A House to Home featured site
The Essential Guide to Bespoke Kitchens
What does bespoke mean?
Strictly speaking, buying bespoke means commissioning a one-off original, designed and made from scratch, but you will also find the word used to indicate made-to-order versions of a manufacturer's standard range.
Can I afford a bespoke kitchen?
At the top end of the market, you can splurge six figures with ease (Gordon Ramsay is reported to have spent £500,000 on his kitchen at home), but you can also spend less than £20,000 at a small independent kitchen shop, and achieve the kitchen of your dreams.
What are the pros and cons?
You get precisely what you need, in a style you will love and a fabulous kitchen is a strong selling point when you move house. Be careful not to overdo it, though; estate agents reckon any spend over £30,000 will not be recouped when you sell.
Where do I begin?
Think about function and layout – it might help to note down what you like and dislike in your present kitchen. You do not have to conform to the working triangle template (work surface, sink and stove, all positioned within easy reach of one another), but do consider how you and your family use the kitchen, where you sit and where you need access.
Anything technical to bear in mind?
Some appliances, such as tumble dryers and extractors, may need to be on an outside wall to avoid ugly ducting. Plumbing and electrics can be run almost anywhere around the room. You might consider underfloor heating from the outset, as radiators play havoc with sleek fitted designs.
What next?
The next step is to set it down on paper. Find out the dimensions of your room and sketch your kitchen out to scale on squared paper, to make sure you have a realistic idea of what will fit where. This will prevent tight squeezes: a common mistake is to leave too little space between island and sink.
Who shall I commission?
For good value, you could brief a local specialist carpenter, but make sure you see some of his work first. Remember that commissioning a kitchen is more like ordering a bespoke suit than a bookcase. The style and quality of the finish will be of as much importance to you as whether the cooker works.
What about my local kitchen shop?
If you are thinking of commissioning a small independent kitchen shop, you can get a relative bargain, but you must see some finished projects first – not just showroom examples - to be sure design and build quality are up to snuff. You are spending the price of a family car so don't be shy about asking for a few test drives.
Prepare to meet your designer
A good designer will still be worth his weight in gold. He will ask you questions about how many saucepans you own and where you will do most preparation, to make sure you plan for enough cupboard space and proper task lighting.
Any advice on appliances?
Appliances date more quickly than any other part of your kitchen, so, unless they are features (a fabulous retro fridge or enamelled range, for example), it is best to conceal them behind the cabinetry. Energy ratings tell you which are most energy-efficient (A is best and G is worst). Go for the best you can afford: though A-rated appliances may cost more initially, they will be cheaper to run.
What about the specialists?
There are a handful of inspired one-off bespoke kitchen designers out there (Johnny Grey, Tim Wood) and several firms that offer great quality made-to-measure versions of a range of their original designs (Smallbone of Devizes, Mark Wilkinson, Clive Christian, Oliver Burns). Like a good tailor, the designer will be flexible, but will have a certain style that is his trademark look.
What are the style options?
Freestanding or fitted are the main choices; you can also have a freestanding look that is actually fitted, as created by Johnny Grey, whose designs can cost £50,000.
For less than £50,000
A slightly less expensive option, made to order in top-quality materials, is Smallbone of Devizes's handsome "unfitted" range: chopping blocks, dish racks and cupboards, from £30,000.
Quality fitting
Beware, fitted kitchens must be constructed and installed with precision, and the marks of poor quality are clearly visible in gaps and misalignment. Mark Wilkinson, for instance, sends a designer to inspect the finished version just after installation and then a year later, to make sure no snags have surfaced.
Display or disguise?
Do you want a jolly display of spice jars and china jostling on dresser-style shelves or do you want all your accessories hidden in drawers and behind doors? The masters of concealment are Bulthaup, who "garage" juicers and kettles behind sleek beige screens and create special plate drawers for precisely the number, size and shape of your crockery. Designs are sleek and timeless, with integrated everything (around £35,000-£40,000.)
What if I crave glamour?
Then Clive Christian's 'moonlight kitchen' fits the bill: hand-built solid-wood cabinetry combined with crystal chandeliers, islands with white quartz tops and carved legs, all bathed in a nightclub-level glow from a concealed lighting system (from £40,000).
Where to go for exotica
John Burns of Oliver Burns Interiors has developed a leather kitchen. His new range, called Provocateur, is clad in 2mm thick, pigmented cow hide (a tailor-made Provocateur will set you back around £50,000.)
Can I commission a kitchen to help me cook in comfort?
Tell your designer if you have a bad back: he can design in a waist-high drawer dishwasher and carousels for the cupboards to stop you having to stoop. Every work surface, hob and drawer can be raised or lowered to a comfortable level for a wheelchair user.
Can I add personal touches?
Of course. Typical requests are a tailored space for a dog basket under a central islands (a Mark Wilkinson speciality) and knife drawers with individual inserts for specific favourite choppers (Bulthaup). At the unashamedly opulent end of the market, Clive Christian designs cabinetry with the owners' initials spelt out in marquetry, silver, gold or platinum leaf.
Kitchen contacts
Smallbone of Devizes, 020 7589 5998, www.smallbone.co.uk
Mark Wilkinson, 01380 850007, www.mwf.com
Bulthaup, 020 7495 3663, www.bulthaup.co.uk
Oliver Burns Interiors, 01727 814170, www.oliverburnsinteriors.com
Clive Christian, 01270 623377, www.clive.com
Johnny Grey, 01730 821424, www.johnnygrey.co.uk
Tim Wood, 0845 367 6799, www.timwood.com
WORDS KATRINA BURROUGHS
Strictly speaking, buying bespoke means commissioning a one-off original, designed and made from scratch, but you will also find the word used to indicate made-to-order versions of a manufacturer's standard range.
