A tidy, functional kitchen greeted the owners when they moved into their new house in Chipping Camden. But the room did not function in a practical way for their lifestyle, nor did it possess any particular charm. The solution? A replacement kitchen designed and crafted to suit their needs and with a style they love.
Designing the new kitchen
The owners had worked with Craig Forster of Barn & Brook several times before, so he knew their taste and practical requirements. He designed a U-shaped kitchen with a large central island/breakfast bar, repositioning the stainless steel undermounted sink below the window. Because the kitchen is part of an open-plan room that also includes a dining table and a seating area, the end floor cupboard was reduced in depth so as to create a gentle ‘flow’ from one space to another.
Classic cabinets
In typical classic, country style, the cabinet doors are shaker style in a pencil-bead frame. A highlight is the wide, breakfront cupboard that includes drawers, shelves and bi-fold doors hiding a breakfast area with a microwave above. An under-counter fridge in the island opposite is a handy addition. There are also built-in spice racks and bookshelves, and glass-fronted cabinets for glassware, with LED lighting.
The kitchen colour scheme
The owners selected two co-ordinating Little Greene shades for interest, one neutral and the other bolder. The majority of the kitchen is painted in tranquil Portland Stone 77, with the island in muted Sage Green 80.
Complementary cupboard knobs
Complementing the overall style of the kitchen, the cupboards and drawers are fitted with traditional Jones mushroom knobs on a square backplate, in lacquered antique brass, by Henry Blake Hardware. The backplate is a great choice for knobs and handles on painted kitchen cabinetry, as it helps reduce wear and tear. Henry Blake Hardware also supplied the drawer runners and the soft-close hinges for the cupboard doors.
Efficient appliances
For cooking versatility and efficiency, the owners chose an Ilve range cooker with two ovens, an induction hob and a canopy extractor. The dishwasher is built-in, too, as is the tall fridge to the right of the cooker. The instant hot water tap by Franke came from the owners’ previous home and was re-installed.
Worktops and flooring
The earthy, marble-like quartz worktop (and matching 75mm upstands) adds another layer of quiet luxury. A recent launch from Ceasarstone, it’s called Taj Royale 5212. The floor pulls everything together: large-format limestone slabs laid in a random format, its warm tones of beige and golden-brown give a lived-in feel and picking out the brown veining in the worktops.
