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Our furniture manager Doug Haswell reveals a rise in demand for traditional kitchens design and he hand picks some of his favourite styles for your home
Most of us have had to reassess our home environment, in order to facilitate the multi-tasking that it’s now required to accommodate. Creating the space to successfully work from home has been one key development – a rising interest in traditional kitchen design has been another. During uncertain times, there’s no doubt such environments offer great comfort and reassurance. In short, traditional kitchens represent a safe haven in which to work, rest and play, away from the outside world. Our furniture manager Doug Haswell explores all the available options:
Traditional kitchens?
This term can mean various things to different people – there is no single definition. However, one aspect this has in common is that it tends to represent timeless design, which can take different forms. So, for some, traditional means Shaker doors, wood finishes, pale colours and plenty of natural materials. Meanwhile, others define these kitchens according to their decorative features, such as open plate racks, and the individual character they exude. In fact, traditional kitchens can be rustic and homespun or classy and elegant. And they are always the opposite of cool and clinical: think warmth and charm, without compromising on functionality, storage or style.
Many people associate traditional kitchens with in-frame furniture and this style is actually one of my favourites.
The door is inset within a frame which is fitted to the front of the carcase They tend to be more expensive, due to the time and intricate craftsmanship involved. Our signature collection includes a selection of finishing touches, which demonstrate attention to detail, with dovetail drawers and soft-close hinges. At Caple, we offer a wide range of colours and this kitchen style can be pretty versatile. We’re able to create in-frame cabinets in a range of bespoke sizes, so accommodating awkward spaces might be easier than you realise.
You can add a mix and match of colours to a traditional kitchen, which could create a modern touch. Our Winford painted in-frame collection has 15 shades to choose from. This kitchen is also filled with character and style for a warm, yet luxurious, effect. We can even incorporate curved and concave curved doors for a softer look. You can customise your kitchen further with our decorative accessories, such as chrome or blackened copper butt hinges. Our Winford painted range, showcased here in Bone & Coal, is the epitome of traditional elegance. Combining a neutral shade with a darker colour adds depth and interest.
What constitutes classic furniture design? Where traditional kitchens are concerned, it can encompass rich woods, subtle colours and elegant details – finished off with a high quality build standard and attention to detail. I think our classic kitchens embrace this and they’re bound to appeal to fans of traditional English styling.
Rustic charm
Our Leigh Oak kitchen features simple, Shaker-style doors. It’s also available in 11 painted colours including Storm, Charcoal, Light Grey, Sage and Alabaster (pictured). Rustic chic has never looked better in the form of our Leigh Oak collection. This classic, traditional kitchen design is both stylish and functional, incorporating plenty of storage space and room to cook, work and entertain. Feature elements in this collection range from plain painted or tongue and groove painted end panels, over-mantle kits and shelves, boxed pilasters, radius end posts and canopies.
Neutral shades
Timeless neutrals tend to be a popular choice for traditional kitchens, as demonstrated by our Parkhurst. This collection is available in ten versatile colours, including neutral shades Cashmere, Grey, Mussel and Lead. I think Parkhurst will work just as well in more modern interiors as it will in classic/country homes. It’s family-friendly too: the five-piece, foil-wrapped doors replicate the beauty of painted wood, but offer more durability and moisture resistance. Our Parkhurst kitchen, shown here in Cashmere, features an elegant, timber graining effect on the doors. This is ideal for creating a light-filled, open-plan design with a natural look.
Where kitchens are concerned, some may associate traditional with dated. When you see our painted kitchens, you’ll find nothing could be further from the truth. This collection allows you to experiment with different colour schemes, to create a design and finish that suits both the setting and your personal style preferences. You can stay soft and natural or go bold and original – the options we offer are almost endless.
Colour contrasts
Take our Stanton painted kitchen, for example. Its clean, uncluttered lines are a perfect example of traditional minimalism. Simply add a strong colour on the island unit, for example, for a touch of drama. Add a contemporary twist to your traditional kitchen with a dark accent shade. Our Stanton collection, shown here in Alabaster & Huckleberry, demonstrates an unusual, but classy, combination.
Alabaster and Federal Blue is a super colour combination which works well in traditional kitchens. Just look at our Chester collection. Featuring a range of lovely heritage details, such as over mantle kits, the kitchen doors incorporate a solid ash frame with a raised and fielded veneered ash centre panel. A modern colour, such as Federal blue, can work well in a traditional kitchen setting, especially when combined with a neutral furniture palette. Our Chester kitchen features a dark island centrepiece, to contrast with paler wall and base units.
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