Jenna Spicer Lumb, Managing Director at Inglis Hall, describes how Caesarstone 4023 Topus Concrete helped shape a warm, enduring and highly functional kitchen in a transformation of a contemporary barn-style home in rural East Sussex.
From the very beginning, this project was about transforming a vast contemporary barn-style home into a space with warmth, character and everyday functionality. Working with Louise and Tony Auger in rural East Sussex, we set out to create a kitchen that felt grounded, practical and deeply connected to its setting. Central to the design was our choice of Caesarstone 4023 Topus Concrete, used throughout the countertops, pantry and utility spaces, bringing a subtle, earthy tone that unified the entire interior with calm consistency.
When we first met the clients, we immediately understood that this was going to be a project shaped by a deep appreciation for materials, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place. Louise, originally from Otago in New Zealand, was drawn to the property not only for its rural setting, but also for the architecture itself. Timber, glass and a full-length veranda overlooking sweeping gardens created an atmosphere reminiscent of New Zealand farmsteads. The home was full of potential, and yet very much a blank canvas.
The property itself was a substantial contemporary new-build barn, sitting on the footprint of a historic chicken shed. Its striking sawtooth roofline, robust timber façades, gleaming glass and exposed steel frame created an impressive sense of scale. But with that scale came our greatest challenge: how do we breathe life, texture and soul into such a vast, vaulted cathedral of a space without any pre-existing character?
From the outset, the brief was clear. The clients wanted an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that felt cohesive, but also worked hard for everyday life. This wasn’t about creating something purely decorative. It had to be practical first, always. Louise and Tony needed the space subdivided into functional parts, each with its own purpose, while maintaining a consistent language of materials and craft.
We introduced purposeful sliding doors to create flexibility and separation when needed. A boot room became essential, recognising the realities of countryside living: woodland walks, dogs, muddy boots and the inevitable rain. We designed a walk-in pantry that celebrated openness rather than concealment, with oak slatted shelving and metres of exposed storage. Nothing was hidden; grab-and-go was the overarching design intent for the pantry.
At the heart of the space, of course, was the kitchen itself. We wanted it to feel simple yet elegant, grounded in honesty and durability. One of our proudest features is the vast Joiners Island, inspired directly by the sturdy workbenches in our own workshops. Solid, pegged mortice-and-tenon construction gives it a sense of permanence, a true meeting place for the celebration of food and drink.
Throughout the project, Caesarstone Topus Concrete became the defining surface material. Using a single Caesarstone design across the sink run, pantry and utility spaces created design continuity and calmness. Its subtle warmth worked perfectly alongside the Richlite cabinetry and the strong architectural forms of the room. The result was earthy, grounded and timeless, exactly the New Zealand-inspired atmosphere Louise hoped to evoke.
The clients did also want to introduce a small element of natural stone, so we paired the island with a darker quartzite surface for contrast. But the consistent thread running through the kitchen and surrounding spaces, that helped to define the overall character of the transformation, was always Topus Concrete, which delivered both practicality and understated beauty in equal measure.
For homeowners starting a refurbishment journey, this is often one of the most important lessons: the surfaces you choose will shape not only the look of your kitchen, but how it feels to live in every day. Caesarstone gives us the confidence of consistent quality, durability and an impressive range of options to suit both contemporary and characterful settings.
The design process wasn’t without its battles and victories. At one stage, we made the bold decision to shift an entire wall 600mm northward to achieve balance and correct weighting between front and back of house. Awkward spaces, such as the area beneath the stairs, became opportunities, transformed into glazed cabinetry with fluted glass and oak shelving, adding detail and softness.
To unify the home beyond the kitchen, we ensured warmth carried throughout. Every internal door was crafted in beautiful oak, bringing texture and cohesion to the hallway and entrance spaces. Transformation complete.
For us, Caesarstone remains a trusted partner in delivering projects of this calibre. From material innovation to service, installation and aftercare, the brand supports us in creating kitchens that are built to last, with a sustainability ethos that both we and our clients value.
Ultimately, this kitchen is more than a beautiful space. It is a hardworking heart of the home, crafted with intention, honesty and enduring materials. And for homeowners embarking on their own refurbishment, it is proof that with the right design approach, and the right surfaces, even the grandest blank canvas can become somewhere truly lived-in, warm and full of soul.
Caesarstone available from £2,000 incl. VAT
Get a quote from a recommended fabricator in your area
Get a quote
