Georgina

Tour this peaceful country home with a sociable kitchen island

Posted on 27th November 2025

This relaxing sanctuary in the middle of Somerset has become a couple’s ideal home for socialising with friends and family…

A home away from home, this new-build property, defined by its sense of scale, sociability, and connection to the landscape, is the perfect sanctuary for a couple with their young children when they need to get away from their busy city life.

A neutral, country style kitchen in an L-shape with a sociable island and an adjoining dining area. — The couple wanted an open-plan kitchen that would form the heart of the home, and the interior design by House Nine reflects that. Photography: Joey Kendall-Brown.

A calming bathroom in a countryside home with a double wood vanity unit, countertop basins, terracotta flooring and cream panelling. — This bathroom includes a House Nine x Parker Howley vanity unit.

A bedroom design with neutral colours and gentle textures in the bedding, with a window overlooking the countryside landscape. — The bedroom design is soft and romantic, with tonal colours and gentle textures in the bedding to echo the natural country surroundings.

The brief

Set in a lakeside quarry in Somerset, surrounded by beautiful countryside with breathtaking views across the water, the homeowners brought in House Nine in the beginning stages to help select all materials, specify the core finishes of the build, and fully furnish the property from top to bottom.

The brief was to create a fun and welcoming home that could host family and friends. Being big socialisers, they wanted spaces that felt relaxed, welcoming, and ready for entertaining with other young families.

A neutral kitchen in the countryside with classic Shaker cabinets, a marble-effect-clad island and a spacious dining zone. — Buttered Toast flooring from the House Nine x Chaunceys collaboration, which adds warmth and texture.

A calm bathroom with a freestanding bath, a chrome radiator, and spa-like accessories. — This freestanding bath is the best place to relax after the family has finished entertaining.

A neutral bedroom with layered textures and a cosy carpet. — The aim here was to create a sense of sanctuary that feels connected to the landscape outside.

The kitchen design

For the kitchen, they imagined an open-plan space that would form the heart of the country home. House Nine collaborated with Apron Kitchens on the project, and together they created a classic yet timeless design.

The cabinetry is finished in a soft oatmeal shade, paired with quartz marble worktops. Armac Martin hardware adds a refined touch, while the overall kitchen look nods to the traditional character of the surrounding country area.

Closeup at the sink zone with a butler sink, marbled surfaces, brass tap, and open wood shelf, and wall lights. — House Nine collaborated with Apron Kitchens to create a classic yet timeless design. The cabinetry is finished in a soft oatmeal shade, paired with quartz marble worktops and Armac Martin hardware.

A key element was the large central island, designed for entertaining. The couple were certain they didn’t want a sink on the island, so they placed the range cooker there instead, making it a much more sociable feature. Behind the kitchen, there’s a separate utility room for practicality.

The final result is a space that friends and family love visiting, the homeowners seeing it as a timeless place where they can return year after year, building memories with loved ones as their children continue to grow.