Drawing inspiration from the grandeur of the Georgian era, Neptune Kilkenny introduces its Chichester kitchen collection.
The notion of a country kitchen, characterized by its spaciousness and handcrafted wooden or hand-painted timber elements, is a concept familiar to many. However, this style has broken free from rural boundaries and can now be encountered just as readily in the heart of a bustling city as in a serene village setting.
The country kitchen holds a distinct charm for its ability to foster sociable gatherings, yet it harks back to a time when households were divided into working domestic quarters managed by servants and recreational spaces occupied by the family. Even though our modern lifestyles differ significantly from those of past generations, there remains a yearning for the comforting aesthetics and ambiance of a classic country kitchen.
Over two decades ago, the co-founder of the interior design house Neptune, John Sims-Hilditch, along with creative founder Emma Sims-Hilditch, embarked on a mission to furnish their first home. Their quest led them to antique centers and reclamation yards, where they unearthed free-standing furniture pieces reminiscent of the traditional country kitchen.
Their fascination with Georgian designs was fueled by the elegance of proportions, decorative moldings, and the prevalence of open shelving – all elements that continue to define the enduring appeal of the country kitchen.
Every design they stumbled upon stood the test of time, seamlessly blending form and function. It was these select few pieces that served as the wellspring of inspiration for John in conceiving Neptune’s inaugural kitchen collection: Chichester.
Historic country houses boasted domestic quarters with distinct, specialized zones, each catering to a particular function. The kitchen was the domain of preparation and cooking, the pantry a haven for non-perishables, a cool larder for perishable items, and the scullery for meticulous cleaning.
The Chichester collection pays homage to these meticulously defined zones, infusing its design with a functional, task-centric sensibility. Much like the typical Georgian kitchen, which was exclusively reserved for cooking and staff meals, today’s finest kitchens are multifaceted. They offer space not only for culinary endeavors but also for the display of personal artifacts such as artwork, cherished crockery, and collectibles that infuse character into the space.
Additionally, the modern kitchen island represents an evolution of the wooden preparation tables that once held a place of honor in 18th and 19th-century working kitchens. These islands were the epicenter of vegetable chopping, dessert perfection, and the final staging area for serving. Today’s Chichester kitchen islands continue to serve as a hub for food preparation but have transcended their original purpose to become a social center. In the present era, they even double as versatile work-from-home spaces.
This evolution stands as a testament to the fact that while our lifestyles have evolved significantly from those of our ancestors, there remains a wealth of wisdom from the past that continues to inform and inspire contemporary kitchen design.