Our Kitchen Project Begins: Foundations, Plans and a Visit to deVOL
I am lucky to be three weeks into an exciting home renovation and kitchen extension project. This is something we’ve been working towards for about three years, and as soon as we bought this characterful Edwardian terrace I knew it had potential for a side return. I’ve researched and poured my heart into ideas that mix my creative, innovative and Royal College of Art–trained brain into something we could actually achieve, something that will bring our life into a more connected and cohesive place. Cooking has always been a passion for me, and I was so pleased when we were granted planning last April for an open‑plan, partial side return with a little courtyard. I’ll be sharing more in future posts, as I believe it ties in beautifully with Holland Street’s direction of celebrating the home, our interior fabrics and craftsmanship.
The foundations are being dug and the concrete is being poured, the sound of the drill humming in the background as we speak. I was so excited to visit the deVOL kitchen showroom on Saturday, as I’ve been working on a simple plan for the internal design of the space. I want to share some of the experience and show a few images of what we are working towards.
Visiting the deVOL showroom in Farringdon felt like stepping into a world where craftsmanship and atmosphere matter just as much as the cabinetry itself. The space is tucked into one of those classic London streets where old brick, ironwork and history seem to hum quietly in the background, and deVol have leaned into that character beautifully. Inside, the rooms are styled with such warmth and inspiration.
I met a kitchen designer who was ready and waiting with the plans I had emailed that week, and I was delighted to see the ideas brought to life. Everything was so beautiful — even the paper quality was thick and strong, and the branding was completely on point. My husband and I love the attention to detail and the luxurious feel of the company. The ultimate selling factor for us is the timber doors and the strength of the carcasses; we want something sturdy and well‑made that arrives as set units, nothing that has to be fixed together or shelves that are adjustable. The inside of the cabinets is just as important as the outside.
…and then colour. On the table was a set of painted pieces of wood, all in the in‑house colours, although bespoke colours are an option. The painted doors and frames are airbrushed and then gently hand‑finished to give a soft, subtle texture. What also attracts me to them is the ability to buy the paint for touch‑ups in the years ahead if anything gets damaged — and the fact that the whole kitchen can be repainted in the future if our style changes. This kitchen could go on and on for years. The competitors can’t guarantee that, and with my ever‑evolving taste I want flexibility for the next ten years.
The styling of the showroom is beautiful and incredibly inspiring. I think that, being from Dorset and missing the countryside, the traditional Shaker style really pulls at the heartstrings and has a more emotive feel. The natural materials, the worn wooden floorboards, the brushed walls, the cornicing, the checked tiles and the classic antique paintings are all true to my memories of West Dorset life. Being away from my roots must have an influence on what I want in this new, cocooned place I call home.
Lauren X