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When renowned shoe and boot designer Penelope Chilvers bought her Cotswold farmhouse some six years ago, she declared that she wouldn’t change a thing. ‘I loved the house because it was unrestored,�� she says, ‘but then our children started having babies and I realised the kitchen, which was really a small parlour, could only fit four people around the table and I was dreaming of a space where our five children could get together and the grandchildren could play and run around the table.��

While Penelope and her husband decided to enlarge the kitchen, by knocking a stud wall through into the dining room next door, they didn’t want to create a typical open plan, modern kitchen but instead, they wanted to retain the rustic charm of the low-ceilinged, 400-year-old building.

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It was at this point that Penelope turned to��Neptune, visiting the Cheltenham store which, as a Georgian townhouse, features some smaller space kitchen layouts that helped her envisage what her own small kitchen could look like. Penelope’s kitchen journey had begun.

‘Next the design experts came for breakfast,�� says Penelope. ‘We sat in the old parlour kitchen, and they talked me through what could be done. I wanted the kitchen to look like it had been there forever, so we selected Henley cabinetry as it was similar to the cupboards that had been there before.��

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Originally, Penelope had been keen to keep her much-loved solid ash kitchen table rather than introducing a fixed island, to avoid covering up the beautiful original flagstone floor. Instead, the Neptune team suggested she incorporate a freestanding��Charlecote island with a marble worktop. ‘It has been indispensable and makes the space look like an old Victorian working kitchen,�� adds Penelope, ‘plus, I’ve now got an extendable 12-seater Sheldrake table in the dining area so we can easily have large gatherings for lunches and dinners.��

A�� tap and Belfast sink, induction hob, Henley broom cupboard (‘my new favourite luxury where I now keep the ironing board��) and made-to-measure merino wool curtains by , completed the kitchen transformation.

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Outside, a disused out-house was re-imagined as a convenient boot room with the addition of two fitted Pembroke open cupboards, with solid oak shelves, and a Buckland bench, all painted in Sage. Extra storage comes from a run of Wardley coat hooks and useful under-bench Somerton baskets. ‘The boot room has become a wonderful extension of our home,�� says Penelope. ‘The most useful part of the house really, where we polish our boots, keep our boots, and store our warm clothes. Having the bench means I can sit down with a cup of tea, polish my boots and just have a quiet moment to myself.��

Back in the kitchen, and sharing �����ٳܲԱ�’s affinity for natural colours and quality materials that get better with age, Penelope was drawn to Henley’s exposed oak finishes and wanted to bring a sense of the countryside inside, so she opted to paint the freestanding island, wall cupboards and walls in Sage (‘which is like light shining through refracted glass, in summer it feels like �ɱ�’r�� outside, in winter it warms up the room��), while painting the Suffolk cabinetry in Polenta which reflects the mellow yellow tones of the building’s Cotswold stone.

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As a conservationist and trained artist who still draws every day, Penelope was keen to personalise her kitchen with a nod to nature. Using watered down Neptune��paint shades, she spent a few happy weekends painting butterflies on the inside of the glass-fronted wall cabinet. ‘Butterflies remind me of the fragility of nature and last year I noticed there were hardly any butterflies around, so they were on my mind,�� says Penelope. ‘I’d like to think that as our grandchildren grow up, they will always remember visits to the house with the butterfly kitchen cupboard.��

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And those family gatherings? The paint had barely dried before Penelope and her husband began hosting. ‘We had twenty family and friends for lunch on the first weekend after the kitchen was finished,�� she adds, ‘so we’ve definitely celebrated the space.��

Feeling inspired by Penelope's kitchen? Shop the edit, or��book��your free consultation today or visit your nearest��store to start your kitchen project.

You may recognise Jess and Ash’s spacious Cornish kitchen from a few years ago when we featured their Snow-painted Henley kitchen with its beachy Hampton���� vibe.

In the intervening years, Jess and Ash have grown familiar with the versatility of Neptune kitchens, installing four in their luxury Cornish holiday homes, . But in their own property, the couple felt that while the white-on-white kitchen was fantastic in summer, it lacked warmth and character in winter.

‘It was a great summer kitchen, a big open, airy space,�� says Jess. ‘But in winter it didn’t feel cosy. We are a family of four so unless there are twenty people here for a barbecue, we’d find ourselves drifting around in the space. The dining table seated twelve but on a normal family night it felt rather lonely when there were just four of us.��

That said, the couple were very happy with the existing, five-year-old Henley kitchen, seeing no reason to change it. ‘It has held up incredibly well and has a good wipe-clean finish which is essential with lots of little sticky fingers.�� They were also happy with the Snow shade they’d originally chosen, noting it is a great canvas for everything going on in the kitchen, ‘from everyday life with our two boys to a backdrop for hanging art��. But they acknowledged the space lacked texture, depth and warmth, particularly when it wasn’t a Hamptons-like sunny day outside.

The solution was to keep the wall cabinets in Snow but change the colour of the island to something that would introduce subtle colour without being dominant, bring pattern in on the cooker splashback and update the brassware to a softer finish. The old dining table was moved outside, and a Buckland banquette was built into one corner of the room, accompanied by a six-seater, circular Balmoral table and woven Tilbury dining chairs. The original snug area switched spaces with the dining area, offering a better sea view through the French doors from the relaxing sofa.

