Need project inspiration? A Surrey-based couple with three children worked with Kate Feather to design this rustic and timeless Shaker kitchen that perfectly complements their beautiful garden.

When Alice and Peter bought their terraced house in St Margarets in Surrey in 2018 they took their time to plan the unique kitchen extension. Working with an architect ensured they made the most of the kitchen space, which leads into former stables that have been transformed into an artist’s studio and garden room. KBB journo Amanda Cochrane discovers how the project came together…

Alice, a garden designer and keen cook, and her husband Peter, who works for a creative company, didn’t want a typical glass box extension. Their vision was to create an open and airy kitchen space designed around the symmetry of the skylights. It should create a close and sympathetic connection with their extensive garden.

The couple had strong views about their preferred interior design and hired local kitchen design firm Kate Feather to help them achieve a look they would love for many years. “The owners were very closely involved, which was fantastic,” says Kasia Piorko, the Polish founder of the kitchen design firm, whose name translates to Kate Feather in English.

“We explored lots of options together. We looked at the position of the sink and whether to have an induction hob in addition to the Aga. Then, we even mocked up the island on the building site and visited several stone yards to select the perfect marble for their dream kitchen,” she says.

Designing the Shaker kitchen

What was the objective of the kitchen interior design?

We used traditional joinery and clean lines that harmoniously come together to create a truly timeless kitchen aesthetic. The kitchen is a plain Shaker style with a rustic feel to complement the vibe of the rest of the house. It also works well with the painted wall panelling. We collaborated with our client to select the Aga and marble worktop. 

How important was it to connect the kitchen to the garden? 

The client is a garden designer and was keen to bring green into the interiors. As the room has so much light, we could opt for a dark green tone, so we painted the cabinetry in Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green. We complemented the strong green with dusky pink walls. Alice has also introduced plants in large terracotta pots. 

The pantry

What was your approach to maximising storage?

The pantry, which is connected to the kitchen with a space-saving sliding door, is three metres high and is packed with shelving, which is wonderful for hiding clutter. It also includes some drawers for fruit and vegetables, which Alice spotted in our design studio in Teddington and immediately wanted for her kitchen as she grows lots of fruit and vegetables.

We also included lots of drawers in the Shaker kitchen cabinetry. While shelving and rails with hooks offer versatile storage above the work surface. The result is an open-plan space filled with natural light. 

The materials

How did you blend the use of different materials? 

The clients sourced the flooring from Havwoods. We selected a natural Carrara Michelangelo marble worktop from Cullifords. The look and size of the stone were equally important. This stone is less grey than a typical Carrara marble; the tones are more sandy and it feels warmer. We added classic antique brass handles from Armac Martin to keep the design feeling classic.  

Were there any challenges and compromises you had to make? And clever solutions? 

Luckily, we didn’t have to make any compromises! The island was challenging to design and build, however. We created a concealed supportive frame and integrated the electric cables for sockets and ovens inside one of the legs. Also, we designed the sliding doors of the pantry so they fit aesthetically with the design of the old stables.

As originally told to: Amanda Cochrane | Photography: Birgit Mons.

This house tour was featured in the March 2024 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.

Need more inspo? Check out this house renovation with a loft conversion and garden studio

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