The kitchen really is the heart of the house. Most people cooked and lived in the same space up to the end of the 17th century, later with cottages; in my small farmhouse the current sitting room has a huge inglenook, with hooks for smoking fish and meat, bread ovens and a salt cupboard, and would have had a spit roast All meals would have been prepared and eaten in this room, pipes would have been smoked by the fire, songs sung.
The preparation and cooking of food is one of the most joyful, important things we do, vital for our well being. It's something to celebrate, enjoy and share, which is why I create rooms for cooking and living. Living kitchens. I like to try and recreate the hearth, making a feature of the cooker or hob. I like gas too, not just because its a fast and flexible way to cook, but also because it brings a real flame into the process.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Havana
I've just got back from Havana, where I took part in a seminar about the conservation of historic buildings. Of which Havana has plenty, many derelict due to a combnation of neglect, hurricanes and the use of seawater in the production of concrete.
Cuba is a truly extraordinary place, with few mobile phones, no advertising, not much in the way of shops, all those 50's American cars. The last outpost of the cold war, but it's begining to warm up (though at night it's a rather dim, cold blue colour as they have switched over to low energy lights wholesale).
It's said that Cuba is one of the most sustainable places in the world, which I can believe as they don't throw anything away and recycle everything. The absolute antithesis of the consuenerist society we are used to. No consumer electronics or flash cars. However there isn't much in the way of food either, although the Cuban's seem relatively happy. Music, rum, sun. I hope that I have the opportunity to get involved in restoration projects there in the future
Cuba is a truly extraordinary place, with few mobile phones, no advertising, not much in the way of shops, all those 50's American cars. The last outpost of the cold war, but it's begining to warm up (though at night it's a rather dim, cold blue colour as they have switched over to low energy lights wholesale).
It's said that Cuba is one of the most sustainable places in the world, which I can believe as they don't throw anything away and recycle everything. The absolute antithesis of the consuenerist society we are used to. No consumer electronics or flash cars. However there isn't much in the way of food either, although the Cuban's seem relatively happy. Music, rum, sun. I hope that I have the opportunity to get involved in restoration projects there in the future
Friday, 4 February 2011
The role of the kitchen
The role of the kitchen has changed dramatically over the past seventy years, particularly in the last decade. Prior to the second world war even quite modest urban households had a cook toiling away in the basement, and in suburban and country houses the dirty deed of cooking took place in some dark warren of rooms on the north side of the house, far away from the family and their guests
Following the second world war domestic staff became a rarity, and with the typical housewife now responsible for feeding her family the kitchen assumed more importance stylistically and functionally. Out went the unhygienic painted cupboards, wooden worktops, dish racks and china sinks, and in came a plethora of labour saving gadgets and acres of shiny new laminates and easy to clean vinyl flooring.
However cooking was still generally carried out well away from public view, connected with formal dining rooms only by serving hatches. The housewife guarded her territory fiercely, with hubbie very often not having a clue what the cooker looked like!
Since then we have all become much more interested in food and cooking, and the kitchen is very often now the centre of family life. Although there are still plenty of laminate kitchens fitted every year, the trend has been towards creating warm attractive rooms that double as living spaces, with sofas and places to do homework.
As a result over the thirty or so years I have been creating kitchens, along with creating fresh contemporary spaces, I have found myself putting back the natural surfaces, china sinks and wooden cupboards that our forbears couldn’t wait to strip out! I have also moved kitchens from some dark place somewhere in the back out into the sun, perhaps into the original drawing or dining room, or into a new purpose built extension.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Creative interior solutions, from concept to completion.
Jasper & Co design and build unique, bespoke furniture for every room in the house, including kitchens, study’s, bedroom and dressing rooms, bathrooms, libraries, home offices and entertainment rooms. We also offer a comprehensive interior design and build service, using our own team of skilled craftspeople.
Because we build each scheme from scratch we are able to design it around our clients needs rather than impose a design based on standard pieces of furniture. This enables us to find solutions for awkward or challenging spaces, and to produce designs which compliment their setting and fit within our clients budget. Consequently we offer a quite unique service as each project really is individually designed and made.
Unlike others we do not operate costly city centre showrooms or spend vast sums on national advertising. Consequently although we produce genuinely unique, bespoke kitchens and other interiors of the highest quality, we believe we offer very good value for money.
