Project

This project sits within a 17th Century barn conversion in rural West Suffolk. Originally a farm building, it was rebuilt as a home in the early 1990s, then left to decline. When the current owners took it on, they committed to a full renovation, working through every room, surface, and detail to bring it up to date while keeping the house rooted in its setting.

The kitchen was always going to be central to that work. The existing 1990s oak kitchen was well made, but no longer suited the way the family lived. With four people, two dogs, and a working equestrian lifestyle, it felt tight, dated, and difficult to manage day to day. Space, durability, and better flow became the priority.

After months of researching and refining their own designs, a visit to our showroom helped bring clarity. Seeing the cabinetry in person, handling the drawers, doors, and fittings, and understanding how everything was built made the direction clear.

The clients chose our Shaker collection for its balance. Traditional in feel, with simple detailing and proportions that felt right within the barn. The cabinetry throughout is painted in Farrow & Ball Hardwick White, suited to the age and character of the barn. To complete the look, they selected our English Heritage cornice and skirtings to sit alongside the cabinetry. Reclaimed oak boards were used throughout the kitchen. A galley layout presented its own challenges, so interest was introduced through tall pantries, a false chimney breast built around the Aga, and reclaimed oak beams that echo the building’s agricultural past.

Adding a boot room alongside the kitchen was a key decision early on. Wet dogs, muddy boots, and outdoor clothing are part of everyday life here, so keeping that activity out of the main kitchen mattered. The priorities carried across both spaces, large sinks, reliable appliances, and finishes that could be wiped down easily. A Shaws single Butler sink was specified in the boot room, with a Shaws double Shaker sink in the kitchen to support daily use. In the kitchen itself, those practical choices sit alongside the sense of comfort needed when the space shifts from weekday routine to evenings with family and friends.

The kitchen has become the heart of the house. It is used constantly, for cooking, eating, reading, and gathering, particularly in the mornings when everyone starts their day together. The pantries are a firm favourite, alongside the Aga and the bespoke banquet seating, which brings warmth and a sense of ease to the space. An original artwork by the client’s grandfather sits within the room, adding a personal layer to the finished space.

This was a carefully considered project, refined over many iterations, but the result is a kitchen and bootility that works hard, fits the house perfectly, and supports the way the family lives now.