A palette of smoky green, mellow oak, and burnished metal adds character to Isabel and Jonathan Retter’s welcoming new kitchen – KBB journo Amelia Thorpe takes us through the renovation journey…

“We followed the well-trodden path of moving out of London in search of more space during the pandemic,” says Isabel Retter of her family’s move from Fulham to Surrey in 2021. Isabel, who works in the music business, together with banker husband, Jonathan, found a 200-year-old house with a large garden, ideal for sharing with their three active children and pet dog, Max.

“I’m a city girl at heart, but family life in the countryside held a strong pull – and we are close to a station so it’s easy to get to London, too, giving us the best of both worlds,” she notes.

The plans

Settling into the five-bedroom house, Isabel and Jonathan began to plan a reconfiguration. “We always knew that we wanted a larger kitchen more suited to family life and to relaxed socialising with friends, so an extension was on the cards,” explains Isabel, “but we decided to live in the house first, to get a feel for the light and way the spaces work.”

As their thinking developed, they commissioned architect Martin Burns, of Martin Burns Design, to design an extension across the rear of the property, creating room for a spacious kitchen-dining room, pantry, utility room, boot room, and study.

The kitchen design

While plans for the extension were finalised, the couple settled on local company Shere Kitchens to create the furniture for the new space. “We met Shere directors Mike Hill and Andy Driscoll and can honestly say that they were brilliant to work with,” says Isabel. “They listened carefully to what we wanted, worked within our budget, and had such great ideas; plus, they introduced us to interior designer Jenny Branson to help us bring the whole project to life.”

Key to the success of the new extension was the thoughtful space planning. The kitchen sits to one side of the room, looking out over a large island to the dining area, with a tall dresser-style cabinet linking the zones.

“It can be tricky to work out how to make sense of a large room, so that tasks can be accomplished easily without lots of walking between empty areas,” says Mike. “By creating designated zones for each task, from cooking to washing up to serving and relaxing, the layout becomes practical with a natural sense of flow.”

The Aga forms the heart of the cooking area, framed in a faux chimney-breast and elegant mantel, used to conceal a powerful built-in extractor by Westin. Together, they are a perfect match. “I grew up in a house with an Aga and it definitely represents a cosy, welcoming kitchen to me,” says Isabel. “I love the way that the design of the whole Aga area brings character to the room and makes it feel so homely.”

The hidden pantry

Another clever design feature is the ‘hidden’ pantry, the entrance tucked behind a cupboard door next to the fridge and freezer. “I do a lot of cooking and entertaining, so this is a well-used room, but I don’t trust myself to be tidy,” admits Isabel. “I didn’t want to worry about lining up bottles and jars in neat rows, which I’d have to do if there was a glass door or an open design. This way, I can stash lots of food and china in easy reach, but all out of sight when guests are expected.”

The details

Isabel and Jonathan selected Shaker-style cabinetry, in keeping with the age of the original house, and opting for a dark, smoky green painted finish to add a contemporary touch. The oak island, finished with a Double Smoked stain, provides warm contrast, its rich hues echoed in the choice of wooden rattan barstools and burnished brass cabinet handles. “I remember cutting pictures out of magazines for inspiration, and always seemed drawn to autumnal tones,” recalls Isabel. “The combination is so mellow and inviting.”

To complete the project, Shere Kitchens produced furniture for the utility and boot rooms, as well as the study, all of which lead off the corridor that connects the extension to the original house. “We built Shaker-style cupboards, in keeping with the design of the kitchen, to create a cohesive look and to provide ultra-practical areas for a busy family,” notes Mike.

And now that the project is complete? “This is a space that works brilliantly for us, with a really balanced feel,” concludes Isabel. “Lots of storage, all the practical details, and, most of all, a very warm feel.”

Photography: Julia Currie

This house tour was featured in the November 2025 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.

Enjoyed this post? Click here to tour this dark green kitchen with Calacatta Monet marble

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