IH.498

TUCKED AWAY ON A PRIVATE ROAD, THE HOUSES HERE FEEL LIKE A SECRET.

A place where the architecture of the 1960s was granted genuine appreciation; an experiment in American style living that prioritised light and space. Amid the tree lined road sits a mid-century creation with its low-pitched roof and clerestory windows, watching the seasons change in its surrounding woods.

This is where James and Katia have chosen to put down roots. Having spent years in the hospitality business, they understand a thing or two about flow and the way space dictates how people move and gather. Three kids complete the picture of a busy family life that needed a home capable of holding them. The house itself had good bones but felt tired. It was draughty and dim, a series of disconnected rooms that had lost their link with the garden outside.

The renovation was not about erasing history but refining it, stripping back the noise to find the melody underneath.

THE VISION WAS CLEAR FROM THE START. THEY WANTED A SPACE THAT FELT OPEN YET GROUNDED, A WELCOMING, ELEGANT RESTAURANT STYLE LAYOUT.

A space that could handle the rough and tumble of family breakfasts just as easily as it could host a dinner party that stretched late into the night. It needed to be an actual kitchen, a working engine rather than a showpiece.

We approached this project with a singular material focus. Band-sawn oak. It is our signature finish for a reason. It is raw and organic in a way that you simply do not find in smoother, processed timbers. It catches light and holds it. When you run your hand across it, you feel grain, the teeth of the saw and the history of the tree. James and Katia were bold enough to use this material exclusively throughout their kitchen. It was a decision that showed confidence, and the result is a space that feels instantly cohesive. Timber brings warmth to the room, softening the architectural lines and restoring calm.

TO BALANCE THE WARMTH OF THE WOOD, WE NEEDED SOMETHING WITH MASS. POURED CONCRETE WORKTOPS CASCADE TO THE FLOOR.

This heavy, cool material locks in the cabinetry, giving the kitchen island a sense of permanence. A monolith. Anchored to the centre of the room. We paired this with honed Raven, a smooth, matte surface with marked variation of colour. This is a palette that shouts confident subtlety. It simply exists. Solid and reassuring.

The cook zone features burners by Novy that astonish with flames erupting directly from the worktop. Simplicity of form. Fire and stone. No clutter, no unnecessary visual noise. Just the tools you need, exactly where you need them. A neat pocket door pantry tucks away the essentials, keeping the lines of the room unencumbered.

One of the most rejuvenating aspects of this project is the connection to the outdoors. The garden wraps around the house - Japandi chic, with landscaped zones, a combination of crisp outlines and natural textures that mirror the interior. Large Crittall style windows now frame lush greenery and woods beyond, turning the views into living landscapes.

LIGHT POURS IN, BOUNCING OFF CONCRETE AND WARMING THE OAK. IT IS A KITCHEN THAT FEELS ALIVE, FUSED TO THE TIME OF DAY AND PREVAILING WEATHER OUTSIDE.

Adjacent, open sunken seating creates a natural flow from the cook zone, offering retreat while still being connected to the action. Straight from the set of ‘Mad Men’.

This bold reconfiguration of the interior has turned a drafty mid-century house into a low energy haven. Small structural changes and a focus on how spaces are used mean the owners have reduced the carbon impact while maximising potential.