The Clifton Garden Apartment

Total Cupboard Costs: £32,865

A letter dropped on my desk from a gentleman called Richard; in the envelope were a few analogue pictures of his new deVOL Kitchen.

He had recently moved to Bristol and worked with Alice, one of our designers at the deVOL showroom in Bath, to come up with a kitchen that worked for him, his beautiful possessions, his lifestyle, and his rather special apartment.

The letter was a thank you for the service he received from deVOL (especially Alice) and the photos were for interest and pride in his home, but I fell in love with his little kitchen and asked him if we could go and photograph it.

Simple Shaker cupboards that make the very best use of the space, painted in Damask, made the room feel open, airy and light, even though there was a tall bank of full-height cupboards. Sometimes we forget about white kitchens, but then we see one and realise they don’t have to look clinical and stark. The thing that struck us most was the elegant possessions that filled the kitchen, all collected with his wife over a lifetime together. Tasteful, minimal, functional, and unusual, the elements that brought this kitchen to life were personal and the Damask Shaker cupboards were a perfect canvas. Strong and humble, the Shaker cupboards by deVOL sit quietly here, doing their job, hiding the washing machine, tumble dryer, hoover, fridge, freezer, kitchen paraphernalia, and a double pantry, leaving the room looking uncluttered and spacious.

We were treated to lunch around the table, a crisp white tablecloth, a cold jug of elderflower cordial, homemade sandwiches and strawberries with clotted cream. What a treat to not only photograph the space but to be hosted by its owner and enjoy spending time in his kitchen and his company.

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