Mr & Mrs Hodgeson - Kirkella

Annette, Dave and their 4 children have undertaken a mammoth task to completely re-model their beautiful house in Kirkella. When you arrive at the front door, the first thing you see is the most enormous door knocker imaginable - originally cast in bronze for a Venezuelan Church. This sets the scene - reclaimed timbers - original old bricks- yes, so much effort has obviously been spent to source and carefully position each component of this highly individual family home.

The elegant hallway leads through a gothic archway to the enormous kitchen where I sat down with Annette at the delightful oak and granite breakfast bar to extract all the details we need to relate our clients' experience with Mulberry.

Originally, the kitchen was to be essentially modern in style but, Annette favours rustic and natural things in life (with the exception of husband Dave) and, when she caught sight of an unusual solid oak sample at our National Avenue studio, it was love at first sight!

"As soon as I saw the door, I knew instinctively that this was the one." she said.

Other changes from the original concept soon followed - the solid acrylic work surfaces gave way to the granites and engineered stone that you see in the photographs. A cool stone floor, reclaimed brickwork and thoughtful lighting have created such a pleasing ambience for all.

So much useful storage - so many preparation areas - such an intriguing layout incorporating special curved doors, not forgetting the positively enormous plasma TV. Annette said, "It's such a wonderful living space. We have had 2 parties already and the kitchen has proved to be the key to the enjoyment of the house. It's everything I wanted - Mulberry fulfilled every expectation we had."

How about the installation itself I asked -

"It was fabulous - Ray, the installer, God love him - you didn't notice he was here!"