Bespoke made to measure kitchens
What are the advantages?
- Gives a perfect fit for awkward-shaped kitchens
- Provides a real ‘one off’ design
- No limits on what can be achieved
The term ‘bespoke’ means ‘specially designed to the client’s requirements and measurements’. So if you have a unusually-shaped kitchen with, for example, curved walls or beams, awkward corners or unconventional window positions, you may choose bespoke out of necessity.
If you want a kitchen that is a true one-off and different from any other this is the only option. For the biggest benefit of ‘bespoke’ is that you get units and furniture designed specifically for you – to fit your kitchen and to comply with your wishes. You don’t have to compromise. Your options are limited only by your imagination, the shape of your kitchen – and the size of your wallet!
It’s worth sounding a note of caution here. Beware of companies that apply the term ‘bespoke’ to a kitchen that is, in reality, fitted out from their comprehensive ranges of ready-made units. These come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours and the resulting kitchen may well be unique but it won’t be bespoke.
If you’re not sure whether you’re being offered a genuine bespoke service, you can check it out by requesting an item that doesn’t appear in the company brochure. If the company can’t come up with the goods, it is not offering a bespoke service.
Taking the plunge
- Pick a design and materials that won’t quickly go out of fashion
- Establish a timescale for production and fitting
Like their more modest counterparts, bespoke made to measure kitchens come in a variety of styles that range from traditional, solid-wood designs to hi-tech, contemporary sophistication – and everything in between.
Our bespoke designer specialise in all the popular styles so take time to talk to our designer and the workmen to satisfy yourself that we are a company you trust to translate your wishes into reality. Ask if we have any customers who would be happy to show you their kitchens.
When choosing your design and materials it’s wise not to be too swayed by fashion. What is the latest word in kitchens this year could look totally passé within 12 months or so. Unless you are in the fortunate position where money is no object, a bespoke kitchen is a major investment that is being built to last – and look as stylish in five or ten years as it did the day it was installed. Remember that once you have the basic kitchen fittings you can ring the changes and add those touches of high fashion over the years by changing colour schemes and furnishings.
 Bear in mind that bespoke kitchens take significantly longer to produce and fit than ‘off the shelf’ units. We wil give you a realistic estimate of the timescale – and be patient. Craftsman-produced items come at a slower pace than mass-produced goods!
Materials
- Traditional and modern provide similar durability
- Glass gives spacious feel to small rooms
- Choose a finish to complement your lifestyle
Your choice of material should depend not only on personal taste but on your lifestyle. For example, easy-clean surfaces are the best option for busy people and families with young children. Materials like glass are higher-maintenance and best left for those with time to care for them – or a cleaner to do it for them!
Wood such as maple ,birch and walnut is always a safe choice but if you want something more sophisticated, try brushed stainless steel or aluminium – materials which have become modern classics in kitchen design.
However, materials such as veneers, laminates and vinyl-wrapped MDF are gaining in popularity and offer the same kind of durability as more traditional materials. Factory-applied lacquers are acknowledged for their hard-wearing advantages and have a easy-clean, light-reflective glossy finish.
Developments in glass technology have resulted in its increased use in kitchen design – even for work surfaces. This is a material that gives a light, airy feel to a room and is especially suitable for creating an illusion of space in small kitchens.
 Contrary to uninformed views, modern bespoke kitchens are the technical equal of their predecessors. The wealth of materials available has not diluted the quality – the veneers and composites used are rigorously tested to very high standards and are used by many good designers.
And, of course, our company still use traditional methods such as mortice and tenon and dovetail joints, and they mainly work with solid wood.
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