The Priest’s House
FRONTS:
FENIX® Rosso Namib on Plywood
TALL UNITS:
FENIX® Verde Comodoro and Blu Shaba
WORKTOP:
Neolith, Pietra do Osso 12mm
HANDLES:
HUSK Integrated Scalloped Handles
CABINETS:
IKEA & HUSK Bespoke
Builder & Fitter
Austin Lewis Stonemason
Architects
Charles Louwerse
Kitchen Designer
Freya Celeste Gibbons
Photographer
Pete Helme
Sitting in the heart of Somerset is The Priest’s House, a historic family home with a HUSK Bespoke kitchen and utility featuring Medieval-inspired FENIX® tones. Overcoming multiple architectural challenges, HUSK transformed this space with bespoke cabinetry, resulting in an improved layout and enhanced functionality while paying homage to the home’s unique heritage.
Fronts
FENIX® Rosso Namib on Plywood
Worktops
Neolith® Pietra di Osso
Handles
HUSK Scalloped Integrated
Carcasses
HUSK Bespoke
Fronts
FENIX® Rosso Namib on Plywood
Worktops
Neolith® Pietra di Osso
Handles
HUSK Scalloped Integrated
Carcasses
HUSK Bespoke
About The Priest’s House
The Priest’s House is the oldest residence in the village and – expectedly – former home to the village priest in times gone by. A Grade II* listed property with origins dating back over 600 years, the property is steeped in history and filled with distinctive heritage features. Our clients sought to create a contemporary kitchen that would be visually striking, yet complementary to the rustic elements of their home.
Nestled in a wooded valley with views of a local castle, the house and its surrounding mature gardens required a thoughtful renovation to enhance its functionality while preserving its historical charm. Our clients reworked the layout to create two large rooms on the ground floor (one for living and one for dining) added a HUSK Bespoke utility room, and created two new bedrooms under the eaves. Securing approvals from heritage organisations during the pandemic was a challenging process, involving virtual consultations with Historic England and the council. With advice from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, an architectural historian and a team of conservations engineers, they began the renovation – revealing and restoring original wooden supports, roof beams, and medieval windows. The uneven walls and floors presented particular challenges for designing and fitting the kitchen, but our clients’ decisiveness ensured a seamless integration of modern elements with the home’s historical features.
About The Kitchen
Our clients opted for a HUSK Full Design Service and HUSK Bespoke cabinetry, allowing them to collaborate with our Kitchen Design Team to customise every detail of their kitchen. From the placement of appliances and shelving to the specification of their bespoke pantry, our Lead Kitchen Designer, Freya, guided them through the process with site visits, video calls, phone calls, and emails to refine the plans.
To maximise storage, a HUSK Bespoke Double Pantry was incorporated, utilising the room’s height to provide ample space for homegrown produce and preserves. Locally quarried Blue Lias stone flooring was chosen to match the original flagstones, complemented by underfloor heating for added comfort. The finishing touch was a striking oval suspended wood burner in the fireplace, providing warmth and a cosy spot for their dog, Kit. This thoughtful design and meticulous fitting process resulted in a kitchen that beautifully marries contemporary functionality with the home’s historic elements.
In medieval times, dark red was made from Madder root and the blue was made from Lapis Lazuli, they are both signature colours of the period, so it was great that the two HUSK Fenix colours Rosso Namib and Blu Shaba matched those colours so well.
With a desire for a functional cooking and living space that complements the historical charm of The Priest’s House, they selected medieval-inspired finishes – FENIX® Rosso Namib, FENIX® Blu Shaba and Neolith® Pietra di Osso – for a striking contrast to the textured walls and beams.
The kitchen layout features a practical run of units on a single wall between two doors, as a large fireplace and windows occupied the other walls. The sink and hob were positioned along this run, with a large island parallel to it, creating a social focus and additional preparation space. Modern appliances, including a Fisher & Paykel induction hob with an integrated downdraft extractor fan, were seamlessly integrated to maintain a sleek appearance and ensure the kitchen remained free of cooking fumes. The finishing touch was a striking Goval suspended wood burner in the fireplace, providing warmth and a cosy spot for their dog, Kit.
The Utility Room
In addition to the kitchen, our clients added a small utility room to enhance the home’s functionality. This space features the same bespoke cabinetry and durable FENIX® finishes as the kitchen, ensuring a cohesive design throughout.
The utility room is equipped with practical solutions, including handy cabinets and countertops, to keep cleaning supplies and household items organized. A dedicated area for laundry appliances was also included, making it a convenient and efficient workspace. This utility room design not only complements the kitchen but also adds to the overall practicality and appeal of The Priest’s House.
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