The designer: Steve O’Neill at Cub Kitchens

Photos: Helen Leech

The story: Built from the ground up with sustainability at its core, this timber-clad eco extension has a very Scandinavian feel, despite being in the middle of the Sussex countryside.

Light-filled with a contemporary oak kitchen, white walls and wide wooden floorboards, Cub Kitchens worked with sister companies Load Bear and BearHaus to create an effortlessly cool yet cosy interior that embraces the natural beauty of wood.

Designer Q&A:

Q) What was your brief from the client?

To transform the small, dark kitchen and dated conservatory into a light- filled, open-plan extension with ample space to cook, dine and entertain. Focusing on sustainability and natural materials to create a really stylish yet warm and inviting Scandinavian aesthetic.

Q) How did you answer that brief?

A simple L-shaped run tucks away appliances and pull-out bins, keeping everything neat and uncluttered. In the centre, a spacious island invites casual gatherings. One side with plenty of space to pull up a stool and the other with deep drawers for extra storage.

Q) Tell us more about the storage

Open shelves and hooks provide a stylish way to display crockery, while spacious storage cabinets keep everything neatly tucked away behind clean, minimalist doors. The hidden internal Blum drawers add smart storage solutions whilst maintaining the sleek, modern aesthetic.

Q) And the hidden laundry?

With no space for a dedicated laundry room, we designed floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to neatly house the owner’s washing machine and tumble dryer. Plus, extra built-in space for hanging drying clothes and storing cleaning essentials, keeping everything organised and out of sight.

Q) Why all the wood?

The owners chose an oak veneer, a perfect blend of beauty and durability. The premium birch ply core offers exceptional strength, stability and moisture resistance, whilst the real oak veneer brings organic warmth with its rich grain pattern.

Some may worry that a wooden kitchen will feel too rustic, but these oak slab cabinet doors look really sleek and modern. Each one grain-matched to perfection and finished with a simple metal pull handle. The addition of the ebonised oak plinths was a smart choice, creating a striking visual break between the wooden floorboards and cupboards, and ensuring the design has a refined, contemporary feel.

Q) Which design elements do you think make the scheme so successful?

Framing the large picture windows with the same oak used in the kitchen ties the room together. The hidden laundry keeps the benefits of open plan living while maximising space and convenience.

Q) Any advice for anyone who may be planning their own kitchen project?

Work with a designer who looks at more than just the kitchen. Adding in bespoke details such as window seats, window reveals, banquette seating or a dining table made to fit the space can have a massive impact on the end result.

The details:

Bespoke wooden kitchen by Cub Kitchens

Interior fittings by Blum

Appliances by Bosch and Smeg

Hayley loves: the clever simplicity of this design, which lets the wood speak for itself.