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Seamlessly Connecting Spaces

Project Details

Style
Shaker
Location
Hagley
Date
23 May 2025

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The Challenge

When a retired couple found Matthew James Kitchens online they were drawn to our reputation for bespoke kitchen design. Their brief? To turn a unusual shaped kitchen into a functional and beautiful space that covered three areas: cooking/breakfast room, sink/working area and living area with matching units. The challenge was further complicated by the awkward shape of the room and the narrow archway between the spaces.

Through careful planning and attention to detail Matthew James Kitchens overcame these obstacles and delivered a cohesive, elegant and practical kitchen design.

Kitchen Area

The breakfast/cooking room is centred around the corner pantry with space tower storage. This maximises storage without clutter. Opposite the pantry the integrated fridge, freezer, oven and hob are placed for efficient workflow.

The breakfast bar serves multiple purposes. It provides additional worktop space for food prep and is a seamless connector to the other zones, tying the design together.

The adjacent sink/working area was designed with practicality in mind with chosen appliances and storage solutions. A Quooker tap was installed for instant boiling water, adding convenience and modernity. The careful placement of cabinets and drawers means every inch of space is used efficiently so you can access kitchen essentials while cooking.

Living Area

Moving into the living area the design flows with matching units and coordinated elements from the cooking room. Shaker style light grey doors painted throughout and wood veneer worktops and floating shelves add warmth and homeliness.

The living space has a bespoke TV wall with open shelving and storage units, a focal point that’s both functional and beautiful. This design choice not only matches the rest of the kitchen but also the overall room, making it the perfect spot to relax and entertain.

Special Features and Detailing

This project is full of tailored features that enhance both functionality and style:

  • Corner pantry with space tower storage: Makes kitchen tasks simpler.
  • Quooker tap: Instant boiling water, convenience and modernity.
  • Floating shelves: Painted light grey, these shelves add a touch of luxury and space to display personal items.
Modern Appliances for a Modern Kitchen

To complete the kitchen the NEFF appliances were chosen for their reliability and design. Below is the full list of NEFF appliances:

  • NEFF N50 Single Oven with CircoTherm (B3ACE4HN0B)
  • NEFF N50 Combi Microwave Oven (C1AMG83N0B)
  • NEFF N70 Gas Hob (T27DS59N0)
  • NEFF Integrated Tall Fridge (KI1813FE0G)
  • NEFF Integrated Tall Freezer (GI7813EF0G)
  • NEFF Integrated Dishwasher (S153HAX02G)
  • NEFF Wine Cooler (KU9213HG0G)
  • NEFF Canopy Extractor Hood (D57ML67N1B)

The Result

This kitchens beauty is in its subtlety and thoughtfulness. The result is a cohesive space that meets the couple’s lifestyle needs, practicality and style. From daily meals to a quiet evening with a glass of wine this kitchen is the heart of the home.

At Matthew James Kitchens we pride ourselves on designing kitchens that are as unique as our clients. This project is an example of how we can turn difficult spaces into seamless, functional and beautiful living areas.

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.

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.

Latest
-From Our Portfolio

Please take a look through our kitchen portfolio and be inspired by some of our previous work. We are extremely grateful to our clients for allowing us to return to their homes to capture these images.
  • All
  • Acrylic
  • Bedrooms
  • Bespoke Wardrobes
  • Contemporary
  • Galley
  • Gloss
  • Handle-less
  • In-frame
  • J Handle
  • L Shaped
  • Modern
  • Oak
  • Open Plan
  • Parapan High Gloss
  • Plywood
  • Shaker
  • Solid Wood
  • Stormer
  • Traditional
All
  • All
  • Acrylic
  • Bedrooms
  • Bespoke Wardrobes
  • Contemporary
  • Galley
  • Gloss
  • Handle-less
  • In-frame
  • J Handle
  • L Shaped
  • Modern
  • Oak
  • Open Plan
  • Parapan High Gloss
  • Plywood
  • Shaker
  • Solid Wood
  • Stormer
  • Traditional
Plywood

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Latest
-From Our Blog

If you’re looking for kitchen design advice, you’ve come to the right place. We have lots of tips and tricks that we’ve picked up over our years in the business, and we’re happy to share them with you!

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