We can also offer a comprehensive project design management service. If necessary we can produce detailed drawings and specifications to enable building, plumbing, electrical and decorating works to be costed and executed, and subject to where the project is located we can also manage or carry out these aspects of the project if you would like us to. We are therefore prepared to take complete responsibility for the design and execution of all aspects of a scheme, which in practical terms means that our clients have only one number to call if any problems arise.
If you are planning to make alterations to your home and you already h
ave architectural plans and a builder in place it is wise to establish the detailed layout well in advance of starting any work, as it is obviously essential that the electrical and plumbing systems are in the right place! It can also be very useful to discuss your needs with professional designers such as ourselves before committing to building works, as it may be that a minor alteration to these (such as moving a window or door) can greatly enhance the design.
We are very happy to visit you to discuss your needs and to develop preliminary designs. We do not generally charge for site visits and there is no obligation to commission us, although subject to the scale of the project we may make a charge for detailed designs, refundable against the costs of the project. Alternatively if you have architects or other drawings you may find it useful to visit our design studios, where we have examples of our work on display.
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Tuesday, 14 July 2009
2009 Review
A Jasper & Co Bio
Background
The principal members of the current team first came together at Uppark, the National Trust Mansion destroyed by fire, where Tim was employed to design and manage the resto
Designer Tim Jasper and his team of skilled Sussex based crafts people create unique kitchens, furniture and interiors for clients throughout the UK and abroad.
They have been based at the
historic Valdoe farm in the heart of the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex since 1981, from where they have worked on projects for
clients as diverse as the National Trust, retailer Monsoon and TV celebrity Anthea Turner.They are proud of the fact that they are maintaining a tradition of fine British craftsmanship, and are doing something now rather rare in the UK, namely making things and selling them abroad! In the recent past they have created striking furniture for offices in Dubai, completely refurbished a large ski chalet in the French Alps, and renovated the interior of a yacht in the south of France.
Background
The principal members of the current team first came together at Uppark, the National Trust Mansion destroyed by fire, where Tim was employed to design and manage the resto
ration of the finely carved state rooms. A group of crafts people was assembled to carry out the repairs, and when the project was finished some of these joined Tim at the Valdoe to apply their unique expertise to the construction of new interiors, as well as the restoration of old ones.
Since then they have played a role in the restoration of Windsor castle, worked on numerous National Trust properties including Igtham Mote and Kew, and have produced countless interiors for private clients.
Service
Though largely known for their original handma
Since then they have played a role in the restoration of Windsor castle, worked on numerous National Trust properties including Igtham Mote and Kew, and have produced countless interiors for private clients.
Service
Though largely known for their original handma
de hardwood kitchens, they also create fitted cabinets and free standing furniture for bedrooms, dining rooms, libraries and home offices, as well as oak framed buildings, panelling and specialist architectural joinery.
Their in-house design and management team tackles every aspect of a project, from dealing with planning consent and architectural design to supplying soft furnishings, and their team of experienced site tradesmen deal with everything from building work to electrical installations.
This comprehensive approach reduces the friction and misunderstandings that often occur with a traditional designer/contractor/client relationship as Tim and his team take full responsibility for every aspect of a project. The client only has one number to call in the event of any query or problem, which means that any issues can be swiftly resolved with a minimum of fuss.
Their in-house design and management team tackles every aspect of a project, from dealing with planning consent and architectural design to supplying soft furnishings, and their team of experienced site tradesmen deal with everything from building work to electrical installations.
This comprehensive approach reduces the friction and misunderstandings that often occur with a traditional designer/contractor/client relationship as Tim and his team take full responsibility for every aspect of a project. The client only has one number to call in the event of any query or problem, which means that any issues can be swiftly resolved with a minimum of fuss.
Environment
Timber is pretty much the only renewable resource available, and providing it is properly managed and is used to build things which will last for a long time the process is more or less zero carbon. Wherever possible Jasper & Co only use durable solid hardwoods sourced from sustainable temperate forests, and build furniture, timber buildings and interiors to last for the foreseeable future. They currently use long lasting low emission LPG fuelled vehicles, recycle much of their waste, and plan to invest in further low emission vehicles as well as green energy and heating systems.
