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We love getting the details right at Matthew James Kitchens. Sharp lines that please the eye, surfaces that work together, soft-close doors, and storage that actually makes sense when you’re cooking. This particular job shows what happens when you really think about how a compact kitchen needs to work – and make it look brilliant too.
What the Client Wanted
The brief was simple: Make this small kitchen work properly without it feeling like a cupboard. And it still had to look properly bespoke – none of that flat-pack nonsense.
Style Choices
- Cabinetry: Cashmere Grey throughout (cabinets and edges)
- Door fronts: Solid Ash Shaker in Gravel Medium with square frame detail
- Hardware: 26 Trafalgar cup handles for the drawers, classic knobs on doors – gives it that proper heritage feel
What We Built In
- Le Mans corner units (2 of them) – these swing the whole corner out towards you. Honestly brilliant for getting to stuff that usually gets lost at the back.
- Custom dresser (w700 × h1290mm) with glass doors – keeps it feeling light and shows off nice crockery
- Variable corner unit at h1290mm height
- Built-in bin under the sink where it should be
- New windowsill to match everything else
- Open shelving (client supplied their own)
Appliances
- Neff N50 double oven (graphite) – proper even cooking across both compartments, great for Sunday roasts and weeknight suppers
- Neff induction hob (60cm) – quick, responsive, and dead easy to clean
- Neff integrated hood – you barely notice it’s there but it shifts the steam and smells efficiently
- Neff fridge-freezer (60/40 split, integrated) – runs quietly, no defrosting needed
- Integrated dishwasher (client’s existing one)
- Neff washer/dryer combo – saves masses of space, fits flush with everything else
Sink & Tap
- Carron Phoenix Shonelle ceramic sink (1.5 bowl, white) – proper fireclay style that’ll last decades
- Franke Eiger brass tap – twin lever design that feels solid and looks the part
Worktops & Splashbacks
- Light Oak laminate worktops (thickness to be confirmed) – gives you that warm timber look without the maintenance headaches.
- Tempered glass splashback – 700 × 800mm behind sink, 100mm upstands elsewhere. Easy to keep spotless.
We also undertook a complete strip-out along with skip hire, and gas capping where needed. No fuss. Professional design and fitting service from start to finish.
Why These Materials Work
- Solid Ash doors: Real timber frames mean they’ll still look good in 20 years. Square profile keeps everything looking crisp.
- Cashmere Grey cabinets: Calming colour that makes small spaces feel bigger. Works perfectly with the brass and oak touches.
- Light Oak laminate worktops: All the warmth of real oak but you can put hot pans down and not worry about it.
- Le Mans mechanisms: Proper German engineering – these corner units will still be working smoothly when everything else needs replacing.
- Neff appliances: Reliable kit that actually talks to each other properly when integrated.
The Tricky Bits We Solved
- Limited space? Glass-fronted dresser keeps things feeling open, consistent vertical lines draw your eye up, slim worktop profile doesn’t crowd the room.
- Dead corner space? Two Le Mans units turned the most awkward spots into the most useful storage. Everything’s within easy reach now.
- Making it flow? Mapped out a proper work triangle – prep by the window for natural light, cooking with decent extraction overhead, washing up and dishwasher in a straight line for easy clearing.
- Getting everything to look right together? Cashmere Grey, gravel-toned ash, and brass create a palette that’s warm but not fussy. Even pulls the graphite appliances into the scheme.
- Building work? We handled the rip-out, waste removal, and gas safety – kept everything running to schedule.
The Result
The room feels bigger, calmer, and much more organised. Every cupboard and drawer has a proper job, the corners actually work now, and that glass dresser adds character without cluttering up the sight lines.
Daily cooking is much easier – induction responds instantly, extraction works quietly, fridge runs without that constant humming.
What the client said: “It looks properly bespoke but nothing feels unnecessary. Storage that actually makes sense and we’re using every inch now.”
This project sums up how we approach every kitchen – proper joinery details, thinking about how you’ll actually use the space, and choosing materials that look good and last well.
Fancy a chat about your kitchen? Pop into either showroom (Birmingham or Bromsgrove) or book a design consultation. We’d love to help.
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.
