Should I Have a Traditional Styled Kitchen for my Period Home?
There is a common misconception that a period home, whether it be a Victorian town house or a country cottage that’s several centuries old, should have a traditionally styled kitchen. We say have what you want; it’s your home and you have to live with it!
At Codsall Kitchen Studio we have worked both with homeowners as well governing bodies like ‘Historic England’ when design for listed buildings of special historic interest – to ensure that both the layout and design style are in tune with the character and fabric of a property. However, even in these circumstances, it doesn’t necessarily dictate an ‘oldy worldy’ design that’s been fashioned from a tree!
In most instances – and particularly if your property isn’t listed, you can go for whatever style suits your tastes and requirements. For example, it’s not unusual to see a centuries old, converted barn with a truly modern kitchen creation; in fact, the contrast between the old patinaed, twisted timbers of the buildings structure and the sleek, angular kitchen cabinetry with perhaps a high gloss or stealthy finish can be a wonderful, visual success. Sometimes, a blend of styles can work well too as well as a mix of finishes. It all very much depends on each individual project and the needs and tastes of the customer.
The beauty of Codsall Kitchen Studio is our unique levels of kitchen style and design flexibility. Unlike so many kitchen showrooms, we are not limited by any particular furniture brand and style – and when you combine this level of design freedom with our over 70 years (father and son) combined design experience, you can be sure of a result that works for both you and your property.
At codsall kitchen studio we do site visits before we even consider starting a design. We work closely with you, throughout the whole design process, to produce a design that’s sympathetic to your home and that makes the best use of available space whilst answering your specific requirements.
As is often the case, very old properties often present small or difficult spaces. Our bespoke cabinet making division and our expert team of carpenters / fitters can always make such spaces work - AGAIN - this is something that the majority of kitchen showrooms, with where the ‘one size fits all’ approach can’t (or won’t want) to do.
Naturally, should you want ‘oldy worldy’…we can do that too!
For a FREE consultation: info@codsallkitchenstudio.co.uk
Talk to Us at Planning Stage - NOT after Building Works are Completed!
All too often people only engage with their kitchen designers after all building works are completed. This can lead to a compromised result and possibly expensive retro-remediation to get the kitchen to work.
It is essential that, once you have your architect drawings / blueprints that you consider the design and layout of your kitchen. This is because the electrics, electrical points and plumbing - in terms of both ratings and positions need to be carefully considered.
To illustrate this point, consider this. Building works are complete and your room is freshly plastered. Now you’re looking at the design of your kitchen and it occurs to you that an additional sink or perhaps relocating the hob to the island might be a good idea! You now must dig up that freshly laid floor!
Another common example might be that a standard wall unit suddenly fowls a plug socket or light switch, which would have been fine if only it had been positioned just a few inches further to the right!
Are you getting the picture?
Furthermore, with the best will in the world, however good your architect or builder, they don’t always make the best kitchen designers! (apologies to those that are!). As kitchen designers with a combined experience of 70 years (as father and son) we can often look at an architects or builders plans and end up completely re-orientating the kitchen. No! not the building or room itself; just the position and layout of the kitchen. For example, rather than being at the darker, closed in end of the room, we move the dining zone to the lighter, glazed end of the room with views of the garden – and rather than a little peninsula that shuts off the kitchen from the dining area, we have a longer, more useful, island – turned to follow the length of the room and to provide a more open plan feel as well as providing more storage and seating.
Whilst these examples might all sound obvious, they’re kitchen design ‘sins’ that we see committed time and time again.
By working closely with your architect / builder, you don’t necessarily spend anymore money, but the results are always so much better, with subtle changes that add to the rooms usability and WOW factor.
Arrange a FREE consultation today: info@codsallkitchenstudio.co.uk
How Much Does a New Kitchen Cost?
At Codsall Kitchen Studio, we often get asked this question - usually by nervous partners who have been told ‘it’s time for a new kitchen!’ by their other half!
There is no easy or straight forward answer since it depends on the following factors:
How big your kitchen is
The kitchen furniture make and specification
The type and make of worktops, appliances and accessories
Any necessary building-works
Electrical and plumbing work
HOWEVER, to put your mind at ease, Codsall Kitchen Studio is completely independent and flexible when it comes to furniture brands, specifications and budgets. This means that we can help you create any style of kitchen at a level of specification that suits your budget.
We can supply kitchens from around £10,000 through to a ‘sky’s the limit,’ bespoke, custom-made in-frame approach using rare and wonderful natural timbers (FSC sourced of course!)
We are just as flexible when it comes to appliances, worktops and accessories - BUT the good news is that we are very much a ‘one stop shop.’ This means that not only can we offer everything you need to complete your dream new kitchen, but also, you will end up with a fully coordinated kitchen design where your choice of furniture, appliances, worktops and general decor all work hand in hand to provide a fully cohesive solution.
We are designers who like to chat; we are NOT pushy sales staff on commission. So why not come and see us for a FREE no obligation appointment where we can discuss your ideas over a tea or coffee?
