Classic In-Frame Shaker Kitchen 109, Utility & Bedroom – Little Hadham, Herts
Extend a historic property with a thoughtfully designed addition that beautifully unites timeless character with modern-day living.
This kitchen design is nothing short of captivating, set against historic brickwork and the picturesque countryside of Little Hadham, a newly built extension offers panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. Our Classic In-Frame Shaker was created for this client, who was seeking a balance between refinement and a subtle hint of colour to bring a vibrant atmosphere, creating the true heart of their home.
It’s how the seamless connection between the kitchen and garden is achieved through the thoughtful architectural planning, soft transitions, and cohesive material choices. No harsh boundaries or wall divides, the space can flow effortlessly from inside to out. Natural flooring guides the eye through the kitchen and beyond, where full-length glass doors frame the landscape. This open-plan kitchen was designed with indoor-outdoor living in mind to celebrate the beautiful historic structure of the main home and the panorama it leads to.
It’s an impressive example of how new and old can come together with the outdoors.
The natural charm of the colours and textures is carefully considered to enhance the experience of both cooking and relaxing. And the thoughtfully galley-style layout, which was the perfect fit for this open-plan space, maximises both functionality and flow. There’s no uninterrupted movement between the zones, and the spectacular scenery still remains on show. It was a design that needed to fully grasp the surrounding views.
Whether our client is preparing a meal or enjoying a freshly brewed coffee on their island, the views stretch out in every direction, thanks to the full-length glass doors and expansive windows that bathe the entire space in natural light from dawn to dusk. Moments can be shared, whether gathered around the island or stepping out under the moonlit sky.
The carefully chosen colour palette blends Little Greene’s Light Peachblossom with a refined grey of Farrow & Ball’s Dove Tale. We particularly love the pairing of the subtle blush and the modern grey to create a timeless combination that brings warmth without overwhelming the space. Inspired by previous projects and historical elegance, the delicate hue creates a charming focal point, further enhancing the surrounding cabinetry.
As we focus on the kitchen island, it’s both functional and visually pleasing, taking full advantage of the open-plan layout and sweeping garden views.
Its rectangular shape provides a generous surface area for both food preparation and relaxed entertaining, which makes us describe the flow of the rounded pedestal table that’s seamlessly attached. This elegant extension not only introduces a relaxed seating area but also showcases a copper-clad pedestal base, chosen by the client to echo the copper detailing found throughout the kitchen and in the architectural extension’s roof structure. The copper brings a subtle sense of continuity and glow, tying the kitchen into the wider context of the home’s design narrative.
Within the island, bespoke cutlery trays and other storage cupboards keep items organised, while a discreet pop-up S-Box socket brings an electrical point for phone chargers and worktop appliances. There is also a Kaelo wine cooler that adds a touch of luxury and is housed on the stunning, rounded pedestal table for those entertaining evenings.
This multi-functional island is the heart of the kitchen – artful, practical, and entirely tailored to the client’s lifestyle, where the gentle pink sets the island apart while still harmonising beautifully with the rest of the cabinetry. The pink introduces a playful, creative energy to the space. It’s a clever design trick to add a splash of colour without committing to a fully pink palette.
The appliance setup in this kitchen is the polished look of the performance piece at the heart. The impressive 1219mm Wolf Dual Fuel Range combines professional-grade cooking power with a striking aesthetic. Its robust stainless steel body, iconic red handles, and sleek, purposeful design not only deliver on performance but also reflect the industrial elegance seen throughout the space, tying in beautifully with the subtle copper accents found in the island pedestal and architectural details above.
Suspended above the range is the Westin Bloque Pro 1200 extractor, an essential feature for filtering air and keeping the kitchen free from lingering cooking smells, all while maintaining an open, uninterrupted visual flow built within a bespoke mantle that has two beautiful steps.
Among the galley run, a Neff built-in fridge with a seamless sliding hinge offers ample storage without disrupting the cabinetry, while a Siemens integrated dishwasher ensures functionality stays quietly behind the scenes.
Together, this well-designed, arranged setup combines aesthetic harmony with culinary capability from high-end appliances that celebrity chefs love, creating a kitchen that’s as effortless to use as it is beautiful to admire.
The placement of the sink was a carefully considered design choice in this project, blending practicality with the joy of everyday living. Positioned on the kitchen island, the Franke Prep Sink is paired with a Quooker PRO3 Fusion Round Tap in Patinated Brass, along with the Quooker CUBE and Scale Control System, offering instant boiling, chilled, and sparkling water all in one elegant solution.
It’s worth noting the positioning of the sink on the island as it meant our client could prep a dish or make a hot drink with total pleasure, taking full advantage of the surrounding landscape, gazing out over the lush garden and miles of rolling countryside beyond.
Simple daily routines have instantly turned into peaceful, scenic moments.
This magnificent kitchen is a masterclass in elegant detailing and thoughtful craftsmanship, from the solid oak cabinetry to the right handle choice and durable surfaces. One of the standout elements is the toughened Silver Moon Mirrored splashback from Southern Counties Glass behind the Wolf range, specifically to go behind with the upstand to withstand heat. There are also mirrored backdrops found in the glazed wall cupboards, which work their magic by bouncing natural light throughout the space. The clever positioning of this mirror creates a sense of depth and brilliance in every direction. With such a modern reflective detail, it not only amplifies the openness of the room but also brings a touch of modern glamour to the more traditional materials.
