A beautiful estate owned by a client with a passion for classic cars. The challenge was to restore the character of the original stately home, while making the sharp new extension feel like a natural evolution.
The back wall looks like a seamless run of dark cabinetry housing the serious Gaggenau appliances, but it’s an illusion. One panel is a secret entrance leading to a hidden Prep Kitchen. This is where the toaster and the mess live, leaving the main room looking like a gallery.
We went dark for this one. The cabinetry is crafted from slatted, stained ash. The thousands of tiny slats catch the light and stop the black finish from looking flat. We paired it with Clay Caesarstone, a thick, tactile surface that feels as substantial as it looks.
On paper, a black kitchen in a country estate sounds like a risk. In reality, the texture of the slatted ash stops it feeling cold. It perfectly bridges the gap between a modern showpiece and a warm family home.
Its all about creating a ‘natural evolution’ rather than a sharp contrast. We chose materials with real weight and presence, like the slatted ash and thick Caesarstone. The result is a kitchen that feels just as substantial as the original stately home, but with the crisp, architectural edge that suits modern living.
The design was very much a dialogue with the gardens outside. We positioned the two large islands to align with the
Crittall-style glazing, ensuring that whether you are prepping food or sitting at the island, you have a direct connection to the estate’s grounds.
In a minimalist design, visual clutter is the enemy. We created a seamless wall of dark cabinetry that houses high-end Gaggenau appliances, but one panel is actually a secret entrance. It leads to a hidden ‘Prep Kitchen’ where the toaster and everyday clutter live, allowing the main room to stay perfectly clean and calm.
This functional room is the perfect place to make a mess and prepare for a dinner party, while the main kitchen stays calm and uncluttered. Thoughtfully integrated cabinetry and concealed storage ensure everything has its place, proving that minimalist design can still offer generous, practical storage without compromising its sleek aesthetic.
In a large room, a flat black surface can sometimes feel a bit cold or ‘heavy’. By using hand-finished ash slats, we created a texture that catches the light and changes as you move through the space. It adds a tactile, furniture-like quality that makes the kitchen feel warm and welcoming rather than just a wall of dark units.
We wanted a material that felt as substantial as the estate itself. Choosing a thick, tactile ‘Clay’ finish adds a layer of earthy, organic texture that softens the sharp architectural lines of the islands. It’s a very durable surface that looks like natural stone but is functional and easy to live with.
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