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Inspiration

A Cheshire Kitchen

Located in Lymm, a quaint, leafy rural village in Cheshire, Eden Gardens is home to Anna, Darren and their two teenage children. Inspired by the countryside that surrounded them, the family were keen to blend inside with outside, and create a kitchen that had both style and substance, with a light-filled, bright atmosphere.

Previously the layout of the kitchen didn’t maximise the use of space, and the flow simply didn’t feel right. It felt as though it was just a room to cook in – rather than a multi-purpose space that the whole family could share and enjoy collectively.

Anna and Darren approached Thomas James Kitchens with very clear ideas for an open-plan kitchen that could also be used as a dining and entertaining space. With a love of the soothing colours found in nature, and traditional country-style interiors, the owners had a good idea of what they wanted their kitchen to achieve: a modern-country aesthetic wrapped around a practical space that the family could comfortably spend quality time together in.

“We wanted to create a versatile space where the homeowners could spend time together as a family and entertain friends. We also wanted to give the family a space to be proud of and inspired by.”

Any country kitchen – classic or contemporary – is not an authentic country kitchen without a Shaws sink at its heart.

With this in mind, the Shaws sink they selected was the Inset 800. A popular choice for those looking for a slightly more contemporary and streamlined designed, the inset sink was perfectly in-keeping with the modern-country feel Anna and Darren were trying to achieve.  

The sink was positioned along the perimeter of the room, to keep symmetry in the design. It is also located opposite the hob – which sits on the kitchen island – to ensure the flow in the kitchen feels right.

On choosing Shaws of Darwen, Andrew from Thomas James Kitchens said: “It was a choice that was as beautiful as it was practical. We often choose Shaws in our designs, as they align with our passion for high-quality, traditionally made products. Quality takes time, and the finished products of a Shaws sink are both timeless and elegant."
Shaker style cabinetry.

In keeping with the modern-country style – the couple decided on a traditional Shaker door design for the bespoke cabinetry, hand-painted in Farrow & Ball Studio Green  – an intriguing blend of their more popular blue and green shades, which changes subtly with the waning light. 

Incorporating a larder.

A floor-to-ceiling larder was custom designed for ample storage, with bespoke carpentry accommodating a multitude of dry goods and small appliances. Anna and Darren love coffee, so they decided to create a small coffee station within the larder cupboard, which can be neatly hidden away when not in use to keep work surfaces clutter-free.

The work surfaces are customised Kashmera Quartz in a soft white, offset with gentle grey feathering, which is elegant and opulent. Quartz is a popular worktop choice due to its durability, low maintenance, and resistance to scratches and stains; whilst at the same time, retaining a luxurious feel.

The large kitchen space was more than able to accommodate the substantial island, with plenty of seating for the whole family, and custom storage in abundance – a mixture of deep and shallow drawers, and cupboards. Hidden sockets with USB ports are a handy little feature, enabling the use of laptops and kitchen appliances around the island.

The homeowners opted for a Smeg hob central to the room, incorporating it within the island, enhancing the social flow. With a built-in downward extraction, the ceiling is unencumbered by bulky hoods, increasing the height and airiness. By designing a bespoke u-shaped cutlery drawer under the extraction, the homeowners can now make use of an otherwise wasted area. 

By stacking the ovens and integrating the fridge-freezer, opposite the double-width larder, a symmetrical and contemporary layout is created, that’s also centred around the Shaws Butler sink. The addition of floating shelves bridges the gap over the sink, creating a point of interest that the family can style with personal objects and little design touches. 

Commenting on the whole process Andrew at Thomas James Kitchens said: “We designed, built and installed this kitchen from start to finish in approximately 12 weeks. Our in-house design team were hands-on from the initial conversations and consultation, and guided the client throughout the process, advising on design details and appliances that would enhance the day-to-day living of the whole family. Installation of the kitchen is always the most satisfying part, seeing weeks of hard work come to fruition, and knowing that the family will enjoy the kitchen for many years to come.”