We take you on a journey to this stunning country estate, where we had the privilege of designing and building a dream kitchen at its heart. Nestled between the picturesque villages of Digswell and Tewin in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, Harmer Green is home to this 9-bedroom residence that sits on 18 acres of land and was originally built in 1902. It still showcases many of its original features and soaring ceilings and offers breathtaking views, seamlessly blending its historical charm with modern luxury.
Grab yourself a cuppa, pull up a chair and get comfy to see how our In-Frame shaker has enhanced the grandeur of this country home while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The Style – Interior & Exterior
Choosing Planet Furniture’s In-Frame shaker design complements the rich heritage and architectural details of the home. Our traditional craftsmanship pairs beautifully with the history and character of the country estate, giving us ample opportunity to create a kitchen that serves as the central hub of the home.
The L-shaped layout fully embraces the surrounding landscape, where the large windows and doors frame the natural scenery letting light flood the space. Adding to the kitchen’s functionality is a grand central island, also designed in an L-shape to serve as both a focal point and a multi-purpose space for food prep, cooking, informal dining, and storage. To give it a farmhouse feel, rustic touches like an oak top have been added to provide a comfy seating spot. Along the sink run, we incorporated a beautiful curve to the cabinetry.
Each kitchen cabinet and drawer is crafted from solid oak with soft-close mechanisms. Our bespoke, handmade furniture is meticulously crafted using the finest quality materials, ensuring durability that will stand the test of time. The layout of the cupboards and drawers has been designed to prioritise ease of use and efficiency for our client.
The Colours
For this luxurious and huge country home, we achieved just the right balance between the white and blue colour scheme. It has brought together timeless charm, serene elegance, and a sense of balance between traditional and modern design. Choosing the crisp white of ‘All White’ from Farrow & Ball paired with the intense blue of Fired Earth ‘Carbon Blue’ creates a clean, calming space that feels both cosy and open.
‘All White’ from Farrow & Ball has been hand-painted onto larger surfaces like the main cabinetry, and the Fired Earth ‘Carbon Blue’ has been hand-painted onto the island as an accent colour and to define the room’s character.
This classic palette emphasises the natural elements and rustic details often found in a country home. Carefully selected materials and finishes can enhance the blue and white colour scheme, such as the oak floor, the wooden oak top, and quartz worktops, adding a luxurious touch and the satin nickel handles bringing a more contemporary appearance.
The Appliances
To bring a premium, streamlined approach to the kitchen design, we integrated multiple high-end appliances in one cohesive setup known as a bank. A bank of appliances is the perfect solution for homeowners seeking a sophisticated, modern aesthetic with top-tier functionality. This bank includes 2x Miele Single Ovens, a Miele Steam Combi Oven, a Miele Combi Oven and 2x Miele Deep Warming Drawers, all perfectly aligned and built-in. The appliance layout maximises efficiency and keeps the kitchen organised with a visually appealing focal point.
Our client wanted to create more of an open and interactive cooking space, to engage with family and guests while preparing meals, so the island became part of the cooking area. A sleek Miele Induction Hob seamlessly integrates into the countertop with a Westin Bespoke Island Extractor suspended above. The black gloss from the hob complements the stainless steel cooker hood, bringing a modern, industrial feel, that is striking and a high-end focal point above the island. All these reflective surfaces enhance the light and airy feel of the space.
Other appliances include an integrated Siemens Fridge, an integrated Miele Dishwasher and a Caple Wine Cooler in black.
The Finishing Touches
Amongst the charming kitchen design, a Quooker Flex Tap in stainless steel stands proud at the bay window with the added functionality of the CUBE system. Combining these cutting-edge functions ensures a seamless blend with the white Blanco Subline Undermount Sink and a functional space that complements the lifestyle of today’s modern families.
The ribbed glass cabinets found throughout the layout bring a unique blend of rustic charm and modern elegance. The textured finish, adds visual interest and subtle sophistication while offering both functionality and style. Inside the beautiful cabinets are glass shelving where items can be stored and the ribbed glass front softens the appearance.
A choice of two Armac Martin handles were chosen, both a nod to Art Deco and bringing an old-world charm. They include the Armac Martin Gaumont T-Bar and the Armac Martin Carlton Bar Handles, both in a Satin Nickel finish.
Thoughtful detailing continued through to the storage solutions including a free-standing cabinet for dinnerware and serveware, a double-integrated pantry complete with spice racks and drawers, a Le Mans unit, bespoke cutlery drawers and solid oak serving trays and chopping boards.
Intertwining all the elements together is the Caesarstone Organic White Quartz. This speckled white quartz subtly blends beautiful undertones with a clean white surface to bring an effortless chic appearance.
Read more about the Country Home Grand In-Frame Shaker Kitchen
Whether you’re looking to renovate a period home or create a cosy, country-inspired space in a contemporary setting, we can help you with your plans and visions to bring your dream kitchen to life. Contact us today to see how we can bring warmth, elegance, and practicality together to create the perfect harmony.
