A kitchen shaped by memory, landscape & time

There is something quietly compelling about a home that feels as though it has always been exactly as it is - settled, storied and entirely at ease with itself. When we spoke with Carrie about her home in the village of Odiham, it became clear that this sense of belonging was no accident, but the result of careful, intuitive choices made over time.

Carrie lives here with her husband, their young son and their Beagle, having moved in 2025 after falling in love with the village’s character - its welcoming pubs, cafés and independent shops all just a short walk away. But it was the house itself, a 1600s cottage rich with dark beams and fireplaces in every room, that truly captured their imagination.

As Carrie told us, her interiors style has always been eclectic and deeply personal. A lifelong love of car boot sales, auctions and charity shops - instilled early on by her parents - sits alongside a passion for travel. The result is a home filled with pieces that carry meaning: “I like that most things in our house mean something to us,” she explained, “and/or are old or recycled.”

A kitchen reimagined

When Carrie first viewed the property, she immediately recognised that the kitchen did not reflect the spirit of the house. “It was old, poor quality and not in keeping,” she told us. From that moment, the decision to renovate felt inevitable.

Having long admired deVOL Kitchens, Carrie booked an appointment straight away - but the true direction of the design came from a more personal source. She described how a favourite mug from Highland Stoneware became the starting point, its soft, muted tones capturing something she wanted to bring into the space.

This connection was rooted in experience. Carrie spoke fondly of a trip along the North Coast 500, where she and her family had fallen in love with the textures and colours of the Scottish landscape. It was this memory that shaped the palette of the kitchen.

Designing with sensitivity

Carrie described arriving at the showroom with a clear vision already formed. Mushroom-toned shaker cabinetry offered the perfect balance - “neutral, but not white or grey” - while dark worktops echoed the black beams that run throughout the house.

Her aim was always to create something that felt authentic to the building: a kitchen that could have existed there for centuries.

Despite being relatively compact, the space has been thoughtfully opened. Removing bulky glass wall cabinets in favour of a single shelf made a remarkable difference, creating a sense of lightness while allowing room for carefully chosen objects. With a separate dining room available, she was able to relocate much of her crockery, freeing the kitchen from unnecessary storage.

Tiles that tell a story

When it came to surfaces, Carrie said she was immediately drawn to the thoughtful colours and textures of Marlborough Tiles.

She had always imagined a terracotta floor, wanting to remain sympathetic to the age of the property. As Carrie explored her options, she found a beautiful solution in our Andalucia Granada Square tiles - offering the rich, earthy look of terracotta while bringing the durability and ease of porcelain, perfectly suited to everyday life.

The splashback, Carrie admitted, was a more difficult decision. After ordering several samples, she found herself searching for something that felt just right - until she came across the Isles Uist Squares. Reading about their Scottish inspiration felt, in her words, “like a sign.” When the sample arrived, she knew instantly it was the one. Their subtle colour and gentle imperfections bring warmth and quiet interest to the space.

A space made personal

It is ultimately the personal details that make the kitchen feel complete.

Antiques and collected pieces sit naturally within the space, many sourced locally from a favourite shop in the village. But it is the addition of family photographs that holds particular significance. Inspired by a recent film, Carrie and her son introduced images of her Italian grandmother and dairy-farming grandfather into the kitchen.

“I love looking at these, every time I make my toast,” she told us - a simple ritual, enriched by memory.

Reflections on renovation

Reflecting on the process, Carrie offered advice with a knowing honesty: expect costs to exceed initial plans. But more importantly, she emphasised the value of working with what a home already offers.

“Highlight its unique features and celebrate it,” she said.

It is a sentiment that resonates throughout this project. Guided by Carrie’s instinct and respect for the building’s history, this reimagined kitchen feels not newly imposed but gently uncovered - another chapter in a story that began centuries ago.

A heartfelt thank you to Carrie for welcoming us into her home and sharing the story behind this beautifully considered kitchen. It’s a space shaped with care, memory and quiet confidence and a true reflection of her approach to living.

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