Jess and Ash opted for our new shade, Polenta, for the island, a creamy pale yellow with a hint of black for depth and sophistication. ‘Although the island is huge, the colour is subtle,�� says Jess. ‘And it sits well with the new Warwick brass handles.�� Behind the AGA, the couple replaced the exposed red brick backdrop with �� classic blue Delft tiles, featuring hand painted Cornish references like fish pies and cowslip flowers. ‘The soft blue and cream of the tiles balances the Polenta island perfectly,�� adds Ash. ‘As the tiles are handmade, they are all slightly irregular and the light above picks up on the textures giving them real character.��

The Buckland banquette has also transformed the family’s dining experience. ‘I actually like sitting here and eating my cereal now,�� says Ash, ‘previously I’d stand by the island to eat breakfast.�� Dressed with cushions and café-style curtains, the space is big enough for family and guests but intimate at other times. Finally, the snug area benefited from the additional of the laidback Long Island sofa, two leather Casey armchairs and an Ophelia footstool upholstered in a bespoke blue denim fabric.

‘I can’t believe the difference a few changes have made,�� says Ash. And Jess agrees: ‘We’d been thinking about updating the space for so long, but I didn’t expect it to look this good. I’m so glad we went for it.�� From that summery Hamptons-like space, thanks to a few easy updates, the couple now have a warm, welcoming kitchen-dining space that they, and their family, can enjoy all year round.

To begin your kitchen journey,��book your free design consultation��today or visit your nearest store.��

As an interior architect with a keen eye for detail, Nathalie of De Masure à Demeure had a distinct vision for her kitchen long before the family moved into their half-timbered, twentieth-century French cottage. She sought to restore the ho����’s exuberant Anglo-Norman roots while bringing in natural elements that would complement the garden’s beauty.��

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The��original kitchen, with its enclosed layout and bold red and yellow palette, was a stark contrast to the open, welcoming space Nathalie envisioned. Isolated from the rest of the home by partition walls, it lacked the connectivity she longed for. Nathalie’s first step in transforming the space was to create a large open archway and add beams that matched those throughout the house, establishing a sense of openness and a smooth, seamless flow from the kitchen to the dining room.��

Having long admired English-style kitchens, Nathalie discovered �����ٳܲԱ�’s solid timber collections after extensive research. ��No one else in France offered an English kitchen, but it was the quality that won me over,�� she explains. ��Our house has stood for over 100 years, and I wanted that same built-to-last quality for our kitchen cabinetry.�� After browsing the collections online, Nathalie fell for Henley’s timeless grandeur, and the soft, pale green of our Sage paint. A visit to our Paris store further solidified her choice. And armed with her own basic 2D plan of the space, which included wall-to-wall cabinetry and a central island with bar stools on both sides, Nathalie sat down with Pierre, the owner of our Paris store, to bring her vision to life. ‘Pierre was instrumental in creating storage solutions throughout the kitchen,�� Nathalie says. ‘He found space for a larder cabinet where I ���dzܱ����’t have imagined it and designed the island with invaluable storage drawers at either end. ����’s really interesting to see how people naturally gather around the island �� ����’s become a real focus point within the home.����

When it came to selecting materials, Nathalie was discerning in choosing elements that would reflect both the history of the house and the beauty of the garden outside. She selected natural oak for the island worktop, contrasting it with the clean white worktop on the wall cabinets. ‘I wanted the island to have the feel of an antique table,�� Nathalie explains. To enhance the warm, tactile ambience, she also decided midway through the design process to extend the tongue-and-groove panelling from the cabinetry across the kitchen walls. The standout feature of the space, however, is the floor: a cream-and-green checkerboard design that Nathalie describes as a nature-inspired interpretation of traditional flooring found in homes of this architecture.����

A��custom-made rustic timber shelf and iron hanging bar, adorned with cascading evergreen foliage, completes the kitchen’s seamless connection to the outdoors. And the light-filled, nature-inspired space has now become a central point of the home, whether the family is cooking a meal, hosting a BBQ, or simply enjoying a quiet moment together. ��When you build something that has a lasting quality to it, you envision future memories in the space,�� Nathalie reflects. ‘For me, i��’s about looking forward to cooking with grandchildren.����To begin your kitchen journey,��book your free design consultation��today or visit your nearest store.��

Proof of the versatility of our kitchen collections is the elegant, painted and oak kitchen in Rosanna and Kydd’s Primrose Hill home. Successfully combining two kitchen collections �� Suffolk cabinetry wrapping around the walls with a Henley oak island �� the kitchen is an essay in harmony, from the mellow colour palette to the fine details and proportions. And, to test the theory further, the couple added a Chichester laundry and boot room off their new kitchen.

