Bridger Kitchen Diary – A closer look at the Traditional Shaker in Chelmsford, Essex

Deep within a modern property, the back end became destined for a perfectly proportioned hub of the home filled with our traditional shaker style, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances and a mix of grey hues that work in modern open-plan spaces. Our clients had a clear vision of the space they wanted to create in this renovated and extended room and dotted our furniture in all corners.

We welcome you to enjoy more in-depth the traditional shaker…

… located in a historic part of Essex which is known as Chelmsford.

Our client opted for a two-tone colour scheme, where the whole of their handmade kitchen was hand-painted in Elephant’s Breath but the features such as the drinks/bar dresser offered a darker tone – Charleston Gray. Both paints by Farrow & Ball. This created an invitingly earthy scheme, which is relaxing and spacious.

Elephant’s Breath is a warm mid-grey that is renowned for its characterful paint name. It’s an uplifting colour with hints of magenta, when used in west-facing rooms it almost becomes lilac. Offset with Charleston Gray for an invitingly earthy scheme.

Charleston Gray is a deep, warm and muted grey that is very popular in modern living rooms. The brown undertones create a warm, enveloping and hushed atmosphere. The perfect accent for this colour is a tone from the Contemporary Neutrals collection.

The brief was to create a relaxed and spacious kitchen, which is ideal for socialising and spending time with the family. The open-plan space is built in an L-shape with different zones – a handcrafted bespoke kitchen full of Sub-Zero & Wolf appliances with an island at its heart, and an informal and formal dining area.

No views of the garden are blocked as traditional style windows are seen on all walls to let in as much natural sunlight as possible! The light bounces on all surfaces, full-of innovative solutions and thoughtful details, bringing beauty to everyday moments.

A bank of appliances is essentially a great way of cooking different dishes at the same time due to the positioning of where they are and the amount you have. If it has been designed near lots of worktop space it allows you to work in just one area of the kitchen so you are not going back and forth, prepping and cooking.

The appliances that are seen here are the:

• Sub-Zero 1067mm Fridge Freezer with French door
• 2x Wolf 759mm M Series Transitional Ovens
• Wolf 759mm Transitional Steam Oven
• Wolf 759mm drop-down Microwave
• 2x Wolf Warming Drawers

This traditional style was destined for luxurious fixtures and fittings from Perrin & Rowe in polished chrome.

The sink area is made up of the Perrin & Rowe 1000 wide white Shaker Sink, Perrin & Rowe Ionian Mixer Tap with white porcelain lever handles and rinse, Perrin & Rowe Instant Hot Tap and the Perrin & Rowe Traditional Soap Dispenser.

Perrin & Rowe Shell Pull handles and Contour Pull knobs complete the style.

Other Wolf appliances to take note of are the:

• Wolf 914mm Transitional Induction Cooktop
• Wolf 914mm Downdraft Extractor System
• 2x Sub-Zero 610mm Undercounter Wine Storage

All of these robust and amazing appliances are located within the island that takes centre stage in this dream kitchen.

The kitchen island has been positioned so the cook can gaze through the vast windows and sliding doors onto the picturesque garden while also interacting with family and friends who are sitting at either table.

Something else that we incorporated into the island was engraved serving trays, chopping boards and beautiful dovetailed drawers that can bear the weight of heavy cast-iron pans.

This pantry was built to maximise storage, create a breakfast and day pantry and achieve an overall clutter-free aesthetic. When thinking of a practical family kitchen, the worksurfaces ideally need to be kept as clear as possible for food preparation and effective cleaning. The practical necessities are better kept hidden away in functional cupboards, just like the pantry in this space.

By keeping the worktops and tables free, there’s room to inject individual style into the kitchen adding fresh flowers and a statement fruit bowl.

We placed this on the main kitchen run sitting right on top of the Carrara worktops, we added shelves at different heights and spice racks on the doors.

The pooch will never feel left out with this bespoke dog bed. To utilize all the available space, our clients had a desire to build a bespoke dog bed for their beloved pet, something that was comfy, multi-functional and fitted within the kitchen design.

Storage was built above to store food, waste bags, treats and other grooming accessories.

Something else we designed into this space and on the end of the island is a bespoke circular pedestal table. They are becoming increasingly popular in the kitchen layout and can be handcrafted from beautiful raw materials such as oak and walnut depending on your choice. Sturdy and thick, the base can be completed with your choice of top, meaning you can choose solid wood or opt for a unique finish with a stone.⠀

We are in awe of this shaped kitchen, how it flows around making sure the traditional design is seen in all corners of the room.

Something that we had space for and our client became in love with is the bespoke drinks/bar dresser. Separating the zones and looking ultimately satisfying this certain piece of furniture became a firm favourite on a Friday and Saturday night. I mean who needs to go out?

Curved around the edges, designed with solid fronted doors and glass-fronted, a mirrored splashback, glass shelves and completed with a Carrara quartz worktop, what a truly divine piece of furniture to add to the space.

We hand-painted this in Charleston Gray – Farrow & Ball.

We always find a fitting place for a piece of our furniture. This modern and delightful upholstered window bench is designed in the dining room part where there’s extra storage for blankets and cushions and an external skirting plinth making it a gorgeous feature to look at.

Not only did we complete the kitchen space but we connected it with a matching utility room which is used as a boot room too. It soon became the perfect room to enter when coming back after a walk with the dog. No muddy boots and paws through the house.

A bespoke clothes airer that folds out from the wall on hinges and even has storage behind. It makes use of empty wall space and provides you with a neat and tidy place to air the washing. ⠀

A shot of how it looks open.

We wanted to leave you with another shot of the whole space but at a different angle. What a truly divine space that will be enjoyed by everyone who enters.

If you would like to know more about our traditional shaker kitchens contact us today – we look forward to hearing from you. We will bring your dreams to reality and create you something truly unique as well as something that you will love for many years.