Celebrating 40 years of dream kitchens
Our family business is celebrating 40 years of trading this year. To celebrate four decades in the industry, we thought we’d explore how things have evolved over that time and share some examples of kitchens old and new.
We have seen many changes in kitchen trends, and incredible advances in technology that are now a core aspect of every bespoke kitchen we build.
What hasn’t changed is our ethos – meticulous attention to detail, expert craftmanship and a caring service that comes directly from our family to yours.
Then and now
Our look back at how kitchen trends and technology have evolved over the years.
Breakfast bars to Islands
Having a convenient, casual place to ‘perch’ in the kitchen has always been a popular aspect.
The breakfast bar concept has evolved over the years into the kitchen island – now the basis of many kitchen designs.
Islands offer a multipurpose element to your kitchen, which is as practical as it is beautiful. We have created islands topped in wood, granite and marble – sometimes using a combination of materials to give contrast and interest.
Our islands often house hobs with cooktop extraction, so it’s no longer necessary for hobs to be restricted to a wall, with bulky overhead extraction.
Islands can incorporate wide drawers for effortless storage, wine fridges and, generally provide the perfect space for casual dining or homework.
Then
Now
One of the joys of our work is coming up with innovative design that is completely unique to every customer.
For our customer, Chris, in Purley, his island was fully clad in Arabescato Corchia marble, incorporating a waterfall edge to achieve the sleek design he’d envisaged.
Read more about Chris’s kitchen.
The return of the pantry
The warmth of natural wood and earthy tones continue to have enduring popularity, as you can see from the two kitchens below.
What has made a come-back in recent years is the pantry or larder, but nowadays, where a walk-in larder isn’t an option, the pantry cupboard has taken over.
Whilst the older kitchen has lots of clever storage and plenty of cupboard space for food, the pantry cupboard has taken this to the next level.
Double doors open to reveal a stunning, warm wood pantry with built-in marble cold shelf – it’s no wonder pantry or larder cupboards are becoming a must-have aspect for many bespoke kitchens.
Then
Now
For a beautiful, understated kitchen in rural West Peckham, the pantry cupboard was subtly housed behind the full-height double doors.
Read more about this lovely, rural kitchen.
Sleek, integrated appliances
Fifteen to twenty years ago, range cookers were extremely popular for the spacious and versatile cooking experience they provided. Gas hobs were often the main option for offering instant, responsive heat.
Overhead extractor fans were commonplace, and whilst these have evolved to be less cumbersome, the latest appliances have transformed kitchen steam and odour extraction.
Today, the BORA induction hob with cooktop extraction offers instant heat that’s both responsive and safe, plus the powerful, quiet extractor keeps the kitchen clear and fresh.
Nowadays, many customers opt for sleek integrated ovens, set at the perfect height for their needs, combining steam ovens, microwaves and warming drawers according to how they cook, live and entertain.
Then
Now
For our customers in Bexleyheath, we created a streamlined design for their loft- style property. They chose the BORA Pure hob to fit seamlessly in the deep granite slab that forms their central island.
Twin Miele single ovens and Miele warming drawers are concealed in the tall cabinetry behind.
Read more about this stunning loft-style kitchen in Bexleyheath.
The evolution of wine storage
The trend towards open-plan living has naturally led to communal spaces that are ideal for entertaining.
In the older kitchen below, a built-in wine rack was part of our customer’s kitchen design. Now, wine storage has evolved to include under-counter wine fridges and custom-designed cabinetry that’s perfectly tailored to your home. It’s not only functional, it offers an aesthetic design aspect to admire.
Another evolving trend in cabinetry has been to maximise space through floor to ceiling cabinetry. Far from overshadowing the room, sleek handle-less designs bounce light around and give a feeling of space and calm.
Then
Now
For customers in West Kingsdown, their refurbished home was completed by a handmade kitchen and bespoke wine storage to match – the result is a perfectly united cooking and dining space.
Read more about this kitchen and wine storage.
A pop of colour
For us, the most important aspect of our work is bringing your aspirations to life.
Whilst trends change, the love of colour and its personal association for our customers is often a key aspect of their design brief.
In the older kitchen below, the mauve tones were complimented by the dark grey granite countertops, which continue to be an enduring and classic choice today.
Both kitchens include under-cabinet extraction above the hobs, but nowadays, extractors are so sleek and efficient that it’s possible to have functioning storage above the hob.
Then
Now
Laura and Fabio had a very clear vision for a kitchen they had been waiting to create for several years – an Italian-inspired design that would make a statement. Every element was handmade, down to the bespoke table to match their cabinetry.
Kitchens like this are very memorable for us – literally making a dream come true.
Read more about Laura and Fabio’s kitchen.
Talk to us about your project
If you have a project in mind for your home, we’re here to inspire you and bring your aspirations to life. Visit our showroom, or please call us on 01959 53 22 33 to book a design appointment.
You’ll also be pleased to know that we’ve invested in new vans since the early days … !