How the Handmade Kitchen Co brought bespoke chic to a newbuild home

 

A: As part of the large-scale luxury project, our client chose us to bring timeless quality and bespoke functionality to several key spaces within the home, with ideas from us and an interior designer. We crafted a bespoke kitchen and custom furniture throughout the home as part of a complete new build project for a family of 4 – parents, 2 children, and their beautiful dog – creating a space tailored to their lifestyle, comfort, and everyday living. We created furniture for several rooms including the kitchen, 2 media walls, bathroom cabinetry, a boot room and several bedrooms. At the heart of this project is our Bespoke Mapesbury handleless cabinetry, a refined take on traditional design with modern sensibilities.

A: The client commissioned a complete new build home with a focus on timeless elegance and practical family living. Central to the brief and at the heart of the home is a bespoke kitchen, designed to maximise both storage and workspace, while delivering a grand and refined aesthetic. The brief called for 2 distinct kitchen islands, one serving as a central preparation and storage zone, and the other angled toward the garden to provide seating and an informal space for entertaining, all while taking advantage of the property’s stunning views.

The kitchen follows a clever L-shaped layout, with the first island positioned centrally across from the range cooker and a short distance from the integrated fridge-freezer. For appliances, the client selected an ILVE Majestic range cooker with a fry top, which required a powerful yet visually cohesive extraction solution. We supplied and installed the Westin Bloque 1200mm built in hood for this project for its unmatched combination of power and performance. Westin's high-performance extractor not only matched the range in size but also complemented the surrounding mantle feature and cabinetry design. Their extractors are truly the best on the market, and they’re the only brand we confidently recommend to our clients because they consistently meet the level of excellence our clients require. 

A: To ensure every detail aligned with the client’s vision, we held numerous design meetings and worked closely with their interior designer throughout the project. Regular site visits allowed us to stay fully in tune with the progress of the build and respond quickly to any on-site decisions or changes. As the project evolved, additional cabinetry was added to the original order to meet new requirements and enhance functionality, demonstrating our flexible, collaborative approach and commitment to delivering a result that truly reflected the client’s lifestyle and design aspirations.

A: We implemented our Bespoke Mapesbury handleless cabinetry, to achieve a classically beautiful look that the client wanted. This refined take on classic design perfectly aligned with the client's desire for ornate yet stylish cabinetry, contributing to the overall grand feel of the property. All of our cabinetry is made by hand in our own workshop in Essex, giving us complete control over the design and manufacturing process. We take particular pride in developing custom and prototype pieces, ensuring that every kitchen we create is as unique as the people who live in it. For example, for this project, we made personalised pull-out shoe racks for the boot room and wardrobes which were tailored to particular shoes owned by the clients. 

A: Our cabinetry is crafted using a carefully selected combination of high-quality materials to ensure durability, beauty, and lasting performance. We use robust oak veneer carcasses for strength and stability, paired with Hidrofugo doors that allow for the intricate large mouldings that achieve our bold Mapesbury Style. All drawer boxes are made from solid oak with classic dovetail joints, showcasing fine craftsmanship and exceptional build quality. All the internals are fully bespoke and can be tailored to suit each client’s individual needs, from clever storage solutions to custom finishes. We like to incorporate a lot of pull-out storage as it is easier to access. All of our cabinetry is hand-painted by our skilled team as we prefer the finish it provides but also the longevity it creates to the cabinetry finish. 

A: This project presented several challenges, including delays in the overall build that pushed back our start date, and the addition of extra rooms and cabinetry, which extended both manufacturing and installation timelines. With so many intricate details to finalise, close collaboration and clear communication were essential. By working closely as a team, alongside the client, interior designer, and contractors, we successfully navigated these complexities to deliver a finished home that exceeds expectations. This has been our largest project to date, and one we’re incredibly proud to have brought to life.

A: Our favourite part of this project was seeing the seamless cohesion between all the rooms, which was a true reflection of how carefully we met the client’s brief from start to finish. The client’s happiness and positive feedback throughout made the entire process rewarding, and our clear communication kept everything running smoothly. We’re especially proud of standout features, like the shape of the second island for entertaining, which is fanned for maximum seating and socialising. We also incorporated thoughtful small details such as the pull outs inside drawers, handmade towel rails, the Sbox pop-up socket, the Kaelo wine cooler, and the elegant Ogee edge detailing on the stone surfaces. These elements brought both style and functionality together beautifully, making the home truly special.

A: The client’s favourite part of the project was the abundance of usable space and storage, perfectly aligning with their vision for a functional family home. They also loved the bespoke nature of the cabinetry and how the overall design came together to create a beautiful, personalised space tailored just for them. Additionally, they were delighted with all the brass finishes, which were carefully hand-picked to complement the design and add a touch of elegance throughout the home.