ABOUT THIS BESPOKE SHERE KITCHEN

The perfect blend of function and form in this traditionally inspired country kitchen

Completed as part of a total house renovation against the backdrop of the Covid pandemic, the Winterfold kitchen was a warm and sunny slice of calm in a world turned on its head.

The lovely owners had plenty of ideas about the look and feel they wanted to achieve, and function was always going to be key. The result is a perfect balance of hushed tones and crafted beauty, a nostalgic nod to family kitchens of the past, with a contemporary eye for design and practicality.

Styled around family to make daily living easier

The joy of a complete house renovation is the ability to tailor every aspect of your living space to best suit your unique needs and preferences. This is an active and outdoorsy home where sport and school and dogs are all in the mix, where guests are always welcome, and the next adventure is never far away.

The kitchen forms the heart of this hive of activity as a calm and grounded oasis, with easy, natural flow between rooms and through to outdoors, and oodles of storage to keep everything orderly and easy to access. The colour scheme is cool and neutral with soft greys, complementary whites and muted blues, warmed with oak accents which echo the doors and fixtures throughout the home. With every detail custom-made to fit the setting, there is a delightful lack of symmetry which appealed to the owners and reflected the unique personality and style of the house itself.

No detail was too small in the project design, from providing ample coat-hanging space for guests and changing seasonal needs, housed in custom-made cupboards, to generous shoe storage space and even a dedicated nook for the puppy’s bed, out of the way of busy feet.

A place for everything

The Winterfold kitchen also incorporates the utility and boot rooms, a beautifully conceived and executed vision of family living and versatile practicality. The client had a very clear idea of function, and we love the traditional details, like the oak letter rack in the kitchen and the gorgeously incorporated umbrella stand in the boot room, perfect for hockey sticks and golf clubs alike.

The kitchen itself was designed as a space for living, so its as much a place for homework and creative projects at the large table by the garden doors as it is for cooking, eating and catching up with friends. Zoning was therefore an important feature and the owners really thought through what they wanted, from the separate prep table for quick use mid-cooking, to the organised layout of storage cupboards and cabinets and the convivial peninsula as a naturally social point.

Inspired by tradition and created with contemporary craftsmanship

This kitchen has a wonderful nostalgia about it, with traditional cupboards taking precedence over the more modern trend for drawer space, the gorgeous AGA, and even the peninsula, somehow reminiscent of a childhood family kitchen, providing structure to separate the cooking area from the rest of the room.

Custom-made cabinetry provides the practical, tailor-made structure, with dedicated cupboard space for food storage, glassware, crockery and utensils, as well as the breakfast pantry. Dishwasher drawers are housed conveniently near the sink with bins neatly integrated out of sight behind stylish cupboard doors.

The colour palette selected was quite neutral, with cool greys and hushed whites offset by the dramatic lead grey of the cabinetry and warm oak of the shelving, letter rack and freestanding prep table. The overall effect is one of elegant serenity, with an understated confidence from the bolder greys and glorious natural light from the windows and large doors leading out to the garden and pool beyond.

Practicality balanced with beautiful design

Every choice made for this renovation project was inspired by practical use, from the low-maintenance, hard-wearing quartz worktops to the easily-retouched colour scheme, essential in a home with three children and a puppy. Yet, there is no visible compromise in the style and finish of this beautiful space.

The client was able to work with us to select exactly the shades and tones they wanted, and make those all-important choices for finishes, like handles and shelving, lights and power sources. Our expert joiners were able to create cabinets to fit the slightly uneven surfaces and spaces to keep that characteristic wonkiness that gives this home such personality and charm, and create beautiful hand-crafted storage solutions to fulfil the everyday needs of this busy and active family.

The personal touch

For us, local is everything, and this project has a particular place in our hearts, being situated almost on our doorstep. We loved that the client could just pop by to finalise details and finishes, and we really welcome that collaboration and participation from everyone we work with.

Creating a fully bespoke kitchen, crafted around the individual location, space and brief of every individual client requires time and patience, a mutual love for beautiful design and a respect for the detail and process of hand-crafted cabinetry. We are so privileged to work with clients who share our vision and dedication to unique tailoring and craftsmanship, and we relish every opportunity to help them bring their vision to life.

Press feature

This kitchen has been featured in Surrey Life Magazine. To see more click here.