On a sprawling farm in rural Suffolk, a series of historic barns once used for agricultural machinery have been combined and transformed into a single contemporary house. Within the new-old structure exists perhaps the most charming English countryside kitchen of all time.
With uninterrupted views of flowering gardens and green fields, the open-plan cook space was conceived by Plain English senior designer Sarah Picton. She honored original features like a dramatic vaulted ceiling and exposed oak beams by creating a cozy, modern-traditional look with the brand’s custom cabinetry and complementary natural materials.
Vibrant green bar stools stand out against wide oak floorboards.
“We wanted to achieve an industrial feel to suit the fabric of the building, made comfortable and warm and welcoming enough for a home,” Sarah explains. So she chose Shaker-style cupboards in a creamy mushroom tone for the L-shaped perimeter and a statement center island painted a romantic dusty rose.
The same subdued pink shade covers the tongue-and-groove paneling that cleverly conceals a back pantry, where the refrigerator, freezer, and other unsightly appliances are tucked away. A glossy black cast iron Aga cooker, however, is on full display in the main area. The radiant heat oven not only fulfills the homeowner’s culinary dreams, but also adds retro-chic flare.
Victorian-inspired tourmaline pulls adorn the drawers.
Thick, antique-sawn countertops made of Belgian blue fossil stone contrast beautifully with the lime plaster walls, and a cantilevered wood surface provides an ideal spot to post up. “We felt it would be a lovely place to pull up some bar stools and look out into the courtyard and have a cup of coffee,” Sarah says.
The aforementioned bar stools offer a concave seat, a convenient footrest, and a burst of vivid green, which Sarah describes as a “vintage color” that reminds her of the 1950s. It’s an energizing pop of brightness among an otherwise muted palette.
“One of the key requirements for the interior was that it needed to be light and open, so we incorporated floor-to-ceiling glass windows,” says Sarah.
Details like Victorian-inspired tourmaline hardware, machinist Anglepoise wall lamps, and elegant satin nickel taps complete the distinctly British vibe, which you can replicate anywhere in the world. With the right hues, shapes, and textures, your own English countryside kitchen is within reach. Here’s what you need to make it happen.