Design philosophy
Rather than following short term design trends that can quickly date, Tim and his team create contemporary but classic designs that will continue to work and give pleasure well into the future. Coupled with superb craftsmanship, durable natural materials and high quality fittings, this design approach ensures that whatever they create will stand the test of time. To their knowledge only one kitchen has been removed in nearly thirty years, and that was because the house was demolished!As opposed to many perhaps egotistical Architects and designers Tim doesn’t impose fixed design ideas on his clients. He instead interprets and enables their wishes and needs, where necessary using his experience to gently guide them away from decisions they may come to regret towards a better solution. His architectural expertise and considerable experience of working on historic houses helps him to sensitively adapt older houses for modern family living, and to give them a new lease of life.
Tim Background
Timber is pretty much the only renewable resource available, and providing it is properly managed and is used to build things which will last for a long time the process is more or less zero carbon. Wherever possible Jasper & Co only use durable solid hardwoods sourced from sustainable temperate forests, and build furniture, timber buildings and interiors to last for the foreseeable future. They currently use long lasting low emission LPG fuelled vehicles, recycle much of their waste, and plan to invest in further low emission vehicles as well as green energy and heating systems.
Design philosophy
Rather than following short term design trends that can quickly date, Tim and his team create contemporary but classic designs that will continue to work and give pleasure well into the future. Coupled with superb craftsmanship, durable natural materials and high quality fittings, this design approach ensures that whatever they create will stand the test of time. To their knowledge only one kitchen has been removed in nearly thirty years, and that was because the house was demolished!As opposed to many perhaps egotistical Architects and designers Tim doesn’t impose fixed design ideas on his clients. He instead interprets and enables their wishes and needs, where necessary using his experience to gently guide them away from decisions they may come to regret towards a better solution. His architectural expertise and considerable experience of working on historic houses helps him to sensitively adapt older houses for modern family living, and to give them a new lease of life.
Tim Background
Tim was educated at Midhurst Grammar School in West Sussex, from where he planned to take up a career designing yachts. However, a quirk of fate led him to become guardian of a dilapidated National Trust mansion near Midhurst, which awoke a lifetime interest in
architecture and historic buildings. From there he established a business with designer Johnny Grey, creating new interiors and furniture informed by classic decorative techniques and motifs which at that time were truly out of fashion. New kitchens resembled laminate covered laboratories, and Tim and Johnny railed against this creating warm, interesting environments and reintroducing forgotten features such as butlers sinks and wooden draining
boards.
Tim has since honed his design skills and has acted as designer and consultant to organisations such as Forte, Grand Metropolitan and the National Trust, and indirectly for the Royal Household. Though he has chiefly worked in the private sector, creating new interiors, furniture and particularly kitchens, he has also designed restaurant and retail interiors. He became a Chartered Designer in 1981, and was elected a member of the Chelsea Arts Club in 1983.
Tim has since honed his design skills and has acted as designer and consultant to organisations such as Forte, Grand Metropolitan and the National Trust, and indirectly for the Royal Household. Though he has chiefly worked in the private sector, creating new interiors, furniture and particularly kitchens, he has also designed restaurant and retail interiors. He became a Chartered Designer in 1981, and was elected a member of the Chelsea Arts Club in 1983.Living Kitchens
Living Kitchens
The kitchen has become the focal point of the modern home, a place to relax, do homework and socialise, as well as cook. We try and create light, well proportioned kitchens that combine excellent functionality with the ambiance of a living room.
Built by skilled craftsmen using traditional techniques and only the best materials and fittings, a bespoke Jasper & Company kitchen will last a lifetime. Each kitchen is carefully designed to perfectly complement its setting; we are adept at working in any number of styles, be it Georgian, contemporary, plain painted or country, but whatever the theme you can be certain of a design classic that will not date over time. Above all we listen to our clients and come up with solutions that suit them, rather than imposing a design based on the fashion of the moment our own egos!
All of of our kitchens are individually designed and tailored to our clients’ specific needs, so as opposed to off the shelf "designer" kitchens they really are completely individual. As each cabinet is individually designed and made, we are able to find effective solutions for awkward spaces, and where space is limited we can utilise every millimetre available. Ingenious storage systems make our kitchens a pleasure to use, with pull out cabinets, racks and other devices that reduce the danger of back strain.
With our Architectural background we combine classical proportions and coherent design with practical layouts and careful detailing. The combination of superb craftsmanship and careful attention to detail ensures that every Jasper & Co kitchen offers a beautiful but functional living and working environment that will last a lifetime. An essential part of any interior scheme is the careful use of light, both natural and artificial; with our Architectural background we have the experience and knowledge to create light, airy spaces that are a joy to work in.
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