In a private home just outside Oxford, dark-stained oak and veined porcelain meet across a generous open-plan kitchen: two materials with depth and permanence, in a very modern house.

The cabinetry is hand-finished in one of our deeper oak stains; rich and warm, with a grain entirely its own. The full-height units along the back wall are striking, a treasure trove of storage, fitted with burnished brass hardware that catches the light beautifully.

The porcelain brings a new energy and its own elegance: Marazzi Verde Borgogna around the Aga, Atlas Plan Calacatta Antique on the island surface, cool and veined and shot through with movement, together with the warmth of the wood.

The island is long and sociable (just how we like it), with bar seating for six. This is a home for an active family, dogs and all, who love to entertain; we planned the kitchen for exactly that. We love how the doors open directly onto the garden, and as the day moves through the space, the light shifts with it: morning across the worktop, afternoon deep in the grain of the wood, the whole room changing mood without changing character.

Pembrey ages gracefully, and this kitchen will grow to reflect the stories of those who live here. The oak will deepen, the stone will settle, and the house will hold them both well for years to come.

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