Farmhouse

A full kitchen renovation in a beautiful Somerset farmhouse — chimney breast removed, new bespoke timber windows with curved reveals, cast-in-place concrete worktops, oak island & solar-linked underfloor heating.

We recently completed a kitchen renovation for one of our existing clients at their beautiful farmhouse. We started by taking out the chimney breast where the AGA was, to open up this space & allow for more cabinetry. We also knocked out a large recess in the left wall to allow for further cabinetry to be sunken in.

As with many older farmhouse-style homes, this room lacked natural light, so we created a new window opening, enlarged the existing windows & installed bespoke timber windows handcrafted in our workshop. We also levelled the uneven floor, installed electric underfloor heating linked to the property's solar panels, raised the low utility doorway with a new bespoke door, & finished the space with curved plaster reveals & engineered oak flooring, creating a bright, warm & characterful room.

This farmhouse kitchen has been transformed into a bright, welcoming heart of the home that perfectly balances period charm with modern living. Bespoke timber windows handcrafted in our workshop flood the space with natural light & frame the surrounding countryside, while curved plaster reveals, engineered oak flooring & a bespoke utility door add character & craftsmanship throughout. Beneath the surface, electric underfloor heating powered by the property's solar panels provides year-round comfort & energy efficiency. The result is a beautifully finished kitchen that feels timeless, practical & perfectly suited to contemporary family life, whilst remaining true to the character of the original farmhouse.

The kitchen was handmade in our workshop by our talented joiner Paul, before being transported to its new home & expertly installed. The kitchen then received its final coat of paint & touch-ups in Farrow & Ball 'Off White No.3'. Our clients went for an oak worktop for the kitchen island, which was installed & oiled. However, for contrast they decided to go with a poured concrete finish for the run of units along with the window boards – a first for Benjamin Henry Limited.

After providing a range of samples, they went with an 'off white' colour. This particular surface is a 'cast in place' mix – you make a frame using reinforced mesh then pour in the concrete before allowing it to set. The frame is removed before sanding, buffing & sealing. This means you get no joins unlike other materials such as stone or laminate, & the result is extremely strong with a beautifully rustic & natural finish.

Benjamin Henry Ltd Electrics added new spotlights throughout as well as two feature pendants over the island, repositioning sockets & switches to suit the new layout. New appliances were fitted including a range cooker, integrated fridge & two sinks with an instant hot water tap. A standout feature is the open shelving across the two windows which frames the range cooker & extractor hood beautifully, with LED lighting installed underneath for soft mood lighting in the evenings. In the new recess we built a bespoke sideboard with a floating shelf above & mirrored backing to bounce light around.

If you're considering a similar project, have questions about your own property or would like to arrange a free no-obligation quote, our friendly team would be delighted to help bring your plans to life.