Author: Robbie

An uninspiring kitchen. Clunky, cramped storage setups. Decor that’s more tired than uplifting. Stuck inside, most of us have found ourselves noticing all the things calling out for improvement in our homes.

Bespoke cabinetry and clever colour palettes can transform even the most difficult of spaces. To give you a little inspiration, we thought we’d share the story of a stunning home makeover we recently completed.

Going back in time to the 70s

The history behind this project made it a real labour of love. The property we were working on was built by the owner himself, back in the early 70s. He also installed the kitchen in 1974.

We were called on to give the kitchen, utility room, and pantry a total makeover. After an initial onsite meeting, we followed up with a design and quotation for the three rooms.

Transforming what was dark and moody into something so light and airy was a great challenge – one that suited Cheverell through and through. We started from scratch, removing the old kitchen and project managing the electrics, plumbing, plastering, flooring, decoration, and tiling, alongside our design and joinery work.

The marriage of bespoke cabinetry and colour

To open up the space, we started by conceptualising and building bespoke cabinetry for a Country Shaker style kitchen, pantry, and utility room.

We designed the new cabinetry to be compact yet elegant. Unlike its boxy green predecessor, it complements the rooms rather than dominating them, letting in as much natural light as possible.

We completed the cabinetry with a sprayed paint finish in Farrow and Ball’s ‘Cabbage White’, a shade that helps magnify the sense of light and space. This effect is further enhanced by a sleek, glass-panelled cabinet, which we custom-built for the kitchen.

No longer an overcrowded cupboard, the pantry morphed into a well-balanced space structured by thoughtfully designed storage solutions.

We continued the light, bright theme with solid oak and pristine quartz worktops in each room, along with new Ca’ Pietra limestone flooring in the kitchen.

To add a modern splash of colour, we switched the retro tiles bordering worktops in the kitchen with ones handmade by Marlborough Tiles, in soft shades of blue.

Blending the old with the new

While our client wanted a dramatic home makeover, he was keen to retain some original elements, including the warm terracotta tiles in the utility room and pantry.

The tiles needed restorative work, so we sourced a skilled refurbisher who did an excellent job bringing them back to their former glory.

We also incorporated a piece of history in the kitchen island worktop: an exquisite piece of marble that had been in the property for 35 years. It makes for a striking focal point in the kitchen, doubling as the perfect spot for casual family meals and drinks with friends.

A brand new black Aga replaced the old green version in the kitchen – another nod to the traditional character of the property.

To add an element of classic charm to the utility room, we installed a stylish Belfast sink.

What a fantastic project and client. The contrast between the before and after shots serves to illustrate the transformative power of bespoke cabinetry, craftsmanship, and design.

If you’re keen to get started on your home makeover, please get in touch, and we can arrange a virtual consultation.

Many of us are working from home at the moment, setting up makeshift offices in various rooms around the house.

The bedroom and living room should be sanctuaries of rest and relaxation, and, if you have a study, it may have been snapped up by your other half or changed into a classroom for your children.

So, where can you get your work done, comfortably and in peace? The kitchen, of course. Almost always the heart of the home, it can double up as the perfect home office – with freshly brewed coffee just a few steps away.

Here are 5 top tips to transform your kitchen into the ideal workspace…

1. Utilise your kitchen island or table

Whether you have a kitchen island or a freestanding table, both make for a great workstation. By necessity, they’re highly versatile, acting as the family breakfast spot, entertainment area, and, during working hours, a spacious desk for you.

Whereas kitchen counters tend to be populated by appliances and cooking utensils, the surface of a kitchen island or table is easy to clear for work purposes, transforming back into a hangout zone come evening.

2. Pick the best view

As one of the largest rooms in most homes, the kitchen is filled with natural light – great for keeping you energised throughout the day.

Rather than opting for a seat opposite the fridge or cooker, pick a position with a view out across your garden or the surrounding landscape. By looking up from the screen intermittently, you can give your eyes a rest and resharpen your focus, so why not enjoy a restorative view of nature instead of your toaster?

