Choosing a kitchen for an old house, but want to avoid 'country' styles

[lisbapalea]

We are (hopefully) going to replace our kitchen in the next 6-12 months so I am starting to think about the style we should go for.

Our house is a 300yr old cottage, with very low, beamed ceilings downstairs, so I don't want to clutter things up with fussy country/shaker style kitchens, and would prefer to go for something more simple.

The image I have in my head is for plain white units, ideally with no handles, just grooves for pulling out drawers, with solid oak work tops, for a bit of warmth / natural-ness (not a word, I know). This is the kind of look I like (but imagine it with low ceilings!): www.wrenkitchens.com/kitchens/handleless-kitchen-in-super-white/3038

I have read some bad stuff about wren kitchens, so probably won't go for this one, but I like the image (and hate the fact it's Linda Barker!).

Walls would be white or nearly white, probably pale coloured metro tiles as splashback, floor is solid oak. I would quite like to whitewash or paint the beams to add height and light - would this be sacrilege?! Our table will be white, with natural wood chairs (have seen some in a Debenhams catalogue that I like but can't find them online).

Does this sound too modern for an old property? Our living room is probably quite classic in terms of style, but I would like our kitchen to be as light and bright as possible - it links to the playroom which is fairly colourful (white walls and natural linen / dark red patterned curtains). I don't personally like glossy kitchens (no offence to anyone who has one!), so wouldn't go that modern, even though I realise the gloss would probably help the light issue....

Any advice or recommendations on kitchen places to look at, would be gratefully received!

[Walnutpie]

Is it just me, or does it look very 70's? Like Schreiber back then?

[cece]

I love modern kitchens in old properties. not sure whether that one is quite right though.

[Ohanarama]

I was going to suggest the same sort of kitchen you mentioned op - white gloss, handleless and oak worktops. One of the weekend morning cookery programmes - the one with James Martin - I'm not sure what it's called - has a kitchen like that and it looks lovely.

[Walnutpie]

I'm probably just imagining it

[lisbapalea]

Ha! That looks just like me!

[lisbapalea]

You're right about Saturday Kitchen! Just found this

www.prolinktv.co.uk/mediac/400_0/media/Saturday-Kitchen.jpg

(I prefer matt to gloss though, for the units)

[Floggingmolly]

No, it's straight from the 70's alright, Walnut. It would look as if you hadn't decorated since 1969, rather than being all trendy and retro.
It looks like formica

[lisbapalea]

Eeek, and there was me thinking that it would mid-century cool!

Any other recommendations for a simple white and oak design?

[noddyholder]

I love it very scandi looking and not at all dated I renovate old houses for a living and nearly always put in very modern kitchens

[Walnutpie]

Who do you use, noddy? Scandi look need not be dated, I'm sure.

[lisbapalea]

Ah thanks Noddy! Maybe part of the problem is that I am part Scandi - the kitchen I linked to does remind me of my Scandi family/friends' kitchens I suppose!

Any suggestions for good kitchn suppliers to use would be fab!

[noddyholder]

Cheaper flats always Ikea and more expensive I use a carpenter locally to copy more expensive ones and then add the finishing bits myself. I never use gloss and never have always matt and I build open shelving into every spare corner.

[noddyholder]

I have heard mixed about wren a friend had one and I love it and she has been happy with it it is a bit more traditional than the one you linked. I always copy Plain ENglish

[Walnutpie]

Just looked at the PlainEnglish site. Beautiful kitchens! Loved the Osea, particularly.

[lisbapalea]

Great tips, thanks Noddy! Do you buy carcasses (is that the right word) separately and just make the doors bespoke?

[MonstrousRatbag]

Go for it, I think it's a great look:

Poo-shaped stool (ha ha) is optional.

[noddyholder]

Yes I buy carcasses via my builder sometimes but I have bought online too as I like rigid factory glued and screwed Then MDF doors sprayed at a car sprayers gives a fantastic tough finish that really lasts. Always buy handles on ebay.

[lisbapalea]

Wow Noddy this is great! My plan was basically to do what you have said - find a kitchen I like, then get a carpenter contact to replicate the doors out of mdf. The tip about car sprayers is fab, thank you so much!

Feeling really quite excited now - think I need to get onto pinterest and search for some modern country kitchen inspiration!

[Marmitelover55]

I think matt, shaker, painted MDF would look good!