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

In a quaint little village in the northwest of Essex, we find ourselves at this pretty four-bed home filled with love, laughter and lots of fun. The kitchen space was formed from a complete transformation of the property, which included an extension and the removal of a dividing wall opening up the rear of the house to create this stunning open-plan dream kitchen and dining room. You can also gain access straight onto the patio via large sliding doors.

We welcome you into this loving home filled with traditional elements and beauty…

…all amongst this delightful property in Elsenham, Essex.

When our client came to us they specifically said they didn’t want the usual blue or grey colour scheme and wanted something different. They started searching for a green and wanted the perfect greige to go with it and came up with this two-tone colour scheme of Olive Colour and Clay both by Little Greene. A unique choice of colour is always exciting to see.

Olive Colour by Little Green was a fashionable colour despite its price tag. Mrs Delany, the 18th-century writer, records having her English room “paint a sort of olive for the sake of pictures”.

Clay is a new version of Regency Fawn – using more ochre-use as a warm neutral for modern and period interiors.

The handmade kitchen furniture itself is our traditional shaker style with mouldings to the door recess panels which gives that classic and statement look.

To make up the L-shaped layout there is a long run of kitchen cabinets measuring 6 metres with a 3 metre island in front. Our client opted for a symmetrical layout around the cooker area and decided to add the sink area to the smaller length of the “L”.

A Villeroy and Boch double butler sink was chosen with a Quooker classic round tap to provide our client with style and instant boiling water at a touch of a button.

Calacatta Valencia quartz was chosen to dress the units and provide our client with a durable and long-lasting stone. The stone is made up of a white backdrop and subtle grey marbling throughout the surface, striking in different directions to produce a stunning appearance. The outstanding splashback has also been completed with this stone.

To add to the whole traditional vibe, Amtico Sun Bleached Oak tiles complete the floor. The look is supremely stylish, rustic and contemporary, where the distressed natural grey that shines through transforms any space.

The chrome cup-style handles look ideal in this traditional space. Perfectly suited to shaker style cabinetry, the Shell handle by Perrin & Rowe allows for an easier pull on heavier furniture. The knobs are also from Perrin & Rowe with a classic styling of a rounded handle enhanced with beehive detailing to produce the Contour design. These are ideally suited to a traditional setting too.

The traditional pantry cupboard that’s good looking and hardworking acts as the perfect breakfast pantry in this kitchen. Filled with all the breakfast essentials and finished with bi-fold doors it can easily be opened to make your mornings that little better. Close away when not in use and let those clean lines work their magic. The cupboard sits directly on top of the worktop making a cold shelf for the microwave and toaster.

The stools are the Brooklyn Bar Stool in moss green velvet from Cult Furniture – we absolutely love them. They are stylish, practical and comfortable where they will fit into any contemporary rustic interior. The simple black metal frame gives the Brooklyn Bar Stool a sophisticated yet relaxed vibe, and the moss green velvet material is the perfect choice within this green hand-painted kitchen design.

We now take a look at the stainless steel Rangemaster taking centre stage in this beautiful hub of the home. They are a British brand and no wonder why they are popular in homes, they are absolutely stunning.

Up above is a Westin extractor – full of the latest technology and outstanding performance.

As part of the kitchen layout and to get the most use out of every corner possible, we find a full-height slim larder cupboard located next to the American style fridge freezer. It instantly becomes the best place to store tins and sauces that are easily accessible.

The stunning design of the kitchen island stands in the centre with chunky legs and lots of additional storage. Bespoke solid wood serving trays and chopping boards complete the look with a handy towel rail on the end. Our client opted for the island to be a full-length prep area, with nothing being incorporated into the top, creating adequate space to prep meals for family and friends.

Add a floor-to-ceiling unit to your unused space. Fill it with dinnerware and tableware and organise it in a way that’s easy for you to entertain guests. The perfect addition to this traditional kitchen.

If you would like to know more about our bespoke kitchens contact us today – we look forward to hearing from you. We will make your dream turn into reality meeting all your needs and expectations.