Enhancing the tactile beauty of the solid oak cabinetry are the Armac Martin Queslett handles, a refined knob featured on a backplate in the iconic satin antique lacquered finish that subtly elevates the overall aesthetics.
LED lighting is discreetly integrated under the shelves in the glass-fronted cabinets and within the recessed section of the island. Having such a desire to brighten up the room, the soft glow that casts across the open plan highlights the rich textures and tones of the kitchen even after sunset.
Featured on the galley run and part of the symmetrical layout, a hidden breakfast pantry offers a beautifully crafted feature that makes our client’s breakfast morning a little easier. Tucked behind the seamless, concealed doors lies a thoughtfully designed setup: open shelving, a cold shelf finished in the matching quartz from the island, and a designated space for the microwave.
Another feature that brings luxury to the design is the Calacatta Storm quartz worktops, a surface choice that blends the timeless appeal of marble with the durability of quartz. Its white base and delicate fine grey veining mirror the natural elegance of stone while offering the low-maintenance, hard-wearing solution families want in their modern kitchen.
Tucked away just off the open-plan kitchen, the utility room is cleverly built into the new extension, separated by a reflective wall positioning and still maintaining a sense of flow within the home. Designed to be a practical part of the space, its architectural detailing ties beautifully back to the main kitchen with the cornices and skirting. Our client opted to purchase the additional cornice and skirting through us to ensure a seamless connection between the two rooms.
These exquisite details echo the timeless style of the kitchen, elevating the utility room far beyond the purely functional space it becomes. The builder’s expertly crafted wall panelling adds an elegant touch, bringing refined character.
Though more private, this utility room is an example of the design language of the larger kitchen while offering a practical and stylish area for everyday tasks, not that far away.
A true continuation of the kitchen’s elegance and craftsmanship is the utility room. It still features our Classic In-Frame Shaker cabinetry but with the added detail of a cockbeaded front frame. The joinery is then highlighted with Farrow & Ball’s Dove Tale to match the main kitchen cabinetry.
It’s a space that has become cohesive and perfectly suited to its functional purpose.
Though compact in its galley-style layout, the utility is rich in both beauty and practicality, cleverly built with storage that maximises the narrow footprint, housing a second dishwasher and the main functions of a utility, the washing machine and tumble dryer. The focal point of this run is the impressive Shaws 800 single bowl butler sink, perfectly paired with a Perrin & Rowe Ionian tap with rinse in an aged brass finish. A deck-mounted traditional soap dispenser, also by Perrin & Rowe and in matching aged brass, adds a charming, heritage-inspired detail that complements the room’s functionality.
To maintain the design harmony, the utility features the same Armac Martin Queslett knobs on a rectangular backplace in the satin antique lacquered finish as used in the kitchen, creating a subtle thread of continuity. Further enhancing the room’s refined aesthetics are the Calacatta Storm quartz worktops with their striking, marble-inspired surface.
Every element of the kitchen’s design language is thoughtfully mirrored here in this room, proving that practicality can be every bit as beautiful.
A beautiful sense of cohesion continues beyond the kitchen and utility spaces, flowing effortlessly into the bedroom with our Classic In-Frame Shaker style. It features the same dedication to detail and timeless design, where our Classic In-Frame shaker is set apart with elegant moulding that elevates the space with a refined, tailored look. The cabinetry has been hand-painted in a soft, crisp white, offering a fresh, serene atmosphere that perfectly suits this colourful and restful retreat.
To maintain the design language in this room, the skirting was carefully matched to the existing profiles, and the surface is topped with the same luxurious Calacatta Storm quartz as seen in the kitchen. It’s a material palette already loved in the heart of the home.
We continued our craftsmanship to the cabinetry below the dressing table, which also serves as a radiator cover, though the client opted for a separate mirror above, creating a personalised and stylish area for daily rituals.
Delicate glass knobs bring a subtle sparkle and a sense of softness to the cabinetry, while the mirrored double wardrobe adds function and a touch of glamour, reflecting light for a spacious feel. Bespoke bedside tables complete the arrangement, balancing symmetry and practicality.
This bedroom embodies quiet luxury that aligns perfectly with the character and elegance seen throughout this magnificent historic home.
It’s been a true privilege to bring our craftsmanship into this spectacular home, where heritage and contemporary design harmoniously meet. The design is met with a breathtaking kitchen full of soft, dusky tones and striking copper accents, to the wonderful utility just a stone’s throw away, and finally to the serene bedroom retreat with intricate detailing. Each room tells its own story while remaining beautifully connected.
We have left our mark in such a considered and characterful setting, even the family dog found joy in the new design, loving his spacious spot to roam freely and soak up the fresh countryside air in his new favourite outdoor haven.
If you’re looking for some home inspiration, our brochure is available to download. You will come across a large selection of our beautiful bespoke handmade kitchens, featured in many parts of the UK.
We look forward to hearing from you and your design ideas so we can get started on your dream kitchen.
