Creating a kitchen for a historic home requires a very careful balance of designing a space that functions for modern-day living while still feeling totally at home and in keeping with the architecture and atmosphere of the property.
There's a lot to consider, but this English stately home, once used to host kings and soldiers, is an example of how the right kitchen colors can take a space from beautifully classic to a striking scheme that truly honors the property's history.
This elegant kitchen embraces two of this year's biggest color trends – and it proves a sophisticated space can be born from the boldest shades if you know how to pair them. Here's everything you need to know about this historic remodel, and a lesson in decorating with these eye-catching colors.
'Raynham Hall is a Grade I listed house of national historic importance, which means that many of its interiors have remained largely unchanged since the 1700s,' says Francesca Froggatt, head kitchen designer at deVOL Kitchens, who was in charge of transforming the space into a family kitchen for owners Octavia, Tom, and their children.
This was a particularly unique project – the kitchen before the remodel had been an occasional function room, so the design team was really starting from scratch with the style and layout of the space. But as this property is a listed building, it came with a long list of restrictions.
'The decoration is part of the listing, meaning every surface, including the intricate gilding, ornate carvings, grand fireplaces, and wall paintings, had to remain untouched,' Francesca explains.
'The green on the walls is believed to be the original paint color, and part of the project involved careful restoration rather than redesign. In essence, very little changed visually; the transformation was all about reintroducing a sense of purpose and warmth to a room that had been more ceremonial than lived in for many years.'
Though the green wall paint is an original feature, it required some gentle restoration, so they collaborated with the expert team at Edward Bulmer Paint to help ensure it remained historically accurate. From there, they could start to think about the complementary colors to introduce.
'With such a powerful backdrop, we knew the cabinetry needed real presence to hold its own within the room. Octavia and Tom chose deVOL’s Refectory Red for the furniture, a deep red that adds warmth and weight without competing with the historic decoration. The combination feels both bold and harmonious, bridging the old and the new in a way that feels completely natural within the setting,' she explains.
'Color plays a huge role in shaping the feel of such an immense space. The rich green walls and deep red cabinetry together create a sense of warmth and intimacy, drawing the eye in and helping to soften the formality of the room. Despite the scale, the kitchen now feels inviting and comfortable, a space where you can imagine cooking, chatting, and spending time together.'
And the restrictions didn't stop at the walls. The cabinetry is undeniably perfect for the style and scale of the room, but that isn't the only reason they chose this look – they had to select cabinets and appliances that didn't need to be fixed to the walls.
'Because the house is listed, we could not fix or attach anything to the original woodwork or stone. Every piece of cabinetry had to be designed to sit sympathetically within the room without disturbing its historic fabric,' Francesca recalls, adding that furniture could only be attached to the floors, and because services also had to be brought in through the floorboards, they were really restricted on the kitchen layout.
'Octavia and Tom were incredibly understanding of these limitations; they chose to keep their large fridge and freezer in the adjoining pantry, which allowed the main kitchen to remain low-level and unobtrusive. This meant the furniture could sit quietly alongside the room’s decorative features, such as the gilded carvings, paintings, and enormous windows, complementing rather than competing with them,' she says.
'With much of the wall space occupied by listed decorative features, there was only one practical area for full-height cabinetry. We used that for a large freestanding breakfast cupboard, while the fridge, freezer, and most of the pantry storage were moved to the adjoining room. The result is a layout that feels intentionally minimal and elegant, giving the historic detailing room to breathe.'
This kitchen really is a masterclass in designing a beautiful kitchen in a historic home. There's an artful balance here – the decadence and grandeur of the room is levelled by the simplicity of the furniture and cabinetry.
'It would have been easy to lean into the decorative grandeur of the room and design something ornate, but that would have risked overwhelming the space. Octavia and Tom were keen to keep the furniture clean, simple, and timeless, pieces that felt as though they could always have been there,' says Francesca.
'The Shaker cabinet design, painted in rich tones, brings a sense of functionality and calm to the room, providing balance against the opulence of the surroundings. The result feels authentic and quietly respectful; a kitchen that works beautifully for modern family life while sitting perfectly within the history and character of Raynham Hall.'
In many ways, it's a kitchen that doesn't look like a kitchen. The minimal approach to cabinetry, the hidden appliances, and emphasis on freestanding furniture feel inviting and far from utilitarian. Even the round dining table surrounded by antique chairs feels cozier and more curated than your usual seating area.
And kitchen lighting plays a huge role, especially when it comes to creating a more inviting atmosphere, from the large windows to the fixtures introduced. 'The challenge was to make such a vast, formal space feel welcoming and lived in again,' says Francesca.
'By introducing warm tones, carefully considered furniture placement, and beautiful lighting, we helped to bring the scale down and make it feel more intimate; a room the family could truly enjoy day to day, rather than admire from afar.'
Shop the look
To introduce focused task lighting in an aesthetic and visually fitting way, Francesca opted for wall sconces. This style of lighting creates a cozy ambiance and a decorative detail. This plug-in design from Wayfair is very similar and easy to install.
On the countertops, you'll notice there are lots of pretty glass jars and bottles filled with oils and everyday ingredients. Upgrading your packaging to this pretty duo of cruets will elevate the look of your countertops, making them feel less cluttered.
Whether you love the original fireplace in this kitchen design or want to take inspiration from the cutting board on the island, this marble cheeseboard, available in 2 sizes, is a chic way to introduce this classic stone to your kitchen.
The only ceiling light in this kitchen is the fixture above the island, and Francesca opted for The Heirloom Gaselier Light, which is available in 3 sizes to suit the size of your kitchen, whether you have tall ceilings or a smaller, cottage scheme.
While you'll never be able to recreate the authentic antique look of this kitchen, bringing in ornate mirrors is a timeless way to add character. This brass design is a lovely option to bridge the gap between modern and vintage-style.
In the adjoining pantry, the family has embraced some of the high-tech features that would feel out of place in the main kitchen. One of these things is a hot water faucet, similar to this seek design, featuring a rounded silhouette and brass finish.
This kitchen proves that even the most unexpected color combinations can look chic and timeless – even in a historic stately home like Raynham Hall. And with the right choice of cabinetry and decor, even the most spacious kitchens can feel cozy and inviting.
