Contemporary kitchen and living space in a Devon home
Kitchen | Contemporary
"We wanted a kitchen that felt contemporary but still warm and welcoming, and Charles Yorke delivered exactly that. From the beautiful walnut cabinetry to the bespoke dining table and perfectly integrated appliances, every detail feels thoughtfully considered. The team took the time to understand how we wanted to live in the space, and the result is a kitchen that not only looks stunning but works effortlessly for family life and entertaining. We genuinely love spending time here every day."
Contemporary kitchen design
The Valencia collection by Charles Yorke is a refined expression of contemporary kitchen design, balancing clean architectural lines with natural materials and a calm, understated palette. Defined by its elegant simplicity, the collection combines precision detailing with a warm, liveable aesthetic.
In this project, soft sage-painted cabinetry sits beneath dramatic vaulted ceilings, allowing the architecture and uninterrupted coastal views to take centre stage. The large central island forms the heart of the space, finished with pale stone surfaces that reflect light throughout the room.
Full-height glazing creates a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape, while integrated detailing, contemporary hardware and bespoke curved seating reinforce the calm, uncluttered character of the design.
The result is a kitchen that feels sophisticated yet effortless — shaped by light, proportion and a strong connection to its setting.
Bespoke Island Dining Arrangement
A bespoke circular dining arrangement is seamlessly integrated into the island, introducing a softer, furniture-inspired element within the contemporary architectural setting. Crafted in rich walnut, the table brings warmth and contrast to the muted painted cabinetry and pale stone surfaces, creating a natural focal point for informal dining and relaxed entertaining.
Supported by a sculptural pedestal base that flows directly from the island, the design feels both seamless and intentional. Integrated within the pedestal are beautifully crafted dovetailed walnut serving trays, discreetly housed within the joinery to provide both practicality and a subtle expression of craftsmanship and detail.
The curved forms soften the clean linearity of the kitchen, reinforcing the calm, refined character of the Valencia collection while enhancing the sense of connection and everyday living within the space.
The Art of the Bespoke Kitchen Island
The central island forms the architectural heart of the Lyon Shaker kitchen by Charles Yorke, combining generous proportions with finely considered detailing that elevates its classic framed construction.
Finished in a warm neutral painted tone, the island is defined by elegant shaker-style panel work with carefully balanced proportions and crisp shadow lines that give the cabinetry depth and refinement. The expansive stone worktop introduces a sense of lightness and durability, while softly eased edges maintain the kitchen’s understated, timeless character.
Designed to function as both a practical workspace and a social hub, the island integrates a flush-mounted gas hob, prep sink and discreetly housed appliances within the cabinetry, preserving clean sightlines throughout the open-plan space. Open shelving at one end adds a softer, more informal element, breaking up the symmetry and creating an opportunity for display and everyday storage.
Particularly distinctive is the island’s bespoke skirting detail, which draws inspiration from traditional freestanding furniture rather than conventional fitted cabinetry. The shaped plinth introduces a subtle furniture-like quality, grounding the island elegantly within the room while adding craftsmanship and visual weight at floor level. This detailing softens the scale of the large central piece and reinforces the bespoke nature of the design.
Aged brass hardware completes the composition, introducing warmth and a subtle contrast against the painted finish, while the island’s generous overhang provides comfortable seating and encourages relaxed interaction within the space. The result is an island that feels both highly functional and deeply architectural — carefully resolved from every angle.
Professional Miele Appliance Suite
The professional Miele appliance suite is seamlessly integrated within the surrounding cabinetry, combining advanced functionality with the refined architectural language of the Valencia collection. At its centre, the Miele MasterCool fridge and freezer create a strong visual focal point, their stainless steel finish introducing contrast and balance against the soft sage-painted furniture.
Positioned alongside fully integrated cooking appliances, the arrangement delivers a clean, highly considered composition that enhances both practicality and visual symmetry. Precision detailing, generous proportions and understated integration allow the appliance suite to feel purposeful yet effortlessly resolved within the wider design.
