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The evolutionaryKITCHEN

BUILD A BRIDGEThe new view from the central workspace takes in the peaceful setting and abundant light from what was, historically, the darkest part of the house

A previous ‘disappointing’ renovation proved the inspiration for the Pritchards’ eventual vision for their spacious farmhouse in the Kent countrysidePICTURES NICK SMITH I WORDS KATE ROWE

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ack in 2002, strict planning regulations stymied the expansive extension Helen and Dan Pritchard had envisaged for their Victorian farmhouse in Kent. Lovingly restored from a state of ‘wreck and ruin’ the house had the proportions and the potential to fulfil Helen and Dan’s vision for ‘a really beautiful kitchen taking advantage of all the views’, and a ‘place where everyone congregates’. However, what they got was a far meaner kitchen than suited their lifestyle, and their property. ‘We ended up with quite a small kitchen

really, we had extraction problems, and the architect had made it very dark.’  Undaunted, the Pritchards patiently waited for development opportunities to

improve, and used the time as a learning curve to perfect their vision. ‘I’m really glad we waited because I think we might have gone for a more traditional, farmhouse kitchen otherwise. Looking at magazines and seeing a more modern style coming through now and seeing how it could suit older houses, I decided to go that way instead.’

  ‘We approached Edmondson Interiors because they have a really good reputation in this area, but despite having the plans, it had taken us three years to get the guts and finances together, so we were nervous. However, they were great and showed us real quality in what we would be getting, and how they could make things so personal to us.’ Both Helen and Dan are tall, so all the work surfaces are 950mm high, rather than a standard 900mm. Additionally, Helen says; ‘I didn’t want any eye-level cabinets, because I feel they encroach when you’re working. Then, I had this vision of a huge island where all the kids (Rory, 15, Tess, 12, and Charlotte, nine) could sit around. I really wanted to use oak in the design, but I didn’t want that yellowy oak, so they came up with the idea of putting the veneer on it. We also wanted a really airy eating area, and to make it quite cosy for a family lunch, but also functional for when we have friends over.’

The simplicity of the design and dual aspect garden doors contribute to this airy feel. ‘It’s incredible when you slide the doors back, it’s literally like your kitchen is outside. If I had done this four years ago, I’d probably have used traditional wooden doors, but I’m so happy we went for this modern style and created a classic and contemporary blend.’

  Living with, and understanding what they did and didn’t want from a kitchen, helped to evolve the Pritchards’ dream. An open mind and dialogue with their designer facilitated that progression. ‘We finished the kitchen a year ago now, and I still come down in the morning and pinch myself. It really brings me joy.’ eKBB

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SIMPLY DOES ITBelow Bespoke drawers and cabinets in the low-level furniture keep the essentials organised and at hand for this busy household

DEEP FINISHBottom Helen and Dan wanted a chunky look to the island, so this deep profile stone adds interest to the surrounding, slimmer worktops and complements the sturdy oak breakfast bar

ESSENTIAL kitchens

ALL THE RANGEA longed-for contemporary AGA Total Control range cooker keeps the whole kitchen, and everyday serving dishes on the floating shelves above, toasty warm. With up-to-the-minute software, Helen can even operate it from her mobile phone

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XXXXXXXXThe grey oak floor adds gentle warmth to the scheme, and provides light contrast against the black door screen and dark blue walls

Kitchen prof ileThis contemporary Shaker-style kitchen has flat-panelled furniture incorporating oak veneer deep drawer boxes with dovetailed joints. The island is painted in Downpipe by Farrow & Ball with the china cupboard, fridge unit and window seat in Cornforth White.

EDMONDSON INTERIORSHammonds Farm, Smiths Lane, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1EU. Tel 01580 212934. edmondsoninteriors.co.uk. Kitchens, including fixtures and appliances, start from £40,000.

