Wood and Aubergine in a Stylish English Farmhouse Kitchen
Lots of hardwood with a flash of purple, a bright dining area and a handy work area provide a family with a new hub
Lara Sargent
February 27, 2017
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
When the owners of this sizable English farmhouse moved in, they realized that the original kitchen needed to be a lot larger. The solution was a kitchen-dining area addition to balance with the rest of the house and to provide a hub for family life and socializing.
“The original kitchen was small in quite a substantial house, so a large kitchen [addition] was built,” says Neil Matthews, director at Lewis Alderson & Co. “The owners wanted a kitchen-dining-lounge space, but one that was broken up rather than being entirely open-plan.”
“The original kitchen was small in quite a substantial house, so a large kitchen [addition] was built,” says Neil Matthews, director at Lewis Alderson & Co. “The owners wanted a kitchen-dining-lounge space, but one that was broken up rather than being entirely open-plan.”
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two children, plus two dogs, ducks, pigs and horses
Location: Tonbridge, Kent, England
Size: Kitchen-dining area: 59 by 20 feet (18 by 6 meters), plus 13 by 9 feet (4 by 2.7 meters) for the scullery; part of a traditional three-story farmhouse with seven bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer: Neil Matthews of Lewis Alderson & Co.
“The [plan] was to design a large kitchen with a central island,” Matthews says. “The owners wanted the kitchen to be separate from the dining-lounge area, but the design needed to be open enough so it could still be a sociable space.”
The handmade cabinets are individual custom pieces made from pippy oak, a type of hardwood, for a warm farmhouse feel. To break it up, the island is hand-painted in a rich aubergine shade, which is mirrored in the scullery.
Island paint: Brinjal, Farrow & Ball
Who lives here: A couple and their two children, plus two dogs, ducks, pigs and horses
Location: Tonbridge, Kent, England
Size: Kitchen-dining area: 59 by 20 feet (18 by 6 meters), plus 13 by 9 feet (4 by 2.7 meters) for the scullery; part of a traditional three-story farmhouse with seven bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer: Neil Matthews of Lewis Alderson & Co.
“The [plan] was to design a large kitchen with a central island,” Matthews says. “The owners wanted the kitchen to be separate from the dining-lounge area, but the design needed to be open enough so it could still be a sociable space.”
The handmade cabinets are individual custom pieces made from pippy oak, a type of hardwood, for a warm farmhouse feel. To break it up, the island is hand-painted in a rich aubergine shade, which is mirrored in the scullery.
Island paint: Brinjal, Farrow & Ball
To subtly separate the kitchen and dining zones, the company created a large glass shelving unit between the two areas — an idea the owners had seen in France.
“To provide the open-closed kitchen the couple wanted, we designed open glass shelving along the middle of the room, so the kitchen space is retained in a nice square, but there are still views into the lounge-dining area when they’re entertaining,” Matthews says.
The shelves are also perfect for displaying the owners’ large collection of glassware and china.
“To provide the open-closed kitchen the couple wanted, we designed open glass shelving along the middle of the room, so the kitchen space is retained in a nice square, but there are still views into the lounge-dining area when they’re entertaining,” Matthews says.
The shelves are also perfect for displaying the owners’ large collection of glassware and china.
Here’s a view from the elegant dining room through to the kitchen.
The large central island (about 8 feet, or 2.5 meters, square) with overhanging breakfast bar was at the top of the owners’ wish list, as it provides a casual eating spot for times when they don’t want to use the more formal dining table.
“The owners always wanted a dark, strong color, and we also considered a very dark gray,” the designer says. “But they preferred the pop of color [aubergine] gives. They didn’t need any convincing!”
The island is a multifunctional piece that also houses an extra oven and cooktop (in addition to the five-oven Aga) plus a sink.
Oven and induction cooktop: Miele
“The owners always wanted a dark, strong color, and we also considered a very dark gray,” the designer says. “But they preferred the pop of color [aubergine] gives. They didn’t need any convincing!”
The island is a multifunctional piece that also houses an extra oven and cooktop (in addition to the five-oven Aga) plus a sink.
