We generally use a combination of MFC or plywood to construct our cabinet carcasses. They provide an excellent combination of strength and durability. We use solid timber, typically oak or walnut, for our drawer boxes, with traditional dovetail joints. The choice of material for doors varies depending on each client’s preferences. We might use ash for a painted woodgrain door, natural oak for a more traditional look, or a high-gloss acrylic finish for a contemporary style.

The cost of a custom-made kitchen depends on the space, design requirements, client specifications, and the materials being used. It will certainly cost a lot more than a ready-made “off the shelf” kitchen, but bespoke kitchens are an excellent investment. They are made to last and will give you a lifetime of pleasure. As a guide; a small kitchen will cost from £30,000, rising to over £55,000 for extra-large rooms.

Bright, airy, contemporary kitchens are still very much on trend. And we rarely create a kitchen without the practical and welcoming presence of a central island. Pantries or pantry cupboards are also a great favourite and becoming more of a kitchen staple. In colour trends, off whites and light greys are perennially popular. The resurgence of blue continues, along with brass metallics. And, recently, we’ve seen pinks, greens and more earthy tones creeping onto the scene.

A kitchen island is a useful addition to any kitchen design and suits both traditional and contemporary styles. Kitchen islands often divide the working space from more informal living areas, while maintaining a communal feel and a more open aesthetic than a peninsular layout. The cook can work uninterrupted on one side, while chatting to guest seated opposite. Versatile islands can play many roles; somewhere to cook, chat, study, relax and store stuff. And, if you enjoy entertaining, they’re a great spot to house a wine fridge!

Traditionally, most kitchens would have a pantry or larder as a separate room to store food. The trend towards more open-plan living has meant that most pantries have been sacrificed to provide more undivided space. In their place, many homeowners have fitted large pantry cupboards. These offer bespoke storage for all your food and other kitchen essentials; easy to access but neatly shut away. Pantry cupboards can incorporate marble shelves for the cool storage of eggs and butter, vegetable drawers and spice racks. And we often include power sockets to further enhance the functionality of these beautiful pieces of furniture.

Choosing the appliances for your kitchen is one of the most important design decisions. A huge range of appliances are available, from those offering time-saving practicalities for busy family life, to more sophisticated machines appealing to experimental chefs. While it’s important to ensure that your new kitchen has all the appliances you need, you should also be realistic. You might like the idea of a Miele steam oven, for example, but will you really use it? Or would the space be better assigned to something else? It is an important investment, and once to consider carefully.