Simon Taylor Furniture was commissioned to undertake the full refurbishment of an existing kitchen space in a Victorian railway cottage in a small village, near Aylesbury. The clients were seeking a light, bright traditional Shaker kitchen that would include plenty of storage and seating for two people. In addition to removing the old kitchen, they also laid a new floor using 60 x60cm floor tiles in Lakestone Ivory Matt by Minoli, prior to installing the new kitchen. All cabinetry was handmade at the Simon Taylor Furniture cabinet workshop in Bierton, near Aylesbury, and it was handpainted in Skimming Stone by Farrow & Ball. The Shaker design includes cot bead frames with Ovolo bead moulding on the inner edge of each door, with tongue and groove panelling in the peninsula recess and as end panels to add contrast. Above the tall cabinetry and overhead cupboards is the Simon Taylor Furniture classic cornice to the ceiling. All internal carcases and dovetail drawer boxes are made of oak, with open shelving in oak as an accent detail. The white window pelmets feature the same Ovolo design with LED lighting at the base, and were also handmade at the workshop. The worktops and upstands, featured throughout the kitchen, are made from 20mm thick quartz with a double pencil edge in Vicenza by CRL Stone. The working kitchen area was designed in an L-shape with a wet run beneath the main feature window and the cooking run against an internal wall. The wet run includes base cabinets for bins and utility items in addition to a 60cm integrated dishwasher by Siemens with deep drawers to one side. At the centre is a farmhouse sink by Villeroy & Boch with a dual lever mixer tap by Perrin & Rowe. The overhead cabinetry for the cooking run includes three storage cupboards and a housing for a 45cm built-in Microwave by Siemens. The base cabinetry beneath includes two sets of soft-opening cutlery and storage drawers on either side of a Britannia range cooker that the clients already owned. Above the glass splashback is a concealed canopy hood, also by Siemens. Intersecting the 16sq. metre space is a stylish curved peninsula with a tongue and grooved recess beneath the worktop that has space for two counter stools, a feature that was integral to the initial brief. At the curved end of the peninsula is a double-door crockery cabinet and on the wall above it are open shelves in oak, inset with LED downlights, next to a tall white radiator by Zehnder. To the left of the peninsula is an integrated French Door fridge freezer by Fisher & Paykel on either side of two tall shallow cabinets, which are installed into a former doorway to a utility room, which now has a new doorway next to it. The cabinetry door fronts feature a broken façade to add further detail to this Shaker kitchen. Directly opposite the fridge freezer, the corner space next to doors that lead to the formal dining room now has a tall pantry larder with oak internal shelving and spice racks inside the double doors. All cup handles and ball knobs are by Hafele.

The brief was to create a feminine home suitable for parties and the client wanted to have a luxurious deco feel whilst remaining contemporary. We worked with a local Kitchen company Tomas Living to create the perfect space for our client in these ice cream colours. The Gubi Beetle bar stools had a bespoke pink leather chosen to compliment the scheme.

In the quaint village of Clifton, Bedfordshire, we were commissioned to create multiple rooms within this exceptional new-build home. The main hub was designed to bring family, friends and entertaining together in one beautifully exceptional space with a fun and characterful design. Set within an expansive open-plan layout, the kitchen is built in our Lay-On Shaker style, hand-painted in Farrow & Ball Studio Green, the brand’s deepest green, rich and atmospheric. The depth of colour is elevated with the warm antique brass finish of Corston Milliner handles and knobs, giving the cabinetry a timeless, luxurious feel. The fun design continues with an L-shaped perimeter run of cabinetry paired with a matching L-shaped central island. This dual configuration provides generous prep space, ample storage, and comfortable seating for informal gatherings at one end of the island. The island is a true statement piece, and includes open shelving for cookbooks – adding charm and accessibility, an Armac Martin Cotswold aged brass towel rail – for practicality and decorative detail, and a combination worktop of Bianco Mysterio quartz and solid oak, balancing natural warmth with durability. It also features the sink area, a Caple Paladin undermount sink in white, paired with a Quooker Flex gunmetal tap, offering instant boiling, cold, and filtered water in a sleek, contemporary form. The wooden top for the island was the client’s existing oak. We took it back to our workshop, cut it to size to suit the new island, and refinished it. We thoughtfully distributed the appliances throughout the layout to create an entertaining hub. A bank of NEFF integrated appliances for effortless cooking and baking, a NEFF wine cooler perfectly positioned on the island, and a dedicated NEFF hob area with Westin Prime extractor, combining performance with style. Beautifully concealed behind the bespoke cabinetry lies the NEFF fridge freezer. Behind the cooking area, a hand-silvered antique mirror in Vintage finish adds depth, light reflection, and a subtle hint of glamour. On either side of this beautiful cooking area are symmetrical wooden open shelves housing many tasteful objects. A key element of the design is the trio of pantries that maximises storage. One features a cold shelf, drawers, open shelving and a spice rack; another includes Le Mans pull-out corner storage for effortless access. The dedicated breakfast pantry keeps morning essentials neatly organised and discreetly out of sight. Perhaps the most enchanting element is the run of cabinetry concealing two doors – not to storage, but leading to the boot room. This hidden feature, which we fondly call our Narnia doors, has become a favourite among our clients, offering both functionality and a sense of discovery. The Drinks Dresser Positioned within the dining area of the open-plan layout, this elegant drinks cabinet is crafted in our Lay-On Shaker cabinetry and painted in the same rich green as the kitchen, creating a seamless design flow. Whether it’s for evening wind-downs, hosting guests, or displaying glassware in style, this bar area is the perfect complement to the space. Open the bi-fold doors to reveal thoughtfully arranged shelving with mood lighting, oak serving trays, and a touch of luxury all in one corner. A standout detail is the built-in docking drawer – an ingenious addition that keeps devices charged and neatly tucked away, allowing you to stay connected while cooking or entertaining without cluttering the worktops.

