Tour this dark wood kitchen with amazing vaulted ceilings

Need real project inspiration for your redesign? KBB journo Amanda Cochrane discovers more about this stunning kitchen, which stands out thanks to contrasting details and a clever use of structure…

It was second time around for Crouch Design when it came to designing a kitchen for Sue and Alan Bussey, in their new-build home in Ascot, Berkshire – which, today, is an edgy blend of modern and traditional style.

“We already had a great understanding of their taste, but kitchens have evolved over the years, including our own furniture products, and it was great to show them our new offerings,” recalls design director Bradley Crouch. “As you can see, the result is quite beautiful.”

Modern wood kitchen design with a stone island.
The island, worktop and splashback have been clad in Calacatta Hermitage porcelain by Clay International. Photography: Christopher Murphy

The brief

Located on the ground floor of this spacious house, the kitchen, which has a dining area to one side and the living area at the rear of the open-plan space, is the focal point of the home.

Everything was mapped out carefully to make the most of the natural light and create a cohesive, effortless flow between the different zones. Sue’s brief was a design that worked for day-to-day living as well as entertaining guests.

Open-plan kitchen design with a seating area and a main cooking zone.
Good lighting, including the Gubi Multi-Lite pendant lights above the island, and a feeling of flow, were top priorities in this kitchen design.

Additionally, she wanted to highlight the structural and architectural elements of the house. The generous floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, for example, add character to the space, but also allow in lots of natural light to flood the kitchen.

Kitchen island with a breakfast bar.
The bar on the island is one of the couple’s favourite parts of the kitchen design. “We wanted to have a bar that we could use occasionally for entertaining guests,” says Sue.

Designing the wood kitchen

In turn, this influenced the decision to use Crouch Design’s stained oak cabinetry, which provides a rich and warm contrast to the bright space. “We wanted to use a dark wood on the units as the kitchen is so light,” explains Sue, who also wanted to include some beams reclaimed from an old barn.

Sink area with ribbed detailing on the cabinet front.
The dark wood kitchen cabinetry features ribbed detailing adding interest and texture to the space.

Stained white, they add panache and personality to the design, while highlighting the amazing vaulted ceilings. Bradley has gone for a sophisticated palette for the kitchen, combining a pale porcelain worktop with delicate veining, with dark oak stained veneer cabinetry complete with a stylish rib detail underneath.

“It adds a touch of opulence while providing a durable and practical surface for food preparation,” says Bradley.

Island with breakfast bar and stools for entertaining.
Pooch Roxy, a rescue from the Lebanon found abandoned and starving on the beach, loves her light and airy new home.

The finished result is a kitchen that’s a pleasure for the couple to use and a stylish centrepiece in their striking new home. “Every element, from the ribbed detailing on the cabinetry to the placement of the appliances, has been thoughtfully considered,” he says.

“This attention to detail ensures that the kitchen is not only beautiful but also highly practical. Overall, the design achieves a perfect balance between elegance and functionality, making it a space that the homeowners will enjoy for years to come.”

A larder storing glassware and cooking essentials.
The cupboard provides a handy display area for the couple’s collection of glassware.

As originally told to: Amanda Cochrane | Photography: Christopher Murphy

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

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