September 19, 2019
Some spaces make an impression the moment you walk through the door. Black Barn is one of them - and it wow’d me from the start!
With its beautiful exposed beams, rustic terracotta flooring and wonderfully individual interiors, this open-plan living space is full of character. It combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary details, creating a kitchen that feels both distinctive and entirely at home within its surroundings.
And that deep Hague Blue cabinetry? One of our favourites - and, rightly so.
A Shaker Kitchen with Personality
This gorgeous kitchen features classic Shaker-style cabinetry, handmade by Collins Bespoke and painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue.
Warm copper hardware from Armac Martin provides a beautiful contrast to the rich blue cabinetry, while white Cimstone worktops introduce a clean, contemporary finish.
Together, these materials create a kitchen that balances traditional detailing with a more modern approach to family living.
Of course, the architecture played an important part in the design too. With exposed structural beams and an unconventional layout, Black Barn called for cabinetry designed specifically around the building.
It's exactly the sort of challenge we, at Collins Bespoke, enjoy.
Designed Around Family Life
With three young children, the owners needed a kitchen that would work just as well for busy weekday mornings as it would for relaxed weekends and entertaining friends.
The generous central island provides a natural gathering point, while carefully considered storage keeps everyday essentials organised and accessible.
But what makes this kitchen particularly special is how closely it reflects the family who live here.
There's a dedicated cupboard for crockery, tea and coffee, complete with adjustable shelving and internal lighting. Another one houses everything needed for making cocktails — a lovely example of how bespoke cabinetry can accommodate the smaller and very important details of everyday life.
A Larder Made for Living
One of our favourite features is the family-sized pantry cupboard.
Handcrafted with solid oak interiors, it incorporates spice racks, adjustable storage and a practical worktop area for preparing breakfast.
Everything has its place, from everyday ingredients to the occasional hidden sweet treat.
Rather than relying on standard cabinet dimensions, the internal layout was designed around what the family wanted to store and how they intended to use the space.
It's a relatively simple principle, but one that makes an enormous difference to how a kitchen works.
Integrated Appliances and Thoughtful Details
A Siemens fridge and freezer are concealed behind tall Shaker-style doors, allowing the cabinetry to remain the focus of the room.
The island also incorporates a slim Caple wine cooler, while the illuminated cupboards provide both practical storage and an attractive feature.
Throughout the kitchen, every element has been considered in relation to the architecture, the materials and the family's lifestyle.
The result is a space that feels cohesive without being overly coordinated — relaxed, welcoming and full of personality.
More Than a Kitchen
Collins Bespoke was also commissioned to undertake the wider joinery for Black Barn. This is something we've always particularly enjoyed: creating cabinetry that works across different areas of a home, with a consistent approach to craftsmanship, materials and detailing. And, Black Barn remains a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a kitchen is designed around the people who use it and the character of the building itself.
We really love this one 🤎
Considering a bespoke kitchen or joinery throughout your home?
Explore our handmade kitchens and whole-home joinery, or get in touch to discuss your project.