One of the most important design considerations was the home’s stunning natural surroundings. The kitchen layout was carefully oriented to take full advantage of the view. The island and main cooking zone were positioned so that users face out towards the scenery, creating an uplifting connection with the outdoors. This orientation not only enhances the cooking experience with natural light and visual engagement but also encourages social interaction within the space.

Our founder’s very own kitchen represents meticulous craftsmanship and deeply considered design, to create a space both effortlessly functional and visually captivating. It embodies the passion for the craft that started the company to begin with. Distinctly tall in-frame cabinetry is finished in Sapele and soft cream, housing beaded-shaker doors hung by ornate butt-hinges in brass, and opened by vintage polished stone knobs. Cream granite, finished with a double chamfer edge, crowns the worktops and pushes up into an upstand, with a fused and kiln-formed yellow glass backsplash for zest. Decorative touches, including cornicing, corbel cabinet feet, light rail moulding, and tongue-and-groove panelling, create a harmonious blend of tradition and luxury. Moving clockwise, the L-shaped layout assembles kitchen functionality into 3 key areas. Along the left wall, food storage is organized between the curved double door larder, massive freestanding fridge/freezer and the floor-to-ceiling spice racking. Beyond, the raised dishwasher, extra-deep pullout bins and the submerged double sink consolidate cleaning into one tight footprint. The gable wall is brimming with storage for cutlery, crockery and keepsakes alike, with cooking powered by the central cream range, extra-wide eye-level oven and matching combi. The island sports wicker basket drawers and its own butcherblock chopping top, as well as providing a large space for food prep, homework and parties alike. Thusly, the kitchen is arranged to minimize footwork for quick, efficient and easy cooking. As can be expected, the kitchen is filled with the delightful and luxurious detail. Wall cabinet doors also fused and kiln-formed glass windows, both of which glow with interior cabinet lighting. Cabinet interiors are built with sapele dovetail drawers, shelves, and solid wood inserts. The star of the kitchen, however, is undeniably the cooker canopy which rises and flowers into a curved, beaded-shaker surround for the gable wall’s circular window, with the canopy’s mantlepiece arched to match, demonstrating the creativity and meticulousness of its maker. The kitchen exudes timeless elegance and practicality, a space that is simultaneously inviting and awe-inspiring. Every detail exemplifies a master craftsman’s personal touch, when given opportunity to work on his own home.

Stéphane Vasco

Khoo Guo Jie

Design by SAOTA Architects in Association TKD Architects Engineers Acor Consultants

Photographer: Nikole Ramsay Stylist: Bask Interiors

Adam Scot Images

Photography: Karina Illovska The kitchen is divided into different colours to reduce its bulk and a surprise pink study inside it has its own little window. The front rooms were renovated to their former glory with replica plaster reinstated. A tasmanian Oak floor with a beautiful matt water based finish was selected by jess and its light and airy. this unifies the old and new parts. Colour was used playfully. Jess came up with a diverse colour scheme that somehow works really well. The wallpaper in the hall is warm and luxurious. ​

Image: Fine House Studio © 2015 Houzz

Vista della cucina dal living, 3 ante vetrate scorrevoli di "Rimadesio" modello Velaria, con vetro fumè. Cucina di "Cesar Cucine", con top di cucina e isola in quarzite Taj Mahal Opaco