Bulthaup
project
Bulthaup
Modern Kitchen with Cotswold Character
A contemporary kitchen designed to sit comfortably alongside the exposed timber, brickwork and rural character of this Cotswolds home.
A contemporary kitchen designed to sit comfortably alongside the exposed timber, brickwork and rural character of this Cotswolds home.
the brief
A modern kitchen that respects the character of the home
Having recently moved into the property, the clients wanted to improve both the appearance and functionality of the existing kitchen without losing the architectural character that made the interior distinctive.
The previous layout left the cook facing the wall and felt disconnected from the wider open-plan room. The new design needed to create a more sociable cooking experience while working carefully around the property’s existing structural elements.
Collection
bulthaup
Location
Oxfordshire
The Design
Working with the original structure
A central structural support presented one of the main challenges when rethinking the kitchen layout. Rather than treating it as something to work around, it became part of the design.
A peninsula replaced the previous standalone island, allowing the solid wood breakfast bar to meet the existing timber frame naturally. This created the informal dining space the clients wanted while keeping the open-plan room feeling generous and easy to move through.
The Design
A subtle backdrop for the character of the room
The kitchen palette was deliberately restrained, allowing the original timber beams, exposed brickwork and the clients’ decorative pieces to remain prominent.
Gravel cabinetry and worktops create a light, understated base, while taller furniture in Flint introduces a subtle contrast. The solid wood breakfast bar adds warmth and creates a natural connection between the precise surfaces of the bulthaup furniture and the texture of the property’s timber frame.
Illuminated timber shelving against the exposed brick continues this relationship between contemporary furniture and the older architectural details.
Bringing cooking back into the room
Moving the hob onto the peninsula completely changes the experience of using the kitchen. Rather than preparing food with their back to the room, the cook can now face into the open-plan space and remain part of the conversation.
A BORA X Pure induction cooktop with integrated downdraft extraction removes the need for an overhead hood, helping preserve the open sightlines through the room.
Lighting was also carefully considered because of the kitchen’s position within the property. Ceiling spotlights provide practical working light, while more decorative and integrated lighting creates a softer atmosphere for dining and entertaining.
The Details
Kitchen & Materials
The bulthaup b3 furniture is finished in a combination of Gravel and Flint laminate, with aluminium plinths adding a restrained metallic detail. A 10mm bulthaup Gravel laminate worktop continues the lighter palette across the working surfaces, while the solid wood breakfast bar introduces warmth and connects the kitchen visually with the original timber frame.
Appliances
Miele appliances provide the kitchen’s principal cooking, cooling and cleaning functions. A BORA X Pure induction cooktop with integrated downdraft extraction sits within the peninsula, keeping the ceiling clear of an overhead hood, while a Quooker Flex PRO3 provides instant boiling water at the sink.
Architectural Details
The solid wood breakfast bar is carefully integrated around the existing structural timber, making the original framework part of the kitchen rather than an obstruction. Illuminated timber shelving highlights the exposed brickwork, while a combination of practical spotlights and more decorative lighting allows the atmosphere of the room to change between cooking and dining.
Photography by Darren Chung