When Rosanna and Kydd decided to amalgamate the lower garden level into their upper-storey Victorian terrace, it was a no brainer to turn the space into a large, welcoming kitchen that connected directly with the garden, free-flowing into a playroom for three-year-old Kasper and baby Paloma, a utility room and boot room. It was also an obvious decision to opt for a Neptune kitchen: the couple had already installed a Chichester kitchen in the original flat, so they were familiar with the collections �� and their flexibility. Indeed, the former kitchen space on the first floor was turned into a study and the existing Chichester cabinetry was overhauled to become smart and useful office storage.

But back to the new kitchen. The vision was clear: ‘It needed to marry beauty with function,�� says Rosanna. ‘We wanted it to be the heart of the family home. A place for adults to cook and entertain in, but also for our children to play in and feel welcome. A place where Kasper could pull up his wooden standing ‘tower�� and happily make food alongside me.��

The connection with the garden was also important. During the early renovation, working with architect Reginald Verspreeuwen, building team and design studio , the couple installed full length windows overlooking the garden to ‘breathe light into a shady basement��. The window���� strong lines drew the eye vertically to take in the impressive ceiling heights and this became an important factor in the kitchen design process. Tall worktop units with slim bi-fold doors (one is now a coffee and breakfast station) were designed to sit either side of the Lacanche range to emphasise the elongated lines of the room. On the other side of the room, a high, glazed countertop cabinet was bespoked to fit neatly under the stair well.

Central to the kitchen, though is the Henley island. Working with kitchen designer Nerine Vacher from Neptune Fulham, the couple configured the island to create a deep and comfortable breakfast bar area. ‘We went through a lot of design options and Nerine was amazingly patient,�� recalls Rosanna. ‘No idea was silly, and nothing was too much trouble to draw up. In the end, I love how the modern functionality of the Suffolk cabinetry frames the room and allows the exposed oak of the island to bring an organic warmth into the space and connect us with the garden.��

‘We needed to be flexible with the design process,�� adds Nerine, ‘as it was an evolving renovation project with complexities like the under-stair area. But it all came together well. We treated the Henley island like a separate piece of furniture which complemented the rest of the space.�� ��

With finishing touches like the robust worktop, the patinated brass tap and antiqued brass handles adding depth to walls painted in Salt, cabinetry painted in Suffolk’s standard Driftwood shade and the utility cabinetry accented in French Grey, the space feels cohesive and complete. Just as Rosanna and Kydd envisioned it.

Rosanna’s top tips for a kitchen renovation

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����’s tempting in the design phase to romanticise aesthetics, but domestic joy also comes from practicality. We toyed with having a marble worktop, but with so much activity around the island, �ɱ�’r�� grateful we chose a durable composite instead.

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Consider how you like to socialise. For us, sharing a glass of wine while cooking family meals was key, which gave us the confidence to choose an oversized island and a smaller kitchen table. The opposite choice might make more sense for families who love sitting down for a full three-course meal.

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Don’t be afraid to be particular. Aside from our home itself, the kitchen is our biggest investment, so we had many discussions with Nerine on the design. We were met with flexibility and quality �� we ���dzܱ����’t be happier with the result.

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To begin your kitchen journey, book your free design consultation today or visit your nearest store.��

Inside the walls of a pink 20th Century Maison, Oxford the family dog nuzzles up to the in search of warmth. ‘It was my non-negotiable when moving out of our Paris apartment, I longed for a traditional Aga and an English kitchen to complement it,�� Maï, of online store , explains. And what started as reclaiming a childhood memory of cooking with her mother around the Aga, evolved to creating a kitchen that exudes English charm within the surrounding French countryside.��

When Maï and her husband Henri moved into their home in 2018 they were already a family of five, and a little later Basile joined, bringing the household to an energetic four boys, plus Oxford. ‘I always wanted a kitchen where I could watch over the boys and for it to be the heart of our home, and this is it,�� says Maï. Before moving in the couple revised the floor plan to make use of the larger dining room at the back of the house, removing a fireplace and replacing with a window out to the garden �� where Maï could watch the boys play �� and opening up a large kitchen-dining space, which leads to a functional boot room. Opting not to add a kitchen island and instead have one wall of fitted worksurfaces and a double-door Suffolk larder to the side, the new kitchen footprint provided plenty of room for the boys to run around, too. ‘They sometimes play football in here which drives me mad but I do love having the large open space,�� Maï chuckles.����

It was decided early on that the interior would reflect a traditional English kitchen, and working with Pierre, owner and designer of the Paris store, helped Maï bring her vision to life. ��I’d originally seen a Neptune kitchen in my cousin��s home in London many years ago and I loved the charm and character. To discover that Paris had a store and I could see the collections for myself, it made the process so easy.�� Maï was instantly drawn to the classic design of Suffolk, ‘I liked the solid oak drawers which for me are much more functional than cabinets as I can easily see everything, and the simple decorative cornicing which felt like a classic style that can cross the ages. Something I noticed is that the British really consider functionality and storage, and it was obvious to me that Neptune was doing this best in their designs.�� And because the Pearl Aga��was already decided on, Pierre suggested a customised cooker hood to match the Suffolk cabinetry details, tying the whole room together.��

