Traditional Moulded In-Frame Beaded Shaker Kitchen 117 & Walk-in Pantry, Utility, Boot Room and Media Wall – Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire

When our clients approached us with their old vicarage renovation in Sawbridgeworth, their original kitchen sat in a dark, enclosed room tucked away to one side of their beautiful home. They knew the space deserved more. We reimagined the kitchen entirely, relocating to a spacious, light-filled room on the opposite side of the house, transforming it into the true heart of the home.

Designed completely personal to our clients, every bespoke detail reflects how they live and entertain. The cabinetry is handcrafted in our newest style, which is a blend of our popular Mapesbury mouldings fused with our traditional In-Frame with bead detail in construction, giving the kitchen a refined, classic character that feels entirely at home within the old vicarage. The design centres around the striking Ilve range cooker, a bold colour palette, Zebra textiles and the impressive Viola quartz worktops, bringing our client’s wonderfully eccentric vision to life. This is a kitchen built not just to look at, but to work in: a functional, beautiful space shaped around the people who use it every day.

The kitchen was just the beginning. We had the pleasure of carrying that vision through into a walk-through dining area, a walk-in pantry just off the kitchen, a utility room, a boot room and a media wall in a cosy snug, each designed in the same deep, rich colour palette that flows from the heart of the home. Every room connects, not just physically but in character, creating a collection of spaces that feel considered and cohesive from the first step to the last.

Working within the available space, now flooded with natural light, the layout was designed to make every element earn its place. The wall run provides a home for the Ilve range cooker, connecting seamlessly through to the window bench and a slim cupboard for an integrated fridge-freezer, while the island commands the centre of the room as the main attraction.

And it more than earns that title. Larger-than-life, the island is dedicated to doing far more than one job. It is where you will find the sink, generous storage and a huge prep space, all within arm’s reach. It is the kind of island that invites you to gather around it, whether you are cooking, chatting, or simply keeping the chef company.

Dedicated to the space by the window, there was the perfect opportunity to introduce a cosy window bench, adding comfort, style, and function in equal measure. More than just a place to sit and admire the views with a rosé, it gives family and friends somewhere to perch while dinner is being prepared, keeping everyone connected to the heart of the action. Upholstered in zebra textiles, the mixture of textures and patterns brings a bold, playful energy that works beautifully within this traditional space.

Every kitchen we build is handcrafted in our Essex workshop, and that is what makes the difference. Bespoke furniture, designed and built to fit the exact dimensions of the space and the exact needs of the people using it, means nothing is compromised. There are no fillers, no awkward gaps, no making do. Each piece is made with purpose shaped around how our clients cook, entertain and live, right down to the smallest detail.

To find the perfect foundation for the home, we elevated one of our iconic styles with a traditional touch and an In-Frame style with additional bead.

Each cabinet door and drawer is finished with Armac Martin Withenshaw handles in a polished brass lacquered finish. The warmth of the brass brings a richness to every touchpoint. This thoughtful mix of handles in varying sizes adds visual interest across the kitchen.

Inside, the craftsmanship continues with solid oak dovetail drawers and an oak veneered interior, ensuring the same level of quality is present behind the doors as on display. All hinges are soft-close, making the kitchen feel smooth and refined in everyday use. It is this attention to what you do not immediately see that sets a handmade kitchen apart.

With a colour palette that is anything but safe, but that is exactly what makes it work. Hand-painted in the flattering tones of Farrow & Ball’s Off Black, it carries all the depth and drama of a true black but with a warmth that stops it ever feeling harsh. It’s a colour that commands a room without overwhelming it.

Paired with the Off Black cabinetry are the Viola quartz worktops. A replica of the classic, timeless Italian stone that is often described as having “old-world” elegance, keeps within the Victorian feel of this property. Exactly what our client desired.

Viola presents a captivating palette, dancing between the classic charm of crystalline white and the audacious boldness of rich violet veins and hints of golden touches. It is a surface that refuses to sit quietly in the background, and in a kitchen designed around our client’s eccentric vision, it feels entirely right.

The sink area sits proudly on the main island, perfectly positioned for both preparation and daily use. At its centre is a Shaws of Darwen Bradshaw sink, a beautifully crafted fireclay design that holds its own against the bold Viola quartz worktop surrounding it. Paired with a waste and overflow kit in satin brass, every detail has been carefully considered to complement the wider palette.

Above the sink, a Quooker PRO3 Fusion Modern Square instant boiling tap in gold provides boiling, hot and cold water from a single outlet, removing the need for a traditional kettle. Completed with a Quooker CUBE for chilled and sparkling water, a Quooker scale control to protect the system and a matching Quooker soap dispenser in gold, this is a sink area that works as hard as it looks.

