Chef's Kitchen

There are kitchens designed simply to look beautiful, and there are kitchens designed to be truly lived in. This Haddon kitchen in a beautifully restored thatched cottage in Thurlestone, South Devon, achieves both effortlessly, combining professional-level functionality with warmth, character and timeless craftsmanship.

Created for Rich and Milla, two passionate and highly experienced cooks, the brief was clear from the outset: to design a kitchen that felt social, welcoming and deeply personal while functioning with the efficiency of a professional workspace. The result is a kitchen that balances painted in-frame cabinetry, professional-grade appliances and carefully considered workflow with collected antiques, open shelving and layers of personality gathered over time.

At the heart of the room sits the large island, colour matched to Sanderson Devon Green and topped with orbital sanded stainless steel. Chosen for both durability and practicality, the work surface was designed to soften and improve with age and use, giving the kitchen a relaxed, lived-in feel from the very beginning.

Rich and Milla’s professional cooking backgrounds heavily influenced the layout and organisation of the space. Every detail was considered through the lens of how the kitchen would function day-to-day, particularly when both owners are cooking together. Generous spacing between the island and rear cabinetry allows movement to feel effortless, while appliances, prep areas, bins, sinks and storage all sit within easy reach.

Rather than creating fixed stations, the kitchen was designed to allow them both to work simultaneously without crossing paths unnecessarily, mirroring the flow of a professional kitchen while maintaining a relaxed domestic atmosphere.

While the kitchen includes an impressive array of professional-grade equipment, they were determined that it should never feel cold or overtly commercial. The Haddon cabinetry provides the perfect balance — timeless painted shaker furniture with enough softness and detail to complement the more industrial materials elsewhere in the room. Softer pink tones throughout the perimeter cabinetry bring warmth and light, while an antique blue cupboard layered with years of natural wear and patina adds depth and personality to the scheme.

Cooking is very much at the heart of the space. A Bora downdraft extraction system allowed the owners to avoid overhead extraction entirely, preserving uninterrupted sightlines across the room while keeping the design visually calm and open. The kitchen also includes a Wolf steam oven, Teppan grill, induction cooking, electric Aga and an indoor Japanese Kasai charcoal grill integrated into the fireplace, allowing them to cook collaboratively and creatively without compromise.

Beyond its practical functionality, the kitchen was always intended to be the social heart of the home. The island comfortably seats family and friends, while layered lighting schemes create different moods throughout the day, from bright prep lighting to softer evening entertaining.

Whether serving breakfast in the morning sunlight or hosting larger gatherings late into the evening, the couple wanted a kitchen that felt open, relaxed and welcoming. One particularly memorable evening saw 25 guests gathered around the island while fresh tacos were cooked live on the Teppan grill and handed directly across the counter to waiting friends.

The open-plan layout also allows views through the restored house, with the kitchen connecting visually to the dining and living spaces through the glazed fireplace beyond. Open shelving displays everyday crockery, artwork and collected objects, while a brass rail above the Aga keeps utensils close to hand without cluttering surfaces. Carefully integrated book storage, natural textures and layered lighting all contribute to the feeling that this is a kitchen shaped around the owners’ lives rather than simply installed.

For them both, the success of the project lies not only in how the kitchen looks, but in how naturally it supports everyday life. Morning coffee at the island, sunlight through the windows and evenings spent cooking with friends have all become part of the rhythm of the space — a kitchen designed not simply to impress, but to be shared and enjoyed every day.

Kitchen Design and Installation: Compass Kitchens

Artisan Builder: James Burgess