ABOUT THIS BESPOKE SHERE KITCHEN

Defining the vision

When a client has a very clear vision of what they want, only a fully bespoke service can realise it fully. We were delighted to work with this wonderful family on a complete remodelling of the downstairs space of their home, guided by the expert eye of the homeowner - interior stylist and designer Belle from Arran and Hadley. Comprising kitchen, utility room, boot room, family room and home office, this was an absolutely pleasure of a project from start to finish, incorporating so many elements that we loved, from the custom-made, traditional English cabinetry to the cleverly hidden functional points around the home.

Settling in East Horsley via South African and Scottish roots, as well as a spell in the US, this family wanted their home to reflect their values and heritage, while providing a practical, beautiful living space that could fulfil all the various aspects of busy family life. They were keen to achieve that charming homeliness for which English kitchens are famous, with a relaxed, coastal retreat feel in the finished designs. No detail was overlooked in their planning and the wonderful way that all the rooms flow together creates a dynamic harmony we wish we could move into ourselves. Natural light, warm textures and honey tones permeate this haven of a home and the functional planning is extremely detailed, ensuring everything has its place to be out of sight yet easily within reach.

A family home with heart

At the centre of the renovation project is the stunning kitchen itself.

Taking inspiration from the natural world, the colour palette is cool and airy, with light woods and honey accents in the brass taps and handles, also echoed in the breakfast bar stools. A gentle white creates a bright backdrop with cool pale grey quartz to complement it.

The worktop has a natural marble feel, and was chosen for its beautiful light colour, stunning veining, and durability. The same material is used for the artistically high splashback, at the top of which is a simple shelf around the wall to display family treasures and beloved photographs.

The wood floor is reflected in the bespoke cabinetry throughout the entire renovation, echoing the nature that inspired the designs, creating a gorgeous warmth and softness of texture. The kitchen is flooded with natural light from the windows and large format doors, which were fitted with sheer roller blinds to block only the essential in terms of glare and heat, while maintaining the light. The two beautiful textured cement pendant lights over the island have diffusers, so they emit a soft, glowing, warm light.

The relationship between function and form was a priority for this kitchen and the attention to detail in the planning and execution was exquisite. Seeking symmetry on either side of the hob according to Belle’s wishes, we created cupboard fronts to match the drawers on the left-hand side, with pull-out drawers within for ease of access. As the family didn’t wish for the extractor hood to be visible, we boxed it in and painted it in the same colour as the rest of the kitchen, making it almost invisible and seamlessly blended in.

A bank of tall cabinetry lines the left wall of the kitchen, including pantry cupboards and cleverly incorporated workstations, such as the pull-out toaster tray, as well as integrated fridge and freezer. A conveniently located “appliance garage” houses the Magimix, Nutribullet, crockpot and more, keeping everything out of sight unless needed. Likewise, the dishwasher is integrated into the island, which also features a bespoke alcove at floor level to house food and water bowls for the family dog, Bear, keeping them safe from feet and raised on a little plinth of the same quartz as the worktop.

As a nod to the family’s love of entertaining, the kitchen also features two integrated wine fridges and a bar area worktop for easy drinks preparation and happy times with friends.

Fluid movement around the home with echoing tones

The doors between the linked living areas are arched with pocket doors, keeping everything open and flowing, but with the easy ability to separate when needed.

The utility room follows the overall look and feel of the kitchen, using the same brass taps and handles, with custom-made oak cabinetry to house household cleaning appliances and products, plus shelves for recipe books and other useful items. To keep the kitchen clear, the family uses the large Belfast sink in the utility for their washing up, and the gorgeous warm terracotta brick slips flooring adds a rustic warmth while complementing the natural textures wonderfully.

The boot room, too, is a joy of simple function and pared back design, featuring the same brick slips flooring and cupboards in a dark grey-green. It has access to the back garden, complete with warm water dog shower outside the back door, and has plenty of storage for footwear and coats as well as a bench to sit on with drawers beneath for gloves, hats and scarves.

The family room provides a perfect space for the children to work and play, with carefully designed cabinetry to house the TV unit, DVD and CD player and games consoles, as well as custom-designed desks. Such was the attention to detail in this tailored project that the wood grain across the oak drawer fronts matches up perfectly; the smallest considerations are never too much trouble and we love being able to provide this level of customisation to our hand-crafted furniture.

The final piece of the puzzle is the gorgeous home office, complete with large-format architect’s desk for Belle’s interior design drawings and all the technical functionality and storage you could ever need.

Delivering the vision: our reason for being

This renovation is testament to Belle’s wonderful eye for design and is a respectful nod to the beauty of the natural world and this family’s heritage. And in delivering it, we were able to play to our passions and strengths: translating vision into reality and doing justice to every last detail of a client’s dream. We are never happier than when designing and crafting beautiful furniture and finishes, matching clients with the perfect collaborative suppliers for the finishing touches, and seeing their journey completed to the highest possible standards.

If you would like to have a chat with us about your own ideas or project, we would love to hear from you.

Press feature

This kitchen has been featured in Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms magazine. To see more click here.