A quest to find a truly bespoke and top-end kitchen for their West Yorkshire property led Mike and Kathy to the KC Exclusively Made Range. Here, we learn how clever reconfigurations and creative design features have resulted in a wonderfully functional kitchen with “wow-factor”.
The Brief
Mike and Kathy had a full project on their hands when moving into their unique West Yorkshire property back in 2017. Initially serving as an outbuilding to a manor house, the structure had been transformed from a barn to a house some 35 years earlier, using original materials to retain its rural charm. However, since the conversion, little had been done to its interiors, meaning the property was ready for updating throughout with the kitchen pinned as a priority. Key to the brief was interchanging the kitchen and dining room, moving the kitchen to the rear of the property to gain views of the walled garden and adding an exterior door to access this beautiful outdoor space.
The Design
Having decided on the room flip, our clients began to search for a “top-end” kitchen manufacturer who could bring their vision to life. “We looked at a few companies that labelled their kitchens bespoke, but it turned out they were built around a standard carcass which wouldn’t work with the layout and design that we had in mind,” recalls Mike. Later, drawn into the KC showroom, Mike and Kathy were attracted to an in-frame Exclusively Made kitchen design, which ticked both aesthetic and bespoke boxes, with every element made from scratch.
The Process
KC managing and design director Richard visited the couple at home to assess the room switch, leading to further reconfigurations to better suit their needs and wishes. “Richard’s background in architecture and design really shone through,” says Mike. “We discovered the walls of a corridor that ran between the kitchen and dining room weren’t supporting, and so they could come out, and the additional space divided equally between the two rooms. Richard came up with a way of incorporating a small office and utility room too. It was this holistic approach to the design that we really liked.”
Richard’s design also incorporated the must-have exterior door positioned next to a bank of floor-to-ceiling cabinets, which featured high on Mike and Kathy’s wish list.
The Results
A true KC and client collaboration, the result is a light, airy and beautifully symmetrical bespoke kitchen with both style and convenience at its core.
A large central island forms the focal point of the impressive space - housing ample storage, a ‘spare’ oven and state-of-the-art Bora Cooktop - mirrored by a run of wall and base cabinets elegantly separated by a gleaming splashback. Banks of full height cabinets sit at either end of the room featuring further built-in and integrated appliances as well as a signature ‘KC Breakfasting Cabinet’ keeping counter-top appliances neatly out of sight.
Light pours in from the window and door glazing, giving way to views across the walled garden, with elements of the outdoors reflected in the delicate grey/green hue of the KC cabinets. Finally, the 30mm bullnose-edged solid Silestone worktops complete Mike and Kathy’s dream vision. “Richard fully utilised the space, ticking off our must-haves whilst incorporating clever design elements,” says Mike. “Plus, we’ve gained an office and utility in the process!”
KC Client Notes
What do you love most about the kitchen design?
It would have to be the worktops. We were set on the 30mm thickness, and it’s definitely the real wow-factor of the kitchen. Everyone comments on it!
What is your favourite design feature of the space?
A neat idea Richard came up with was to design a ‘split’ spice and cutlery drawer where the Bora Cooktop sits in the island so as not to waste space or disrupt the flow of the symmetry.
Is there anything you would change about the design?
On reflection, the only change we might have made is to reduce the number of cabinets and replace them with drawers as they offer easy accessibility.
Why would you recommend KC Design House?
I’d have no hesitation in recommending KC to others. They have a reputation as being a higher price point, but the value you get overall is worth it. I always say the expenditure is an investment.
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