In the heart of Petworth, West Sussex, antiques dealer Sarah Gordon has created a welcoming and elegant home in a historic Market Square building.
Sitting above her shop, Bone Interiors, Sarah’s flat was converted from a former dental surgery which had a dark, dated décor and uneven floors and walls. Her aim was to give the Grade 2 listed property a brighter feel with a touch of grandeur that reflects her personality and love of antiques.
After completing a sensitive restoration of the property in line with the conservation and planning requirements, which included stripping the black painted beams and giving them a coat of limewash for a soft pared back look, Sarah turned to creating a cosy kitchen in the room that she believes was originally a 16th century granary.
Sarah explained: “As soon as I saw this room, with its vaulted ceiling and gnarled beams, I knew it would be the perfect place for a smart kitchen.”
The key was to design a kitchen that would fit in with the historic feel of the building yet also meet Sarah’s need for a practical cooking and eating space. After levelling the floor and walls, she chose a modern country style with a soft palette of taupe and blues and a mix and match combination of fitted kitchen units and freestanding cupboards.
Opting for Washed Scandi Pine from the Knight Tile collection offered the aesthetics of a traditional wood floor but with all the practical benefits of a modern material. Laid in a herringbone pattern, the subtle blend of crisp white tones and natural grain details not only adds texture and interest but also reflects the natural light that streams in from windows on two walls. With a surface that shrugs off spills and microbes, this flooring is perfectly suited to the demands of a busy kitchen and is easy to keep hygienically clean.
The result is a kitchen that’s bright and airy and feels like it’s evolved organically over many years. It’s hard to believe the room was once where customers waited nervously for dental treatment!