Can I afford a bespoke kitchen?
At the top end of the market, you can splurge six figures with ease (Gordon Ramsay is reported to have spent £500,000 on his kitchen at home), but you can also spend less than £20,000 at a small independent kitchen shop, and achieve the kitchen of your dreams.
What are the pros and cons?
You get precisely what you need, in a style you will love and a fabulous kitchen is a strong selling point when you move house. Be careful not to overdo it, though; estate agents reckon any spend over £30,000 will not be recouped when you sell.
Where do I begin?
Think about function and layout – it might help to note down what you like and dislike in your present kitchen. You do not have to conform to the working triangle template (work surface, sink and stove, all positioned within easy reach of one another), but do consider how you and your family use the kitchen, where you sit and where you need access.
Anything technical to bear in mind?
Some appliances, such as tumble dryers and extractors, may need to be on an outside wall to avoid ugly ducting. Plumbing and electrics can be run almost anywhere around the room. You might consider underfloor heating from the outset, as radiators play havoc with sleek fitted designs.
What next?
The next step is to set it down on paper. Find out the dimensions of your room and sketch your kitchen out to scale on squared paper, to make sure you have a realistic idea of what will fit where. This will prevent tight squeezes: a common mistake is to leave too little space between island and sink.
Who shall I commission?
For good value, you could brief a local specialist carpenter, but make sure you see some of his work first. Remember that commissioning a kitchen is more like ordering a bespoke suit than a bookcase. The style and quality of the finish will be of as much importance to you as whether the cooker works.
What about my local kitchen shop?
If you are thinking of commissioning a small independent kitchen shop, you can get a relative bargain, but you must see some finished projects first – not just showroom examples - to be sure design and build quality are up to snuff. You are spending the price of a family car so don't be shy about asking for a few test drives.
Prepare to meet your designer
A good designer will still be worth his weight in gold. He will ask you questions about how many saucepans you own and where you will do most preparation, to make sure you plan for enough cupboard space and proper task lighting.
Any advice on appliances?
Appliances date more quickly than any other part of your kitchen, so, unless they are features (a fabulous retro fridge or enamelled range, for example), it is best to conceal them behind the cabinetry. Energy ratings tell you which are most energy-efficient (A is best and G is worst). Go for the best you can afford: though A-rated appliances may cost more initially, they will be cheaper to run.
What about the specialists?
There are a handful of inspired one-off bespoke kitchen designers out there (Johnny Grey, Tim Wood) and several firms that offer great quality made-to-measure versions of a range of their original designs (Smallbone of Devizes, Mark Wilkinson, Clive Christian, Oliver Burns). Like a good tailor, the designer will be flexible, but will have a certain style that is his trademark look.
What are the style options?
Freestanding or fitted are the main choices; you can also have a freestanding look that is actually fitted, as created by Johnny Grey, whose designs can cost £50,000.
For less than £50,000
A slightly less expensive option, made to order in top-quality materials, is Smallbone of Devizes's handsome "unfitted" range: chopping blocks, dish racks and cupboards, from £30,000.
Quality fitting
Beware, fitted kitchens must be constructed and installed with precision, and the marks of poor quality are clearly visible in gaps and misalignment. Mark Wilkinson, for instance, sends a designer to inspect the finished version just after installation and then a year later, to make sure no snags have surfaced.
Display or disguise?
Do you want a jolly display of spice jars and china jostling on dresser-style shelves or do you want all your accessories hidden in drawers and behind doors? The masters of concealment are Bulthaup, who "garage" juicers and kettles behind sleek beige screens and create special plate drawers for precisely the number, size and shape of your crockery. Designs are sleek and timeless, with integrated everything (around £35,000-£40,000.)
What if I crave glamour?
Then Clive Christian's 'moonlight kitchen' fits the bill: hand-built solid-wood cabinetry combined with crystal chandeliers, islands with white quartz tops and carved legs, all bathed in a nightclub-level glow from a concealed lighting system (from £40,000).
Where to go for exotica
John Burns of Oliver Burns Interiors has developed a leather kitchen. His new range, called Provocateur, is clad in 2mm thick, pigmented cow hide (a tailor-made Provocateur will set you back around £50,000.)
Can I commission a kitchen to help me cook in comfort?
Tell your designer if you have a bad back: he can design in a waist-high drawer dishwasher and carousels for the cupboards to stop you having to stoop. Every work surface, hob and drawer can be raised or lowered to a comfortable level for a wheelchair user.
Can I add personal touches?
Of course. Typical requests are a tailored space for a dog basket under a central islands (a Mark Wilkinson speciality) and knife drawers with individual inserts for specific favourite choppers (Bulthaup). At the unashamedly opulent end of the market, Clive Christian designs cabinetry with the owners' initials spelt out in marquetry, silver, gold or platinum leaf.
Kitchen contacts
Smallbone of Devizes, 020 7589 5998, www.smallbone.co.uk
Mark Wilkinson, 01380 850007, www.mwf.com
Bulthaup, 020 7495 3663, www.bulthaup.co.uk
Oliver Burns Interiors, 01727 814170, www.oliverburnsinteriors.com
Clive Christian, 01270 623377, www.clive.com
Johnny Grey, 01730 821424, www.johnnygrey.co.uk
Tim Wood, 0845 367 6799, www.timwood.com
WORDS KATRINA BURROUGHS
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
Other housetohome Network sites: housetohome | Livingetc | Ideal home | Allthingshome
Other affiliated sites: Woman & Home | Decanter | Country life | TrustedReviews.com | Wedding Magazine
© Copyright IPC Media Ltd, all rights reserved.
