a floating effect. However the luxury is still there with carved corbelled lion's feet legs finished in platinum leaf and a white quartz worktop with elongated trough sink.

For more traditional opulence the Clive Christian traditional Victorian painted kitchen is always a winner. It features raised panels, corbelled and reeded pilasters, bevelled glazed dressers and dental cornice. Prices start at €36,000 for Clive Christian kitchens.

Not only will kitchens be on display at the 232sq m (2,500sq ft) showroom Clive Christian bedroom, bathroom, study, lounge and dining room ranges, as well as a lighting and tableware, will be on show. The company's perfume collection will also be available.

56B Blackthorn Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate Dublin 18. Tel: 01 291 7020