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A Coordinated Kitchen And Living Space Designed With Care
This Halesowen project is a lovely example of how considered cabinetry can bring different areas of the home together. The brief centred around a new kitchen, but the finished scheme went further, with matching fitted furniture designed for the adjoining lounge and dining area.
By using the same Skinny Shaker door style across both spaces, the kitchen and living areas now feel connected, balanced and thoughtfully planned. The result is a calm, practical and beautifully finished home interior, with the cabinetry doing far more than simply providing storage.
From the soft Putty cabinetry to the elegant quartz surfaces, black handles, warm lighting and bespoke media furniture, every detail was chosen to create a space that feels polished, welcoming and easy to live with.
Project Overview
Our clients wanted a kitchen that felt smart, reliable and well organised, with a classic look that would still feel fresh in a modern home. They also wanted fitted units in the lounge area, allowing the design to flow beyond the kitchen and create a more cohesive feel across the ground floor.
The project included:
- A new Skinny Shaker kitchen in Putty
- Quartz worktops with full splashback and matching window sills
- Integrated NEFF appliances
- A white River Severn sink with a black and chrome River Oka tap
- Loox lighting to enhance the working areas
- Coordinated fitted lounge cabinetry in the same Skinny Shaker style
- A bespoke media wall with display shelving and integrated storage
- Glass shelving for the lounge display areas
- A bifold system for the bar area
- Full kitchen rip out and installation
This was not simply a case of replacing units. The design needed to feel joined-up, with the kitchen, dining space and lounge working together visually while still serving their own practical purposes.
The Kitchen Design
The kitchen cabinetry was supplied in our Skinny Shaker style, finished in Putty. This door style offers a refined take on the classic shaker look, with slim framing that feels lighter and more contemporary than a traditional shaker profile.
The Putty finish brings softness to the room, sitting beautifully alongside the black handles and black glass appliances. It gives the kitchen a warm neutral base, which works particularly well with the natural light from the windows and the pale quartz surfaces.
The layout provides a strong amount of storage, with tall cabinetry, wall units, drawer storage and practical base units positioned around the working zones. The result is a kitchen that feels spacious and uncluttered, while still offering everything needed for day-to-day use.
Quartz Worktops And Full Splashbacks
The worktops were finished in 30mm Calacatta Gold quartz, chosen for its elegant marble-effect veining and durable surface. This material gives the kitchen a premium feel without making the room look too formal or heavy.
One of the strongest details in this project is the use of full quartz splashbacks and matching window sills. Rather than stopping at a standard upstand, the quartz continues vertically behind the work areas, creating a clean, seamless and easy-to-maintain finish.
Around the sink, hob and preparation zones, this makes a real difference. The surfaces are practical, wipeable and visually continuous, helping the whole kitchen feel more refined.
Sink, Tap And Appliances
The sink area features a white River Severn sink paired with a River Oka tap in black and chrome. This combination works particularly well with the black handles and appliances, adding contrast without overpowering the softer cabinetry.
The kitchen was also fitted with a selection of NEFF appliances, including:
- NEFF N30 single pyrolytic oven
- NEFF N30 black glass induction hob
- NEFF fully integrated 60cm dishwasher
- NEFF N30 canopy hood in metallic silver
The black glass induction hob and oven sit neatly within the design, while the integrated dishwasher keeps the kitchen frontage clean and uninterrupted. The canopy hood allows extraction to be included without dominating the wall cabinetry.
Lighting And Finishing Details
Lighting plays an important role in this kitchen. Loox lighting was used to create a warm, practical glow beneath the wall units, illuminating the worktops and adding atmosphere in the evening.
This is especially effective against the quartz splashback, where the light catches the subtle veining and adds depth to the finish. It is a small detail, but one that makes the kitchen feel more considered and enjoyable to use.
The black handles provide a strong finishing touch. Their shape adds character to the cabinetry, while the colour links the kitchen to the wider interior scheme, including the lounge furniture, door hardware and media wall detailing.
Bespoke Lounge Furniture In Matching Skinny Shaker
A key part of this project was the fitted furniture in the lounge area. The clients later left a review explaining that they were so pleased with the kitchen that they were also having fitted units created for the lounge, and the finished result shows how well this approach works.
