Kitchens to covet: Naturally inspired

Kitchens to covet

Naturally inspired

Registered nutritionist and writer Kerry Torrens talks us through the transformation of her Devonshire kitchen to create a space to spend time in

Photographs MATT AUSTIN

I’m a registered nutritionist and food writer living in a Georgian rectory in the beautiful Dartmoor National Park with my husband and two dogs, Toast and Honey. We moved here just over 10 years ago after our original hunt for a home by the sea came to a dead end.

When we moved to the house, we were determined to relocate the kitchen, the room we spend most of our time in, from its dark interior room to the beautiful, bright conservatory that had been installed by previous owners. The wall-to-ceiling glass on almost three sides of this room envelopes you in the landscape and provides great levels of natural light all through the year. The rectangular shape allows for far-reaching views across the garden to the moorland beyond.

We wanted to echo the landscape with the materials we used so we decided on wooden cabinetry made from Dartmoor oak, and to tie in with the history of the house, the design offers a nod to the Arts and Crafts movement – renovations elsewhere were completed during this period. We used mirrored tiles behind the Aga to further reflect the natural surroundings and to complement the glass chandeliers that we also inherited from previous owners.

“The wall-to-ceiling glass on almost three sides of this room envelopes you in the landscape”

Siting our kitchen in a conservatory meant we had to totally rethink what a fitted kitchen could be, given our room has no complete walls. This made us question what storage we needed and, of course, what worksurface would be appropriate given the high level of reflected light. We also had to incorporate many different functions within the essential island unit, such as providing adequate work space, room for a sink, clever storage such as our glassware cupboards and crockery drawer, an eating area as well as the all-important electric points.

I was keen to ensure tidy, clear worksurfaces – this meant we needed clever in-built storage with retractable shelves so we could use appliances without constant lifting out and putting away.

The house inspired us – the kitchen had been relocated by all three of its most recent owners, yet the kitchen we inherited didn’t provide space to eat, socialise or relax in. It also didn’t make the most of the room – for example, the kitchen sink was located across a pair of French windows; we were desperate to get these open again and to replace the original shutters that had been removed.

We visited lots of kitchen companies but, although many offer bespoke services, we found when we got into the detail – solid oak cabinetry made to specific dimensions – they weren’t able to meet our needs. Manufacturers don’t like to work with solid wood because it’s difficult to accommodate its natural movement and expansion over time, especially when it’s set in a sunlit room with an Aga.

The glass walls keep the whole room bright and airy
The kitchen storage is made to fit Kerry’s pans and appliances
She converted this area into a dining room, keeping some original features and making the most of the space.
Kerry spends most of her time in the kitchen, especially with her two dogs

Finally, we met a local joiner, Scott McCarthy, from Woodscott Joinery, who got our vision and found a way to meet all the design aspects we specified. Scott incorporated mechanisms to allow for the natural movement of the wood and now, eight years in, the cupboards are as good as the day they were installed. He was also able to accommodate seemingly tricky design features, such as the curved display units – for these Scott sourced a taxidermist to create the curved glass needed.

My advice is to shop around and find someone who truly gets your vision – then measure everything! We checked the sizes and shapes of all our pans, appliances and equipment so we knew the depth of drawers and cupboards would meet our needs. ‘Bespoke’ is a term that gets bandied around in the world of kitchen design but rarely is the result as individually tailored as this – our cupboards are built specifically to fit our appliances and the handles crafted to match the vintage doorknobs found elsewhere throughout our house.

This is my perfect kitchen, from the storage and natural elements mirroring our surroundings to repurposed materials, including the church lectern I use for my recipe books, and the stained glass over the interior doors.

Essential kitchen kit?

The Quooker boiling tap – a brilliant space- and time-saving addition, so there is no need for a kettle cluttering up my work space.

What’s always in your fridge?

Whole greek yogurt – Iadd it to everything, from my breakfast bowl to pasta, curry, chilli and even a sandwich.

Is there a family dish you cook again and again?

Tagine – whether it’s vegetarian or meat-based, the combination of sweet and savoury never fails.

Give us a recipe in a sentence, maybe something you eat when you’re on your own?

Pop chopped veggies (whatever you have in the fridge), a tin of sardines and a good glug of olive oil in the oven. Finish with a flurry of herbs and enjoy with crusty bread to mop up all those delicious juices.

Can you share a clever shortcut, cheat or hack that makes healthy eating more effortless?

Garlic is a staple in my kitchen and to get the best out of it I chop or crush it 10 minutes before I need to use it – it optimises its health benefits and super-charges the flavour.

Favourite cookbook?

A Kitchen in France: A Year of Cooking in My Farmhouse by Mimi Thorisson – this book is a true celebration of the seasons and great inspiration for anyone who grows their own fresh produce.

Favourite restaurant?

Robin Wylde in Lyme Regis, with the inspirational Harriet Mansell at the helm.

Favourite travel destination?

Back home to Cornwall – it just gets better and better as a foodie destination.

This year’s best food or drink discovery

Wild Life Botanicals is an ultra-low-alcohol English sparkling wine that allows even the designated driver to raise a glass.

What do you cook when you want to unwind?

A pot of comforting soup – I enjoy a bowlful and then pop the rest in the freezer so I always have something to hand.

Reasons to be cheerful in 2022?

Despite the exceptionally dry weather, my kitchen garden has been super productive this year, so I have lots of fresh produce and my freezer is filling up daily.

Follow Kerry on Instagram @kerry_torrens_nutrition_.