Clients Journey
Katie, Dartmoor
Timeless by Design
When Katie started refurbishing her 19th-century home on the edge of Dartmoor, the challenge was to create entirely new living spaces downstairs that still harmonised with both the house and its surroundings. She planned an extension to include a spacious kitchen, a utility room, a dining area, and a bar. Finding a company capable of delivering all of it cohesively was another matter.
"I'd been to a couple of different companies, and they hadn't been able to offer me the kitchen I wanted," said Katie. "This was completely different. On my first visit to the showroom, Nathan gave me loads of ideas. And I really liked the Kitchen Makers range. I knew I wanted a traditional kitchen, but it had to be stylish at the same time, and timeless."
The Design Challenge
The extension provided Katie with the space she needed, but the three areas—the kitchen, dining room, and utility—had to work harmoniously and feel thoughtfully considered rather than merely functional. The Kitchen Makers by Burbidge range, with its handcrafted, in-frame solid wood furniture, offered the quality and character the setting required.
After the initial showroom visit, Nathan visited the property to discuss the plans in detail. "He drew everything up, and Derinda created the virtual look, so I had a vision," said Katie. "I had started with an idea of one big kitchen, but Nathan suggested fitting a wall so that the utility room is separate. I really like that because it keeps things out of the way, especially when I have guests."
The Solution
Katie chose the Kitchen Makers Somerton range in Bone, with an island in Baltic Green that features a hob and extractor. Quartz worktops were supplied by Mayflower Stone. All integrated appliances are Neff, and a Quooker boiling water tap completes the kitchen’s specifications. "I felt it was worth investing in the luxury of a Kitchen Makers kitchen because it's such good quality and I know it will last. And having the hob on the island was Nathan's idea, because it's more sociable when friends or family are here."
The utility room is also Burbidge, in Baltic Green, from the Simply Burbidge range.
The dining room required its own conversation. Katie wanted a bar but not inside the kitchen itself. "So I decided to have it in the dining room where it's better for entertaining, and the Kitchen Maker style was perfect." The bar features a drinks cabinet against the wall and a bespoke serving area with a tap. KF Kitchens also installed a Kitchen Makers dresser in the dining room, complete with warming drawers, an integrated dishwasher, and a feature mirror and shelving from Armada Glass.
Installation & Completion
Katie used her own contractors for the extension, flooring, decorating, electrics, and most of the plumbing across all three spaces. KF Kitchens supplied and installed the kitchen, utility room, and the dresser and bar in the dining room, working closely with the contractors throughout to ensure everything dovetailed. "The installer for KF Kitchens, Kevin, was fantastic. He coordinated everything. Nothing was too much, and he bent over backwards to create the bar."
The Result
The finished spaces precisely reflect what Katie aimed for: a home that feels modern yet retains its character. "From the planning and ideas stage with Derinda and Nathan, to the fitting with Kevin, they went above and beyond to ensure I received exactly what I wanted. There's such a difference between them and other tradespeople I've worked with. They genuinely care."
Asked for three words to describe her new kitchen: "Timeless, quality, stylish. But especially timeless."
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