Looking to keep the space feeling warm and making use of the original wooden floors, Maï introduced colour to the drawers and cabinets. ‘All the walls are white but I wanted a kitchen with character, so together Pierre helped us choose the dark Navy as I found it very warm and it complemented the Aga. I then added green through striped cushions on the bench and curtains,�� says Maï. Character was also considered through the fitted bench seating and antique table and chairs that Maï has collected as part of her passion curating unique finds for her online store, Cherished Corner, and to display lovingly throughout the home.����

Today the family kitchen is a hub of activity, but still Maï finds time to reclaim the space, ‘this is the place where I like to wake up, have my first cup of tea and check my emails or read a magazine.�� One of the hero pieces in the kitchen, other than the Aga, was the Suffolk double door larder. ������’s like a pantry! ����’s nice to have space to put everything inside hidden away; food, toaster, microwave, everything. There are many drawers and door racks, ����’s just a brilliant piece of storage,�� exclaims Maï. A tidy kitchen is what Maï covets but she admits she loves it most when ����’s filled with her family, cooking a meal while the boys huddle together to do their homework, or sharing dinner with friends who visit and remark on her enviable ��British style��.����

��I often think that the house is a mirror to a person. It's a reflection of what you are, and this kitchen is it for me,�� Maï muses. The contrast of calm and cosy, with the comforting noise and chaos of family life, ����’s a kitchen tha��’s truly lived in.��

To begin your kitchen journey, book your free consultation today or visit your nearest store.��

Nestled in the tranquil, semi-rural village of Hurst in Berkshire, Westbourne Home���� development called for the creation of four bespoke kitchen and utility spaces. The brief was clear: to design kitchens that were uniquely tailored to the new homes, while also offering broad appeal �� spaces where future families could imagine cooking, dining and unwinding together.����

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When Westbourne approached us with the project, it was the natural next step in a partnership founded on shared values of craftmanship, sustainable materials and timeless design. As a trusted��partner in our contract client network for several years,��Westbourne had already collaborated with us on several high-end commercial projects. ��The kitchen is a pivotal point in our buyer���� decision-making process,�� says �±���ٲ��dzܰ��Ա�’s head of sales and marketing, Lucy Clifton. ��The level of attention to detail and enduring beauty found in �����ٳܲԱ�’s designs��made the brand an obvious choice for our bespoke properties.����

Familiar with��our three kitchen collections, Westbourne felt that the grand, country feel of Chichester, with its intricate mouldings, would be the perfect fit for the four properties. Our design team set to work, balancing��timeless looks with functionality to craft spaces that would appeal to a wide range of families. ��Every design choice��has the potential homeowner at the forefront of our minds,�� says Becky Smith, our commercial team lead. ‘We think meticulously about how they will use the space.�� The utility rooms, for example, incorporate ��󾱳������ٱ��’s cleverly hidden appliance cabinets and laundry baskets to ensure that everything has its place.��

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While each space had a unique layout, certain elements were included across��the homes to ensure a shared sense of character and practicality. ‘Each kitchen had some form of larder cabinet, whether full height or countertop,�� Becky explains. ‼��ܰ� pull-out chopping block and tray are always��favourites, as is��our hidden double bin. These are the details that make the space work harder, while adding to its charm.����

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The kitchens were brought to life in Flax Blue, one of our most beloved shades, while the utility rooms were finished in the warm, welcoming tones of Saffron. ‘We wanted to bring a sense of playfulness into the design,�� explains Westbourne designer, Maddy Coleman. The result is a pairing that feels both lively��and grounded, infusing character into the newly built homes without compromising the refined elegance that defines Westbourne’s developments.����

��From the design consultation to installation, the process was seamless,�� says Maddy. Neptune provided out-of-the-box box solutions to all our feedback, which was invaluable��as we strive to create��truly unique spaces.’��As for the families who now call these homes their own, each received a welcome pack following the installation of their kitchen, complete with��their lifetime guarantee. These kitchens have proven to be far more than just functional spaces. ‘T����’r�� not just buying a new home with a new kitchen,�� says Lucy. ���ճ���’r�� acquiring a space tha��’s brimming with character. The island, in particular, has become the hub of each home �� a place for hosting, where children and friends gather.'

To begin your kitchen journey, book your free consultation today or visit your nearest store.

The couple bought the brand new property back in the winter of 2022 and started the renovation process shortly after. ‘The whole back of the house was an aluminium concertina door, which did lend itself to an awful lot of natural light, but it restricted us with wall space and layout,�� explains Katarina. The answer was to divide the space up with a set of French doors and windows with a custom-built window seat. It still provides��an outlook to the��garden and welcomes in natural light, but created designated nooks within the large kitchen.��

After spending over seventeen years living together, Katarina and Matt knew how they best used a kitchen space and what would be utilised more often and suit their lifestyle. ‘We divided up the back of the house with a slightly controversial wall (which we love!) as this created a kitchen-dining space and then a little snug TV room at the other end.�� This division meant that they were able to achieve a cosy feel in a large functional space.����

