This is a serious period home, so a standard kitchen would have looked lost here. The owners wanted a room that commanded respect and matched the scale of the building, but they were worried about it feeling like a museum exhibit. It had to feel like a home, not a showroom.
Every great kitchen needs an anchor. We installed an Aga and built a stage for it. The bespoke overmantle stands nearly three metres wide, a piece of architectural joinery in its own right. Behind it, we used an antique mirror backsplash to bounce the garden views back into the room, stopping the heavy furniture from feeling imposing.
We chose van Cronenburg hardware – Belgian architectural “jewellery” that feels substantial in the hand; whilst brass mesh in the pantry doors adds a metallic glint. These layers stop a grand room from feeling cold.
If the main kitchen is for living, the utility is for working. For this project we installed a second hob, extra extraction and a spare oven. This is where the “overflow cooking” happens – searing steaks or prepping for parties – so the main room stays pristine.
This project is full of big statements, grand mantles, brass and mirrors, but it never shouts. It’s a space that invites you to pull up a chair and stay a while.
The heart of this kitchen is defined by a substantial 3m wide over-mantle, which houses the Aga and a striking antique mirrored backsplash. To enhance the culinary experience, we integrated a pot filler tap directly above the Aga and chose Perrin & Rowe for the sink area. These heritage details bridge the gap between luxury and the practical needs of a busy country kitchen.
No, our antique mirrors are toughened and heat-resistant. The ‘foxing’ (distressed pattern) is perfect for an Aga setting as it elegantly hides the occasional splash while reflecting light back into the room, making the cooking hearth feel much larger.
In a large manor kitchen, the distance between the sink and the Aga can be significant. A plot filler provides the ultimate professional convenience, allowing you to fill heavy stockpots directly on the heat, eliminating the need to carry heavy, water-filled pans across the room.
Beyond their Regency-era aesthetic, these grilles provide essential ventilation. In a tall pan cabinet, the air circulation keeps the cookware dry and prevents odours – while the brass itself is naturally resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for the high-moisture, high use environment of a kitchen.
Consistency was key to the room’s warm, homely feel. We paired the custom decorative brass grilles with hand-crafted van Cronenburg hardware to create a unified metallic palette. Because both elements share a rich, antique finish, they provide a sophisticated glow that ties the large-scale cabinetry to the smaller, tactile details, ensuring the kitchen feels balanced and cohesive.
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