Mullioned windows, stone inglenook fireplaces and wooden beam lintels. These features tell the history of a home. Rather than remove or cover up these details, when Leila was looking to redesign her kitchen, she wanted to make sure she was sympathetic to the house and its history, highlighting its beauty and showcasing the original character wherever possible.
The 16th-century, Grade II listed farmhouse that Leila calls home, sits within the heart of Yorkshire, surrounded by farms and woodlands. Leila moved in the week before Christmas in 2020 and lives there with her partner Daniel and cat, Bunny. The house had an immediate sense of warmth and homeliness, and the original features had been beautifully preserved, with mullioned and bay windows, stone inglenook fireplaces in each room and wooden beam lintels, ‘I knew the bones of the house were exactly what I needed to build upon to design our perfect home,’ says Leila.
The kitchen had been given a ‘spruce up’ by its previous owners but felt cold and dark, with modern, grey floor tiles, black laminate worktops, black handles and grey walls. As an experienced interior designer, Leila knew she wanted to restore the kitchen back to an authentic farmhouse feel and introduce more organic, natural materials, such as tumbled stone flooring and natural marble worktops. ‘I absolutely knew I wanted the Carrara marble worktop, I love how it develops a patina with use and feels more embedded in the home,’ explains Leila.
Opting for the Suffolk kitchen, Leila was drawn to its Shaker design that looks as though it always lived in the home and would age naturally alongside the other materials. ‘I love the quality of the cabinetry and the traditional joinery used. I particularly love the internal oak finish which adds a lovely warmth to the kitchen and knowing that, in time, with just a change of paint and hardware, I could transform the look of the kitchen,’ adds Leila. A bi-fold dresser unit was a considered addition; with added internal lights, it allows Leila to leave the doors open to create ambient lighting in the kitchen and to add interest into the space, almost acting like an open dresser with all the couple’s crockery on display.
Mixing old with new, Leila found a beautiful prep table at Newark Antiques Fair, believed to be an old draper’s table which still has the brass ruler embedded in the corner. Chosen instead of a more modern island to stay in keeping with feel of the room, it’s where Leila preps her favourite bakes and works on new designs, laying out samples and fabrics, and draws inspiration from the room itself. While a large wood burner creates a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, and a natural space for friends and family to gather, especially during the colder autumn and winter months.
Everything within Leila’s Suffolk kitchen feels considered and intentional. The materials provide the room with character, and the design is kept simple with fewer, larger cabinets and the bi-fold dresser to store smaller appliances for an organised kitchen. Authentic in look and feel, Leila’s design inspiration comes through in every little touch, ‘I’ve always loved visiting period homes and been interested in the servant’s kitchen, sculleries and more practical spaces that were genuinely lived and worked in,’ says Leila. ‘I think that sense of history and practicality has definitely influenced the way I approached our kitchen.’
And Leila’s one piece of advice for designing your dream kitchen? Don’t get distracted or lose sight of what drew you to your original idea. Try working with the original character of your property, combining materials and modern elements into a space that feels like it has always belonged.
If you’re ready to start your kitchen renovation, book a free initial design appointment today.