Katarina was no stranger to her choice of kitchen for their new home. ���±�’v�� had a Chichester kitchen before and we just love the traditional look and the timeless cabinetry. I hate clutter, so having lots of enclosed storage and deep drawers to one side of the cooker and a tall larder cupboard that hides a multitude of sins was a must,�� says Katarina. Christina Parsons, kitchen designer at Neptune Reading, recalls her initial conversations with the couple, working together for a second time. ‘When we began making plans for the new kitchen’s colour scheme I remembered that I had spotted a few Neptune furniture pieces painted in Honed Slate in Katarina’s previous home and it has this lovely antique feel, so I suggested colour tones that would complement furniture in the dining area (and throughout the house), opting for Shell for the painted cabinetry, Limestone tumbled flooring, light Quartz worktops and an elegant tiled herringbone splashback in shades of beige��. Matt adds with a smile, ��Katarina has a very tight colour palette. Well, ����’s just neutrals.�� And when it came to layout there was one key theme: symmetry. ‘We were looking for the perfect balance. The island (with a sink and equal workspace either side) is centred opposite the large range cooker (complete with an ornate cooker surround). It meant compromising on a functional 900mm walkway beside the window bench, but achieved the symmetry that Katarina was looking for,�� says Christina.����

While this kitchen is similar to the one in their previous home, Katarina and Matt had a couple of new requests. ‘I shared my vision of a calm country kitchen with Christina and she magically bought it to life, while Glenn, our installer, made the fitting process seamless. Working together previously to add character to our smaller new-build property meant we felt comfortable being really open with Christina about any of our ideas,�� says Katarina. A preference for modern country style and timeless furniture tied in beautifully with the ornate detailing and classic features of the Chichester kitchen. ‘I suggested bronze hardware and hinges this time for their cabinetry to work in harmony with the existing hardware and lighting fixtures in the house. I also recommended that Glenn create an architectural cooker surround to create the illusion of a traditional country fireplace,�� says Christina. This time the couple also opted for a slightly bigger island which has additional storage, plus a specially designed window seat. ‘It is a little treat to sit there with a morning coffee looking out on to the garden. I love that I can dress it and accessorise it through the seasons.����

For many the kitchen is more than just a place to cook dinner. Katarina agrees, ������’s where we eat, where we entertain, where we relax. I spend time working from the dining room table. However cliché it is, it is the heart of our home.������

Katarina’s tips for adding a characterful kitchen to a modern extension��

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The couple bought the late Victorian house in September 2021 as a gradual renovation project, living in the property throughout (along with Leo the dog) to save money. 'Originally, the kitchen was situated in the middle reception room of the classic terrace layout,' recalls Stacey. 'But as soon as we saw the beautiful original French doors, which led into the garden, via a dilapidated conservatory, we knew the kitchen had to go in this back room.'

By Spring 2022, Stacey and Jack were ready to embark on the kitchen. 'We visited lots of companies but when we discovered the Neptune franchise at in Blackheath, everything felt just right. The superior quality of the cabinetry was on a par with other more expensive designs and the team were really accommodating, so it was the perfect pitch point for us.'

Alicia Turner, co-owner of Woods of London, recalls discussing the brief with the couple. 'The room had high ceilings and original cornicing which they were renovating, so, in keeping with the period of the property, the brief was to not look like a modern, fully fitted kitchen. The Chichester collection, with its elegant traditional details, was the perfect solution. As we were dealing with small spaces either side of the chimney and different depths of cabinetry, the options of smaller size cabinets within the collection gave the design lots of flexibility.'

Top of Stacey and Jack’s must-have list was a large American fridge (Stacey is a New Yorker, after all) together with space for a (reconditioned) range, plenty of storage and a large island. The range was planned to slot into the old chimney recess and Stacey was keen to incorporate a decorative over-mantel. 'We discussed sourcing a piece of weathered wood, but felt it would look too ‘country��,' recalls Stacey. 'Then Alicia had the clever idea to use some extra Chichester moulding to create a bespoke mantel which gives the room a real customised look.' To keep the room feeling open and bright, Alicia recommended avoiding wall cabinets. 'I suggested using a bifold countertop cupboard on the short wall instead, so that the range cooker and mantel would be features,' she explains.

When it came to a colour scheme, the couple wanted a timeless neutral palette, using Snow on the cabinetry and Farrow & Ball’s on the walls. In contrast, the original floorboards were stained a rich chocolatey brown and the couple opted for an antique brass finish for the hardware. The marble island worktop was the only hint of colour. 'My husband is a geologist and refused to consider anything that wasn’t natural when it came to the work surfaces,' says Stacey.�� 'We found this stunning cut with green veining which in some parts is a Hunter Green shade and in others a bright Chartreuse.'

Two years on and baby Iris has arrived, meaning the kitchen is a busy family hub. 'We spend a lot of time in the kitchen, making one million snacks every day,' laughs Stacey. 'We’d wanted a kitchen where we could prepare a quick meal and be comfortable but also a space to host friends at the island and a place where we could sit to eat as a family. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved �� a kitchen that is a beautiful space to relax in but also practical and high functioning.'

To begin your kitchen journey,��book��your free consultation today or visit your nearest��store.

