One of the joys of our industry is seeing our tiles in a whole host of properties - each with their own charm and treasures. Dating back to the early 1800s, we had the opportunity to step inside this Grade II listed Old Rectory house that has been brought back to its former glory and beautifully renovated to exude a true English country feel!
Set in the rolling Hertfordshire countryside, the property is a quintessential Old Rectory with a sweeping ‘in and out’ gravel driveway, 2.5 acres of land, a coach house and rectory house complete with formal gardens.
The latest renovation to the property is the kitchen. Originally positioned to the front of the house, it was much smaller in space with less natural light and looked onto the driveway. The owners decided to move it entirely to the back of the property with a new extension - creating an open plan kitchen and breakfast room, boasting wonderful views out into the gardens. They described it being a major task to fully move and rebuild their kitchen space whilst remaining sympathetic to the property’s history and grade II listing.
The kitchen space is now a new extension that blends seamlessly with the older part of the property - taking nodes from the original designs, with traditional regency style windows, wall cornicing and an authentic natural stone floor. After a visit to our Hertfordshire tile showroom, the Tuscany tumbled limestone flooring was installed, chosen for its soft honey-beige tones, forgiving nature and country tumbled edge to suit classic interiors.
Now the heart of the home, this English country kitchen shows the beauty of a traditional interior combined with heritage colours and solid wood furniture. Being south facing with plenty of natural light flooding in, meant choosing a bold green kitchen could work effortlessly alongside a solid mahogany central console table and the warmth of the Tuscany tumbled floor tiles. Similar shades to the kitchen cabinets would be Little Greene ‘Garden’ or Little Greene ‘Pea Green’.
In harmony with much of the Old Rectory’s interior, the kitchen strikes a perfect balance of style with a traditional brass tap, potted kitchen herbs, fluted glass wall lights and a brass framed original painting that each add a charm and character. The mahogany console table is finished with a solid marble worktop and is a central focal point upon entering the room.
The Tuscany tumbled limestone flooring is an ultimate choice for the classic country kitchen look and feel. It is a naturally dense and hardwearing material, featuring unique fossilisation, white veining and flowing movement backdropped by its charming honey beige tones. In a 600 x FL (Free Length) x 20mm tile format, this stone is suitable for interior and exterior applications, offering a large flagstone tile.