Sculptural Dining Table
The bespoke dining table introduces a strong sculptural presence within the open-plan living space, combining rich walnut with a substantial dark stone surface to create a refined focal point for entertaining. Clean geometric forms and carefully balanced proportions give the piece a calm architectural quality, while the natural warmth of the timber softens the contemporary detailing. Positioned beneath the pendant lighting and framed by expansive glazing, the table anchors the dining area while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
Freestanding Sideboard
The freestanding sideboard brings a quieter, more understated elegance to the room. Finished in a deep painted tone with subtle classic detailing, the piece introduces visual weight and contrast against the lighter architectural backdrop. Fine proportions, recessed panels and simple metallic knobs give the furniture a timeless character, while generous drawer and cupboard storage provide practical functionality within the open-plan setting. Positioned alongside the glazing, the sideboard reads as a standalone furniture piece rather than fitted cabinetry, reinforcing the relaxed, residential atmosphere of the space.
Glazed Display Dresser
The glazed dresser combines storage and display within a beautifully resolved freestanding furniture piece. Finished in the same rich painted tone as the sideboard, the dresser establishes continuity across the interior while introducing additional depth and formality to the living space. Glazed upper cabinets reveal warm walnut interiors and carefully displayed glassware, creating contrast and layering within the room. The lower cabinetry grounds the piece visually, balancing practicality with a refined furniture-led aesthetic.
A Cohesive Furniture Collection
Together, the dining table, sideboard and glazed dresser create a cohesive collection of freestanding furniture that complements the architectural language of the Valencia collection while giving the open plan space a softer, more curated character. The consistent use of rich walnut, deep painted finishes and clean contemporary detailing establishes visual harmony throughout the interior, allowing each individual piece to feel connected while maintaining its own distinct presence within the space.
Salcombe, Devon
Set within the coastal landscape of Salcombe in South Devon, the project is defined by its exceptional waterside setting and uninterrupted estuary views. Known for its sailing heritage and relaxed coastal character, Salcombe provides a natural backdrop for the calm, light-filled architecture of the home.
Soft muted tones, natural timber and pale stone surfaces reflect the surrounding coastline, while expansive glazing strengthens the connection between the interior and landscape beyond. The result is a home that feels refined, contemporary and deeply connected to its setting.
Project Details
The Valencia collection by Charles Yorke is a refined expression of contemporary kitchen design, balancing clean architectural lines with natural materials and a calm, understated palette. Defined by its elegant simplicity, the collection combines precision detailing with a warm, liveable aesthetic.
Cabinetry throughout the project is crafted from veneered American walnut, introducing warmth, depth and natural texture across the open-plan space. Painted finishes create a calm contrast against the richness of the timber, balancing the contemporary architectural detailing with a softer, furniture-led character.
The cabinetry is finished in a combination of clear lacquered American walnut and Farrow & Ball French Gray No.18, creating a balanced palette that feels both warm and understated. The richness of the walnut introduces natural depth and texture, while the soft muted tone of French Gray brings a calm, refined character to the architectural space.
Together, the finishes reinforce the contemporary yet timeless aesthetic of the Valencia collection, complementing the natural light and coastal setting of the home.
The kitchen features 30mm Moon White granite worktops with matching upstands, introducing a crisp, refined surface that enhances the light architectural quality of the space. The subtle movement within the stone complements the soft painted cabinetry and natural light throughout the room.
American Black Walnut elements are carefully integrated throughout the design, adding warmth, richness and contrast while reinforcing the furniture-led character of the Valencia collection.
The kitchen is centred around a professional Miele appliance suite, combining advanced performance with refined contemporary detailing. Miele MasterCool fridge and freezer units form a strong architectural focal point within the cabinetry, their stainless steel finish introducing contrast and visual balance against the softer material palette.
A full suite of integrated appliances includes induction cooking, steam ovens, multifunction ovens and a combination microwave oven, carefully positioned to maintain the clean linearity and symmetry of the design. Seamless integration and precision detailing allow the appliances to sit effortlessly within the wider composition, balancing practicality with the understated elegance of the Valencia collection.
Stainless steel bar handles and an integrated utensil rail introduce a subtle industrial influence to the kitchen, complementing the professional Miele appliance suite and reinforcing the contemporary architectural aesthetic. The metallic detailing adds contrast and precision against the softer painted finishes and warm walnut cabinetry, completing the space with a refined, functional elegance.
Whether it’s a walk-in pantry that transforms the way you cook, a boot room that brings order to busy mornings, or a calm bedroom scheme with tailored storage, the aim is the same: furniture that fits your home beautifully and supports how you live. Get in touch today for expert-led, personally tailored recommendations, utilising our decades of experiences to elevate your home.
