How to design a kitchen that feels like home but also respects the traditional architecture and surrounding landscape? This was the task that semi-retired ex-pats Sharin and Steven proposed when looking for a Neptune kitchen for their 16th century manor house in the Loire Valley, France.
Every kitchen project begins with a spark. Maybe a view from the window, a colour from a favourite painting or a treasured piece of furniture. For Sharin and Steven, who grew up in the US and England respectively, it was the history of the property that gave them the idea for their kitchen renovation. ‘The starting point for our new kitchen was the 16th century fireplace which was the manor’s original cooking oven that anchored one end of the room,’ explains Sharin.
Requirements for a larger kitchen space meant the removal of a wall that separated the original part of the home, used as a dining space, and the newer, but small, kitchen area. ‘It was really important to us that we restored the natural beauty of the property, starting with revealing the stone walls which had been hidden behind upholstered fabric for nearly 40 years and restoring the original beams. We also had to source tiles to match the nearly 500-year-old terracotta ones that were in the dining area, which started its life as the manor’s original kitchen,’ says Sharin.
Working closely with Pierre Pensec of Neptune Paris, Sharin chose the Chichester kitchen painted in Dove Grey. ‘I loved the Chichester collection for its classic design that will stand the test of time, the freestanding-aesthetic and also how it blends seamlessly with the architectural features of our home,’ says Sharin. One challenge to overcome when working with a historical property was how to fit the kitchen cabinetry snug to the original terracotta tiles. ‘Stuart, the carpenter who completed the joinery work, meticulously cut out the bottoms of the cabinets to perfectly fit against each floor tile,’ explains Sharin when describing the process of fitting her new Chichester kitchen.
In addition to the run of cabinetry, Sharin and Steven chose a bespoke ‘Texas-sized’ island that holds the sink, dishwasher, rubbish bins, microwave oven, extra storage and a towel rack. ‘The large island separates, but also joins, the kitchen and dining spaces, and reminds me of the home I grew up in the US,’ explains Sharin, ‘and we use it all the time for cooking, entertaining friends and also working.’
A kitchen that is steeped in tradition and history also requires an injection of personality. Decorating with treasured found objects is the perfect place to start. Sharin’s personal and interior design style is maximalist, so it was about layering these pieces together to create a coherent scheme. ‘I love decorating with found objects, such as my 17th century Spanish Ships’ lady who watches over me from her spot on the countertop as I cook and dance in my kitchen,’ says Sharin. While the setting of their home influenced the overall aesthetic of the kitchen the couple leaned heavily into French design when choosing paintings and decorative objets, ‘I was inspired by the classic French Renaissance architecture that we’re so lucky to be surrounded by here,’ adds Sharin.
Whether adding character to a new build, or working in harmony with the old bones of a home steeped in history, a new kitchen plays a big part in your home, and life’s, next chapter. As Sharin concludes ‘our Neptune kitchen is a significant part of our happily ever after.’
