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Festive feast

The more recent decades hadn’t been kind to the Maxwell’s picturesque Grade II Listed character-filled house. “Work meant we had to move,” explains Caroline, who adds: “We wanted an old house and this had so much character, we overlooked the fact that it hadn’t been refurbished since the 1930s and needed a complete overhaul. We didn’t even
have heating!”

Moving in, in 2000, seven years of deliberation ensued as the couple decided exactly what they wanted to do and the realisation of what they were undertaking dawned on them. “More than once we considered moving but a lot of that time was also spent working out how best we could create a bigger kitchen,” remembers Caroline. “The original kitchen was quite small so while we wanted a more family-orientated room, a house this big really needed a kitchen that would do it justice.” Perseverance paid off and by 2008, amidst swirling dust and an endless stream of builders, work had started to replace a dilapidated lean-to with a new kitchen and transform the former Cotswold inn into a welcoming family home.

Somewhat larger than Caroline had anticipated, the new extension measured a massive 30ft in length. “We divided it into thirds – a seating space, a dining area and, of course, the kitchen,” explains Caroline who, having admired a friend’s kitchen by Woodchester Kitchens and Interiors, was in no doubt who to approach when it came to the design. Not wanting it to look too contrived or a pastiche of another era but instead sympathetic to the character of the house, the Georgian-inspired design with its symmetry and panelling was perfect. The fusion of traditional craftsmanship, subtle contemporary finishes and carefully chosen colour fit well with the period design.

“I had thought of pale green originally before I realised that, actually, I wanted something more timeless — a colour I would be less likely to tire of,” she admits hence her choice of cream.

Restricted by the limited usable wall space, it was the new, more user-friendly electric Aga and module with which Caroline replaced the original 1950s oil-fired model, that was the starting point for the whole layout as it took centre stage against the one main wall. In place of wall units, a sweep of larder cabinets offer capacious storage, whilst the island offers not just storage but good workspace and a housing for the sink although it was Chris’ ideas of creating balance with the Aga run that inspired its over-size proportions. Whilst the overall look is very traditional, the room very much has the feel of a contemporary space. But more importantly, it also works beautifully on a practical level as Caroline soon discovered.

 “Last Christmas was wonderful. We had 30 people round for supper after the village carol service — the only problem is that it’s so cosy and welcoming that no one wanted to leave the kitchen — I literally had to push them out of the way so that I could cook!” she laughs.

Focus on... a stylish but practical, festive kitchen
- Dress the dining table to the max. Indulge your festive table with your best china, luxury fabrics, table decorations and a scattering of candles to bring a seasonal feel without cluttering the practical work zone.

- Oven gloves and towels are essential but drag practicality into the Christmas spirit and invest in seasonal linen.

- Luxurious scented candles such as Diptyque’s Pomander (www.diptiqueparis.com) or Lily Flame’s cheeky Mistletoe Kisses or Ho Ho Ho (www.lily-flame.co.uk) will fill the kitchen with a welcoming  festive scent.