Historic Raynham Hall Kitchen Blends Bold Colors for Modern Living

A recent kitchen renovation at the historically significant Raynham Hall in the UK has successfully merged contemporary design with traditional elegance. The owners, Octavia and Tom, worked with Francesca Froggatt, head kitchen designer at deVOL Kitchens, to transform a rarely used function room into a family kitchen. The project illustrates how to incorporate modern living into a space steeped in history while honoring its architectural integrity.

The Grade I listed property, which dates back to the 1700s, has interiors that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. Froggatt noted that the kitchen’s transformation required not only a fresh design but also adherence to strict preservation guidelines. “Every surface, including intricate gilding and ornate carvings, had to remain untouched,” she explained. The restoration aimed to breathe new life into a room that had long served ceremonial purposes rather than family gatherings.

The kitchen’s color palette plays a pivotal role in its design. The original green walls, believed to be part of the home’s historic paint scheme, underwent careful restoration in collaboration with expert team at Edward Bulmer Paint. This rich green provided a dramatic backdrop for the new cabinetry, which features a deep red known as Refectory Red. Froggatt emphasized that this bold choice complements the historic decorations, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.

The layout of the kitchen was also a significant consideration. Due to the property’s listed status, the design team faced restrictions on attaching fixtures to the original woodwork or stone. As Froggatt explained, “Every piece of cabinetry had to be designed to sit sympathetically within the room without disturbing its historic fabric.” This limitation led to innovative solutions, such as placing the refrigerator and freezer in an adjoining pantry, maintaining a low-profile in the main kitchen.

Despite the room’s grand scale, the overall design feels intimate and inviting. The combination of rich green walls and deep red cabinetry creates a warm atmosphere, softening the room’s formal characteristics. “The kitchen now feels inviting and comfortable,” Froggatt noted, “a space where you can imagine cooking, chatting, and spending time together.”

The emphasis on minimalism in cabinetry adds to the kitchen’s charm. By opting for a Shaker cabinet design, the team ensured that the furniture remained clean, simple, and timeless. This design choice allows the historical details of Raynham Hall to take center stage. “The simplicity of the furniture and cabinetry balances the decadence of the room,” Froggatt remarked.

Lighting also plays a crucial role in shaping the kitchen’s ambiance. The designers incorporated warm tones and strategically placed fixtures to create a welcoming environment. Froggatt highlighted the importance of lighting in making a vast space feel more intimate. “By introducing warm tones and beautiful lighting, we helped to bring the scale down and make it feel more lived in,” she explained.

This renovation serves as a masterclass in designing a kitchen within a historic home. The artful balance of bold colors, functional design, and careful preservation creates a space that honors the past while accommodating modern family life. The kitchen at Raynham Hall stands as a testament to the idea that even unexpected color combinations can create a chic and timeless environment, proving that history and modernity can coexist beautifully.