When the decision to build an extension on the front of their Victorian cottage left their relatively new Chichester kitchen in need of more light, it was the catalyst for an unexpected kitchen makeover for interior designer Vivienne Cutler and her husband Matthew. ‘We lost a big window when we added the extension and it really impacted the amount of light the kitchen got,�� explains Vivienne. ‘Suddenly we were needing to have the lights on in the middle of the day and our Chichester kitchen, painted in moody Smoke, felt too dark.��

For Vivienne, who regularly shares design inspiration in her West Sussex home on her popular Instagram platform , it was important to land on a look that felt fresh and unseen. Introducing a light colour was important, but it was only when she decided to create a two-tone scheme that things started to fall into place. ‘For the top half of the room, it had to be a clean white and so I went with Shell for the walls and ceiling,�� says Vivienne, ‘but I wanted a warm neutral for the lower cabinetry and spent months looking for the right colour. It was when I looked back at my Neptune colour chart and spotted Lead Light that I found the right solution.���� Even then, it wasn’t an immediate win. ‘It was only when I also painted the woodwork, doors and walls into the adjoining garden room in Lead Light that the room completely worked,�� recalls Vivienne. ‘The feedback was crazy on Instagram with some of my kitchen posts going viral. To this day, the most asked question I get, is ‘what colour is your kitchen’s cabinetry?��.��

While the kitchen’s layout stayed the same, the extension had created a wall where a window had once been. It allowed Vivienne to add simple panelling, cupboards on either side of the existing stove and a faux chimney to conceal the extractor. ‘����’s made a feature of that space,�� she adds. ‘You would never guess that just introducing a new colour scheme, adding some panelling and tiling a splashback could give the kitchen a whole new lease of life, but it has.��

The last �� but important �� touch in this makeover was new hardware. Previously, the Smoke-coloured kitchen had classic cup handles which lent a traditional country kitchen feel. But having introduced bronze hardware in her utility room, Vivienne was keen to carry the texture into the kitchen. ‘I saw the collaboration with Neptune at the Tonbridge store and loved the look,�� says Vivienne, who opted for the small sized bronze handles. ‘The updates made my vision come to life,�� she adds. ‘The original kitchen felt like a classic Neptune kitchen but with the new colours and hardware, it now has a contemporary feel while remaining a country kitchen.��

In practical terms the remodelling was straightforward. ‘We worked with two tradesmen, a carpenter and painter,�� says Vivienne. ‘And it was all done in a week when we were on holiday!���� Back at home, the new look kitchen quickly became a hub for family life while the room transforms into an entertaining space at weekends. ‘It is the heart of our home and where we spend all our time,�� says Vivienne. ‘It doesn’t feel like a separate kitchen but blends seamlessly into our living space which is just what I had wanted to achieve.��

Vivienne’s three key kitchen tips

1. Layout. Think about how you will use the space and make sure it is practical. Is the dustbin near the food prep area? Is the pan drawer next to the stove? They are common sense considerations but can get easily forgotten.
   
   
2. ��Storage. One can never have enough storage, but it is good to consider everything you will want to store at the planning stage, from cookbooks to worktop appliances. And then decide if you’d prefer open shelf storage or want everything tidied away in cupboards.
   
   
3. ��Lighting. Lighting is how you give your kitchen a mood. We created a wonderful ambience in the room using a combination of LEDs tucked behind the cornicing and dimmable wall lights and spotlights.
   
   

To begin your kitchen journey,��book��your free consultation today or visit your nearest��store.

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But this kitchen has been deliberately designed to be versatile too, with a seating and library area to one side, a tucked-away utility room, and a big dining table for entertaining. ‘We were living in a small two-bedroom flat while the building work was going on so haven’t been able to host any friends, other than at Glebe House itself,�� adds Olive. ‘We have a long list of friends to invite over now.��

For keen vegetable-grower Hugo, linking the garden and surrounding countryside to the kitchen was also a key consideration. ‘We have a big kitchen garden that we created from an empty field to serve the restaurant,�� he explains, ‘but there is always surplus veg, which we like to pick with the boys. We grow everything seasonally from radishes and broad beans to kale, fennel and artichokes. Currently, ����’s a surplus of Swiss chard!��

Hugo recalls they chose the Henley collection because ‘the design was simple but had nice detailing; it sits perfectly between modern and traditional style��, and they loved the inclusion of the natural oak cabinetry. Colour was an important way to connect the outside and in and, inspired by the earthy clay shades of the nearby Jurassic cliffs, the couple mixed Burnt Sienna on cabinetry alongside Henley’s natural oak finish, and used Burnham Red on the island (with Farrow & Ball’s on the tongue and groove panelling).

