The designer: Sally Hinks at Harvey Jones, Edinburgh

The story: Harvey Jones has been making bespoke kitchens from its Cambridgeshire workshop for more than 40 years and in that time, they have designed and crafted more than 15,000 handmade kitchens.

They now have 32 showrooms across the UK and plan to open more.

Designer Q&A:

Q) What was your brief from the client?

The client had already had a Harvey Jones kitchen in a previous house and was keen to replicate several of the features – the larder-type storage and American fridge-freezer housing either side of an AGA for instance, so this was a starting point. It is a family space to suit them, their children and dogs. They wanted to make the most of the room’s existing features and have a more open, airy feel and they also wanted to ensure the dining space felt integrated as the L-shaped room previously felt broken up and a bit awkward. They also wanted the island to be as large as possible

Q) How did you answer the brief?

By using more traditional cabinetry, hardware and sink, we were considerate to the age of the property. The island was the natural position for the sink since the client wanted an AGA on the back wall but keeping this to one side of the island meant I was able to elevate the half of the island closest to the door, which allowed a substantial island without it feeling too heavy in the room. I left wall cabinets out of the design, ensuring we built in plenty of storage into the tall cabinets and made use of an existing walk-in larder – this helped keep the room light and open. The inclusion of a stone shelf allowed more brass detailing and was important to the client so the kitchen felt more decorative. The client chose to carry the kitchen colours through into the dining nook, helping to make the spaces feel connected.

Q) Which products did you use and why?

The client was set on brass fittings so we chose Perrin & Rowe for their aged finish. We used the handles and tap from the same range for continuity. The sink from Shaws of Darwen complements the kitchen wall – the fluted apron front is a design feature and really nods to the texture from the tongue and groove panelling on the cabinetry as well as the pendant lighting chosen by the customer.

Q) Was there any building work invoived?

Nothing structural. The room had already been knocked into the L shape previously, incorporating a maid’s bedroom. The client replaced the floor, upgraded the radiators and had the old kitchen removed and the room replastered and redecorated.

Q) What elements do you think make the scheme so successful?

We used chunky legs on each corner of the island and this helps to ground it The client was brave with colour and used the red and pink tones together confidently. The stone shelf and brass accessories I think elevate the attention to detail.

Q) Any advice for someone who may be planning a new kitchen?
Get a kitchen designer involved from an early stage. Where you have building work, it is important to make sure you can fit your dream kitchen into the space before you have the permanent fixtures decided upon – moving a door or window slightly may make all the difference to the layout and this is relatively easy early on. Even where there is no building work, creative input from a designer can help you rethink the options on your space and give you maximum time to enjoy the planning rather than having to feel rushed.

Q) Any trend predictions for 2022?
Pastels are a huge new trend, though keeping a grey base helps keep them more liveable and avoids it all feeling a bit too sugary. Looking at a darker palette, earthy, nature inspired tones continue – mud greens and terracottas are very popular and work well in a kitchen space.

The details:

Appliances by AGA and Miele

Worktops by Silestone

Sink by Shaws of Darwen

Tap and handles by Perrin & Rowe

Lighting by Jim Lawrence

Colours by Farrow & Ball

Hayley loves: the colour balance of this kitchen – statement style without being overpowering