When Lara and her family moved into their idyllic countryside cottage in Somerset, they knew they’d found somewhere special. Nestled in a peaceful village, the former game keeper’s cottage came with just over an acre of garden, charming original features, and a history that gave the house real soul, a place they could imagine putting down roots for good.
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As a busy oncologist and mother of two young children, Lara saw the kitchen as the heart of this next chapter. What began as a dream of owning a Tom Howley kitchen soon became a reality, thanks to the expertise of designer Lucy and a vision that perfectly balanced beauty, functionality, and family life.
The cottage, with its triple-aspect kitchen and rich history, offered a unique canvas for a renovation that would honour its past while embracing modern family living. However, the kitchen itself was far from ideal. “It was a peachy, colour-blocked room, dated and not at all calming,” Lara recalls. For someone who believes in the power of spaces to influence mood and well-being, this was a challenge she was eager to tackle. “Coming home to a safe, happy, light, airy space that makes me feel calm and restorative was important,” she explains.
When Lara and Darren first began imagining their dream kitchen, they felt torn between aspiration and budget. “I would say I have reasonably high-end taste,” she laughs, “but I was worried we wouldn’t achieve the finish we wanted. I didn’t want to get to an end product and then have some slight regrets that it wasn’t quite what we wanted in the long term.”
After months of researching on Pinterest and Instagram, Lara noticed a pattern; she was continually drawn to Tom Howley kitchens. “I did a lot of research on all the social media channels you would normally do, and every time I saw a photo and pinned it, it was the same type of colour scheme and always Tom Howley.”
With encouragement from Darren, Lara visited the Bristol showroom, expecting to be wowed, but unsure if the dream would be financially possible. “Walking into the showroom was like stepping into another world,” she recalls. “You feel like you’ve stepped into the catalogue.”
That visit changed everything. Meeting Tom Howley designer Lucy gave Lara not just clarity and confidence, but a plan to bring her vision to life, without sacrificing the home’s integrity or their budget.
From the outset, Lara was candid about her financial concerns. “I was really honest with Lucy when we first met her that we didn’t have an unlimited budget. I didn’t want to fall in love with something that wasn’t achievable.”
Lucy’s response was practical and reassuring. She listened closely, visited the property before any building work began, and presented a design that was not only beautiful but carefully costed and built around how the family lives.
The design itself was a considered evolution of the family’s wishlist. “The kitchen has a triple aspect, so immediately we could all see that it was going to have to work really hard. We’ve got a lot of stuff, we’ve got lots of appliances. So where they were all going to fit was quite tricky.”
“The space looked very different when Lucy first met us,” says Lara. “I struggle to imagine things before they’re built, but she had such vision. We realised that where there was a downstairs cloakroom, we could flip that over to the other side of the open plan space and use that as a pantry. What that gave us was an enormous amount of space to hide everything, keeping the rest of the kitchen spacious.”
With no room in the budget for a separate boot room or utility, Lucy integrated clever zoning into the kitchen. A tall, double cupboard now houses the washer and dryer, tucked away but easily accessible, while a generous walk-in pantry offers storage and a calm escape from daily clutter.
The new kitchen has not only reshaped the ground floor of the house but also changed the way the family lives day-to-day. “The island has completely shifted how we use the space,” Lara shares. “The kids sit there to eat, do homework, or watch something on their iPads while we cook. We didn’t have that in the previous space, so we didn’t have that family connection that you need.”
The hidden walk-in pantry is another standout feature. “The pantry is just my pride and joy. It looks like a cupboard from the outside, and when guests discover it, their reaction is always the same: ‘Oh my goodness!’ It feels like such a treat.”
“There’s plenty of worktop space in the pantry for baking, cutting bread, and making a mess. And when we’re hosting, I often prepare food ahead of time and store it there. It’s brilliant having everything in one place, where I need it.”
Designed with flow and function in mind, the layout now makes everyday tasks feel effortless. “The ergonomics are so clever. Everything is where it should be: the dishwasher by the plate drawer and the bins opposite the fridge. It’s so intuitive that cooking is just easy, and the cleanup is quick.”
