Initially, the couple installed a basic kitchen and did just enough to make the house habitable while they waited for planning permission to transform the two-up, two-down cottage into a spacious, four bedroom home. In the meantime, they had months to think about what sort of design they wanted in their new kitchen. 'I've always liked the Shaker style and knew it would fit beautifully with the rest of the house and the area,' says Paula. 'Fortunately, while browsing through a local magazine, we found Landmark Bespoke Kitchens, which had similar designs to what we had in mind.'

The couple immediately hit it off with Landmark's designer Mat Davies. 'You have to be able to get on with the designer so that they understand what you want and you're able to approach them,' explains Paula. 'Mat was really patient and accommodating, which helped when we were discussing the layout.'

When Mat first visited the property, the kitchen was still a shell of concrete blocks, so visualising a design was a challenge. 'I knew I didn't want too many wall units, as I was hoping to create a more unfitted look,' says Paula. 'Mat showed us different ideas that we could include, such as deep pan drawers.'

A vibrant red range cooker the couple had chosen turned out to be the starting point for the kitchen. Mat designed a chimney breast to frame it and placed small wall cabinets on either side so it would resemble a traditional dresser rather than a fitted piece of furniture. While the cabinetry is mainly made up of deep drawers, the one thing that has not been included is an island. 'We didn't need lots of storage as we have a walk-in larder and there are very few appliances because we chose what is virtually a gadget-free design,' explains Paula. 'More than anything we wanted to keep the space as open as possible.' Instead, a large farmhouse table sits along one wall, which not only adds to the freestanding feel of the cabinetry but also offers an extra worktop without cramping the space that has been gained.

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The scheme is finished with gorgeous slate flooring and kitchenalia that combine to complete the rustic look. 'Our room has a lovely cosy atmosphere whether it's just Richard and me in here, or we're entertaining,' says Paula. 'In fact, having the dining area away from the TV really has made a difference - it's made us bring back the art of conversation.'