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South East Kitchen
Kitchen Tour: A Flexible Family Space With a Country Aesthetic
Classic cabinets in a soothing palette define this rustic kitchen, which combines timeless charm and practical features
Located in the South Downs countryside, this cottage is home to a kitchen that mixes the best of classic styling with those modern elements that we all love. Low-ceilinged yet light-filled, it showcases its designer’s talent for making the most of a room’s features. “The clients were really open to suggestions for keep it feeling spacious with the right amount of storage and work areas that wouldn’t overfill the room,” says the designer, Helen Robson. Reflective surfaces and the use of a mobile butcher’s block instead of an island unit are just some of the tricks employed here.
Robson worked with the cottage’s original features, adjusting them to suit her new design. “We used the opened-up chimney breast for the new white Aga and used off-white, textured metro tiles as a splashback.” All the other modern-looking appliances are integrated. “It helps to create a simple, traditional and elegant feel,” says Robson. Original floorboards add to the rustic look.
Find a similar ceramic pendant light at deVOL.
Find a similar ceramic pendant light at deVOL.
An external door to the right of the Belfast sink was removed to allow a U-shaped run of cupboards. There’s an integrated dishwasher on the left. “Brass cup handles on the cupboards reflect the brass fixtures on the sash windows,” explains Robson.
Bucking the current trend for island units, Robson and her clients decided on a moveable butcher’s block instead. “There was a lot of discussion about this! They were really keen to have an area to sit and socialise with friends and family whilse cooking, hence the butcher’s block,” says Robson. “It’s the perfect place to sit and chat or have a cup of tea. We decided that this was the best idea as it’s flexible and can be moved around. It also creates an open, relaxed and traditional feel which I love.”
Tolix stool, Twentytwentyone.
Butcher’s block, deVOL.
Tolix stool, Twentytwentyone.
Butcher’s block, deVOL.
A mix of handle types creates a relaxed feel. “I wanted flashes of brass rather than for it to define the room,” says Robson. The gently reflective Carrara marble worktops bounce light around the space.
These classic Shaker units have a freestanding look, but are designed with practicality in mind. “There’s a recessed kick strip behind the neat little legs, which means that runaway items don’t get lost under the cabinets,” says Robson.
The pared-back features include an upstand instead of a splashback, giving the impression that the marble worktop continues several inches up the wall.
A wide variety of storage includes open shelving, drawers, glazed cabinets and a full-height larder cupboard next to an integrated full-height fridge. “We put the tall cupboards on the side furthest away from the windows so as not to block natural light,” says Robson. “And the glazed shallow countertop doors have been placed at right angles to reflect the light back into the space.”
See more ways to keep your fridge out of sight
See more ways to keep your fridge out of sight
Vintage-style accessories, including a stove-top kettle and a traditional-look clock, give this kitchen a sense of history and contribute to the modern-country feel. “The look of the room really suits its country surroundings and the style of the house,” says Robson.
Should a kitchen reflect the style and era of the house it’s in? Tell us in the Comments below.
Should a kitchen reflect the style and era of the house it’s in? Tell us in the Comments below.
Who lives here A family of five (and their dog)
Property Semi-detached cottage
Location Clayton, West Sussex
Kitchen Dimensions 3.7m x 4.5m
Designer Helen Robson of deVOL
This pared-back kitchen may seem wonderfully simple, but its transformation from a gloomy, inefficient space was far from effortless. Nine months’ work involved removing an external door, opening up the chimney breast and installing a U-shaped run of units which complemented the newly configured room. “The previous kitchen was quite dark and dated, and had a hodge-podge layout which didn’t suit the features of the room,” recalls Robson. “It was important to create the feeling of light and space, especially as the ceilings are a bit lower than usual. So as well as an open layout, I used light, but warm natural colours and materials.”
Shaker kitchen painted in Mushroom, deVOL.
See how a simple Shaker kitchen can work in a new-build