Kitchen and dining area at a stunning farmhouse at an interior styling project in North Cornwall

Nestled in the picturesque suburban area of Nazeing, Essex this stunning grand country house underwent an extensive renovation to become their forever home. Relocating to a grand country property like this offers huge potential to make it your dream home, and the goal was to blend timeless country charm with modern luxury, resulting in a kitchen at the centre that is as functional as it is breathtaking. Revitalising their living space, the area opened up to a kitchen, informal dining and living area, where the layout was carefully planned to enhance the flow of the zones, making it a hub for cooking, socialising and living. The whole space is not only beautiful inside but also maximises its connection to the outdoors. Large glass doors connect the open-plan space with the grounds bringing in a great deal of natural light and scenic views. Every corner is bright and airy, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The location of this Nazeing home, surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills, adds to the charm of this traditional yet modern kitchen design. Key design elements focus on natural oak, exposed wooden beams, and two spacious kitchen islands for maximum practicality and a touch of grandeur. In true Shaker style, the kitchen is both beautiful and usable, and we also designed handmade cabinetry for additional rooms such as a walk-in pantry, a utility and a media wall unit. Our client fell in love with the Classic In-Frame Shaker design, and this is the style that was chosen. The client also loved the look of natural oak to bring warmth to the room, tying in with the beams and country setting, so decided to have the whole middle section designed in nautral oak (2 islands and a dresser). What makes this hub of the home spectacular is the dual kitchen islands. Both built and designed in our beautiful natural oak, these two stunning islands serve multiple purposes for the space and our client. Working Island – Let’s start with the smaller one of the two. Square in shape, this is dedicated to food preparation and comes equipped with a Franke built-in sink and Quooker Classic Fusion Square in Patinated Brass. Ample counter space and storage solutions, including an integrated recycling bin, can be seen. Socialising Island – This is larger, more of a rectangle, and has a beautiful curved end acting as an additional informal dining area to the straight line. The space for six bar seats encourages family and guests to gather and socialise. It also features an S-Box (pop-up socket), bespoke cutlery & utensil drawers, deep pan drawers and curved end cabinetry. Further elevating the stunning design is the choice of range cooker and the exposed brick wall surrounding that sits at the centre. A cream classic AGA offers both traditional aesthetics and modern functionality that becomes the kitchen’s workhorse and the perfect choice for our client’s busy life. A little fun fact – this AGA is 30 years old! It has been repurposed from all gas to all-electric! It still looks brand new, keeping up with the modern family life! A quintessential country feature that is framed with bespoke cabinetry and an exposed brick wall, making it the focal point of the cooking area. Not only an appliance for cooking large family meals but a range cooker that heats the space during the colder winter months and adds to the homely, inviting feel of the space. Close, and just on the other side of the prep island and in direct view of the AGA, is a freestanding cabinetry unit that houses integrated cold storage appliances (fridge and freezer) from Samsung and a built-in Liebherr Wine Storage Cabinet. The breathtaking scenery is a natural backdrop, blending the indoors with the outdoors. Positioned in front of large windows and framed by exposed wooden beams, the sink area offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The many windows flood the kitchen with natural light, making everyday tasks like washing up a pleasure. How this sink area was created: The Shaws Double Bowl sink brings the kitchen a classic yet timeless charm. A spacious, deep basin