FRESHEN UP THE KITCHEN
Timeless elegance blended with the latest trends give Barnes of Ashburton’s bespoke kitchens an enduring look that lasts for years to come
With over 40 years’ experience designing beautiful bespoke cabinetry and furniture for kitchens and other rooms in the home, Devon-based Barnes of Ashburton knows what it means to blend a timeless look with the latest trends. This year, key themes include forest green hues, rich olive tones, muted grey palettes and plenty of natural wood, stone and brushed metal finishes to deliver a feeling of warmth and character.
Take the kitchen and utility room shown here, for instance. Designed by Debbie Harradence of Barnes of Ashburton for a traditional 16th-century Devon farmhouse nestled in an east Dartmoor valley, it demonstrates how the company’s signature cabinetry complements any space, large or small.
When the owners, Anna and Gordon, first moved in, both the kitchen and utility room were in need of refurbishment.
There was no hot water supply and there had been several leaks over the years, leading to rotting cabinetry and floors and multiple examples of poorly executed DIY. Despite all this, the couple could see the kitchen and utility room had beautiful original features they could enhance to transform this part of the house into the heart of the home.
“We wanted a modern country feel,” says Anna. “Beautiful rooms, but also rooms that work well for a busy household. In terms of inspiration, we wanted to maintain the character of the house and give it a timeless quality. For example, solidly constructed cabinetry and flagstone floors that would last for years. We are surrounded by beautiful countryside, so we always knew we wanted to use the colour green to reflect the outside environment.”
Keen to use local suppliers, Anna and Gordon chose Barnes of Ashburton to take on the project – from initial planning and design through to manufacture and installation. The cabinetry is painted in Flanders Grey and Messel by Mylands, while the aged-brass handles are by Yesterhome and the worksurfaces are in Unistone Bianco Carrara quartz throughout. Flooring in natural stone tiles from Devon Stone complement the farmhouse setting, while a Siemens fully integrated dishwasher, fridge-freezer and under-counter fridge provide state-ofthe-art dishwashing and cooling facilities. For the washing-up areas in both rooms, Villeroy & Boch Farmhouse ceramic sinks are paired with Perrin & Rowe Phoenician mixer taps in pewter.
“We were given plenty of time to consider the planned design and opportunities to make changes throughout the planning and installation period to ensure the layout met our needs,” adds Anna. “The installation team were great to work with. Nothing was too much trouble for them and their expertise and attention to detail was second to none. The scribing around the stone fireplace was a particular achievement. We were also really impressed that they liaised with the floor company to ensure that the joint lines between the limestone slabs aligned with the kitchen units.”
It is this attention to detail that makes Barnes of Ashburton so special: a furniture expert who can turn any house into a home. ■