ABOUT THIS BESPOKE SHERE KITCHEN

On a hillside surrounded by the most spectacular views of vineyards and paddocks stands this wonderfully private country house with its sweeping driveway, striking a perfect balance between rural tranquillity and the convenience of local amenities, in a quintessentially English village.

The owners look forward to eventually spending their retirement here, intending to enjoy life with the time and space for entertaining friends and hosting family, while taking advantage of the glorious walks available from their doorstep.

As part of a larger renovation project, the clients wanted to incorporate a kitchen, walk-in pantry, utility and boot room. They wanted a finish which was impressive but not overwhelming, a space as suited for relaxed daily life as for lively entertaining.

We worked with the architects from the outset to ensure that every last detail was intentionally accounted for, respecting the heritage and style of the original house while providing the owners with a comfortable and stylish home, with a meticulously designed place for everything.

Bespoke design to fit every unique space

Choosing the best layout was essential, and collaborating with the architect from the start helped this process to flow, as we were able to influence the positioning of the kitchen within the extension. With two long walls opening up with dual sets of triple, bi-fold doors to maximise airiness and light, wall space was limited, so we had to be creative with the use of space to incorporate all the cabinetry the family required.

As all our cabinetry is hand-made right here in our Guildford workshop, every aspect of the kitchen could be fully tailored to the space available. Working closely with the owners throughout, we were able to adapt the designs to best suit the original features of the house and complement, rather than disrupt, the visual lines created by the gorgeous oak beams, with architectural joinery aligned with the look and feel of the property as a whole. This included creating a recess to house the fridge freezer, borrowing space from the adjacent study, with slimline storage cupboards on either side. This left the beams untouched and also created far more space in the kitchen area itself.

The walk-in pantry is a beautiful design feature, using pretty, glazed doors to allow natural light to flood through the kitchen from the window within. Open shelving is stocked with lovely glass canisters holding baking supplies, with plenty of hand-made cabinetry to house more bulky essentials, such as the microwave, juicer and food processor. The architectural joinery, customised proportions and deep recessed architrave emphasise the importance of everything being hand-made to order, everything perfectly fitting the space.

Convenience and practicality balanced with stylish design

As the kitchen is open plan, incorporating the dining and snug / bar area, the client wanted everything conveniently to hand, yet out of sight to keep the space clear and tidy. The island unit incorporates several integrated touches, such as an open book shelf, tea-towel rails, storage cupboards and dishwasher, as well as the sink, positioned to look sociably over the living space.

The breakfast cupboard uses hand-made bi-fold doors to conceal those breakfast essentials needed regularly, such as the coffee machine, toaster and of course, the biscuits, while keeping everything neatly out of sight when not being used.

The individually commissioned, antiqued glass which sits behind the range cooker reflects brightness and creates a feeling of inclusion while cooking for guests, and the quartz worktop was built up to a useful shelf at the back for things like utensils, favourite oils, salt and pepper to sit. Power points were incorporated here too, ensuring the ultimate convenience for handheld appliances while cooking, with drawers positioned to either side of the range for utensils, pots and pans.

Beautiful details provide the finishing touches

This client had a real appreciation and eye for interior design, and we just love the finishing touches, from the cool, classic colour palette to the gorgeously unique, handmade cabinetry handles which we sourced from Optimum Brasses, all individually made for a living finish brimming with character. The contemporary lampshades from Normann Copenhagen were also a perfect match for this clean and classic kitchen design.

A design which flows from room to room

The cool, airy style of the main kitchen continues throughout the utility and boot rooms, each also designed to house everything the family needs, from the run of hand-made cabinetry designed for ironing boards, mops and cleaning supplies to the extensive shoe and boot rack, left deliberately open-fronted to allow proper drying of footwear.

A custom-made oak bench provides a convenient seating area and room for wellies underneath with a small shelf space created for books and plants, finished off with a really pretty bracket to add a little extra touch.

This room has such a lovely feel, relaxed yet well-equipped, informal yet totally practical, with ample space for countless coats and a place for everything to be put away until needed, plus a large overflow fridge for extra space.

The beauty of bespoke

It is such a privilege to work within properties like these and use our extensive skills in architectural joinery and traditional cabinetry to bring our clients’ visions to life. Our little Surrey workshop is always buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm for every project, and as no two of our kitchens are ever the same, that delight never dwindles, resulting in meticulous attention to detail and the finest of finishes.

If you would like to discuss your ideas for your own bespoke kitchen project, please do get in touch for an informal chat.