that’s practical for daily tasks and perfect for a family kitchen. The Perrin & Rowe Ionian Mixer Tap with Rinse in Aged Brass combines traditional craftsmanship with modern convenience. Choosing aged brass not only adds a luxurious vintage touch but also complements the natural tones of a country kitchen. A Perrin & Rowe Freestanding Soap Dispenser in Aged Brass Traditional completes the look. A small yet impactful accessory that blends seamlessly with the mixer tap. Its freestanding design allows for flexibility in placement – the sink area is kept neat and uncluttered, maintaining the clean lines of the design. This sink run includes two Miele fully integrated dishwashers and plenty of other storage solutions to keep the kitchen organised. The handmade cabinets are hand-painted in Rolling Fog by Little Greene. Further elevating the design with alternative storage and tying in with the country setting is the natural oak dresser. It’s the epitome of refined craftsmanship and classic style, that’s designed to elevate the aesthetics of the home and our client’s style. The dresser combines warm tones with the light, airy feel provided by the glazed doors and the Carrara Misterio worktop. With a bold structure, the upper section features glass-fronted cabinets, allowing our client to display their most treasured items while keeping them protected. It further enhances an open, airy look. Below, the dresser provides concealed storage with a sturdy oak door and drawers. The closed storage solution is perfect for keeping less decorative items, such as linens or tableware, neatly out of sight but easily accessible. In the middle is open-shelving. Something else that captures the eye and adds to the style and functionality of the kitchen is the beautifully crafted breakfast pantry, hand-painted in Rolling Fog by Little Greene. The pantry sits at one end of the kitchen providing a dedicated space for all your morning essentials, streamlining the daily routine all while adding a touch of refined elegance. It’s neatly organised, within reach, and designed beautifully behind bi-fold doors. The soft, muted tones of Rolling Fog, pair beautifully with the natural beauty of the woodwork. A Samsung Built-In Grill Microwave is housed in the middle and a quartz cold shelf is the ideal place for small kitchen appliances and keeping breakfast items such as butter, cheese, or fresh pastries cool during preparation. Other features of the kitchen include the handles – Perrin & Rowe Shell in Aged Brass, Perrin & Rowe Large Contoured Knobs in Aged Brass, and Armac Martin Bar Handles for fridge, freezer and wine cabinet. And the Carrara Misterio quartz worktops. Prime location, a light and airy walk-in pantry situated adjacent to the kitchen, enhancing the flow of the cooking and dining routines, is what we have created here. A thoughtful L-shaped layout brings a space that helps our clients quickly select ingredients, appliances, and other essentials and the spectacular views make it a space that feels both luxurious and serene. Our client opted for stylish storage jars to keep ingredients fresh and organised and wicker baskets to add to the rustic charm. These natural materials contrast beautifully with the sleek Carrara Misterio quartz worktops and open shelving, adding depth and character to the pantry design. A perfect blend of entertainment and cooking is just another key element of this space – a modern touch to the otherwise classic kitchen. In the living part of the open-plan space, we designed and built a media wall unit beneath those solid and beautiful wooden beams. Positioned in a way where you can see from the entertaining island, this beautiful feature still allows for all the family to enjoy TV shows altogether, whether cooking, eating or socialising. The media wall is framed with custom cabinetry that blends seamlessly with the rest of the space, keeping it stylish and attractive. The open shelving allows our client to display decorative items that fit in with the overall decor and below cabinetry to conceal other items you may not want to be displayed. We hand-painted the unit in Rolling Fog by Little Greene, a neutral hue that is warm and grounding.