3. Repurpose your kitchen storage

The kitchen is packed with clever storage solutions for your work materials, from under-counter nooks to spacious cupboards and pantries. Take the time to reshuffle kitchen items, and make room for work equipment, ensuring your home office remains organised and clutter-free.

4. Bring the outdoors inside

Create the best possible work environment for yourself by bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside. A vase of fresh flowers or some verdant potted plants can add a splash of colour and natural beauty to your surroundings, lifting your spirits on those days when the hours seem to drag.

5. Create a break area

Throughout the day, it’s good to step away from your laptop for a few minutes here and there. While a change of scene will be welcome during your lunch hour, it’s worth creating a small ‘time-out’ area for the occasional breather, somewhere in your kitchen.

You might choose to move an armchair into a cosy corner, or perhaps you’ve spotted a generous windowsill that’s just waiting for a cushion or two. Once you’ve set it up, you can sit back and relax.

To find out how Cheverell can help you create your dream space, please get in touch with our design team today. We are open for business remotely and telephone or online face-to-face consultations are available.

When we say ‘bespoke’ here at Cheverell, the word means more than ‘hand-made’ or ‘one of a kind’. It means taking the time to really understand what our clients want.

Our latest project, The Garsdon Kitchen, perfectly demonstrates the steps we take to create beautiful, thoughtfully designed spaces. The client had specific health requirements that influenced a great deal of the design process, along with her bold, playful taste in interiors. The result was a truly characterful, gorgeous kitchen she can enjoy for years to come.

A chemical allergy

We’ve tailored projects to accommodate specific conditions and allergies before, so when our client asked if we could create a kitchen that wouldn’t trigger her volatile organic compound (VOC) allergy, we were more than happy to help.

The initial stages of the project were spent understanding the modern, colourful look she had in mind and researching the best paints, lacquers, and materials containing little to no formaldehyde, a commonplace VOC found in products such as paints, lacquers, and upholstery fabrics.

Beautiful, contemporary cabinetry

Our client wanted a sleek, handless kitchen that oozed personality.

When it came to choosing colours for the cabinetry, she had her heart set on Farrow & Ball’s ‘Brinjal’, a rustic aubergine hue, and ‘Skimming Stone’ a subtle off-white shade. In their original formulation, these paints would have caused her to have an allergic reaction, so we worked with the manufacturer to create water-based matches.

We used allergy-friendly American Black Walnut Veneer with a Tulipwood Ply Core and Medite Ecologique board for the carcasses and doors. These were sprayed and finished with water-based lacquers, stains, and paints with a low level of VOCs, matching our client’s brief perfectly.

Intelligent design

Most of us practically live in our kitchens, so they need to be designed for real-life: cooking, entertaining, and everything in between.

To create a special space for socialising, we crafted a raised solid walnut worktop – the ideal seating area for casual meals and drinks. Its clever design provides extra cabinet space, hidden beneath the worktop.

Next, we fitted an on-trend white Elica NikolaTesla hob, which uses innovative technology to direct all extraction beneath counters. It blended seamlessly with the exquisite COMPAC Calacatta Quartz worktops we installed (in ‘Glace’), accented by the room’s rich colour palette.

Pops of pink

Visitors to our client’s home will notice her love of the colour pink threaded throughout the interior decor – it’s her favourite shade.

To reflect this in the kitchen, she commissioned us to design and build a bespoke walnut veneer beverage station, adding gorgeous pops of Opticolour’s ‘Vivid Pink’ to the worktop and splashback, along with a Quooker tap and sink. The radiators were coated in the same bright colour, carrying the theme throughout the room.

A great project – and a lot of fun!

After the mince pies have been eaten and the decorations are packed away, many of us miss the magic of the festive season. With months of dark, chilly nights ahead, there’s nothing better than snuggling up indoors, baking comforting treats and tuning in to great TV.

Here at Cheverell, we love nothing more than a well-made cooking show. Our bespoke kitchens are designed to be the heart of the home, cooked in, congregated in and enjoyed, so we’re inspired by the artistry and passion of those we see preparing delicious food for others to enjoy onscreen.

Now that Bake Off is over, our new favourite is Best Home Cook, which returned for a second season this month. It’s got all the perfect ingredients for wonderful foodie entertainment: Mary Berry, baking queen, the dry wit of Claudia Winkleman and a wonderful cast of characters who live to cook for family and friends at home.

