There’s something quietly compelling about a kitchen that doesn’t try too hard — one that feels collected rather than constructed. At Daws Heath, a historic home affectionately known as “the big house” since its completion in 1890, deVOL has created a kitchen that leans fully into character, charm and an unapologetically eclectic spirit.
To call it simply a kitchen feels like an understatement. The room, once a swimming pool, has been reimagined into a sprawling, multi-functional space that moves effortlessly between zones — from a dedicated coffee bar to a utility area, all anchored by a central kitchen. It’s a lesson in how to handle scale without sacrificing intimacy.
At its core is deVOL’s signature Shaker furniture, used not as a uniform backdrop but as a flexible framework. Each section of the room becomes its own vignette, with distinct personality and purpose. The result is a space that feels layered and lived-in rather than overly designed.
What sets this kitchen apart is its embrace of the unexpected. Vintage furniture sits comfortably alongside new deVOL pieces, while unusual objects and treasured finds add depth and narrative. It’s this mix — slightly imperfect, deeply personal — that gives the room its warmth.
The detailing is where the design quietly shines. A gaselier suspended above the island introduces a sense of drama, while brass hanging rails and pot fillers add both function and a subtle gleam. Plumber’s stools offer a relaxed, utilitarian edge, and a thoughtfully placed Haberdasher’s Oak hanging rail ties in beautifully with the mid-century accents scattered throughout the space.
Despite its generous proportions, the kitchen never feels overwhelming. In fact, it achieves something many large spaces struggle with: cohesion. “Sometimes a space this big can be tricky; it can be hard to make defined areas and give it a feeling of cohesion and warmth,” the team notes. Yet here, each area flows naturally into the next, creating a home that feels both practical and deeply inviting.
There’s also an intangible quality at play — that elusive sense of comfort that can’t quite be designed, only felt. “Some people know how to make a home feel so cosseting you just want to sit down, relax and never leave.” It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit of this space.
In a world of polished, picture-perfect kitchens, the Daws Heath project is a refreshing reminder that personality matters. It’s not about perfection, but about creating a space that tells a story — one cupboard, one object, one thoughtful detail at a time.
Credits
Images: Courtesy of deVOL Kitchens
