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This modern country kitchen has all the richness and ambience of traditional farmhouse style, given a contemporary twist with clean lines and a 21st-century palette that will stand the test of time.
The windows aren't the usual starting point when planning a new kitchen, but it made perfect sense in Jaqui and John's country farmhouse.
Having earmarked a tartan-carpeted former bedroom as the perfect spot for their new Kaboodle kitchen, they pushed the walls out around a metre or so, and installed a double set of oversized windows, giving them extensive garden views and masses of natural light.
“We started with the light and then we had to work out how to fit in what we needed!” says Jaqui.
Traditional farmhouse style typically includes lavish detailing, but the modern take often has cleaner lines.
In this kitchen, Kaboodle's Shaker-style “Alpine” profile fits the bill perfectly, while a simple black-and-white palette ticks all the boxes for a timeless feel. Cupboards in Nougat Truffle and Black Olive combine with the Mayonella marble-look benchtop to nail the classic colour scheme, while the clean lines of a glass splashback allow the pretty patterns in the benchtop to take centre stage. Neat cup handles in silver and black are a discreet finishing touch.
One thing hasn't changed with the transition from traditional to modern country style, and that is a place to gather.
Back in the day, the family would likely be congregating around a big kitchen table, but in this farmhouse kitchen an oversized central island has become the focal point.
“We use it for everything,” says Jaqui. “I knew that was the starting point, and everything that we talked about was about making sure we could have the maximum-sized island.”
One drawback for a big island is potential joins in the worktop, but the couple avoided that by opting for Kaboodle's cut to measure benchtop, with the Mayonella finish a perfect foil for the island's moody tones.
Plenty of storage is important in any kitchen, but when the room really is the heart of the home, it's essential. Restricted to one set of overhead cabinetry thanks to the striking oversized windows taking up two walls of the kitchen, Jacqui made good use of the island and base cabinetry with a plethora of drawers.
“I thought they were better for storage, and it's easier to get to the back of them,” she explains. Tucked in the corner cupboard is a clever carousel that makes the most of this usually awkward space.
Check out this beautiful Hamptons-style kitchen, and all the tips you need to make your own.
Photo credit: Sue Stubbs and James Moffatt
