The Haywards Heath Kitchen

The story of this characterful kitchen began with a move from Cornwall to West Sussex, a couple and their dogs setting up a new home together in leafy Haywards Heath. Before reinvigorating the kitchen, they chose to live in the house for a bit so they could get an idea of how they would use this space. 

The design centres around an AGA, the iconic range cooker, a nod to comforting childhood memories of their parent’s AGA in the kitchen they grew-up in. Our clients sourced a reconditioned model, in a bright sunshine yellow; drawing on the expertise of colour consultant, Gemma Dalton, the palette for the room flowed from here with Milton Blue, Old Dairy and Hollingbourne yellow cupboards. The walls are a pretty soft pink by Paper and Paint.

You may be noticing a pattern! The sourcing for every element of this kitchen was meticulously considered, with a focus on craftsmanship, sustainability and British companies. The solid oak floor is from a local timber merchant, West Sussex Antique Flooring. The worktop is from Resilica, another local company, who create recycled glass terrazzo. The island stools are by British furniture designers Very Good & Proper. The wobbly, glossy zellige splashback tiles are by Bert & May.

Layout wise, wall cupboards were off the list – a decision made during the time spent familiarising themselves with the space before the redesign – the long narrow room liable to feel hemmed in. The island provides a practical worktop, bookshelves, storage, a spot to sit and is a visual focal point for the room – a representation of just how handy a well-designed island is. 

There are quirky moments throughout this space that make it feel so very personal; the double sink has draining boards on either side – a rarity, but perfect for our client who eschewed a dishwasher. There are beautiful and thought-provoking artworks in curious places, old hot water pipes were left intentionally with old, chipped paint. This is a room where imperfections are celebrated. 

On the day we visited, laundry was drying on the rack, a little vignette of daily life in this cosy, colourful, playful kitchen.