Projects · Residential · Shrewsbury

Bicton Hall

Tom and Jo asked for a kitchen extension. They got a better kitchen — and nothing was built.

The brief

Tom and Jo called me to design a new kitchen extension to the rear of their impressive Georgian house.

The existing kitchen was undersized, out of proportion to the rest of the house, feeling cramped and uncomfortable to use due to it’s huge central island. However, on analysis of the brief, Tom and Jo actually wanted a large kitchen that would give them space to be together as a family — to cook, sit and be with one another, at the heart of their home. They also needed a utility space that could keep up with the demand of the family whilst not taking away from the ‘wow factor’ kitchen.

Location · Bellevue, Shrewsbury

Project · Remodel of existing drawing room and rear entrance space to create kitchen and secret scullery room

Timescale · 6 months

Ground broken · None

Services · Architecture · Interior Design · Kitchen Design

The room nobody used

Antique wooden chair beside a tall shuttered sash window overlooking the formal gardens at Bicton Hall — The original drawing room had height, light and views — but rarely a reason to be used

The large drawing room was of interest — it would only be used for special occasions as a secondary lounge but had fantastic high ceilings, loads of space with amazing views.

I created a scheme that converted this room into an impressive kitchen and created a secret passage (through the wall) into the boot room, now converted into a scullery / utility room.

Not only did I create a stunning space but I did it without breaking ground and made spectacular use of a already lovely space.

The kitchen

Oak library ladder against full-height teal kitchen cabinetry with brass rail and handles — Full-height cabinetry uses the scale of the Georgian room; the oak ladder makes every cupboard accessible

Teal kitchen cabinetry framing a white fluted butler sink, brass bridge tap and tiled splashback — The sink wall: teal joinery, handmade-look tiles and aged brass beneath the original cornice

Breakfast with pastries and flowers on the white kitchen island, teal cabinetry beyond — The island doing what it was designed for: cooking, gathering and everyday family life

Teal cooking wall with a white tiled niche, twin ovens, brass rail and styled timber boards — The cooking niche creates a focal point without competing with the room’s original architecture

Aged brass bridge tap and separate rinse tap against softly rippled white tiles — Aged brass brings warmth to the pale worktops and tiled walls

Black induction hob set flush into the white stone kitchen worktop — The working surfaces stay visually quiet and precisely detailed

Knurled brass cabinet handle beside an integrated wine rack in teal joinery — The wine store is built into the wall of cupboards

The secret scullery

Long scullery with dark teal cabinetry, brass handles, white worktop and polished veined floor — Behind the wall: full-height storage and a second working sink

A family kitchen has to absorb the mess of a family without showing it. Rather than lose worktop to laundry and boots, the old rear entrance became a scullery — reached through a pair of full-height doors that disappear into the run of cabinetry when closed.

Scullery passage with teal cabinetry, boot bench, back door and a polished dark veined floor — A hardworking route to the garden, kept deliberately separate from the main kitchen

White fluted scullery sink with a brass tap, dark teal cabinetry and a bowl of fruit — Practical pieces are treated as part of the architecture, not an afterthought

Living, in the same room

Sitting area within the kitchen with two tan leather armchairs, patterned cushions and a low timber cabinet — The far end is kept for sitting — the reason the room works as one generous family space

Low reclaimed timber cabinet with ceramics and sculpture beside a tan leather chair — Loose furniture and objects soften the precision of the new joinery

White lilies on a side table beside a shuttered sash window and layered green cushions — The original windows and garden views still set the mood of the room

Camilla is very knowledgeable and helped us tremendously at every stage, always going above and beyond – she really is easy to work with. Thank you so much! We will be using Architectural Ventures on future projects.

Tom and Jo, Bicton Hall

Relevant if this sounds familiar

Architecture & Interior Design Combined →
Kitchen Design →
Concept & Feasibility →
Monkmoor Road — the extension case →

Before you extend, ask the question properly

My first conversation with you is free.

Start Your Project