Mill House

DESIGN: Client–led, in collaboration with Barr Kitchens.

ARCHITECT: Tyack Architects

RESTORATION & EXTENSION: Barr Build

BRIEF: Our clients were repatriating to the UK, having lived abroad for many years, and turned to Barr Kitchens to create a kitchen which was in keeping with the heritage of their newly acquired Georgian Cotswolds residence. Trusting the team’s experience as a traditional British cabinet maker, a collaborative approach and innovative thinking brought this perfectly tailored space to fruition.

CABINETRY: Elegantly simple Shaker-style cabinetry, hand painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Green Smoke’ with solid oak internals, exhibits a wealth of bespoke client-led design features. The centrepiece is a statement dresser-style section, with deep pan drawers, open shelving, and inset lighting. Bead and butt panelling, designed to highlight the room’s distinctive vaulted ceiling, covers the wall behind. A low quarter-circle shelving unit eases the entranceway to the adjoining garden room. Polished light marbled worktops, with a bull-nosed edge and matched upstands, skirt the space. Finer detailing includes bespoke cutlery inserts, fitted tray holders and spice racks, all in natural oak. An over-sink cabinet houses eye-height open plate racks and, like the glass-fronted wall cabinet opposite, is recessed to respect lines of sight. Above the chimney breast, a made-to-measure mantel and satin chrome utensil rail hug the original oak lintel.

FIXTURES & FITTINGS: Armac Martin’s ‘Bakes’ knobs and ‘Withenshaw’ cup pulls, in a Satin Nickle finish, adorn cabinetry throughout. Traditional Perrin & Rowe stainless steel taps pair with a Shaws of Darwen ‘Ribchester’ piecrust sink. A stainless steel Rangemaster sits into the original chimney breast, and behind-the-scenes integrated Miele appliances bring trustable, high-end functionality to the space.