Whether you’re whipping up a gorgeous cake or cooking your habitual roast, you want your kitchen to be a warm, inviting space, one that brings you joy every day. We work closely with our clients, taking the time to understand in intricate detail what their ideal kitchen would be – the feel, the colours, the texture, the look.

For decades, our service has delivered the highest standards of design and traditional craftsmanship. We use only the finest materials, fixtures and fittings, intricately crafting each element of our handmade kitchens and furniture in our Devizes workshop. We get involved at each stage of a project, advising on choice of materials, shades and appliances, ensuring our exquisite spaces have a lasting heritage.

The fact that the contestants on Best Home Cook use the NEFF Slide&Hide® Oven makes us even bigger fans of the show. Our bespoke kitchens aren’t just beautiful to behold, they’re sensitively designed to work around you, so it’s no surprise that the Slide&Hide® Oven is one of our natural choices, when a client asks us to recommend the best oven for their new kitchen.

The Slide&Hide® Oven is a brilliant pick for novice and seasoned chefs alike. We can’t get enough of its innovative sliding oven door, which glides seamlessly under the cavity, disappearing from sight. Just like the eager chefs on Best Home Cook, once you’ve tucked the oven door away, you can get right up close to whatever’s baking and check its progress.

Cheverell cares deeply about detail. Our process is personal, artistic and collaborative, which means we work hand in hand with you, understanding what you wish to achieve and finding solutions for any design obstacles you face. For example, we may suggest the Slide&Hide® Oven for clients working with less space, or for those renovating a kitchen in a period property with unconventional proportions.

It’s the unique blend of our expertise and your individual vision that makes each one of our projects truly exceptional.

The days are shorter, the frost has set in and we are soon to approach the most wonderful day of the year.

In the season to be jolly, we find ourselves surrounded by our family and friends. It’s at this time we tend to gather in the hub of the home with our guests more so than any other time of the year, so why not create the perfect space for entertaining?

Layout

When designing any kitchen, you should consider the flow. The working triangle, an ultimate kitchen design rule, is a concept that enhances efficiency and allows you to move effortlessly between the sink, fridge and cooking stations. The three points join to make an invisible triangle and create a safe and comfortable environment when entertaining.

Open-plan kitchens have become increasingly popular as they provide a space to socialise while the chef is preparing and cooking. An island is an excellent addition to an open-plan kitchen, offering guests and family a central area to gather, eat and drink or join in the preparations.

Seating

Seating is pivotal when entertaining. The gathering zone should provide your guests with a place to rest their feet and pop down their drinks while picking from a selection of canapés. As many tend to gravitate towards the centre of the kitchen, the island is the most logical place to add seating, becoming a communal area when cooking and chatting.

Open-plan kitchens offer an array of seating opportunities. You can create a relaxing area with a sofa, or more of a formal area with a dining table, enabling you to stay seated in-between courses without sacrificing your conversation.

Appliances

If cooking is part of your entertaining process, appliances need to be well-placed. Integrating appliances like the Neff Wifi oven creates a seamless finish and comes with the latest technology allowing you a few extra minutes in bed on Christmas morning while setting the oven to pre-heat from your phone.

If you chose to have one, your dishwasher should be situated out of guest view but easily accessible by the chef. The Mile dishwasher is a great addition to the kitchen as it can be double-tapped to open, removing the need to touch the cabinetry with mucky fingers.

If you have an island, it is the ideal place to put your hob as it means you’ll always be facing your guests. Leave the mulled wine to simmer and fill up from your seat.

Smart storage

You must think about smart storage solutions when designing your kitchen. Before any get together, especially Christmas, you stock up on food and drink. A built-in pantry is a great way to create space while incorporating it as part of your kitchen.

Wine coolers often take up valuable kitchen space and storing bottles can be challenging. Bespoke wine racks are an excellent alternative and make a unique feature.

And why not include a drinks cabinet to easily prepare festive cocktails and night caps without leaving the room?

For help designing your dream kitchen, please get in touch or visit our showroom.