The kitchen was opened up to the dining area, and neutral colours chosen to create a single space. photo by Paul Craig

Walk in Pantry, Butlers Pantry

We love this truly sociable kitchen which has been designed using to our bespoke Shaker range. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tailored to perfection to suit the family’s lifestyle, the island is the ideal spot for informal dining from early morning breakfasts to weekday suppers while there’s also space for a more formal dining table where friends and family can gather for delicious feasts

In our latest Kitchen ‘stories’ series, we share the journey behind the transformation of this Somerset farmhouse. This was a complete renovation project in the true sense of the word, involving both the vision of the owner and one of David Salisbury’s most experienced designers. The period property had an existing kitchen which was simply too small and clearly not suitable for a busy family, with a fondness for entertaining. The masterstroke was the decision to relocate the kitchen to what was the former living room and open up the property with a glazed extension, instantly adding in light-bathed space and creating the all-important connection to the garden. The idea to position the kitchen in a new, purpose-built space provided the opportunity to start with a blank canvas: a kitchen designer’s dream! Planning the new kitchen without the constraints of services, such as existing electrics and plumbing, meant we could set about creating a space that was truly tailored to our client. First of all this meant really understanding the home owner and listening to how this busy family lived their lives at home – very socially was the answer! With a substantial new space to work with, we designed a large island to form the centrepiece of the new kitchen, along with an informal entertaining space with comfy bar stools. Having considered a number of different cooking options, our client chose an Everhot range cooker, having visited our showroom in Chelsea to see the existing display and get a better understanding of their reputation for energy efficiency and contemporary cooking functionality. The soft grey tone of the Everhot (Dove Grey) not only acted as a strong focal point, but a warming source of heat for the family (and dog!) to snuggle around. The striking choice of paint finish, ‘Drammen’ from David Salisbury’s unique palette, accentuates the quality of the joinery and is the perfect pairing with our solid oak carcasses – we could look at this eye-catching combination all day! The mix of busy family and social life meant choice of refrigeration was important to get right. The French door fridge freezer from Fisher & Paykel not only maximised storage, it also included a built-in ice maker, a must-have for hosting informal drinks or a weekend night in. Plenty of flexible space for larder essentials was provided by the bespoke pantry cupboard, situated alongside the fridge, with bottle and spice racks and even a cold shelf in matching quartz. Introducing a bench seat under the window allowed a seamless continuation of the kitchen cabinetry and another great space to bring family and guests together, when cooking and entertaining. Safe to say, it’s now the favourite space for Orla (the family’s dog) to take in the views of the garden! Whilst last, but by no means least, the final feature of the kitchen, was a bespoke media unit with bi-fold doors to conceal the TV, which doubled up as a drinks cabinet with integrated wine cooler. Designed from scratch, the new kitchen for this Somerset farmhouse is a combination of timeless design and modern luxury. Being able to cook for and entertain family and guests, in the same space at the same time, meant the final design was perfectly done!

Skinny shaker style door painted in light teal with brass handles

Constructed from Ash and painted in a satin finish, this Baystone shaker in-frame is a range full of character and charm. The use of ‘Calico’ and ‘Mineral’ units make this kitchen feel light and airy. Bespoke colours used in images: Calico & Mineral. See this kitchen on our website http://firstimpressionskitchens.co.uk/bespoke/baystone/

Double larder cupboard with drawers to the bottom. Bespoke hand-made cabinetry. Paint colours by Lewis Alderson

Sustainable Kitchens - A Traditional Country Kitchen. 17th Century Grade II listed barn conversion with oak worktops and cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball Tallow. The cabinets have traditional beading and mouldings. The 300 year old exposed bricks and farmhouse sink help maintain the traditional style. There is an oven tower and American style fridge and freezer combination with a larder on either side. The beams are original.

deVOL Kitchens

As featured in The Sunday Times. The owners of this period property wanted to add their own personal stamp without having to choose between design and functionality. Hill Farm offered practical solutions without compromising on style or space – side-by-side under counter fridges, bi-fold doors with adjustable shelves, maximum work space – created from solid wood and hand painted.

Cupboards painted in "Hardwick White No: 5" by Farrow and Ball. Tourmaline ironmongery available from British Standard with a kitchen order. Copper sink by The French House (no longer available).