It’s often the unassuming, simple things that really make the biggest impression, it’s not just about the Shaker cupboards and the kitchen, it’s about everything. The light that comes into the room and where you can sit, they are really important, because they make a room not just look pretty but really work. The Park is a beautiful private estate built in the 1820’s on the original deer park of Nottingham Castle, it is lit by automated gas lights resembling Victorian streets and is full of amazing houses. In a wonderfully grand house within the grounds of The Park we found this perfect example of a simple deVOL Shaker Kitchen, it was quite unexpected in such opulent surroundings and very uplifting. The family who lived in this home had chosen really well, even the little soft toys were the cutest things, worthy of including in our pictures. The cupboards were painted in Lead and Damask, it was the palest we have ever seen Lead look, it was such a gloriously bright room, everything just looked somehow lighter and brighter.

The fabulously large double pantry cupboard housed everything, meaning there was much less need for loads of wall and base cupboards. A short run of double cupboards, turning the corner to a substantial double sink overlooking the gardens, a simple prep table and a set of pan drawers either side of the range, that was it. The high ceilings with beautiful original coving, and the ornate circular seating area were enough, they were the wow factor, so the kitchen needed to be soft and quiet. It really was, but in a very good way, it didn’t detract from the grandeur of the room it enhanced it in a quite contemporary way.