What is English Style anyway?
How would you define English style for the kitchen? When you hear the phrase, do you think of Clive Christian?
Clive Christian kitchen via Cote de Texas
or Christopher Peacock?
Christopher Peacock via House Beautiful
Or perhaps something a little more evocative of a country house?
photo Location Works
Obviously there is no more one English style than there is one French style, or one American style. Yet clearly people have something specific in mind when they hear my accent and tell me they love English style.
According to the NKBA it is “a heavy style with lots of woodworking present”, “a clever concoction of 19th Century English design elements”, the details are drawn from small cottages as well as grand country houses, with a “preference for Georgian styling and Gothic details”. Well, that seems to cover a multitude of sins – more like something you’d find in an “Olde Worlde” tea shop than in any design conscious English person’s kitchen.
Recently though, I have come across a wonderful collection of “English Style” homes and kitchens, at “Wealden Times”, a lifestyle magazine about the Weald in Kent and Sussex. I’ve already posted a few of the gorgeous photographs by David Merewether from the “Houses” section, and here are a few more:
photo David Merewether, Wealden Times
photo David Merewether, Wealden Times
photo David Merewether, Wealden Times
photo David Merewether, Wealden Times
This is just a selection of kitchen pictures from the magazine – for more check out the website – you’ll find an interesting selection of English homes, including a converted German barge and a Yurt encampment as well as houses dating from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century. However difficult it is to define, English style is definitely alive and kicking in “the Weald.”
Yes, one of those big aluminium Aga kettles will do it – even in a yurt
Edit: “Keep Calm…”
And P.S.: I want that blue enamelware box on the top shelf of the blue AGA kitchen.
If someone in California asks you for English style, give ‘em an AGA, a kettle and a “Keep Clam and Carry On” Poster.