Oven and induction cooktop: Miele
Everything in the kitchen was created as a one-of-a-kind piece for the owners, including the ceiling-hung pot rack.
“The hanging rack was designed especially for the space. It works well with the ceiling-mounted, remote-controlled ventilation fan, as the open design allows air to circulate freely,” Matthews says.
Ventilation fan: Westin
“The hanging rack was designed especially for the space. It works well with the ceiling-mounted, remote-controlled ventilation fan, as the open design allows air to circulate freely,” Matthews says.
Ventilation fan: Westin
To enhance the rich aubergine island, the owners chose a standout marble countertop to contrast with the simple black granite for the perimeter cabinets.
A hot water dispenser was another must-have.
Sink: Kohler; Fusion hot water dispenser: Quooker
A hot water dispenser was another must-have.
Sink: Kohler; Fusion hot water dispenser: Quooker
The kitchen is a custom handcrafted design made from solid pippy oak in a four-panel Georgian style.
“Every piece is selected for grain and pippy [knot] position,” Matthews says. “It’s a very in-depth process compared to the flat grain of the hardwood we use for our painted furniture.”
Stylish copper handles contrast well with the wood and aubergine tones.
“Every piece is selected for grain and pippy [knot] position,” Matthews says. “It’s a very in-depth process compared to the flat grain of the hardwood we use for our painted furniture.”
Stylish copper handles contrast well with the wood and aubergine tones.
Lewis Alderson’s handmade chimney breast adds height and interest, and creates a neat frame for the Aga.
“The owners already had the Aga, so we built the chimney breast for it to sit in,” Matthews says. The antiqued mirror backsplash reflects light into the room.
“The owners already had the Aga, so we built the chimney breast for it to sit in,” Matthews says. The antiqued mirror backsplash reflects light into the room.
The shape of the new addition left a perfect area within the old kitchen to install a walk-in pantry-work area, or scullery.
“The owners wanted this area to be separate but not closed off, so we tied in the cabinetry color to the island for uniformity,” designer says.
The sideboard cabinet to the left of the opening is equipped with a hidden charging station for tablets and phones.
The slate floor continues into the scullery.
“The owners wanted this area to be separate but not closed off, so we tied in the cabinetry color to the island for uniformity,” designer says.
The sideboard cabinet to the left of the opening is equipped with a hidden charging station for tablets and phones.
The slate floor continues into the scullery.
Tall cabinetry maximizes space, with fronts painted in the same deep aubergine shade as the island for visual continuity.
The large refrigerator-freezer dispenses ice as well as chilled and fizzy water.
The large refrigerator-freezer dispenses ice as well as chilled and fizzy water.
Half-height, bifolding doors don’t eat into valuable space in the super-functional scullery. The pantry cabinet is equipped with integrated outlets so that smaller appliances can be stored out of sight.
Neat copper knobs shine against the rich paint. They tie in with the copper cup handles in the main kitchen.
Neat copper knobs shine against the rich paint. They tie in with the copper cup handles in the main kitchen.
Well-planned storage is a boon in the scullery. It includes a narrow built-in pantry cabinet and slim pullout racks.
A deep, practical apron-front sink is perfect for soaking oven trays and large pots and pans. A Miele dishwasher is integrated in the cabinet.
Bridge faucet: Perrin & Rowe
Browse more stories about kitchen design and remodeling
Bridge faucet: Perrin & Rowe
Browse more stories about kitchen design and remodeling
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I'm partial to wood, so my eye was delighted to see all that beautiful oak against a "slate" tiled floor. Wasn't sure if the "formal" dining area is really a round table for 4 with very modern casual look or not. It also doesn't seem to fit the "space" allocated for the dining room.
I do love how that purple fits in so nicely and ties the pantry/scullery in with the kitchen. It's definitely a kitchen for a professional or several people who love to cook. Beautiful work.
To the designers - I also liked your Esher work, particularly the art on the wall as it tied into the fixture.
I like everything about this kitchen, especially the purple.
I had to look again, I still love your kitchen. I will be painting my kitchen deep purple, love it. Thankyou for the tour, awesome job.