Design Case Study: Return to the classics
Bespoke kitchen specialist Rencraft collaborated with its client to create a stunning kitchen in a Grade I listed Palladian country home in Kent.
Interview: Matt Baker
When a client with a background in theatre set and costume design embarked on transforming their kitchen in this Grade I listed Palladian country home in Kent, Rencraft knew it needed to reflect both the grandeur of the space and the historical significance of the property.
Designed by architect Robert Adam, the house dated back to 1784 so this was no ordinary kitchen renovation.
The Property: A Grade I listed Palladian country home in Kent.
The Client: The clients were a couple; a project manager and a designer with a background in theatre set and costume design.
The Brief: Deliver a kitchen that matched the scale and drama of the principal rooms in the historic home.
The client called upon Rencraft to collaborate on their new kitchen space in the south-facing summer drawing room. Managing director John Stephens (pictured overleaf) and the client set about designing cabinetry that complemented the room’s soaring 4.5m ceilings and arched windows.
The aim was to scale up to match the room’s proportions and Rencraft produced multiple maquettes to perfect the focal point: a grand, double-doored larder cupboard with a broken pediment, in keeping with the room’s period features.
Functionality was equally important. The larder cupboard, designed as a traditional breakfront, houses an integrated fridge and freezer in adjacent tall cupboards. A large island provides a central workstation, complete with integrated appliances and a hob with a built-in extractor.
Given the restrictions of the Grade I listing, which prevented additional ceiling lights, Stephens and the client were inspired by The Ivy restaurant’s onyx bar to introduce a raised pediment on the island, offering practical lighting while concealing any cooking mess.
For the decor, the Chinoiserie panoramic wallpaper works alongside the Georgian-inspired plaster pink ceiling. The cabinetry, painted a near-charcoal green, creates a striking contrast against the wallpaper’s delicate hues, while antique and modern elements are blended to give the room an eclectic vibrancy.
About Rencraft
Established in 1980, Rencraft has its own workshop and showroom at Chart Farm, near Sevenoaks in Kent alongside a second showroom in Tunbridge Wells.
Rencraft offers handmade kitchens and furniture, designed by experts and built by dedicated craftsmen.
Project details
Overall Project Cost: Over £80,000
Designer: John Stephens, collaborating with the client, Ashton Taylor-Smith
Cabinetry: Rencraft bespoke in-frame cabinetry
Worktops: Classic Quartz Torrano Gold by Rencraft
Sinks: Shaws of Darwen Fireclay undermounted sink
Taps: Lusso Deco Claridge traditional pull out kitchen mixer in polished nickel, Quooker Fusion tap in nickel
Appliances: Bora Professional induction hob, double DishDrawer dishwasher and single oven, warming drawer, and microwave by Fisher & Paykel.
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