Middleton Lodge

DESIGN: Val Foster in collaboration with Barr Kitchens

BRIEF: Our clients asked us to work with them to create a kitchen, as part of whole-house cabinetry, for their Grade II-listed lodge house. The footprint was relatively compact and required careful planning to ensure the finished space was beautiful and functional without becoming cluttered. Decorative features were carefully incorporated into the scheme to add character and interest.

CABINETRY: Traditional cabinetry takes a slimline Shaker profile. Detailing includes solid oak open breadboard storage and drawer boxes, with individually specified drawer inserts made to house particular items. A narrow bullnosed shelf, supported by handmade solid wood brackets, offers cup hooks and an antique brass utensils rail. Tongue and groove panelling and wall-hung units are hand-painted in White Lead, set against Buff walls, both by Edward Bulmer. The base cabinets are hand-painted in Moor, a unique dark green from Rose Uniacke’s stunning range of natural, mineral-based paints.

FITTINGS: A living finish brass tap set by Quooker sits atop a Ribchester fluted piecrust sink by Shaws of Darwen. Burnished brass knobs and grills from Armac Martin echo the crosshead brass controls of a Lacanche classic range. The cabinetry is beautifully flanked by an Artisans of Devizes chequerboard floor. Worktops are made from honed Arabescato Corchia marble, finished with an ogee edge profile, transitioning into a shaped upstand.