‘I’d probably have used traditional wooden doors, but I’m so happy we went for this modern style and

created a classic and contemporary blend’

WALK-IN WONDERAbove Dan had his heart set on a walk-in pantry with cold shelves made from slate. Situated by the window seat, it’s north-facing, so perfect for storing tomatoes, hams and cheese at serving temperature

CHINA IN YOUR HANDBelow right ‘The china cupboard was my idea,’ says Helen. ‘I’d had one in my last kitchen, and there’s nothing better than everything just going in one place when it comes out of the dishwasher, with plates in the drawers below’

A NEAT NICHEThe void behind the magnificent Sub-Zero fridge-freezer was cleverly utilised to make sitting at the window seat even more pleasurable, with shelving to keep books close by

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SIMON GRAY DESIGNER,EDMONDSON INTERIORS

Qa&

How did you plan the kitchen? The biggest part of the brief was that the Pritchards wanted to make the project worthwhile. They wanted to try and make the kitchen extend, as much as it could do, into the new extension. Initially, they had wanted a super-contemporary kitchen – handleless and gloss white, but after seeing the house it didn’t seem quite right. We talked around how the extension they were creating was quite contemporary, quite a different space to the rest of the house, and how we could bring the two together, and the classic contemporary theme came about. From then on the planning was quite straightforward because both Helen and Dan had lots of ideas.

What, if any, were the challenges? The decision to have no wall units meant I couldn’t fit any standard extraction, so we discussed pop-up extractors and some other options, but eventually the problem helped cement the decision to go for the AGA, as it’s internally vented.

What do you love about the kitchen? The space behind the Sub-Zero fridge had been intended as a noticeboard area, but it was too big for just that. The client needed somewhere for cookbooks, so creating a book nook was a joint decision. There’s even room for bottles of wine. We also put in some pop-out drawers underneath the window bench. It’s a big use of a little space.

INDUSTRIAL TOUCHESThe solid island forms a homework and catch-up space as well as a work space thanks to the replica Tolix stools, another modern, industrial touch, along with the rubber pendant lamps. ‘I got the idea from seeing Kevin Spacey in his gorgeous Washington apartment in ‘House of Cards’. I fell in love with the stools,’ says Helen

EASY FEASTING This Miele single oven and the Miele domino gas hob beside the AGA provide quick cooking options during the summer, for meals such as healthy stir-fries

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IN THE LINE OF BEAUTY

The bespoke, zinc-topped table and replica

Charles Eames chairs from Dove & Grey create

a dining space with character and clean lines

‘I’m really attracted to Scandinavian style, colour and simplicity of kitchens, and I was able to have a lot

of input into the design, so this is reflected’

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StockistsAPPLIANCES AGA Total Control in Pearl Ashes range cooker, from £13,095, AGA. ICBBI42SD/S/TH fridge-freezer, £8,933, Sub-Zero. Gas hob CS 1012-1 G, £467; Single oven H6260BP, £949, both from Miele.

FIXTURES AND FURNISHINGSQuartz composite work surfaces: Quartzforms 20mm Absolute Light Grey and 50mm stone on island with 100mm grey veneered oak break-fast bar, all £6,000; Manor House Grey glass splashback, £924; Conceptual DMRC01 Natural Rectified floor tiles, £76.55 per sq. m, all Edmondson Interiors. Zinc-topped table, made to order, around £950; Reproduction Charles Eames chairs, £69 each, both from Dove & Grey. Tolix replica island stools, £69 for four, Milan Direct. Rubber pendants, £35 each, John Lewis.

FOR STOCKISTS, SEE PAGE 182

TWO-TONE TOUCHESAbove The glass splashbacks were initially being installed to a low-level, only behind the AGA. The joint decision to take them all the way up to the floating shelves and around the worktops has created reflective surfaces that bounce light all around

STAYING IN THE ZONEBelow ‘Designers drew up plans with big sofas, but I didn’t want everyone to use just that room for lounging. So, I went for a small sofa, and decided not to fit curtains to avoid it feeling like a living room. For me, it’s a cooking and eating area,’ says Helen

ESSENTIAL kitchens