But beyond function, the kitchen brings something far deeper for Lara: restoration. “My job can be incredibly emotional. I work with people who are going through the hardest time of their lives. Coming home to this peaceful, beautiful space really helps me recover and reset. It’s not just a kitchen; it’s a sanctuary.”
The connection to the garden only adds to this sense of calm. With a kitchen garden right outside the back door, Lara often picks herbs and vegetables to use in family meals. “Coming down early in the morning with the light pouring through the windows, having a cup of tea at the island and looking out over the garden, that’s exactly what I wanted, those moments of peace.”
For a family who loves to host, the new kitchen provides the perfect backdrop for gatherings. From children’s birthday parties to casual dinners with neighbours, it’s a space that brings people together.
“We’ve got amazing neighbours and we love having them over,” says Lara. “We’ve grown really close, our kids play in the garden while we cook, and there’s just this lovely buzz when everyone’s here. That’s exactly what this space was made for.”
The layout also encourages shared cooking and baking. “The kids love the kitchen. My little girl particularly loves baking, so it’s great because we bring the mixer out here onto the island. She can sit there safely without balancing, and she loves that.”
As their cottage renovation continues, the kitchen already feels like a turning point. “It feels like such an achievement. We still have a long way to go with the house, but this kitchen feels like a huge milestone. It’s beautiful, practical, and built for the life we want to live. When I step into this kitchen, all I feel is gratitude. Gratitude that we can create memories here with our children, that we’ve built something meaningful for our future.”
That feeling extends to their experience with Tom Howley, too. “From our very first enquiry, the team, especially Lucy, was warm, open and completely free of judgement. Every single person in the chain, from the designer to the painter, was passionate about the product and proud of their work. You can feel that care in every detail.”
Explore our collection of narratives from satisfied clients, each sharing their unique Tom Howley experience. From the initial design process to the joy of living with a Tom Howley kitchen, these stories encapsulate the profound impact our kitchens have had on their lives. Dive in, and discover the transformative potential that awaits in your own home.
When Lara and her family moved into their idyllic countryside cottage in Somerset, they knew they’d found somewhere special. Nestled in a peaceful village, the former game keeper’s cottage came with just over an acre of garden, charming original features, and a history that gave the house real soul, a place they could imagine putting down roots for good.
When Lara and her family moved into their idyllic countryside cottage in Somerset, they knew they’d found somewhere special.
This remarkable kitchen renovation in the charming Manchester suburb of Didsbury showcases the impact of meticulous planning and impeccable execution, culminating in a space perfectly tailored to meet the needs of modern family living.
This Didsbury kitchen renovation showcases meticulous planning and flawless execution, designed for modern family living
Situated in a historic neighbourhood, this Esher home features striking architectural details, expansive open rooms, and inspiring garden views. Before a complete renovation, the kitchen was spacious and functional but lacked the character, luxury, and personality the client desired.
This traditional Esher home has been reimagined with a family kitchen, cosy reading nook, and bespoke bar at its heart.
Nestled in picturesque West Yorkshire, this Edwardian property became a cherished project for Louise and her family. Aiming to create a joyful space where they could thrive and grow, they transformed their dated kitchen into a open-plan oasis that now serves as the heart of their home.
Located in West Yorkshire, this Edwardian property became a cherished project for Louise and her family.
Nestled in the Kent countryside, this Grade II-listed property has been lovingly restored, renovated, and extended, making room for a light-filled Tom Howley kitchen.
Nestled in the Kent countryside, this Grade II-listed property was restored and extended, adding a light-filled Tom Howley kitchen.
Embarking on a period renovation project is an endeavour that demands determination, vision, and an unwavering commitment to preserving the past. Where tradition meets modernity. Set within a magnificent Grade I-listed Tudor house this kitchen is nothing short of remarkable.
Where tradition meets modernity. Set within a magnificent Grade I-listed Tudor house this kitchen is nothing short of remarkable.
We’re constantly inspired by the opportunity to help clients translate their dreams into reality. This Surrey family project was no different. Their vision was a refined, timeless kitchen that effortlessly combined modern conveniences with a warm, vibrant atmosphere, creating the true heart of their home.
Our client envisioned a refined, timeless kitchen blending modern conveniences with a warm, vibrant atmosphere.