Period Townhouse
East Grinstead
About This Project
Brief
Set within a beautiful period townhouse in East Grinstead, this kitchen needed to feel completely at home within the character of the property, while working much better for modern living.
The previous kitchen had a much darker feel, with pine cabinetry, dark worktops, and a quarry-tiled floor. Our clients wanted to retain the warmth and charm of the room while creating a more refined, classic kitchen that felt brighter, calmer, and more practical. They wanted the kitchen to work for everyday life, while still feeling welcoming and sociable when family came back to visit.
The brief was to keep the same footprint and transform the space through thoughtful design, better storage solutions, updated appliances and carefully chosen finishes.
Our bespoke kitchen design
The clients were drawn to a darker colour palette, so the key to the design was creating balance to avoid the space feeling dark, which had been a frustration with the previous kitchen. The cabinetry is painted in Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue, a rich and elegant shade that complements the period setting and reflects the blue-and-white crockery displayed in the kitchen.
To prevent the space feeling too dark, we combined the deep blue furniture with lighter elements, including Konigstone Bianca Isola quartz worktops, a classic butler sink, chrome fittings and the warm tones of the new Amtico flooring. The result is a kitchen that feels traditional and characterful, but much lighter and more spacious than before.
The cabinetry is a smooth painted lay-on shaker door, giving the room a timeless, refined look without feeling overly formal. Traditional detailing was important throughout, from the cornicing and framed door style to the Crofts & Assinder Douglas knobs and Chelsea handles in chrome. A chrome Quooker tap completes the scheme and adds everyday practicality without compromising the classic feel.
A major part of the redesign was changing the way the clients cook. The previous range sat within the fireplace, but the clients wanted a more modern, accessible cooking arrangement. We replaced this with NEFF appliances, housed at eye level within the tall cabinetry, including a Slide&Hide oven, a combination oven, and a dishwasher. This not only makes the kitchen easier to use now, but also helps future-proof the space as well.
There was no building work on the house as part of this renovation, but we managed the whole kitchen project for the clients, including the kitchen installation, flooring and decorating. This allowed every element to be carefully coordinated and for us to manage the quality and schedule throughout.
All in the detail
One of the most characterful features in the kitchen is the existing plate rack. The clients loved it and wanted to keep it, so rather than replacing it, we carefully removed it, cleaned it and rewaxed it before reinstating it as part of the finished design.
It now sits proudly above the new cabinetry and quartz worktops, adding personality to final design. The blue and white crockery was also an important part of the colour story, helping to connect the new kitchen with pieces the clients already owned and loved.
Open shelving adds another relaxed, personal touch, while the dining space remains connected to the kitchen, making the room feel welcoming and sociable without changing the original footprint.
The finished kitchen is classic, practical and full of character. It respects the period townhouse setting, but has completely transformed how the room feels and functions for everyday life.
Watch the video tour on YouTube!
Feeling inspired?
If you have a period property and want a kitchen that feels in keeping with your home, but transitioned to modern life, we’d love to help. Email us at info@kitchensbespoke.co.uk to book your design consultation, or browse our Projects page for more inspiration.