Have You Got Room for a Kitchen Island?
The must have and top of many peoples wish list, who come to visit us at Codsall Kitchen Studio, is that of a ‘kitchen island.’
Islands don’t just look wonderful, they’re also capable of performing many functions. Firstly, they act as a visual divide between the social and cooking zones within the kitchen. Secondly, many islands, besides offering an informal dining / breakfast bar arrangement, provide additional worktop and storage as well as a home for further appliances and sinks.
Kitchen islands take on many different shapes and styles - particularly at Codsall Kitchen Studio where as independent kitchen specialist, we get to deal with a vast variety of brands and furniture styles - from ultra modern through to traditional and bespoke manufactured where quite literally, any shape or size of island is possible!
The question is….do you have enough space to accommodate a kitchen island? The rule of thumb is that you need the minimum of one metres clearance all round. This leave enough space to walk by freely as well as allowing cabinet doors to fully open. It’s quite surprising just how much space a dishwasher door requires when pulled down for loading!
However, don’t feel disappointed if you don’t think you have the space. A peninsular coming out from a wall or run of base cabinets can accomplish many of the same things whilst still looking great or it might be, if budgets allow, that we can custom-make and shape cabinetry to make an island arrangement fit. Anything is possible at Codsall Kitchen Studio.
The Difference Between an 'In-Frame' and a 'Lay-On' Kitchen
The terms ‘In-Frame and ‘Lay-On’ is as much about how the doors are adjoined to the kitchen cabinetry as it is about the style and design of the kitchen furniture. At Codsall Kitchen Studio we do both in-frame and lay-on kitchens.
A lay-on kitchen is where the doors literally lay straight on to the front facia / edges of the cabinet. The doors are usually fastened to the cabinet with what we call an adjustable, concealed hinge - so called because you can’t see the hinge when the door is closed. The hinge fasteners to both the reverse of the door and the internal sides of the cabinet. Most modern looking kitchens such as the European styles from Italy and Germany have this arrangement; although many of the more ‘cost effective’ traditional / English style kitchens have this style of door / hinge fitting too.
With an ‘In-Frame’ kitchen, the door doesn’t directly fasten - or ‘lay-on’ to the front of the cabinet. Instead, a front frame fastens to the front of the cabinet, into which a door is then hung. This means the door is hung and supported by the frame - hence the expression ‘in-frame.’ To do this, butt hinges (similar - albeit smaller, to the ones most likely used on your homes internal room doors. The butt hinge is recessed or ‘chopped in’ to the door as well as being fastened with screws to give additional support. The other virtue of hanging the door this way is that the hinge doesn’t encroach on cabinet space as well as allowing the door to open a full 180 rather than 90 degrees making cabinet access easier.
The above - proper in-frame way of hanging cabinet doors has always been a ‘hallmark’ of the high end bespoke cabinet maker and many of the high value ‘trophy kitchen brands’ work in this way. Naturally, many cheaper brands have tried to emulate this style to varying degrees of success. Some have the door within a frame aperture BUT the door is still fastened directly to the cabinets inside using a concealed hinge; the frame is there purely for visual effect. Other mass production manufacturers make a one piece ‘lay on door’ that appears as though it’s within a frame. This is achieved by routering or pressing into the door a groove 25mm or so from the outer edge.
Bespoke In-Frame Styling and Door hinge illustration
How to Start Your Kitchen Project
Lots of people ask us what they should do first to start their kitchen project. What you should definitely NOT do is to ‘rip out’ your old kitchen before you know what you want and have all the furniture and appliances ready to go in! You could end up being without a kitchen for many weeks!
This is what we advise you to do.
Get a piece of paper and do an outline plan drawing of your available kitchen floor space, making accurate and careful measurements. Remember to include where doorways, windows, radiators and plug points are.
Make a wish list of what you want from a kitchen. Obviously you want a space to cook and prepare food, but what else do you want to achieve. For example, do you want to socialise in the space? Do you want a work zone area for working from home or perhaps a TV snug area?
Have a think about the style of kitchen furniture you want and the look you wish to achieve. Get a scrap book and it collect magazine images and ‘Pintrest print outs’ that have caught your imagination. You can even tear out and stick in pages from kitchen brochures.
As part of you thought process and image gathering, don’t forget about lighting, flooring and even details like handles, knobs and wall coverings / finishes.
Once armed with all the above information, come and see us at Codsall Kitchen Studio.
From all the information you have gathered and having a good conversation with us, over a cup of tea or coffee, we can work with you to formulate an outline design that encompasses your needs and tastes whilst giving you a rough idea of budget.
We are pretty confident that, as an independent kitchen specialist with access to a multitude of kitchen brands, we can achieve what you want in line with a budget that’s agreeable to you.
If you want to use Codsall Kitchen Studio’s ‘turn key’ fitting service, rather than supply only, we will visit your home and do a full site survey. From this, we will be able to give you a more detailed price based on the work that’s required as well as an ideal of timescales.
