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A Warm, Functional Family Kitchen
Our clients were considering an extension but wanted to see if they could get more out of their existing footprint. The original kitchen felt flat and cold, short on storage and was pushing too much daily life into the utility. There was also space under the stairs that was going to waste.
Design Strategy
We kept the U-shape with a sociable peninsula – the bit that already worked for family life – and tidied everything around it. A pocket door now separates kitchen and utility, removing awkward door swing and allowing tall appliance housings to sit neatly without compromise.
Installation Scope
- Full kitchen and utility installation
- Careful rip-out with skip management and clean handover
Space Planning & Storage Highlights
- U-shape working area with generous drawer banks for everyday efficiency and a peninsula for casual seating
- Corner solutions – Le-Mans trays and carousels so you can actually reach what you store
- Reduced-depth larders either side of a breakfast pantry on the far wall – extra worktop and concealed storage without visually crowding the room
- Under-stairs reconfigured into two useful zones:
- Front half accessed from the kitchen for household essentials
- Rear half accessed from the hallway with push-to-open, made-to-measure drawers concealed in the wall
- Utility re-fitted for proper storage and clear work surface so laundry and cleaning tasks stop spilling into the kitchen
Materials & Craft
- Door style – Mid Shaker painted in Hartforth Blue for depth, warmth and timelessness
- Internal upgrades – Oak dovetail drawer boxes for strength and longevity, plus oak spice racks inside the pantry for order at a glance
- Hardware – Handles ×13 and knobs ×24 sized and positioned for perfect balance and hand feel
Worktops - Quartz Forms Planet Interstellar Cloud 2035
A premium quartz surface chosen for beauty and daily resilience.
- Non-porous and low maintenance – resists stains from coffee, wine and everyday spills
- Highly scratch and chip resistant – ideal for family cooking and busy breakfast times
- Subtle, celestial veining – adds movement without dominating the cabinetry colour
- Precision templated and factory finished – crisp edges, tight joints, and a perfectly flush sit with undermounted sinks
- Practical finishing touches – heat protection advice, discreet drainer grooves if specified, and a care kit on handover for long-term sheen
Sinks & Taps - Daily Ease Built In
- Kitchen sink – deep, undermounted bowl for clutter-free worktops and effortless wipe-down into the basin
- Utility sink – robust specification for buckets, muddy boots and household tasks without worrying about scuffs
- Utility tap – high-reach spout for filling, rinsing and cleaning with room to manoeuvre
- Quooker boiling-water tap with Cube and Scale Control
- Instant 100°C water for tea, pasta and sterilising – safer child-proof handle and insulated spout
- Chilled filtered and sparkling water on demand with the Cube – fewer plastic bottles and more worktop space
- Scale Control helps protect the system in hard-water areas and keeps performance consistent
Appliances
Ovens – Neff
B54CR71G0B N70 single oven
A multi-function, fan-assisted oven designed for even heat and consistent results. The trademark Slide&Hide door tucks away beneath the cavity, so basting or checking trays is easier and safer in a busy kitchen. Multiple programmes cover everything from slow roasts to crisp baking, and rapid heat-up means weeknight meals start sooner.C24MR21G0B N70 compact oven with microwave
Two appliances in the space of one. Use it as a full oven, a full microwave, or combine the two to cut cooking times while still achieving browning and texture. Brilliant for mid-week efficiency, batch prep, reheating without drying, and adding a second oven for dinner parties.
Refrigeration – Neff
KI7861SE0G integrated fridge freezer
A built-in 70/30 split gives generous fridge capacity for fresh food with a tidy freezer below for batch cooking and frozen staples. Adjustable shelving, dedicated produce drawers and bright LED lighting keep contents visible and reduce waste from forgotten items.
Hob & Extraction
T68FHV4L0 Neff flex induction hob
Induction gives instant, precise heat with excellent safety – the surface only warms under the pan. Flex zones let you bridge areas for griddles and large pans, while power boost handles rapid boils. The cool-to-touch glass cleans with a single wipe after cooking.Miro Stealth 780 canopy extractor
A discreet, built-in canopy that clears steam and cooking odours at source without dominating the room. High extraction performance, quiet running and easy-clean filters make it a fit-and-forget workhorse for daily cooking.
Cleaning – Neff
- S153HKX03G fully integrated dishwasher
Family-friendly capacity with targeted spray arms and a choice of cycles, from quick daily washes to intensive pots and pans. Quiet operation means you can run it in open-plan spaces without it intruding on conversation or TV time.
Functional Storage Components - Small Details, Big Daily Wins
- Pull-out bin – tidy, segregated waste and recycling right where you prep
- Le-Mans corner pull-out – swing-out trays bring pots to you instead of you reaching into a dark corner
- Carousel – efficient 360° access for dry goods and small appliances
- Breakfast pantry – dedicated station with internal worktop for toaster and coffee kit, plus sockets and spice storage to keep surfaces clear
- Oak dovetail drawers – smooth, weighty action that stands up to years of use
Additional Works
- Plastering for a crisp, paint-ready envelope
- Sliding pocket door mechanism and new door supply
- Partitioning and shelving to the front of the under-stairs cupboard
- Bespoke drawer units to the rear of the under-stairs cupboard, hallway-accessed and push-to-open
- Radiators fitted – client supplied
- Gas cap-off as required
The Result
The kitchen now feels calm, warm and genuinely family-proof. Cooking workflows are smoother, storage is intuitive, and the peninsula draws everyone together without blocking the working zone. The breakfast pantry and reduced-depth larders add purpose and polish to the far wall, while the under-stairs conversion quietly absorbs life’s clutter. Crucially, the clients achieved the feeling of a bigger kitchen without extending – proof that smart planning and the right specifications can transform how a home lives, day in, day out.
Why Matthew James Kitchens
From first sketches to final fitting, we coordinated cabinetry, appliances, surfaces and on-site trades to deliver a flawless finish. Every scribe, shadow gap and mitre was considered – so these spaces feel crafted, not simply installed.
If you’d like us to evaluate whether your existing space can achieve this level of function and finish, we’d be delighted to help – visit our Birmingham or Bromsgrove showrooms to start your design journey.
Looking for a bespoke kitchen designer in Worcestershire? You’re in the right place.
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.