Built in kitchen sink with marble counter and splashback. Dove grey units below and above. Pantry to the left. Quooker tap in antique brass, matching the cabinet door handles Large island with curved marble counter and integrated Bora induction hob with built in extractor. Seating around the edge. Built in ovens against wall with integrated freezer one side and fridge the other. Three pendant lights over island.

Nestled in Drayton, Abingdon, our latest kitchen showcases the seamless fusion of functionality and aesthetics. The bespoke Hepworth and Wood furniture takes centre stage, with the double-bevel Bramham door design adding immediate interest to the space. The choice of Benjamin Moore Scuff-X paint, expertly mixed to the client's preference, adds a truly personal touch. An Artscut worktop, though now a discontinued shade, is testament to the commitment to exceptional design that goes beyond the ordinary. In this kitchen, every fixture tells a story. The Quooker and Perrin & Rowe taps harmonise seamlessly. An Aga, thoughtfully provided by the client, brings a touch of culinary tradition to the space, while the Falmec hood, Caple wine cooler and Liebherr fridge and freezer complete the ensemble. Navigating the intricacies of the client's brief, we set out to craft a space that offers grandeur yet exudes the warmth of a family home. The result is a perfect sanctuary for the couple and their grown-up children, allowing them to gather, celebrate, and create cherished memories. With a nod to the former space's history, this kitchen is more than just a room; it champions great design and its ability to transform spaces and enrich lives. Looking for more inspiration? View our range of bespoke kitchens and explore the potential of your space.

Although compact, the kitchen benefits from generous natural light thanks to the large window positioned above the sink. The Regis French farmhouse sink is centred on this elevation, making the most of the view and reinforcing the practical workflow of the room. It is paired with a Bidbury & Co. Moreton Bridge Tap, chosen for its traditional detailing and everyday usability. To maintain clean lines, the dishwasher is fully integrated to one side of the sink, with waste and recycling bins housed discreetly on the other. This arrangement allows the main working zone to remain efficient without interrupting the visual rhythm of the cabinetry.

A dated kitchen was transformed into a fantastic light and modern kitchen space with a mix of dark blue and white cabinets, a striking teal blue aga and kitkat tiles, flooring was a natural stone, a dedicated pantry and coffee station and every inch of storage utilised.

Basement Georgian kitchen with black limestone, yellow shaker cabinets and open and freestanding kitchen island. War and cherry marble, midcentury accents, leading onto a dining room.

Set within the picturesque village of Chipperfield, Kings Langley, this country property has been thoughtfully extended at the rear to create a light-filled, open-plan space perfectly suited to our client’s lifestyle and home renovation. At the heart of the home sits our bespoke In-Frame Beaded Shaker kitchen, designed to bring family moments together with timeless country charm and modern functionality. This quintessential In-Frame design prioritises both style and practicality, forming a welcoming family kitchen with country character at its core. Arranged on an L-shaped layout with a central island, the cabinetry flows effortlessly through the space. Positioned at each end of the runs are floor-to-ceiling cabinets, each designed with a specific purpose; one featuring a striking exposed full-height oak wine rack, adding warmth and personality to the scheme. The island is a place to gather with guests or for a light lunch. The colour palette is deliberately curated to create a serene, light-filled atmosphere throughout the extension. Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth, a soft mid grey-beige, wraps the space, while a deeper, sombre brown tone (F&B Drab) is used centrally and above the hob to ground the design and introduce rich warmth. Worktops throughout are finished in Lydia Gold quartz, complete with a classic ogee edge detail, a refined feature and a delightful hint of gold that reflects an emerging trend in modern country homes. Appliances are seamlessly integrated to maintain the clean lines of the cabinetry, including a Miele bank of ovens alongside concealed fridge, freezer, and dishwasher units. The sleek black gloss hob is framed by a bespoke mantle housing a Westin Prime extractor and an antiqued bronze mirrored splashback, creating a strong focal point within the kitchen. To soften the cabinetry and reflect the abundance of natural light, a glass-fronted wall cabinet has been thoughtfully positioned between the windows in the corner! The sink area continues the country aesthetic with a white Landsdowne farmhouse sink, paired with a Quooker Flex tap in stainless steel, introducing a modern touch without detracting from the traditional feel. Storage has been meticulously planned throughout, from deep drawers and practical towel rails to a bespoke angled breakfast pantry tucked neatly into the corner. Featuring bi-fold doors and oak shelving. The result of this beautiful country kitchen is a balanced space crafted with care and attention, perfectly suited to its countryside setting.

We added chequerboard floor tiles, wall lights, a zellige tile splash back, a white Shaker kitchen and dark wooden worktops to our Cotswolds Cottage project. Interior Design by Imperfect Interiors Armada Cottage is available to rent at www.armadacottagecotswolds.co.uk