What do we picture when we think of a country kitchen? Our visions are an airy room with an iconic range oven set amongst shaker cabinets, a traditional-style mantle, granite worktops, stylish pantries, and exposed wooden beams, however, this has not always been the case.
When we look back through medieval times, the kitchen in great country houses was solely used for cooking where the chef would spend their time and family never visited meaning they went to another room in the house. The kitchen was made up of numerous rooms, one being a larger room with a heat source and several smaller rooms around it which were made into pantries, larders, and sculleries.
Smaller farmhouse kitchens included a large table located in the middle of the room which would be used for where family and servants would gather to eat, with freestanding wooden furniture up against the wall like an open dresser and food storage to complete the look of the kitchen. The scullery where the sink was located was where the food prep would have been carried out.
During the fifties, the main room of the kitchen was introduced with electrical appliances and sinks, and then in the late seventies, the kitchen became a social hub of the home where we would find bespoke, fitted kitchen furniture and modern seating areas.
There are many elements to add to a modern farmhouse. You can incorporate them all or just a selected few that suits your personality, family life, and modern day needs.
An iconic range oven
An iconic range oven is a classic focal point in a country kitchen, integrated within the run of cabinetry. One of the prestige range ovens is the AGA, invented in 1922 and has been the heart of the home for many decades and continues to. Thousands of AGA owners will tell you they can’t imagine life without one. They have built a reputation for their iconic design, uncompromising quality, and award-winning innovation. AGA’s are built from cast iron which is a fantastic material for radiating heat and is gentle on food and locks in moisture, flavour, and goodness.
A central prep table
A prep table centered in the middle of the kitchen can form as an island for a more traditional look, or opt for a fitted island to accommodate everyday essentials, for a contemporary look.
Larders and pantries
Larders and pantries have become extremely popular in modern times due to their look and function. They can be incorporated into the design as a fixed unit, or if you are lucky enough to have the space, a separate walk-in style pantry could make all your dreams come true. We have designed many cupboards into breakfast pantries to house smaller electrical appliances like coffee machines, toasters, and microwaves that can be shut away when not in use still keeping within the fine lines.
Dressers
Open-style dressers are a great piece of furniture to add to the room for displaying decorative pieces such as plates and jugs or crockery. It allows you to keep within the feel of a country-style kitchen as well as making the room feel homely.
A butler sink
Butler sinks were designed in the early Victorian times as a way of conserving water. Water supply became less of an issue when the years went by and kitchens got bigger. There are many styles and sizes to choose from with each one complementing traditional kitchen schemes.
Contact us today for more information on planning your dream modern farmhouse kitchen – we look forward to hearing from you.
