16th Century Manor House | Essex, South East Anglia

Housed in a stunning 16th Century Grade II Listed Manor house in Essex, this kitchen incorporates original Tudor windows, striking beams and elegant slate flooring.

The brief from the client was to create a modern family kitchen that is sympathetic to the original features of the house and includes an additional area to write a quick email, entertain friends or mix an evening cocktail.

The LINLEY design team looked at the challenging long form of the room and used it to their advantage, creating the kitchen and large island at one end, with a sleek bar unit and further fitted cupboards at the other. The clever use of materials makes the room unique and ensures that it extends seamlessly.

Enter the kitchen and the eye is immediately drawn to the AGA and the unique utensil hanging design above. In dark grey eucalyptus, it mirrors the dark, linear beams and provides a bold contrast to the cool blue painted cabinetry.

The space removed by the AGA is compensated by the large central island unit, which incorporates further storage, a prep sink with a Quooker combination boiling water and mixer tap, and open shelves backed in grey eucalyptus for storing cook books and displaying china. Integrated Subzero, Gaggeau and Fisher & Paykel appliances enable the most efficient use of space.

At the other end of the room is the irresistibly elegant split-level bar unit. This allows for interaction between the cook and guests; cocktails can be made and conversations continue while the food is being prepared in the kitchen.

Alongside this are glass fronted and shelved cupboards for storing crystal, with further fitted cupboards providing more storage. These are constructed in the same hand-painted solid walnut as the kitchen, but have simple recessed bespoke LINLEY handles with brushed nickel back plates.