Clients Journey
Lewis & Kylie Furse, St Austell
St Austell Home Transformation
When Lewis and Kylie Furse redesigned their St Austell home, they wanted the kitchen to be the centrepiece of the open-plan space. Their property had been enhanced with a new mezzanine and vaulted ceilings featuring natural oak beams, and the kitchen needed to complement these architectural features while becoming the focal point visitors see upon entering.
The Design Challenge
The front door leads directly into the kitchen, with the lounge and dining areas to the left. This layout made the kitchen unavoidable, but the long room required careful planning to avoid it feeling like a corridor. Kylie wanted a light, Scandinavian style that felt welcoming and sociable. The vaulted ceiling added complexity, as the kitchen design had to complement rather than compete with the architectural feature above.
Following recommendations from family members, Lewis and Kylie visited our showroom at Faraday Mill. Nathan visited their property while building work continued, discussing how to break up the length of the room and add character. The couple went back and forth through options, working out which arrangement suited both the architecture and their intended use of the space.
The Solution
Lewis and Kylie selected a Burbidge kitchen from the Chartwell range featuring a central island. The layout divides the elongated space into distinct zones. At one end, integrated Neff and Liebherr appliances are positioned, while at the other end, a bar area connects to the lounge. The long wall includes a glass cabinet, an alcove with lighting for the Rangemaster, and illuminated shelving. The cupboards above the sink are higher than usual, breaking up the wall line.
Most of the kitchen features Burbidge's putty shade, but the island's colour required further discussion. Kylie considered green, blue, and grey before Derinda suggested a bespoke black finish and contrasting brass handles. As the kitchen is positioned at the centre of an otherwise light, Scandinavian interior, these contrasting details matter.
Installation & Completion
We supplied and installed the Burbidge kitchen with Neff and Liebherr appliances, a Quooker Flex tap, and a Rangemaster Belfast sink. The installation included the Rangemaster cooker, and we recommended Silestone worktops supplied by Mayflower Stone. Lewis handcrafted the oak elements for the bar, shelving, and island himself, and installed natural stone wall cladding from his family’s company, Contec Southwest.
Before the refurbishment, the area that is now the new kitchen was the dining room. We also supplied and fitted a feature cabinet in the new dining room location and installed a utility room. Kevin managed the installation, working around the ongoing building work and the couple's tight schedule. They moved in a week before their September wedding, with the kitchen finished just in time.
The Result
The kitchen functions as Lewis and Kylie intended. Guests gather around the bar and island rather than using the lounge. The long room no longer feels like a corridor, broken up by the distinct zones and architectural features built into the design.
Lewis said: "The whole process went very smoothly. Nathan and Derinda were great to work with, and we liked the ideas they suggested for us to consider. And their installer, Kevin, was absolutely brilliant, nothing was too much trouble for him." Kylie adds: "We wouldn't change anything about our kitchen, really. It's where everyone sits, around the bar and the island. I'd definitely recommend KF Kitchens."
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