The Old Stable Block

Set back and nestled down a private country lane, this stunning home was originally built in 1998 as a stable block for the adjacent property. Originally with planning for a one-bedroom bungalow, our client has since extended upwards to create a stunning, four-bedroom family home set across two stories with beautiful views, with feature oak beams throughout that give a characterful nod to the building’s heritage.

Cabinetry: Pembroke
Colour: Putty & Lava

What was your vision for your new kitchen, and what was the space being used for before?

The kitchen was a really crucial part of our project. At the top of our wish list for the space was creating an open-plan feel that flowed naturally from the kitchen are to the snug, but ensuring the two zones still felt defined as their own spaces.

Were there any design features on your tick list as part of the project?

We wanted the kitchen to be a light and airy space that reminded us of Spain in the summer, but could equally transform into a cosy, warm space with the log burner on in the winter. Our must-haves for the kitchen design included a central island for to double up as a dining and working area, an integrated wine fridge and a Bora hob. We also spend lots of time entertaining, so we chose to integrate warming drawers to allow us to prep food prior to entertaining.

What colours did you choose for the kitchen and what made you opt for these?

We chose Putty for the main kitchen cabinetry and then Lava for the island. Our interior scheme is based around luxe neutral tones, so these two colours compliment that really well and fit with the flow of the whole house. As part of the restoration, we kept the original arch windows of the barn which let in lots of sunlight, so we were able to go for lighter cabinetry but add in some contrast with a darker island. The Lava colour of the island also sits beautifully with the large sofa in the snug area and ties the space together perfectly.

Can you tell us your favourite part of the kitchen?

The integrated larder cupboard is fantastic and gives us lots of extra, practical storage space that allows us to store dried food and tins in a much more organised way than a regular cupboard would. It also looks great, too! We also both love the breakfast pantry as it lets us hide away the coffee machine and microwave while giving us a dedicated space to serve from on a morning. It always receives lots of lovely comments from family and friends.

Why did you choose to work with Daval for your project?

We have known of Daval for a number of years and their reputation as quality kitchen and bedroom designers and manufacturers has grown from strength to strength, so they were the obvious choice to work with.

James really took on board our vision for the kitchen and made lots of design suggestions as part of the process, which helped us in coming to the final decision on the design.

We’re delighted as our finished kitchen is exactly as we envisaged and Daval have definitely brought it to life in a way that’s sympathetic to the style and character of our home. Our family and friends comment on how much they love it and the fact it is such a modern, social space but with a shaker-style twist that nods to the history of our home.

It’s something a bit different to a regular utility room that is bespoke to us and how we need it to work, and we enjoy using it each and every day.