We spoke to architect Tom Feary of Studio 163 about Blue House – a stunning North Norfolk retrofit featuring a calm, contemporary kitchen by Naked Kitchens.
Tucked away on the wild coastline of North Norfolk, where the skies are endless and the beaches remain largely untouched, Blue House is a masterclass in sensitive architecture – balancing restraint and warmth, heritage and modernity. A long-standing family retreat at Brancaster Staithe, the house has been reimagined by Studio 163 architects to retain its character while creating a calm, light-filled setting for generations to come. At its heart is a beautifully detailed kitchen by Naked Kitchens, seamlessly connected to the surrounding landscape.
"The property was a combination of many things," explains Studio 163’s Tom Feary. "Two houses that had been joined together over time, full of different eras layered one on top of another." Rather than demolishing and starting anew, the family’s brief was to retain the home’s spirit while reworking it to function better, feel calmer, and celebrate its extraordinary setting.
The result is a comprehensive retrofit paired with a thoughtful new extension. Viewed from the outside, Blue House remains modest, its distinctive "blue house" render lovingly renewed. "In many ways, it’s almost as if you wouldn’t know we’d been there," says Tom. "It sits lightly in the landscape, without disrupting it."
A kitchen with a view
At the heart of the new extension sits the kitchen: a space that holds a privileged position both practically and symbolically. Underneath a mezzanine social space, the kitchen connects physically to the garden through wide double doors and visually to the sweeping coastline beyond.
"This kitchen is a very public room in some ways," Tom explains. "It’s visible from the garden, and even from the village green. It needed to feel calm, welcoming, and totally connected to its surroundings."
Built where an awkward, piecemeal extension once stood, the kitchen now anchors the family’s daily life. Large volumes of space, flooded with natural light, create a sense of openness that belies the careful discipline behind every decision.
Materials that belong
In collaboration with Naked Kitchens, Studio 163 used a palette of limed oak and pale, neutral finishes. "The limed oak drew us in straight away," says Tom. "It felt right for the area – lots of timber fishing sheds, boats, sandy colours – and it gave the house a coastal feel without being pastiche."
Even the flooring and wall finishes reflect the home’s connection to its setting. The ground floor uses a pale microcement – a durable, resin-based material – chosen not just for its clean, modern look but for its resilience in a tidal flood zone. A darker band of grey runs around the lower part of the walls, marking the high-water line from a historic storm surge.
"There’s a kind of metaphor there," Tom explains. "It’s a reminder of the floods, but without being afraid of it – it’s just part of life here." The result is a space that feels resilient and understated, with a subtle nod to the rhythms and realities of the Norfolk coast.
Craft and collaboration
Working with Naked Kitchens was a natural fit for Studio 163. "It was great working with a local company where you can see everything being made right in front of you," says Tom. "The communication was clear, the quality was high, and they really respected our layout and detailing."
That collaboration extended from material choices to the finest technical details. "They were brilliant at working with the carpenters to make sure things like the stair finishes and the kitchen units came together seamlessly," he adds.
Careful detailing runs throughout the space. The staircase’s timber fins echo the vertical lines of the cabinetry. Low-level shelving brings softness to the otherwise minimal island. And a stone-clad pop-up power point, almost invisible when not in use, speaks to the quiet precision that defines the entire project.
"Things that look simple," says Tom, "take a lot of thought, time and site visits to get right."
Living with the landscape
Despite its minimalist appearance, the kitchen – and the house as a whole – was designed with warmth in mind. "We always aim for calm, but not cold," Tom says. "That balance takes a lot of care. You want the materials and light to do the talking, but you also need to create a space that feels alive, where a family can live and gather."
Tom points to influences from across southern Europe – from Greece to Portugal – where simplicity of form and clarity of light shape spaces that are beautiful without being overworked. "We’re not trying to create shiny objects," he says. "It’s about restraint, clarity, and allowing the life of the family to animate the space."
More than just a beautiful kitchen, Blue House feels deeply connected to its place. "You’re never far from the view," says Tom. "Whether you’re preparing food, washing up, or just having a coffee, you’re part of something bigger – the house, the garden, the coastline beyond."
For Studio 163, the project embodies their design philosophy: careful alignment, clarity of form, natural materials, and a sensitivity to both history and future use. As Tom puts it, "Good design is often invisible. But when it’s missing, you feel it straight away."
See more of Studio 163’s work at studio-163.com and follow them on Instagram at @studio.163.
See also:
Design for Life: Architect Oliver Westgarth of StudiO on what makes a great kitchen design
Design for Life: Interior designer Jessica Williamson on colour and ‘feeling’ in a bespoke kitchen
Design for Life: Jennifer Haslam on The New Naturals and sustainable living
Design for Life: A contemporary kitchen in a Victorian townhouse by Jake Lai
Design for Life: Dawn Scargill, as featured on George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations
