This was such a dreamy project. We danced on our own kitchen table when Interior Stylist Belle Hadley from Arran and Hadley Interiors asked us to make a kitchen for her own family home. A friend of Belle’s had recommended us, so from the start she knew she could ask us to make exactly what she had in mind. It is just the sort of commission we had hoped for when we opened our Shere Kitchens cabinetry workshop; with custom furniture, made carefully to order including lots of special details.
This calming kitchen is the centre piece of the home, with the utility, boot room, living room and study all inter-connected with arch ways and pocket doors, each carefully designed to look beautiful and work together … but that is another blog post entirely.
There are some key elements that make this kitchen space feel wonderfully relaxing and effortlessly simple. While it takes a great deal of thought to achieve this look, once you have it, it makes busy family life that bit easier and will bring you pleasure every day.
Design details ~ We are cabinet makers, we love working with wood, so crafting these natural Oak shaker-style cabinets made us happy. Warm and full of character they are just so pretty to look at.
Plentry of cabinetry for pots and pans were included around the range. The wall above the cooker was kept light with a tall statement splashback and slim objet shelf connecting the space between the pantry cupboards on the left and the garden wall on the right.
To keep the look aligned the oak cabinetry on the range run was all made to look like drawers, when in fact some are cupboard doors (you can see the full set of photos on The Arundel Kitchen page). Belle did not want the extractor to dominate the space or detract from the beauty around it, so it is housed in a simple boxing, all painted the same colour as the walls.
A place for everything ~ Being able to declutter makes the aesthetic so much softer and us so much happier; so every cabinet and drawer was carefully considered to ensure that storage was easy. This kitchen design includes a mixture of cupboards, drawers, pull-out shelves, and lots of tall storage. It provides homes for integrated fridges, a freezer, pantry cupboard with spice rack, oodles of pull-out shelves, a cupboard for small appliances, and a tea and coffee station and drinks cabinet. There is even a pull out ‘toaster tray’ so that the toaster can be kept hidden away and pulled out when in use.
Colour palette ~ This kitchen has a typically Scandinavian colour palette with the warm natural oak colouring, off- whites and a pale grey worktop. It is clean, calm, and pared-back but so welcoming. It practically invites you to sit at the Island, enjoy a coffee and pour over the beautiful collection of interior design books.
Natural materials ~ Simple natural materials were key to this design. Using nature is great way to bring in different tones and patterns. The oak cabinetry, wooden flooring, and stools bring lots of personality. Wood has always been very appealing to humans. We personally have a vintage wooden table which I am really attached to. It is lovely to look at and holds so many happy memories. Wood in our homes has been proven to be good for us and that is why it is an ideal choice of material to bring into the kitchen, where we spend so much time eating, chatting, singing, trying our best, snacking and all the rest. Mixing up textures helps to make the space feel cosy and homely. Here Belle chose a soft grey polished quartz worktop with stunning veining, a hand-woven bowl, dried grasses, aged brass taps, ceramic sink, linen tea towels with smooth handcrafted brass knobs and pull handles. Each piece adds charm, colour, and personality to the room.
Lighting ~ Finally, the natural light in this room is such so uplifting/The sunlight pours in through these French doors from the garden, making the space wonderfully airy and bright. And in the evenings, the slimline cement pendent lights diffuse a soft broad beam of light. Perfect.
This kitchen was custom-made by our cabinet makers at our workshop in Shere near Guildford, Surrey. Click here to see more images of this kitchen design. Designed with and styled by Arran & Hadley Interiors. We make kitchens to suit you and your property. If you would like to know more, please do contact us via [email protected]