Kitchens to covet
April Preston’s Devon kitchen is a unique hideaway designed to bring in the outdoors
Be inspired by April Preston’s seaside Devon kitchen, designed to bring in the outdoors
“I live in a beautiful seaside town, Budleigh Salterton in Devon. It’s me and my husband, Mark, and our two teenage daughters, Effie and Lola. Our eldest child, Red, has now moved to London to study. We share the house with our three cats and three dogs.
“As food product director for M&S, I spend a huge amount of time with my teams creating and refining plans for future ranges and product launches. We use customer and trend data to try to predict what the next big things will be, and solve culinary conundrums for customers – although that was difficult in lockdown, as it was less easy to get out and see what was happening in the food world.”
“This is the fourth kitchen that I’ve designed and built, and I’ve learnt loads of stuff along the way. When we bought this house six years ago, I started a Pinterest board and kept adding to it with layers of detail and bits I liked. Interestingly, I still love the very first image I put on there, and it’s the closest vibe to where the kitchen has ended up.
“I wanted it to be a big enough space for us all to hang out there together, and there are several places to sit, from the small settee to the stools, and the banquette and chairs around the table.
“The kitchen looks out over our beautiful garden (which was originally designed by Mr Bostick, the glue man!) – I wanted to ensure that we made the most of the views with bi-fold doors and, as they lead onto a terrace, it pretty much feels like I’m outside when the doors are open. We also have a stunning view from the side out towards the cliffs and the sea.
“I had to have a kitchen that could take an Aga. I grew up on a farm with an Aga, and have yearned to have my own ever since. I not only love the way it cooks, but it has a very strong emotional and nostalgic pull that has made our house feel like a real home. I wanted a little bit of glamour in the kitchen, and the copper sink and three glass pendant lights have definitely brought that. But my absolute favourite bits of the kitchen are the wooden shelves and the larder. I hate cupboards, particularly eye-level ones, and have always had kitchens with open shelves. But, unfortunately, that can mean lots of clutter – hence the larder.”
“my adv ce is to plan, plan, plan, get a b il iant b ilder yo trust, and listen to expert adv ce – b t stick to yo r v sio . I kept b ing to d I co ldn’t do certain things o they w ldn’t w k, b t I did, and they do!”
“my fav rite time o day is w tho t a do b early saturday mo ning – the light is at its mo t b autiful, and the rest o the ho se is alw ys asle p. I make myself a delicio s cup o co and plan my co ing fo the w kend and meals fo the fo o ng w k.”
Essential kitchen kit?
Brilliant knives and a cocktail shaker!
What’s always in your fridge?
Alcohol, lemons and limes, pickles, ferments and lots of capers, and three-year-old Cornish Cruncher cheddar.
Is there a family dish you cook again and again?
The only thing I cook regularly is a Sichuan noodle dish called ‘ants climbing a tree’.
Favourite O recipe?
I can’t choose between the hasselback halloumi and the Russian honey cake!
Give us a recipe in a sentence, maybe something you eat when you’re on your own
John Gregory-Smith’s Turkish eggs: lace some thick and creamy natural yogurt with dill and garlic, then top with poached eggs and melted butter infused with pul biber (Turkish chilli flakes).
Your favourite cookbook?
At the moment, it’s Cherish by Anne Shooter, and The Pie Room
by Calum Franklin.
Best budget buy?
Large packs of essential ingredients from Asian supermarkets.
Favourite restaurant?
St John in Smithfield, London.
Reasons to be cheerful in 2021
Well, I know all of the brilliant food products that will be launched in M&S in 2021. Plus, restaurants will be reopening, so we can once again support that wonderful industry.