Tucked away at the entrance to the mystical Cornish Castle of Trematon sits a small lodge house – ‘Quercus Lodge’ – an unassuming octagonal building painted in a dusky cream. Nothing on the outside suggests what you will find within: a riot of pattern and colour, layered fabrics and wallpapers that draw you into a fantasy world of flowers and foliage. Here, the kitchen feels pared back by comparison to the other rooms, with its Huckleberry freestanding kitchen furniture uniquely customised for House of Hackney.
Beginning the latest project in the renovation of their home the Castle of Trematon, owners of House of Hackney Frieda Gormley and and Javvy M Royle approached Huckleberry to design and make a kitchen for the castle's lodge house. Huckleberry's Matt and Claire Podesta met Frieda and Javvy and quickly bonded over their shared ethos of sustainability and love of British-made design. And so the plan for the Quercus Lodge kitchen was born.
Huckleberry’s freestanding kitchen furniture is designed primarily as stand-alone pieces which emanate balance and proportion, but at the same time incorporate appliances, sinks and taps. It is made to look as though it could have been in the house for years, if not decades, completely comfortable in its surroundings. The family of furniture includes islands, dressers, base cabinets incorporating sinks, hobs and dishwashers, tall cupboards, plate racks and tables.
Creating kitchen furniture for this project was exciting especially incorporating the new range of House of Hackney paint and tiles. Huckleberry’s Scullery Bench has been given a House of Hackney twist including a decorative frieze, which is also used on the cooker hood, and finished off with hand turned oak acorn finials.
“Inspired by Georgian cabinetry and Arts and Crafts values, Huckleberry were the perfect people to create the kitchen for the Quercus Lodge,” says Frieda Gormley. “With sustainability at the heart of the brand, their distinctive, enduring design, quality British craftsmanship and responsibly sourced wood ensure each piece is made to last a lifetime; and the results are truly beautiful.”
More About Huckleberry
Inspired by Georgian sculleries and pantries, Huckleberry create fitted and freestanding kitchens and furniture, beautifully designed and made in Britain. Huckleberry believe in the excellence of British design and manufacturing, the importance of sustainability and that our furniture should be available to everyone.
Matt and Claire Podesta are the founders and creative team behind Huckleberry. Matt, an award-winning furniture and kitchen designer, has over 20 years’ experience in design and manufacture in the kitchen and furniture industry, and an in-depth knowledge of cabinet making and design. Claire is also a graphic designer and abstract artist. Their studio is in a barn near Thame, between the Chilterns and the Cotswolds, an area famous for its furniture and chair-making tradition.
“We created Huckleberry to celebrate British design, and we believe in sustainability and have a love of all things beautiful and useful.” says Matt Podesta. “In an age where global mass-production has led to lower quality and indifferent design, we make considered and long-lasting furniture. As designers and creators our ideas never stop flowing, and we delight in sharing and collaborating with others to make homes better places to live.”
As well as fitted furniture, Huckleberry has a collection of freestanding kitchen furniture. “Our influences come from classical and historic Georgian cabinets with beautiful proportions which match in spirit, not precise detail. You can buy one or two pieces, or an entire kitchen – each piece can be purchased individually and designed to any size so you can really make it your own. Add an island, or more storage without the hassle and expense of replacing an existing kitchen. And you won't need a kitchen fitter so it's much more cost-effective.”
“We make furniture for people who want properly made furniture that is built to last, especially since the kitchen has taken on so many different purposes – it needs to be cleverly and originally designed. The market is dominated by the big bespoke kitchen companies who offer a similar generic style, quality and price. Huckleberry has a more individual offering – we believe it should be an enjoyable collaboration. As long as we have the right ingredients, then the results will be beautiful, practical and long lasting.”
