Kitchen and home transformation in Horton Kirby, Dartford
We first started our work at Mike and Nicola’s beautiful country house in Horton Kirby, Dartford, back in 2015, when we designed, built and installed their new kitchen.
Over the years we’ve been delighted to be invited back to Dartford to work on other projects for the family…
Utility room
The utility room was designed to match the existing kitchen, creating a smooth visual flow between the different areas. Traditional ‘in-frame’ doors with raised and fielded panels give the room a timeless feel, enhanced by the robust Belfast sink.
The cupboard doors are painted ash, in Farrow & Ball’s “Mouse’s back”.
The room is packed with family-orientated storage solutions. One of our favourites are the personalised laundry cupboards for the kids to put their dirty clothes into, ready for the wash.
The utility room is also home to two extra-large, Fisher & Paykel fridge freezers, freeing up space in the kitchen.
Walk in pantry
The theme of family-friendly storage continues with the walk-in pantry.
We constructed the shelving from MFC (Melamine Faced Chipboard) to create a stronger structure than would be achieved with MDF. The countertops are Carrara quartz.
All the units were fully customised to provide the perfect storage for the family – easily accessed but out of sight.
Boot room
Hallways can often become cluttered dumping grounds, but with carefully planned storage you can always find a place for everything.
We constructed this from oak, maintaining a natural, warm look. The tongue and groove panel, on which the coat hooks are mounted, is painted to match the utility room and kitchen.
Linen cupboard
Upstairs, the storage solutions continue with the construction of this expansive linen cupboard on the landing. The in-frame, shaker style doors reflect the traditional style of the other living areas. They’re constructed from ash and painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Cornforth White’.
Children’s bedrooms
In creating the perfect bedroom for each of Mike and Nicola’s four children, we didn’t want to simply replicate the style of the rest of the house. We wanted to create a unique bedroom which suited each of the kids, meeting their own individual requirements.
We talked to the kids in detail about what they wanted and ensured that the room designs would grow with them and not tire. The result is four very different rooms, personalised to the style and requirements of each occupant.
James’ bedroom
James’ loft bedroom was fitted with flat panel doors on painted ash units with solid oak tops. This gives the room a sleek, sophisticated feeling and is easy to keep clean.
We also built the oak bed frame and custom headboard.
The black leather bar handles add to the streamlined appearance and put a masculine stamp on the room’s design.
Sam’s bedroom
In Sam’s room we constructed a bank of cupboards to provide ample storage and emphasise the impressively arched ceiling.
American black walnut was used to construct them. Flat doors and ‘Amerock’ T-bar handles really showcase this beautiful wood and give the design a contemporary feel.
We also crafted the bed and side tables from American black walnut, with engineered walnut tops, along with a custom-made headboard.
Oliver’s bedroom
Oliver opted for a bold and highly contemporary style for his bedroom. Sleek, handleless cupboards and drawers were constructed from ash and painted in anthracite grey. In his study area, downlights and ample plug sockets provide for all his needs. A mid-century style chair accentuates the design and brings out the richness and vibrancy of the oak desk and shelving.
Francesca’s bedroom
Francesca’s bedroom definitely has a more feminine feel to it. The shaker style cupboards and dressing table are constructed from HDF (High Density Fibreboard) and painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Skylight’.
A radiator cover, painted in the same tone, was also installed to complete a very classy and timeless bedroom.
Spare bedroom
Finally, the spare room also received our attention. We installed wardrobes/cupboards across one wall of the room, with a chest of drawers cleverly incorporated to one side. The dressing table and top of the chest of drawers are solid oak, with traditional ogee edge detail.
Unlike many of the children’s rooms, the guest bedroom retains the traditional feel of the rest of the house, with in-frame shaker style doors and the classic colours of Farrow & Ball ‘Dovetail’.
The storage continues along the side wall, including a window seat.
The end result
The family’s 18th century home, which has listed building status, isn’t always the easiest to work with – there isn’t a straight wall or a level floor in the building! But it’s been a true pleasure to help them transform it into their dream family home.
This is the feedback we received from Mike:
I purchased a Grade 2 listed property in 1998 and had a huge renovation project. I looked to all local services and products and through research and referral came across Great British Kitchens & Interiors. Because of the extent of works I couldn’t make my budget stretch to include GBK&I.
18 years on and round 2 of renovations …. my initial inquiry experience with GBK&I still was fresh in my mind and revisiting their showroom it felt like revisiting an old friend. Vince was the same straight, honest but slightly plumper person and now his son Jack was part of the team!
We discussed a kitchen renovation. The planning and advice was fantastic. Good start but a long way to go! The delivered product went beyond expectations. The GBK&I install team, in our case led by Jeremy was exceptional. Timely, polite, communicative, clean and quality of workmanship was incredible. I truly felt like the guys on the front line where as passionate as the guys selling and planning the product.
The real test for me is when the inevitable happens and there are snagging issues. GBK&I relished the feedback and acted with total responsibility to ensure the finished product was of the highest quality.
I was so happy with the renovated kitchen, I contracted GBK&I for every other project that fits their speciality. Because of the trust built I have loved to have the company do more building works, but importantly and respectfully, they stick to projects that fit their area of expertise.
I’ve recently had a utility room, boot room, bedrooms beds & fitted cupboard renovated. All bespoke joinery completed to the highest quality.
The company is clearly committed to its customers from advice, planning and execution of the product and I would be proud to have any future customers visit my property and see the quality workmanship.
GBK&I, a great team!
If you’re working on creating the perfect home for your family, pop into our showroom or give us a call on 01959 53 22 33 to find out how we can help.