Discover Donal Skehan’s new “interim kitchen” as the renowned TV chef and food writer shares plans for the space ahead of a complete renovation of his family home. Donal and his wife Sofie Larsson collaborated with leading interior design house Neptune to craft a functional kitchen that will adapt seamlessly to the larger project encompassing their entire house.
The interim kitchen is designed to accommodate family life, provide a picturesque setting for Donal’s recipe creation and filming, and, importantly, offer the flexibility to be relocated to a new space once the renovation is finished. Donal emphasized the importance of avoiding the installation of a new kitchen only to dismantle it later during the extension phase. He was particularly impressed when the Neptune design team revealed that the cabinets are individual pieces of furniture that can be repurposed in the future.
In February, Donal and Sofie announced the purchase of their first house after 17 years of renting, marking a significant milestone for the couple and their sons, Noah and Oliver. Donal has been documenting their home renovation journey on Instagram, expressing how the property’s coastal location initially attracted them to the 1930s cottage.
Although the family moved into the new house in June, the kitchen was not yet complete. As discussions with architects began on creating their dream home while respecting the original building’s legacy, the need for a functional interim kitchen became apparent. Neptune’s Suffolk kitchen, chosen for its clean lines and simplicity, offers well-organized spice drawers, concealed bins, backlit cupboards, and an adjustable-shelf pantry cabinet.
“As a new homeowner, going into these projects with builders and decorators can be daunting, but we had an exceptional experience with the Neptune team.æ
Working closely with Donal and Sofie, Neptune‘s design team maximized the layout and functionality of the interim kitchen. The farmhouse table, a 15-year-old auction find, was seamlessly integrated with a fitted Buckland bench seat to create a cozy atmosphere. Donal expressed satisfaction in seeing the kitchen table from years ago fitting so well into their final home.
The interim kitchen is set to be fully repurposed in the future final kitchen space, showcasing the attention to detail and planning invested in meeting Donal’s extensive list of kitchen must-haves. The design team at Neptune believes in creating kitchens that “stand the test of time,” utilizing sustainably sourced timber guaranteed to last a lifetime. Fred Horlock, Neptune’s design director, affirms their confidence in delivering what Donal and Sofie need now and in the future—a masterfully crafted, sustainable, full-circle design.