The Riverside - a bespoke Shere Kitchen

The Riverside Kitchen is a bespoke classic Shaker style cabinetry kitchen, designed and custom made to suit a beautiful riverside Georgian house in Guildford, Surrey. Our client works in the interior design world, selling silks inspired by the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. She has a deep interest in art, craftsmanship, luxurious materials and how things were made traditionally. While living in Jerusalem, she founded Bethlehem Baubles - baubles which are hand blown using recycled glass by Muslims and hand painted by Christians. Incredible. We love this. All of this means it was very important to her that her kitchen was made by craftsmen using beautiful materials. Having travelled extensively our client is a keen cook. So the Rangemaster and double-bowl Belfast-style sink were essential elements. A traditional walk-in larder cupboard was also high on the wish list so that most of the food provisions could be stored easily together. We researched traditional larders at Petworth House National Trust in the Servants' Quarters. The Winter Dairy there has slate surfaces that stay so cool that ice-cream and jelly could even be stored there. We made a special window with fly proof screen and security lock, and incorporated cool marble shelving with handwoven basket drawers for vegetables. It works brilliantly - it really is cool in there. For natural beauty combined with durability the Classic Quartz Marbre Carrara was originally chosen for all the worktops. But then our client saw a bespoke oak worktop we were making and couldn't resist. She decided to use the quartz for the worktops around the cooker and sink, but a bespoke oak worktop for the island unit where she'll sit and enjoy meals and spend time with family and friends. The warmth of oak is lovely and it adds a unique element as the grain is always different. The kitchen has beautiful proportions, large windows & a lovely rooflight which lets in plenty of natural light. We painted the cabinets in environmentally friendly Little Greene Paints. Gauze Deep works beautifully with the stainless steel elements, & Juniper Ash gives a gorgeous warm blue contrast. Photography by Formatt Design