A kitchen in a converted barn

With a substantial renovation already underway, Jackie and Richard Smith decided to convert a barn to house their ideal kitchen.

When Jackie and Richard Smith moved into their 19th-century Kent coach house and stables, they knew the kitchen was likely to be their biggest challenge. They quickly began renovating the period property to make it a home for themselves, resident children, Chloe and Georgie, and dog, Gus, transforming the upstairs accommodation before tackling what Jackie describes as a ‘dark, dingy kitchen that everybody wanted to leave as soon as possible – it was a 1970s red affair’. It was clear from the start that another room would have to be created in which to install the kitchen of their choice.

The selected location was an adjoining barn that was part of the original stables, but without heating or lighting. It had a high vaulted ceiling, with plenty of natural light and access to the garden, with abundant potential to become the extension they needed – somewhere to cook, eat, entertain and relax.

Jackie had a clear idea of what she liked: a strong, simple, elegant design that would let the shape of the old building shine through. ‘I knew I wanted a contemporary, wooden kitchen with neutral decoration,’ she says. ‘A breakfast bar was also a must, as they’re very sociable areas and it’s such a large room.’

Creating adequate storage was the first challenge, as the vaulted ceiling restricts the available wall space. This was achieved with deep drawers and as many cupboards as possible for pots, pans, crockery and cutlery, but Jackie chose a more decorative solution for displaying favoured objects and recipe books. A shelf was installed above the range cooker and puts the attractive poultry print, a gift from a friend in Prague, at the heart of the room. In the dining area, a new dresser that was supplied by Chamber Furniture, and painted in Bone by Farrow & Ball, echoes the light from the French doors and features a selection of appealing ceramics and family photos and mementoes.

Knowing they wanted a wooden kitchen attracted Jackie and Richard to Chamber Furniture and its managing director and designer Scott Nicholson, who specialises in creating custom-built furniture and bespoke kitchens. Jackie was intrigued by a picture of a kitchen in elm wood from the Chamber brochure, as it was exactly what she’d had in mind: ‘It’s slightly different, with a very distinctive grain. I think it works perfectly.’ Scott liaised closely with them, holding five formal consultations and overseeing the project from start to finish, tailoring every single aspect of the room to their requirements, down to the magnetically closing lower cabinet doors.

The worktops, black with a white vein, were chosen for their smart appearance and durability, while the stepped design of the breakfast bar makes a convenient food preparation area. The dining section of the room was important to Jackie and Richard as,with children living at home and visiting adult children and their partners, they needed somewhere to gather for relaxed meals as an alternative to the formal dining room. Proximity to the French doors and the back garden is another benefit of having the seating here, while the limestone floor, purchased for its light-reflective properties, combines the two areas and ensures the room flows from one space to the next.

The range cooker and plenty of worktops provide generous space for cooking, which was essential for Jackie, along with easy access to the sink and concealed under-counter refrigerator. There is also a discreet wine fridge, conveniently placed near the dining area.

Jackie found the design process and the regular meetings with Scott helped bring her vision to life. ‘We discussed everything together,’ she says and admits that while ‘Scott came up with ideas, I knew essentially what I wanted.’ The partnership was obviously successful.

Describing the project to turn the neglected barn into their elegant new kitchen as ‘simply brilliant’, Jackie and Richard are delighted that their instinct to buy the property was correct. They’ve given the building a new lease of life and found the best way to appreciate their period house.

Read about another traditional-style kitchen...

FEATURE KATHARINE CLEMOW PHOTOGRAPHS IAIN KEMP
Featured in the July 2011 issue of Period Living