‘It’s modern, but still homely’

Tamsin and Robert Allen have given classic elements a smart update, resulting in a contemporary kitchen that’s stayed true to its thatched cottage charm

A country kitchen with a modern edge

HOW TAMSIN AND ROBERT DID IT

‘The kitchen was 30 years old so we made replacing it a priority. The Aga was fairly new, and triple-aspect windows drew in lots of light, but wall cupboards made the room dark and closed in. Without them, we had to think about how we’d get enough storage into the new design. As interior designers, (fawninteriors.co) we drew the layout using Vector software. Down one side we planned to have the fridge-freezer, as well as a tall pantry and crockery cupboard to give us the storage we need. We fitted a modern extractor that shows off the beams and sanded the shiny lacquer off the existing oak floor, then oiled the planks for a richer, more natural finish. Real marble goes with the Shaker cabinets, but, for a modern, more masculine twist, we painted the cupboards in dark tones – black-green and contrasting blue-grey. They were made to our design by Fusion by Fawn, the joinery arm of our business. The build took 10 weeks to complete and labour costs were around £6,500.’

WHAT I’VE LEARNED “Trust your instincts. Painting the cupboards in such a dark shade was a gamble, but the results are better than I expected – the kitchen feels grounded”

FRAMED ART WORKS INSTEAD OF A SPLASHBACK WITH AN AGA, AS EACH HOB HAS ITS OWN PROTECTIVE BACK

WINDOW SHELF PERFECT FOR DISPLAYING FAVOURITE ITEMS ABOVE ‘A CLASSIC CREAM COUNTRY KITCHEN WASN’T US, SO WE PAINTED THE CUPBOARDS IN TONES OF GREY AND GREEN. AN OAK FLOOR AND MARBLE WORKTOPS ARE ON TREND, YET THE KITCHEN STILL SITS WELL IN THE BEAMED ROOM.’ Shaker cupboards, from £1,125 for a 600mm base unit, Fusion by Fawn; in Obsidian Green intelligent eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Carrara marble, £350m, Stoneworx

ABOVE ‘WE SACRIFICED CUPBOARDS TO CREATE SPACE FOR OUR FRENCH FARMHOUSE TABLE AND CHOSE BLACK METAL CHAIRS FOR CONTRAST.’ Try Farmhouse table, £250, Old Forge. Black wire side chairs, £996 each, Harry Bertoia at Twentytwentyone

PAINT CUPBOARDS OIL-BASED PAINT GIVES A RICH AND LONGLASTING FINISH LEFT ‘THE CUPBOARDS FEATURE MODERN BEADING AND LEGS SO THEY LOOK LIKE FURNITURE. THE SWING-ARM LIGHT PULLS OUT TO CREATE BLANKET LIGHT AND PUSHES BACK TO ILLUMINATE THE KITCHEN SURFACE.’ Forged ball cupboard knobs, £10.70 each, Jim Lawrence

ABOVE ‘REMOVING WALL UNITS OPENED UP THE KITCHEN AND SHOWS OFF THE BEAMS.’ Black pipe wall light, £89.99, House Doctor at Trouva. Angle-mount wall light, £33, THPG at twentytwentyone.com. British Heritage 004 framed print, £600, Robert Allen at RTA London