A slice of England

For a family that includes four school-age children, food preparation is certain to be a pivotal part of everyday life.

After living in Britain, the owners of this Arts and Crafts home in Christchurch wanted their renovations to recreate the warmth of a European farmhouse kitchen.

Designer Toni Roberts says this was a key driver in the aesthetics of the new kitchen.

Roberts interpreted the owners' brief by designing the cabinetry doors to follow the traditional panelled style of the interior doors. Square posts with strongbacks frame the island and include a chamfered edge a detail borrowed from the dining table.

The high skirting around the seating area imitates bevelled skirting boards in the rest of the house, and the rangehood canopy designed by Roberts includes a steel rail, mirroring those on the large Aga cooker, all of which contribute to the classic style of the kitchen.

To ensure the space is functional and practical, the kitchen includes numerous drawers, shaped to suit their contents and including internal divisions and fittings, such as angled spice inserts, tray divisions and pull-out bins.

On either side of the Aga range and refrigerator are black granite benchtops with travertine splashbacks.

"In addition to handling the heat, granite benches are easy to keep clean. They also stay cool ideal for rolling pastry," says Roberts.

By contrast, a warm timber top was specified for the island to echo the concept of a central table around which everyone gathers. This area provides a focus for entertaining friends and family.

Close at hand is a walk-in butler's pantry, with a wine chiller and open shelving for crockery, preserves, groceries and baking dishes. A daily schedule for the family is tucked around the corner.

The traditional porcelain sink in the pantry is large and deep enough for washing baking dishes, and a second dishwasher supplements the main appliance integrated into the island.

The light clay tones on the walls and the creamy travertine tiling provide a neutral foil for the rich depth of the totara, black granite benchtop and black Aga.

Story by: Mary Webb