The gold finish across the tap and accessories ties effortlessly into the polished brass of the Armac Martin handles, creating a consistent warmth that runs through the entire kitchen.

Anchoring the room with presence and purpose is the Ilve Majestic 1500 range cooker, delivering the power and versatility our clients needed to match their love of cooking and entertaining. The kitchen’s design was centred around this focal point.

Above the Ilve sits the Westin Bloque extractor, seamlessly set amongst a handcrafted mantle with ornate and scroll detailing. The mantle frames the cooker and extractor as a single, considered feature rather than two separate appliances. It’s a focal point that feels as though it has always belonged within the character of this old vicarage.

It is the details that truly define a handmade kitchen, and this space is full of them. Viola quartz shelves frame the cooking area, and the worktop continues up onto the walls, creating a beautifully cohesive backdrop to the Ilve and its handcrafted mantle. The angled skirting plinths and smooth end panels give the cabinetry a finished, furniture-like quality from every angle, ensuring there are no overlooked corners or rough edges anywhere in the room.

Behind the doors and drawers, the storage has been designed with the same level of thought as everything on show. Bespoke cutlery trays keep everything organised and within reach, dedicated utensil trays sit exactly where they are needed, and deep bench storage drawers offer generous space for pots, pans and everyday essentials.

We have planned the drawers and cabinets around how our client actually uses their kitchen, not around a standard catalogue layout.

Step through the archway in the original exterior brick wall, and the kitchen reveals its second act. The opening welcomes you into a stunning glass-fronted extension, where the room and its furniture continue seamlessly into a light-filled space designed for dining and entertaining. Here, a second island takes centre stage, this time built for gathering around, sharing a meal and soaking up the daily dose of Vitamin D when that beautiful English sun decides to make an appearance.

The beauty of the two islands is in what they allow. One for preparing, one for enjoying. And extending the home into a glass-filled space let the Viola quartz worktops truly shine against the rich, colour-drenched Off Black cabinetry, all handmade in our workshop.

Connecting the two rooms delivers a bold, refined and full of character hub of the home. From iconic photographs to statement chandeliers and the warmth of the exposed brick wall, this space truly sets the scene, a wonderful balance of styling and handmade detail that could only belong to this home and these clients.

Just off the main kitchen, the walk-in pantry is everything our client had pinned, saved and torn from the pages of glossy interior magazines. Designed as a dedicated space for the pantry essentials, it features open artisan shelving set against a tongue-and-groove panelled backdrop, creating a room that is a pleasure to look at and use. Every jar, bottle and ingredient has its place, proving that organised can be beautiful too.

It’s a smaller space, but it makes a big impact, and the kind of details that turn a kitchen into a beautiful home.

We kept things consistent and stylish in the utility room, ensuring all those not-so-fun chores have a dedicated, practical space. The same Armac Martin Withenshaw handles in polished brass, and the traditional moulded-in-frame beaded cabinetry was carried through from the kitchen, creating a seamless connection between the two spaces. A washing machine and dryer are stacked neatly above one another next to a Shaws of Darwen butler sink, paired with a stunning Perrin and Rowe mixer tap in satin brass. Behind the sink, the Viola quartz makes a reappearance as a splashback, tying the room back to the heart of the home. Full-height storage cupboards keep everything organised and out of sight, while a lovely touch comes in the form of decorative grilles that conceal a hidden dog bed, proving that even the family pet has been designed for.

The boot room then flows gracefully from the utility room through the original doorframes, and the consistent colour scheme and style follow right through with it. Bench storage seating, coat hooks and dedicated space for hats and outerwear mean that when you come in from a dog walk, everything has its place before you step into a muddy booth further into the house. This practical and welcoming space works exactly how a boot room should.

Tucked away in a cosy lounge, the design takes centre stage once more with a bespoke media wall. Traditional cornices lead the design, just as they do throughout the rest of the home. Hand-painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black, a pure, unapologetic black that brings a deeper, more dramatic tone to this room. The television is mounted against a generous backdrop panel, framed by handmade cupboards that provide storage without cluttering the room, while a shelf below offers the perfect place for carefully chosen ornaments.

It’s a room designed for switching off and a cinematic experience. Even here, away from the kitchen, the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail runs through every joint, every panel and every brushstroke.

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.

Download our brochure today

We look forward to hearing from you and your design ideas so we can get started on your dream kitchen.