They were also influenced by the years they spent living and working in Europe. ‼��ܰ� style is inspired by the country kitchens of Italy and France,�� says Hugo. ‘That use of natural wood and stone and warm, earthy colours that feels anchored in the surrounding environment.�� The subtle terracotta chequerboard floor is a case in point: ‘It feels so warm and inviting and transports me to my favourite parts of Italy,�� he adds, noting that laying the floor was ‘a real labour of love �� I hadn’t quite appreciated it would need six coats of sealer, but it was worth it.��

Claire Birkbeck, the Bath-based Neptune kitchen designer who worked with Hugo and Olive on the project, recalls the couple had clear ideas from the start. ‘They wanted to make it a really joyful space, somewhere with lots of character and colour, and they also wanted to make sure it fitted their family life set up. As a designer, it was all about making it a hardworking space with good storage, but one that also feels fun and creative.��

For artist Olive, layering colour and pattern onto the warm terracotta base was the next step. ‘I introduced pattern through the floor tiles, our collection of pottery and plates, and soft furnishings. For me, pattern is an instinctive thing �� when you see a pattern you like, it just feels right. Not all patterns work together though. I tend to layer different shapes �� a geometric with a floral maybe, or a large, wide pattern with a smaller print. And I always choose a thread of colour that ties the patterns together.��

The couple mixed in vintage finishes with the by Perrin & Rowe and a reclaimed butler’s sink in the utility. They worked with designer Claire to select the softly dappled marble for the work surfaces and added lighting such as the Athena scalloped shade, which Olive felt suitably reflected their coastal location.

‼��ܰ� original vision was to make the kitchen a place to cook and host but also for our family to live in and relax,�� says Hugo. ‘This is how we imagined it, but Neptune made it a reality.��

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Nigel is something of a Neptune kitchen aficionado, having installed four other Neptune kitchens in previous homes (you might recall the Chichester kitchen in his Ealing home, with its foxed glass and Morris & Co. wallpaper, which is also on our journal). Each somewhat unexpected yet completely in keeping with the setting, and this project was no different: a galley kitchen for a bijoux Cotswolds retreat, which Nigel shares with his partner, David. ‘While this is a beamed country cottage, I didn’t want it to feel predictably chintzy,�� explains Nigel. ‘Instead, I wanted to create an elevated, elegant space infused with rustic charm.����

Nigel turned to our Suffolk collection to achieve his vision ‘because it transitions very easily from a country look to a sophisticated vibe.�� While the cottage is Grade II-listed, he was able to make a few structural changes that allowed for the best use of the long, narrow space. ‘The original kitchen had a woodstore at one end, so we opened up the doorway and now rather grandly call it the boot room,�� he tells us, laughing. ‘We also positioned the full-sized fridge there as it was too big to fit into the main kitchen space.����

An unused, low doorway to the garden was an original structure and ���dzܱ����’t be removed, so the couple ingeniously turned it into a coffee station-meets-cocktail bar, fitting a shallow Suffolk wall cabinet at floor level, and installing underlit shelves into the nook created by the doorframe.��

Elsewhere, they introduced various space-saving techniques to open up the two-and-a-half by four-and-a-half metre room. The rectangular Belfast sink was flipped sideways to fit the tight space, and the taps positioned at the side rather than behind the sink; an integrated bin was essential to streamline the L-shaped kitchen and the long, nine-hundred millimetre drawers were ‘a god-send: they fit all the pans and crockery and work incredibly hard.�� While the pedestal legs (rather than skirting) were a deliberate decision: ‘They make the cabinets look like pieces of furniture rather than a sleek fitted kitchen, which works in a property of this age,�� adds Nigel.������

When it came to decoration, Nigel wanted something that would work with the beige and creamy tones of the heavily veined Arabescato marble work surface. The floor was a simple reclaimed pine from with a light wash applied, and the cabinets, walls and timber cladding were finally painted in .

And so, with the cottage project completed, the couple are enjoying weekends in the country in their thoroughly elegant home with a dash of rustic charm, just as Nigel envisaged they would.��

No matter how big or small your space, our designers can help you make the most of it. Find out more and book your first, free consultation here.��

For this much larger kitchen with scullery area, Nigel reverted to the Chichester collection, cabinetry he’d previously used in a similarly large Edwardian property. ‘I love the simplicity of the Suffolk design but there is just something so appealing about the Chichester collection,�� says Nigel. ‘The cabinetry feels so solid and classic, and the finish is such good quality. Plus, you can customise it easily which is what I did in this space.��

But first, back to that refurbishment.

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The kitchen was planned to sit on the lower ground floor, but while the space had windows, it felt too much like a basement. For Australian-born Nigel, light was of huge importance, so the decision was made to dig down and extend out to create a large open plan space with lofty ceiling heights of up to 2.7 metres. And rather than a predictable box-like, modern extension, Nigel echoed the curve of the windows of the upper floors with a floor to ceiling bay window and door to create what would become a relaxed seating area.

‘I was keen for the kitchen to feel light and bright and a desirable place to live in,�� says Nigel, ‘but I was concerned that it was on a separate floor, so I made the staircase leading into the kitchen wide, giving it a generous half-landing, and positioned a skylight above the stairs to connect it with the rooms above.��

With the structure resolved, Nigel set about planning the kitchen space. His first instinct was to create an enclosed scullery but as the project developed, he decided to section off the study area at the front of the property with glazed doors and simply create the sense of a separate scullery with the use of partial stud walls. ‘The scullery area is fantastic,�� says Nigel, “it has a Belfast sink, a small larder cabinet and a large American style fridge. All the food prep can be done in that area, leaving the kitchen as an entertaining space.��

Nigel positioned a line of Chichester pan drawers, with backlit display shelving above, along the wall under the stairs. The effect is suggestive of a super-long dresser while making good use of the space in the shade of the stairwell. On the opposite wall, he ran a length of cupboards and drawers from scullery to the far end of the kitchen, keeping the effect light by using just one continuous oak shelf on the wall above and a discrete, bespoke cooker hood.

