Our haven on the Dorset coast

We recently had the opportunity to visit our clients, Charlotte, Charlie, and their young family, in their new coastal retreat. Charlotte, whilst seamlessly juggling her brood and Cooper the Irish doodle, talked us through their project journey. We were keen to find out what had drawn the family to the Dorset coast and how having a home there changed their lifestyle.

Charlotte: “Charlie’s family has been settled down here for generations, and he spent every summer of his childhood by the sea. As our family continued to grow, his parents no longer had space for all of us (he has two siblings as well), and that’s when we decided it was time to begin our own house adventure. We live in London, and this place has become our haven... an escape from the city. While we love our urban life, we want our three young girls to enjoy as much time outdoors and by the coast as possible on weekends and during school holidays.”

Having worked with House Nine Design previously, the Barr Kitchens team were excited to be embarking on another project with inevitably exceptional outcomes, as was Charlotte...

Charlotte: “I’ve been a huge fan of American designers Studio McGee and Amber Interiors for many years. I love their blend of modern and traditional elements — it creates such a warm, layered aesthetic. With my Canadian, American, and Swiss roots, I’ve always been drawn to a mix of influences, and House Nine has a very similar style and ethos in my eyes. I had admired their work on Instagram for a long time and was very excited to embark on this journey together.

“We were introduced to Barr Kitchens by House Nine Design, and we have absolutely loved working with them. After going through a previous renovation and kitchen design, we knew how valuable a truly supportive team could be — and Barr Kitchens have exceeded every expectation. The team were endlessly patient, always available to talk things through, and consistently coming up with thoughtful, creative ideas that elevated the entire project. Their enthusiasm and expertise made the whole experience not just smooth, but genuinely enjoyable.”

We asked Charlotte about her brief to House Nine Design, and which elements were fundamental must-haves...

Charlotte: “We wanted to create an open, connected space that brought together the living room, dining room, and kitchen, along with a dedicated pantry. An island with plenty of hidden storage and space for barstools was also essential. We wanted the room to feel social, especially when someone was cooking. We also tend to work on our laptops at the island, and the children do their homework there, so it needed to be both practical and inviting. A kitchen is meant to be truly lived in — busy, warm, and full of life. It’s the heart of the home, where everyone naturally gathers, and the place where so many of our everyday moments unfold.

A few months on, this coastal retreat feels welcoming and lived in. We asked Charlotte what aspects of the kitchen space she is enjoying most...

Charlotte: “To be honest, it’s hard to pick out individual elements, because I genuinely love the entire space. But I am especially obsessed with the stained timber island cabinetry and the beaded detailing on each end panel because it adds so much character. I also love the three faux drawers that cleverly conceal the bin and dishwasher; you’d never know they were there. Adding a second dishwasher in the pantry, alongside all the serving pieces and glassware, was one of the best decisions we made — it just makes perfect sense. I also love all the brass details throughout the kitchen, and our hot tap has been a complete game-changer — ideal for a quick cup of tea or for making a bottle for the baby within a few seconds. We’re also incredibly lucky to have two pantries: one for crockery, glassware, and serving pieces, and a smaller food pantry for all our dry goods.”

Anyone who has looked after multiple under-fives and an outdoor-loving dog knows that kitchen-utility functionality rockets to the top of the ‘what’s most important’ list…

Charlotte: "My husband Charlie can’t quite understand how someone could be so obsessed with a utility room, but I truly am! For a space with no window, it’s beautifully designed. The mix of natural oak and neutral hand-painted cabinets, paired with the black stone surfaces, works perfectly together — it feels cosy and is just the right size for our needs. We’ve managed to fit a washing machine, a dryer, two laundry bins, and plenty of storage for the Hoover, ironing board, and all the other essentials. Despite its size, the room works incredibly hard for us.”

Of course, finally, we had to ask the ultimate bare-all question — how did Barr Kitchens do and what could we have done better? Happily, here’s what Charlotte had to say.

Charlotte: “We absolutely loved working with Barr Kitchens. After going through a previous renovation and kitchen design, we knew how valuable a truly supportive team could be — and they exceeded every expectation.

“For me, the 3D drawings and visuals were incredibly helpful. As an overstimulated mother, it was such a relief to be able to clearly picture what the kitchen would look like before making any final decisions. I can be quite indecisive, particularly in this case, because I really wanted to get everything just right. Andy (Barr Kitchens designer and project manager) and the team were so patient throughout. They made the decision-making process feel easier, reassuring, and even fun!”

The Barr Kitchens team would like to say a huge thank you to Charlotte and Charlie for inviting us to visit their gorgeous coastal retreat and for allowing us to share their story.