A new kitchen in a period cottage

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From the wreckage caused by flooding, Brian and Jean Griffiths created a spacious, elegant kitchen, which has transformed their period cottage.

When Jean and Brian Griffiths moved into their 18th century Cotswold cottage, it didn’t take long for them to realise how wrong the kitchen was for people like themselves who so enjoy spending time cooking. The room was dated, short on storage, and Jean always felt cramped whenever she prepared food in there. What they longed for was a kitchen that was relaxing as well as functional, with a comfortable country feel and plenty of space to entertain.

Asking around their neighbourhood for some recommendations, the same name kept coming up and so they made contact with local kitchen company Parlour Farm. Owner and designer Nick Grunfeld had been responsible for several kitchens for friends of the Griffiths and his professional approach and extensive experience appealed to them.

Then, shortly before he was due to visit, a flood devastated the cottage and many of those around it. In the aftermath Jean recalls how Nick helped them at this difficult time: ‘There we were with our house completely destroyed and he stepped in and organised everything, including rented accommodation for us while we cleared up the awful mess everywhere’.

For Jean, getting back to planning the new kitchen was the positive focus she needed and her wish list soon came together. ‘We had a number of meetings with Nick’, she says, ‘and I would say that all aspects of what we wanted to change were incorporated in the new design.’ These included the large cream Aga, which replaced one damaged in the flood, distinct areas for cooking, storage and refrigeration, and a central island. ‘The island was key to our requirements and it acts as a really great preparation space when I’m cooking,’ explains Jean. ‘Additionally, when we entertain, there is more than enough space for everyone to gather together around it.’

For Nick, creating bespoke kitchens is about interpreting the client’s wants and wishes, precisely getting to know how they would like the finished space to work and complement their lifestyle. ‘After all, it is their kitchen and their space’, he says. In the Griffiths’ new kitchen the overarching priority was simple: keeping the room light and spacious while retaining a country and relaxed feel.

To achieve this, the cabinets are painted in Parlour Farm’s House Heritage Cream, and the floor is pale limestone. Black granite worktops prevent the design from looking washed out and provide an attractive balance to the exposed stonework and wooden beams above the door and Aga. The positioning of the Aga made it what Nick calls the ‘anchor point’ of the room and the long beam above it dates from the 15th century and was specially sourced to fit the space.

Integrated appliances, including the fridge, are from Neff, and give a clean, streamlined effect. The completed project was not accomplished without considerable discussion between the Griffiths and Nick and his team. But Jean remembers this as a major benefit of choosing the company: ‘What I liked most of all was that rather than simply following instructions, Nick would challenge us on aspects that we thought would work but that he felt wouldn’t. That’s experience for you.’

Today, after everything the Griffiths and their home have been through, their new and greatly improved kitchen has made it all worthwhile. The relaxed, elegant room they always wanted has been brought into being and is at the heart of their home. Jean is delighted. ‘It is such a peaceful and beautiful space,’ she says, ‘when I walk in it every day it just puts a smile on my face – that says it all.’

Parlour Farm kitchens cost from £14,000. If you would like more information, call 01285 885336, or visit the website at parlourfarm.com.

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FEATURE KATHARINE COX PHOTOGRAPHS NIKKI CRISP
All prices quoted correct at time of publishing
Featured in the February 2012 issue of Period Living