Working with Becky Smith from �����ٳܲԱ�’s commercial team, who helped with advice on cabinetry placement, Nigel avoided the temptation to fill the large central space with an enormous island. ‘I wanted a good flow through the room and wanted the island to feel more like a table than a big square box,�� says Nigel. ‘It needed to play a role but not dominate the room.��

To give the island that dining table feel (and do away with the need for an actual dining table), Nigel designed bespoke wooden ball leg supports in each corner, which he had carved in Latavia by a source he discovered on . ‘The oak legs work really well with the dark green painted cabinetry �� I used a shade called by Morris & Co �� and they also talk to the oak shelf and the narrow oak trim ceiling architrave which conceals LED lighting.��

When it came to the stone surfaces, Nigel wanted to make a statement. The Carrara marble worktops are more veined than in previous projects and he opted for a double bull nose edge to give the kitchen island character. The striking chequered floor is a tumbled marble by which Nigel choose for its imperfect finish and soft colouration.

The finished result is a combination of contemporary design with classic period details. ‘It was a conscious decision to combine authentic British kitchen design that talks to the heritage of the building with less fussy, more modern elements to keep it streamlined,�� concludes Nigel. It is a project full of good design decisions.

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Nigel’s three design tips

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1. A kitchen island needs to feel in proportion to the space, bigger isn’t always better.
2. If you like to keep things tidy, consider giving some space to a scullery or pantry, they are great for organising family life and help define the room as an entertaining, cooking and working space.
3. Consider using two single taps rather than a mixer tap. There is something simple and purely functional about them that makes them feel rather modern.

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Moving into a new property is exciting but there can be a temptation to make quick decisions. A few years on however and that earlier vision can change. That was the situation commercial director Debbie Harris found herself in, seven years after moving into her forever home and installing her much anticipated Neptune kitchen.

“I’d been obsessed with Neptune kitchens for ages as I’d seen advertisements for them in magazines,�� she recalls. “When I moved into my house, Neptune Canterbury was just opening so I went to the launch day and quickly got to work with the design team on creating my dream kitchen.��

Debbie, who channels her creative passion for interiors into the Instagram site , was clear that she wanted in-frame, painted cabinetry and was drawn to the simplicity of the Suffolk collection. “I loved the idea that I’d have the ability to change the look in the future whilst having a kitchen that was guaranteed to last a lifetime.�� Her Suffolk kitchen was duly fitted, and Debbie settled into life in her detached 1930s Kent house with her two growing children and Alfie the cockerpoo.

Roll on six years and Debbie was ready for change but not for the cost of a new kitchen. She admits: “I didn’t live in the house long enough to see how I’d use it. There were areas that always bothered me.�� An existing partition wall between the kitchen and eating area, where the island was situated, made the space feel enclosed. Debbie wanted a better sense of connection and wanted her island to be a social place for friends and family to gather. But her Suffolk cabinetry was robust and so she was keen to find a way to reconfigure the space to suit her new vision.

Debbie reached out to Lauren Jennings at whose design work she’d long admired. “I had a good idea of what I was looking for this time around,�� she says, “I wanted a marble worktop and splashback and was impressed how Calacatta Viola marble can warm up the look of a kitchen.��

“Debbie loved a previous project of mine with a tall stone splashback and stone shelves,�� explains Lauren, “so we��knew��from the outset this was something we wanted to add. I came up with a brief for new stone worktops in a bold marble and suggested the island be painted a green/brown shade with an oak worktop. Debbie wasn’t initially thinking of a wooden worktop but after some consideration was happy to go with it.��

Lauren helped Debbie source the stone though “the process is very different to man-made alternatives. There’s so much variety and you can’t choose from a sample cut, it is advisable to view the slabs in person,�� says Lauren. “This can be a slow and sometimes painful process as slabs you travel to see, may not always be right for the project. It is good to be aware of the slower pace and enjoy the experience of seeing so many beautiful stones. I always find ����’s worth it in the end.”��

Lauren also came up with a solution for some awkward boxed-in piping. “We used a pantry cupboard to hide the pipes,�� says Debbie, “and it also proved useful for tucking away the kettle and toaster. The previous cooker hood was replaced by a bespoke, more discreet version and the sink was realigned with the kitchen window �� swapping out one base cabinet for a slimmer wine rack.

Debbie opted for the colour update and had the cabinetry repainted from Cobble to Snow, while the new oak island worktop was extended to offer a better seating arrangement and repainted in Myland���� Artillery Ground shade.

��Debbie’s new-not-new kitchen is a remarkable makeover. While she splashed out on the marble surfaces, the rest of her new kitchen was more cosmetic yet she’s left feeling as if ����’s a whole new space. “The project has given the room a new lease of life without the expense of a new kitchen,�� says Debbie, “and I’ve fallen in love with it all over again.��