The lounge cabinetry uses the same Skinny Shaker style, creating a natural connection between the kitchen and living spaces. Around the fireplace, the fitted units provide a mix of closed storage and open display shelving, giving the room structure without making it feel too built-in or heavy.
The media area in the dining space is another standout feature. The cabinetry frames the television beautifully, with low-level storage, glass display sections and a slatted backdrop that adds texture and contrast. The black detailing ties in with the handles, lighting and dining furniture, creating a consistent look across the whole room.
Challenges And Solutions
One of the main design challenges was creating a scheme that worked across more than one space. The kitchen needed to function as a practical working area, while the lounge and dining furniture needed to feel more relaxed and decorative.
The solution was to use a consistent cabinetry style, but adapt it to each area:
- In the kitchen, the Skinny Shaker cabinetry provides storage, appliance housing and practical working zones.
- In the dining area, the same style is used to frame a bespoke media wall with display shelving.
- In the lounge, the fitted units sit around the fireplace, creating storage and display without taking over the room.
Another important part of the project was coordination. The client highlighted in their review that Steph coordinated the trades so the fitting process flowed smoothly, with minimal upheaval. That level of organisation is vital on projects like this, where cabinetry, appliances, plumbing, electrics, lighting and finishing details all need to come together properly.
The Finished Result
The finished kitchen is calm, bright and highly practical, with a timeless neutral palette and carefully chosen contrasts. The Putty Skinny Shaker cabinetry gives the room warmth, while the quartz worktops and full splashbacks add elegance and long-term durability.
What makes this project especially successful is the way the cabinetry continues beyond the kitchen. The fitted lounge units and media furniture help the home feel more complete, with each room having its own purpose but still sitting comfortably within one overall design.
The client’s review said:
That kind of feedback means a great deal to us, because it reflects not only the finished kitchen, but the experience of getting there.
A Thoughtful Halesowen Kitchen And Living Space
This Halesowen project shows how bespoke cabinetry can transform more than one room. By combining a beautifully finished Skinny Shaker kitchen with made-to-measure lounge and media furniture, we were able to create a home that feels cohesive, practical and personal.
At Matthew James Kitchens, we believe the best designs are the ones that improve how a home feels as well as how it functions. This project is a wonderful example of that approach – carefully planned, expertly fitted and finished with the attention to detail our clients expect.
Why Choose Matthew James Kitchens
We were responsible for ensuring that from the initial drawings through the final fit-out, all elements including cabinetry, appliances, finishes and on-site trade work would result in a high quality finish. Each detail; scribes, shadows, gaps and mitered joints were planned carefully so the rooms are built with a craftsman’s attention to detail as opposed to merely being constructed.
If you’d like us to assess your current space to see if it could be completed at an equal level of functionality and finish, we’d love to assist you in doing so – please stop by one of our two showrooms (Birmingham & Bromsgrove) to begin your design process.
A Personal Journey with Matthew James
At Matthew James Kitchens, we've been at the heart of homes for generations, watching kitchen trends evolve while staying true to timeless craftsmanship. As a family-run business deeply rooted in our community, we understand that your kitchen is more than just a room—it's the soul of your home.
- Award-winning designs featured in Beautiful Kitchens magazine
- Over two decades of experience
- Bespoke kitchen designs tailored to individual tastes and lifestyles
- Wide range of styles
- Fully equipped showroom
- Finance options
Have a question?
As a family-run business that values transparency, we understand the importance of timing. Every kitchen is unique, just like the families we serve. Typically, from initial design to the final polished surface, a bespoke kitchen can take anywhere typically from 3 - 4 weeks to 6 weeks if a project is incredibly complex. But rest assured, we'll work closely with you to ensure the process fits seamlessly into your life.
This is where our expertise truly shines. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, as each home and homeowner has different needs. We take pride in sitting down with you, perhaps over a cup of tea in our showroom, to understand how you live, cook, and entertain. Whether it's a classic work triangle or a more modern zoned approach, we'll craft a layout that's as functional as it is beautiful
This is a question we get asked all the time. In our experience, clever storage solutions are the unsung heroes of a well-designed kitchen. From pull-out pantries to bespoke corner units, we have a myriad of tricks up our sleeves to ensure every inch of your kitchen works hard. After all, a clutter-free kitchen is a joy to cook in, whether you're whipping up a quick weekday dinner or hosting a grand Sunday roast for the family.
