How Carvetii created a contemporary space in a converted farmhouse

We talk to Nadia Maxwell, senior designer at Cumbria-based kitchen and interiors design studio Carvetii, to hear how they devised a contemporary space around a traditional Aga, full of unique flourishes.

Q: What type of property was it in and who was the project for?
A: This project was completed within a beautifully converted farmhouse set within extensive grounds and owned by a family of 4 who love entertaining. The property had already undergone significant renovation works, with the clients carefully curating an eclectic interior style that blended contemporary design with characterful antique furniture, artwork and collected pieces. The kitchen needed to complement this established aesthetic while becoming the social heart of the home.

Q: What was the brief from the client for this project?
A: The clients wanted a highly functional open-plan kitchen that would deliver a real wow factor while remaining practical for everyday family life. Entertaining was central to the brief, so the space needed to work equally well for intimate family meals and larger social gatherings. They were keen to embrace a contemporary aesthetic but also wanted to incorporate traditional elements that reflected the character of the farmhouse and their personal style.

Q: How did you go about meeting the brief?
A: Our approach was to create a kitchen that felt both sophisticated and welcoming, combining clean contemporary lines with carefully considered feature elements. The layout was designed around social interaction, with generous preparation and seating areas that encourage gathering and conversation. By introducing tactile natural materials, dramatic lighting features and a statement cooking zone, we were able to create a space that feels luxurious yet entirely in keeping with the property’s character.

Q: What type of cabinetry did you choose and what made it the perfect choice?
A: We selected Pronorm’s handleless flat-door cabinetry in a dark cracked oak veneer finish. The rich texture and depth of the timber brought warmth and character to the scheme, while the handleless design delivered the clean, contemporary aesthetic the clients were looking for. Pronorm’s exceptional build quality and precision engineering made it the perfect choice for a kitchen that needed to balance style, durability and everyday functionality.

Q: What materials did you use? Did you use anything different or unusual?
A: The cabinetry is paired with striking Calacatta marble-effect sintered stone worktops, which provide the elegance of natural marble while offering exceptional durability and practicality for family living. One of the most distinctive elements of the design is the bespoke backlit amber glass-block feature wall positioned behind the Aga. This unique installation introduces warmth, texture and atmosphere, transforming the cooking area into a dramatic focal point while creating a beautiful ambient glow throughout the room.

Q: What were the particular challenges that you faced?
A: One of the key challenges was integrating a traditional Aga within a contemporary kitchen design without compromising the overall aesthetic. To achieve this, we selected the latest all-black Aga model, which bridges the gap between classic and modern design. We then designed a bespoke mantel with elegant fluted detailing to frame the cooking area and create a seamless architectural feature.

Another challenge was incorporating powerful extraction without disrupting the clean sightlines of the open-plan space. The solution was the integration of a Westin Prime built-in extractor, concealed within the bespoke mantel structure. This allowed us to maintain the visual simplicity of the design while delivering the performance required for an extra-wide cooking zone.

For this project, the Westin Prime was the ideal solution, providing the powerful extraction required for the extra-wide Aga while remaining virtually invisible within the overall design. Its concealed installation preserves the clean architectural lines of the kitchen, allowing feature elements such as the bespoke mantel and illuminated glass-block wall to take centre stage. The result is a seamless combination of performance and aesthetics, proving that effective extraction need not compromise beautiful kitchen design.

Q: Are there any design elements that you’re particularly proud of?
A: The standout feature has to be the Aga wall. The combination of the black Aga, bespoke fluted mantel, concealed extraction and illuminated amber glass blocks creates a truly unique focal point that perfectly encapsulates the client’s brief. We’re particularly proud of how the traditional and contemporary elements have been balanced, resulting in a space that feels timeless rather than trend-led.

Q: What is the client’s favourite part of the finished project?
A: The clients love how the kitchen transforms throughout the day. During the daytime, it feels bright, spacious and connected to the surrounding landscape, while in the evening the illuminated glass-block wall creates an entirely different atmosphere. They have also commented on how well the space functions when entertaining, with the island naturally becoming the hub where family and friends gather.