Set within the quiet hamlet of Daws Heath, a late 19th-century property long referred to locally as ‘the big house’ has been reimagined by deVOL as a richly layered kitchen scheme. Originally completed in 1890, the room itself carries an unexpected past since it once housed a swimming pool, resulting in an unusually expansive footprint that has been carefully reconfigured into a series of distinct yet connected zones.

Rather than treating the space as one open-plan kitchen, the design introduces a sequence of smaller, purposeful areas, including a dedicated coffee station and adjoining utility room alongside the main cooking space. Each zone is anchored by deVOL’s Shaker cabinetry, demonstrating the flexibility of the classic design while allowing each vignette to develop its own character and rhythm.

A mix of new deVOL pieces sits comfortably alongside an eclectic selection of vintage furniture and collected objects, creating an interior that feels both curated and deeply personal. This layering of old and new brings warmth and individuality to the scheme, avoiding the uniformity often associated with large-scale kitchen spaces.

Signature deVOL details are integrated throughout, from a statement gaselier suspended above the island to brass hanging rails, pot fillers and Plumber’s Stools. A Haberdasher’s Oak hanging rail introduces a more utilitarian note, while complementing mid-century accents that subtly punctuate the room.

Designing for such a generous volume can present challenges, particularly when it comes to achieving cohesion and intimacy. Here, however, the scheme strikes a careful balance. Defined zones, thoughtful material choices and considered styling combine to create a space that feels both functional and inviting – an environment that prioritises comfort as much as practicality.

The result is a kitchen that reads less as a singular room and more as a lived-in interior landscape, where craftsmanship, heritage and everyday rituals are seamlessly intertwined.