CHESTERTON
Classic kitchen in a beautiful central Cambridge townhouse.

A BESPOKE SHAKER-STYLE KITCHEN
Chardome's Director, Edward Sandford explains "We worked with the client to design a traditional English, square-frame, bespoke shaker kitchen - simple and classic."
An important part of this is the colour scheme: light colours to keep the space bright and airy, but accented by the dark worktop. This is punctuated by the brass shelf brackets, taps, butt hinges, and cabinet handles.
"A key decision in designing this bespoke shaker kitchen was to use open shelves instead of wall cabinets," he explains. "In smaller kitchens, cabinets can make the space feel oppressive and tight. Open shelves offer just as much storage without sacrificing the sense of space. The client also wanted a functional space, and having utensils and ingredients to hand is ideal for people who cook a lot.
"We also installed the new stainless steel Italian oven and range."
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SMART DESIGN, TRADITIONAL LOOK
Modern and contemporary aspects sit elegantly alongside traditional elements such as the taps and double butler's sink - the bespoke cabinetry wrapped snugly around it.
Another twist in this traditional shaker kitchen is the pendant lights with their brass finish and milky shades. These give a warmer light than the hidden spotlights, while also delivering functional lighting for the work surface. "People usually have pendant lights over an island, but we wanted to use them here," says Edward. "They not only create mood lighting but also ensure the surface is well-lit even if the person cooking blocks the sunlight."
Behind the traditional panels and fittings are some clever contemporary touches. "The cupboard to the right of the sink has a towel rail and space for washing up liquid and other essentials. The cupboard right in the corner has a 'magic corner' - "a shelf which swings out, allowing you to use the full depth of the cupboard, rather than having things you can't reach easily and end up forgetting about."
Another design feature is the kickplates which are flush with the cabinets - a seamless drop - yet another traditional touch.
"Like many kitchens, the client has a boiler on the wall. Keen to hide it away while still allowing access, we created a tall tongue-and-groove cabinet in the corner. The cabinet has a push-release door so that it's even more discreet. It also includes additional storage alongside the boiler."
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"The client loves their new traditional bespoke kitchen," says Edward. "They loved seeing their vision - what we had sketched and designed on paper - becoming a reality."