A Contemporary C17 Manor House Kitchen

Our clients became custodians of their period home, along with a farmyard of traditional barns and outbuildings, more than 4 years ago.  They saw its potential to be rescued and reinvented as a contemporary family home, yet still paying tribute to the listed C17 origins.  

Taking a period home and making it suitable for modern living is a difficult balance.  In the past 4 years this home has undergone the most intense restoration project.  They have re-imagined each space, carefully peeling back layers to expose the features of the original building, rescuing it through careful and meticulous attention to detail.  Using traditional building techniques, showing respect to the historical fabric of the building.  It is a stunning example of how to restore, extend and modernise a listed building, a masterclass in preserving the past while breathing new life in to it.  

They have paid homage to the historic features that define the character of the C17 property, the beautifully worn stone staircase set within the semi-circular plan turret, the original C17 oak staircase, original 2-and 6-panel oak doors, the mullioned windows.  

The new wing compli­ments the historic exterior and blends seamlessly with the interior; it transforms the practical working of the house with integral garaging, boot room, laundry room, family room, garden room and spectacular vaulted kitchen space.  

This new kitchen room sits in place of a later extension, with two full height glazed walls flooding natural light into the the space, connecting the building to the stunning walled garden.  As with many C17 buildings with high mullioned windows and dark wood, the original house was more about keeping you safe inside, rather than connecting you to the outside.  This extension has allowed for a more contemporary living experience.

The kitchen sits proudly in this new extension.  A magnificent space with a strong design that marries contemporary with traditional, given a more industrial aesthetic by the chosen colours and  use of materials such as stainless steel and granite.  

The stunning extra large bespoke Westin extractor hood, sits comfortably in the double height vaulted room.  It is a real statement piece and creates a strong line of symmetry.

With room for two islands, Nick has managed to incorporate every appliance and feature one could wish for in a modern kitchen.  A large Miele Mastercool refrigerator and freezer allows food to stay fresher for 3 times longer than a typical refrigerator, providing the perfect climate by keeping temperatures low to preserve the vitamins and minerals in your food.

A Miele single oven as well as a Miele steam oven with microwave sit within the wall of cabinetry.

A beautifully proportioned pantry cupboard finishes this zone, allowing ample storage for all dry goods, along with a marble internal shelf to keep perishable items cooler.

A more modest AGA cooker was chosen to allow room at surface level for a Miele induction hob, flanked either side by cabinetry housing pan drawers, cabinets for baking trays and two dishwashers; essential in this size home.

The end of the island that faces the breakfast area, has been softened at base level with glazed cabinetry.  This is mirrored in the glazed dresser that incorporates a central breakfast cupboard with cutlery and crockery drawers, ample room for a toaster, mugs and cereals.

The entire room is brought together by the chosen paint colours.  Paint & Paper Library’s Sand 261 for the wall cabinetry, and Paint & Paper Library Kigali 678 for the islands.  

These colours are beautifully finished with the bold use of Bath Granite & Marble’s Sapphire Brown Granite worktops and splash back.

This contemporary kitchen space really is magnificent; a modern version of a country kitchen, but through the attention to detail in the bespoke cabinetry the room has been given a traditional handwriting, one that blends seamlessly with the original style and craft of the house.

By renovating this period property sympathetically and meticulously, creating additional family rooms, kitchen space, and entrance hall with its contemporary glass roof, our clients have cleverly fused old with new.  In doing so they have created the best version of a Grade II* period property, ensuring that this and the surrounding buildings are ready for the next 400 years.