For former Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse, the kitchen is about more than cooking. It is the heart of her family home – a place for making South African and Romanian food, spending time together and, naturally, fitting in a few kitchen dancing sessions.
Currently expecting their second child, Oti and her Romanian-German husband, Latin and ballroom dancer Marius Lepure, were keen to renovate the kitchen in their Grade II listed Berkshire farmhouse into a practical, stylish space that would work for their growing family.
The result is more than they could have hoped for. The sleek yet homely Shaker-style design pairs traditional craftsmanship with a polished colour palette of deep taupe-brown and sandy beige, creating a luxurious yet inviting finish. Meanwhile, the streamlined layout and clever storage makes use of every inch of space.
While kitchen islands frequently top ‘must-have’ lists, Oti was happy to go without one. Having won the Strictly glitterball trophy twice during her seven-year tenure as a professional dancer on the BBC show, and now serving as head judge on Dancing with the Stars Ireland, she wanted as much floor space as possible for dancing, as well as a safe space for her children. She chose wall-mounted storage instead of an island and opted for cabinets that extend all the way up to the ceiling.
The design details
Enlisting the help of carpenter and joiner Gavin Tutton, alongside Howdens kitchen designer Emma Dolman, Oti brought her dream kitchen to life. The result balances the character of the Grade II listed farmhouse with the demands of a busy modern home.
The cabinetry is from Howdens’ Ilfracombe Beaded collection, in two warm neutrals: Truffle and Sandstone. Truffle is a warm mid-brown with a rich, earthy quality, bringing depth and elegance to the kitchen without making it feel dark or stark. Sandstone softens the scheme, creating a balanced, inviting finish.
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The Ilfracombe design features a solid timber frame and decorative beaded detailing around the cabinet fronts, giving it the look of a traditional, handcrafted Shaker kitchen.
Gavin also reworked the layout, resolving several practical problems in the old kitchen, including the fridge opening directly into the hallway. Pocket doors and tall storage were added without encroaching on the home’s high-traffic areas.
As a passionate cook, Oti needed dedicated storage for all the utensils and ingredients required when preparing meals. Baking tray holders and chopping board storage now fit neatly into the cabinetry, alongside a bespoke spice rack.
'We loved working with Gavin, he has brought our dream kitchen to life,' said Oti. 'He suggested solutions we hadn’t even thought of to guide us to the best design decision for Marius, me, and our growing family.'
The larder features internal dovetail timber drawers and pocket doors, helping to maximise storage while providing a dedicated area for food preparation.
The worktops are finished in Howdens’ Bronze Rivers Quartz, which features delicate bronze veining and adds subtle warmth to the deep colour scheme. The same finish has been used inside the larder for a cohesive look.
Howdens’ kitchen designer, Emma Dolman, said: ‘Oti was a dream client to design for, with a clear vision for a kitchen that would work beautifully for her family while making the most of every inch of space. As a passionate cook, dedicated storage was a priority, so we created a practical spice storage shelf that keeps ingredients organised, visible and within easy reach when preparing meals. Combined with the spacious larder and other clever storage solutions, the kitchen is perfectly tailored to Oti’s love of cooking. The Ilfracombe Beaded design beautifully complements the home’s farmhouse character, creating a space that is both stylish and highly functional.’
Additional details include an InSinkErator food waste disposer that has been fitted underneath the sink, as well as an aged brass Quooker tap and large BLANCO Etagon sink, which complement the character of Oti and Marius' 200-year-old farmhouse. Oake and Gray flooring completes the room and preserves as much open floor space as possible.
‘I love the pocket doors and the InSinkErator,’ adds Oti. ‘The brilliant space works for all our cooking appliances. It’s such a good system that finally makes sense for us.’
The couple’s move from London to Berkshire in 2025 was prompted by their family’s changing needs. 'We have a cute, really old – from the 18th century – detached house and we love that it has such personality and character,’ Oti told House Beautiful last May. 'We're out in the sticks in a village near Reading. We moved about two months ago, out of London. We did it for our daughter – better schools, better environment, better hospitals.’
