Country House Kitchen & Interior Design Project | West Sussex
Set within its own established country estate in West Sussex, this substantial family house has a generosity of scale and character that informed every stage of the project. We were commissioned to redesign the principal kitchen, dining and sitting areas, and to undertake interior design and sourcing for the drawing room and entrance hall.
A Kitchen Built Around How A Family Lives
The original kitchen no longer reflected how the house was being used. The footprint was significantly enlarged to create a light-filled space that now brings cooking, dining and informal living together far more naturally designed equally for busy family days and generous entertaining.
Two dedicated sink and preparation zones support this flexibility. One overlooks the gardens; the second forms part of a separate coffee and drinks area facing the courtyard. Each includes its own preparation surface, integrated dishwasher and tailored storage, allowing different activities to run simultaneously without disrupting the flow of the room.
Considered Storage & Architectural Flow
Storage was considered carefully at every stage. Two large larders sit within the main cooking area — one beside the Aga for ingredients and everyday essentials, the second supporting broader food preparation and household storage.
Vaulted ceilings and exposed oak beams give the room a strong sense of scale and permanence, while limestone flooring and curved oak thresholds define the transitions between kitchen, dining and sitting without interrupting the openness of the layout.
A Centrepiece Island Shaped for Purpose
At the centre of the room sits a substantial oak island — designed as both a practical working surface and a place for people to gather throughout the day. It incorporates two ovens, warming drawers, deep pan storage, and crockery and cutlery drawers, with a curved breakfast bar providing comfortable seating for six.
Work surfaces throughout are Platinum Macaubas quartzite, selected for its soft movement, durability and ability to sit comfortably within the wider architectural palette of the house.
Honouring the Character of the House
Behind the principal kitchen, the original scullery was retained and incorporated into the wider scheme preserving a connection to the history of the house while providing valuable secondary working space.
The bespoke cabinetry was designed specifically for the architecture and proportions of the property, with careful attention to storage, materiality and long-term durability. The result is a kitchen that feels generous, calm and deeply rooted in the character of this exceptional West Sussex country estate.
