Nikki and James – along with their daughters, Lucy and Annie – have called their 1930s house in North Wales their home for the past 14 years. Eight years ago, they extended the property and last year they decided to embark on a new project: moving the kitchen into an extension that overlooks the picturesque Conwy Mountain.
“It’s just so lovely looking out over the view and the garden,” Nikki says, “and as everyone congregates in the kitchen it made sense to have it in the bigger room.”
The couple both grew up in the area around Conwy, only streets away from where they live now, and they knew it was where they wanted to make their forever home. This was, in a large part, due to the stunning landscape where the hills and mountains frame a gorgeous harbour. 
For the new kitchen, the couple – who together run a successful gift company – chose cabinetry from Tegla, a Welsh company known for its craftsmanship and timeless style.
“I’m quite minimalist,” Nikki says, “and I was unsure of exactly what I wanted so I looked around lots of showrooms. I was sure, though, that I wanted something classic and fresh."
The result couldn’t be better. The kitchen feels light, airy and connected to the landscape in which it sits. While it has a modern feel, it is also in keeping with the period of the house. The mantel above the cooker is a case in point – it looks as if it has always been there.
The kitchen cabinetry is painted in Benjamin Moore Frostine, and the island in Little Greene Sage Green, a colour chosen to reflect the lush garden visible through bi-fold doors.
The couple opted for engineered oak planks for the flooring, designed to complement rather than replicate the original 1930s parquet in the hallway and beyond. For work surfaces, they went for a durable and elegant white quartz from Ruby Granite, another local company.
The kitchen island is a functional hub with a wine cabinet, pan drawer and bin storage built in, ensuring everything is within easy reach. Stools from Neptune and cushions from The White Company add a layer of comfort and style to the space. And behind a cleverly designed secret door which mirrors the kitchen cabinetry lies a guest room with an en-suite bathroom.
The focal point of the kitchen is the AGA ERA. Initially, Nikki wasn't planning to install an AGA, believing that traditional models required a secondary oven and hob for summer cooking. However, a visit to see the Tegla display at the AGA store in Knutsford changed her mind.
“When I saw the ERA, I thought it was just perfect,” she says. “The fully electric model combines the best of both worlds: fan oven, induction hob and the iconic AGA heat-storage ovens and hotplate.” A demonstration at the showroom gave Nikki the confidence to use her new cooker. “I would have been lost if I hadn’t gone to that. I loved seeing the eggs being cooked on top.”
Sustainability is important to the family and was front of mind with the kitchen project. This is why they chose solar panels and a Tesla battery to harness renewable energy to power their home. “My husband loves it. He’ll be happy with the sunshine today because we’ll be making a lot of electricity," Nikki says with a smile.
Their all-electric AGA ERA is partly powered by this renewable, stored energy, allowing them to make savings on running costs.
The New AGA ERA is the very first AGA made from glass. The cooker features two large-capacity cast-iron radiant heat-storage ovens, a fan oven, a powerful grill, a four-zone induction hob and a controllable cast-iron hotplate, all wrapped in a contemporary black glass fascia and polished chrome trim.
For Nikki and James, the AGA ERA not only serves as a cooking powerhouse but also provides warmth to the spacious kitchen. “We only have one radiator in this big room, so the AGA keeps it cosy," Nikki adds.
Nikki, who does most of the cooking, enjoys using the AGA for slow-cooked meals. With friends who are farmers, the family often enjoy locally sourced lamb and pork, which cook beautifully in the AGA simmering oven. On busier days, the fan oven and induction hob offer quick and efficient meal preparation. The kitchen has become a welcoming space for both family and friends.
“Everyone comes in says 'Oh wow!' People who have AGA cookers are shocked at how modern the AGA ERA looks,” Nikki says.
Even the family dog, Jac, is a fan of the new kitchen. “He has to be next to me all the time, which often means being by the AGA."
The choice of green for the island was a deliberate one. “I wanted it to reflect the garden outside,” Nikki says. “We originally chose a lighter green, but it just didn’t work so we went for the darker shade and love it. We have the doors open fully in the summer and sit out a lot as we get the sun all day/”
This connection to nature is echoed in the walls, which are painted in Farrow & Ball Lime White. The kitchen is not just a place to cook – it's a space for family life, entertaining, and enjoying the beauty of their surroundings. And for Nikki and James, it’s a ideal blend of tradition and modernity, rooted in the heart of their beloved home.
