Housed in a barn-like space linking the new, main country house to a series of outbuildings, this kitchen had an impressive footprint and high ceilings.
The brief was to create a highly functional kitchen in a large, open space without interrupting or obscuring its impressive sweep of roof space.
This modern rustic kitchen took influence from Flemish design Large rooms can present us with numerous design challenges, chiefly in how we create a practical working kitchen that is not spread over too big a space. We were keen not to introduce a walled partition, which would have interrupted the roof space, but some large kitchens need partitions to prevent the room from feeling cavernous and cold.
We chose to break down the space using furniture to create discreet areas, to house equipment and to lend a warm, human scale to the room.
Bespoke Somerset willow baskets with a catering standard tap in the scullery area
The sink is solid Portuguese marble hewn with a bullnose waist
Being prolific entertainers, our clients wanted space for a an AGA as well as a modern oven. Therefore, for practicality, we designed space on the public side of the partition for the oven to sit.
The functionally of the sinks were important to the client, and so they received special attention. Carved from a piece of solid marble from Bentall in Portugal, the sinks were then set flush into the plaster behind to avoid having an upstand. The paint used in this area was water-resistant.
The sinks have a bull-nose waist so they are comfortable to stand at and admire the magnificent view from the window.
Each flat drawer is framed with a projecting bead
The furniture is oak throughout, selected from a family sawmill near Dijon in France. It was raked for texture and then over painted so the grain grins through the oak. The paint was then glazed with an acrylic lacquer to lightly age it.
The island is designed to resemble a re-purposed tailor’s table.
Floors are of French limestone. The willow baskets in the scullery were made by weavers in Somerset.
A wrought iron tie bar links the columns
The cutlery drawers are lined with cork
Magnets hidden within the oak keep sharp knives in place
A beautiful and functional kitchen without compromising the sense of sweeping space created by the architect.
A kitchen enabling large scale entertaining but maintaining a comfortable and domestic feel.
Sliding doors run on model railway parts modified expressly for this purpose
Simple pegs for hanging drying up cloths