Codsall Kitchen Studio is very much a ‘one stop shop’ and regardless of whether you are using us for supply only or for a full design, fit and finish service, you have the benefit of being able to source everything you require to complete your kitchen project. Cooking and refrigeration appliances, worktops, sinks, taps, lighting, flooring, tiles and paints…..we have the lot!
Collect swatches, paint samples and images of kitchens that have all captured your eye
What a Great Start!
We officially opened our doors on Saturday (10th October) and we had a wonderful day.
We would like to thank everyone who dropped by and who made appointments to come and see what ‘Codsall Kitchen Studio’ is all about.
We are happy to discuss your kitchen ideas, over a coffee or tea, regardless of your budget and regardless of whether your looking for a modern, traditional or contemporary kitchen style. We will listen and put some ideas forward that best suit your personal tastes and requirements.
The beauty of Codsall Kitchen Studio is that its very much a ‘one stop shop.’ We can work with you to provide everything you need to complete your dream kitchen - to include kitchen appliances, kitchen worktops, wall coverings, paints, lighting and flooring and produce designs with all design elements in place so that you can see more readily how everything works together.
Get in touch today - we look forward to meeting you!
info@codsallkitchenstudio.co.uk
www.codsallkitchenstudio.co.uk
WE ARE NOW OPEN!
CODSALL KITCHEN STUDIO -
A ‘One Stop Shop’ Approach for all your Kitchen Requirements and Advice
‘Codsall Kitchen Studio,’ based in the South Staffordshire Village of Codsall, has just opened its doors – offering a totally flexible and convenient approach for anybody embarking on a new kitchen project.
Father and son team, Tony and Oliver Hill, decided to open the studio using their considerable combined experience after many years of dealing with demanding design and business professionals - to include architects, interior designers and developers, through their sister - ‘B to B’ company ‘Homeinsite.’
“Homeinsite’s success is very much based on offering the developer and design professional a full service - to not only include kitchen design, furniture install, but also, appliances, accessories and interior décor to provide a complete fully coordinated solution. Our experience and reputation allow our customers to have complete peace of mind in our ability to fulfil a project on time, to budget and to the highest possible standard.
It occurred to Oliver and I, that our advice, using our combined 60 years – experience, together with a similar ‘one stop shop’ approach, would be of interest to today’s discerning home-owner” comments Tony.
Codsall Kitchen Studio is certainly a refreshing proposition that eliminates the confusion, stress and possible pitfalls bestowed on many of us when faced with tackling this most important family area of our home.
You will be mistaken if you’re expecting to see yet another showroom full of the same old pre-set displays and sales staff one sees in every town and city. Whilst there are wonderful things to see that will inspire, Codsall Kitchen Studio is intended as a relaxed place where one can go to discuss ideas, tastes, requirements and budgets over a coffee or cup of tea….or something a little stronger with Tony and Oliver offering up advice and ‘no obligation’ suggestions. If you then wish to take it to the next stage, Tony and Oliver will work closely with you to design something that’s exactly right for you providing you with photo realistic renders, plans and samples.
Flexibility is a major aspect of Codsall Kitchen Studio’s unique offering. A multitude of furniture styles and finishes are possible at a truly wide range of price points. From traditional through to cutting edge modern and from modest to ‘custom-made,’ in-frame budgets. Anything is possible along with the opportunity to offer a cohesive room solution that can take into account flooring, lighting and wall treatments.
Oliver finishes, “You are welcome to drop by; no appointment is necessary. However, please be aware that due to Covid safety practices, it’s strictly one household group at a time.” With this in mind, people are welcome to call or email ahead to make an appointment.
www.codsallkitchenstudio.co.uk
Just 4 Days to Opening!
The suspense mounts! We are naturally very excited about opening the door - this Saturday - 10th October - to our specialist kitchen design business (Codsall Kitchen Studio) - aimed specifically at you, the discerning home-owner.
We feel it offers something completely unique to all the usual kitchen showrooms. For a start, we’re not going to try and sell you a kitchen as soon as you walk through the door…..NO! Codsall Kitchen Studio is all about listening to you and chatting about your kitchen project ideas, over a drink and perhaps a biscuit (if we haven’t eaten them all!)…….it’s all very relaxed. We can then suggest some ideas for you to think about, using our many years of experience.
When it eventually comes to choosing your kitchen, we’re not going to promote to you a pre set range of furniture. We are independent and work with a truly wide range of manufacturers. We can therefore offer you any style you like at a budget that you can afford.
Of course, the real beauty of Codsall Kitchen Studio is that we offer you the convenience of a ‘one stop shop’ where we can work with you to satisfy all your requirements in order to complete your dream kitchen. Appliances, worktops, lighting, flooring, paints and wall coverings can all be sourced through Codsall Kitchen Studio to enable you, with our assistance, to produce a fully coordinated - complete room solution. We will even fit your kitchen and should you wish - project manage the whole process to ensure the perfect result.
We look forward to seeing you on Monday 5th October……or any day and time to suit you!
www.codsallkitchenstudio.co.uk 01902 844198 info@codsallkitchenstudio.co.uk
