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Taste of England

From its solid handcrafted cabinets to its Tudor arches, this kitchen has a sense of permanence that recalls a bygone era

View of traditionally styled kitchen with Tudor-style arch, ceiling, interior design, orange, brown
View of traditionally styled kitchen with Tudor-style arch, timber-framed ceiling, marble countertop and copper sink

Re-creating the character of an old English kitchen can be problematic, when you also need to incorporate the latest appliance technology.

For the owner-designer of this home, the solution was to hide the technology, so the focus would remain on the handcrafted furniture-style cabinets.

Richard Greene and interior designer Holly Greene say the kitchen is part of a large, open-plan living space and is just a few steps from the entry vestibule. This means it is on display to everyone entering the house.

"We wanted to disguise the fact that this is a fully operational kitchen," says Richard Greene. "Consequently, all the appliances, except the range, are integrated into the cabinets. And the range is set within a recess framed by a traditional Tudor-style arch, which is replicated by an arch around a fire surround on the same axis in the living room."


View of traditionally styled kitchen with Tudor-style arch, beam, ceiling, estate, hearth, home, interior design, living room, real estate, room, brown
View of traditionally styled kitchen with Tudor-style arch, timber-framed ceiling, marble countertop and copper sink

To remain true to the old English style, the ventilation unit is concealed behind a custom copper hood, which was built in situ.

With its dark-stained doors, marble countertop and hand-carved detailing, a 10ft-long island is the centerpiece of the kitchen. As well as providing plenty of space for food preparation and serving, the island can be used for casual dining.

To enhance the furniture look, the cherry wood cabinetry on the rear wall has a distressed paint finish and doors with decorative cutouts and wire inserts.

"The cabinets were stained, then dry brushed, painted and glazed to achieve the right look," says Richard Greene.

View of traditionally styled kitchen with Tudor-style arch, cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, room, brown, orange
View of traditionally styled kitchen with Tudor-style arch, timber-framed ceiling, marble countertop and copper sink

Similar attention to detail can be seen throughout the great room. The kitchen ceiling, for example, features large dark-stained beams, while the living area has a timber-framed ceiling typical of English manor homes in the Middle Ages.

The flooring and walls also re-create the era. Tumbled stone floor tiles are laid in a random pattern, and the plaster walls were handpainted to create an antique look.

The authenticity of the design does not compromise functionality, however. Solid wood doors lead to a separate walk-in pantry and a storage closet. And vertical pull-outs in the cabinets conceal a variety of different storage systems, so everything is in easy reach.

Credit list

Interior designer
Holly Greene
Kitchen manufacturer
Chase Woodcrafters
Doors and windows
Hurd Windows and Doors
Countertops
Marble, in English walnut
Faucets
Pfister antique copper from Ferguson
Wallcoverings
Custom plasterwork
Bar stools
Lorts in dark walnut and leather
Range
Wolf
Refrigeration
Sub-Zero
Builder
Richard W Green, Inc
Flooring
Mischaire blend natural stone from Traditions in Tile
Cabinetry
Cherry, with distressed green paint finish and dark stain
Sink
Hammered copper farmhouse
Lighting
BD Jeffries
Dining furniture
Antiques and Country Pine
Fireplace
Rumford firebox by
Ventilation
Best by Broan
Dishwasher
Bosch

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: John Umberger

24 Feb, 2011

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