“It makes me smile every day. I can’t stop looking at it – and I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking how lucky we are.” – Julia Chippendale
When Julia and Stephen began the transformation of their Grade II-listed Elizabethan barn, they weren’t just renovating – they were reimagining what it means to blend modern design with heritage architecture. After a three-year design and build journey, their vision has materialised in a kitchen that’s striking, seamless – and deeply personal.
A Vision Beyond the Ordinary
With no existing residential layout to reference, the couple had to imagine everything from scratch. Respecting the barn’s original timber frame and structural integrity meant no cabinets fixed to the walls, and a highly considered approach to space planning. Their ambition? A kitchen that would sit confidently within the character of the barn – quietly spectacular without overwhelming the wider space.
“We didn’t want to fill the barn with cabinetry,” Julia explains. “It was essential that the kitchen flowed into the dining and living areas without dominating – and we’ve absolutely achieved that.”
After extensive research and visits to what felt like every kitchen showroom in the UK, the couple discovered Kesseler. “We were looking for something truly British as we’ve sourced as much of the barn’s interior from the UK as possible. We found Kesseler and immediately loved the slab-fronted design and the quality of the product.”
Bravery Meets Balance
In the end, it was a bold colour palette – Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black and Rectory Red – that set the tone for this extraordinary kitchen. It was a brave move for the couple, who had previously favoured more neutral tones, but thanks to their Kesseler designer, Tommy Williams, the decision was made with complete confidence.
“Tommy really pushed us to be bold – and he was right,” Julia says. “He completely understood the space and our ambition. Nothing was too much trouble. From the very first visit to the Witham showroom, we felt in the safest hands.”
Tommy’s attention to detail became a defining part of the journey. He made multiple site visits – including in the early days when the barn was still ankle-deep in mud – bringing samples and advising on colour, layout and material choices. His input shaped every decision, including the integration of multiple finishes like Neolith Iron Corten and Snowy Ibiza quartz.
“The bit that makes my heart sing is how the textures, colours and finishes meet in effortless harmony. It’s elegant, it’s balanced – and it’s uniquely ours.”
Excellence at Every Touchpoint
Crafted with Kesseler’s patented Fortis system and built in the brand’s Nottinghamshire facility, the cabinetry met – and exceeded – the couple’s high expectations. “The quality is absolutely superb,” Julia says. “Everything feels solid, considered and engineered to last. I wouldn’t change a single thing.”
Made for Living – and Sharing
The completed kitchen doesn’t just serve a purpose – it enhances every moment spent in it. From capacious drawers that offer a clear view of everyday essentials to a high-performance extractor that rises from the worktop with space-age precision, every element works beautifully.
Just days after moving in, the couple hosted fourteen family members for Christmas. “On Christmas Eve I cooked a 3kg rib of beef in a cooker I’d never used before,” Julia laughs. “But I was right there in the heart of things – drinking champagne and chatting to everyone while I cooked. It was magical.”
A Kitchen That Inspires
Reflecting on the experience, Julia offers advice to anyone embarking on a luxury kitchen project: “Have an open mind. What you think you want might not be where you end up – and that’s the beauty of it. Trust your designer. Ask for good quality CGIs and don’t be afraid to request changes. You’re building something for life, so take the time to get it right.”
Ultimately, she says, it’s about more than just aesthetics – it’s about how the space makes you feel, every single day. “We wanted understated elegance – something that looks effortless, but where we know how much thought and craft went into it,” Julia reflects. “Kesseler delivered that in every way – and they’ve given us a space where we can make memories that will last a lifetime.”
