Bespoke Cottage Kitchen - Midhurst, West Sussex

Bespoke Cottage Kitchen - Midhurst, West Sussex Just outside Midhurst, in a 400-year-old estate cottage, we were invited to breathe new life into a kitchen that was already full of charm. The original layout stayed exactly as it was - the Lacanche range still proudly in place, the butler sink beneath the window unchanged. But what did shift was the tone of the space. The whole kitchen now feels warmer, calmer, and more in tune with the pace of family life. The first thing you notice when you walk in is the feeling of space and light, thanks to the vaulted ceiling and the addition of two skylights. They draw light into the centre of the room and highlight the textures and tones throughout - from the warm flagstone floor to the soft, limewashed walls and natural materials.

The cabinetry is hand-painted in Bauwerk’s ‘Topaz’, a warm, chalky ochre that brings a lovely glow to the space, especially alongside the burnished copper worktop on the sink run with upstands carefully hand-scribed against the wobbly stone wall behind. The original fireclay butler sink was kept in place - still practical, still beautiful - and everything was designed to feel as though it had always belonged.

With everyday items like the toaster and coffee machine moved into the pantry, the main kitchen was able to stay light and uncluttered. That gave us the freedom to design a freestanding island - more like a piece of furniture than fitted cabinetry, with stained timber legs and open shelves for cookbooks. It’s topped in leathered Taj Mahal quartzite, a natural stone full of texture, and a lovely tactile surface to work on or gather around.

There are layers of character throughout: a rustic timber beam over the range, open shelving lined with copper pans and curious finds, and roman blinds in a vibrant print that adds softness. One of the most involved elements was the bespoke built-in bench seat, designed not just for comfort but for function - hiding radiators behind hand-woven grills, all colour-matched to the Lacanche Rangecooker in Mylands blue. Handmade vents are tucked neatly into the ledge above, and the entire seat was scribed in to meet the old pebble wall. It’s the sort of detail that looks effortless - but only because it was anything but.

Just beyond the kitchen, the pantry takes on its own character - vibrant, functional, and full of charm. The cabinetry here is painted in Konig’s ‘Satchel Red’, a rich, warm colour that works beautifully with the botanical wallpaper, where birds and soft wisteria winds across every surface. A low window and overhead skylight flood the space with natural light, bouncing off the pale quartz worktops, which are both practical and elegant. A drop-down sill was built to suit the cottage window’s height, helping the light to reach further into the room. In the boot room beyond, we added a sturdy oak bench with tongue-and-groove panelling to suit the everyday needs of a family of five.

And underfoot, the original flagstones - laid in the 1600s - are still going strong. Their uneven beauty informed the whole design approach: natural materials, thoughtful detailing, and nothing that felt out of step with the building’s age.

This wasn’t about transforming the kitchen into something new - it was about building on and working to enhance what was already there. A space that’s now lighter, more functional, and still completely in keeping with the home it sits in.

Bespoke pantry & bootroom

---

Let’s start with a conversation

At Charter Walk, every kitchen we create is bespoke - thoughtfully designed, beautifully built, and made to suit the way you live. Whether you're restoring a period home or planning something more contemporary, we craft luxury kitchens that feel both personal and timeless.

Visit us in Haslemere or Eashing to explore our materials, meet the team, and begin shaping your own bespoke kitchen project.