PHPD catches up with a couple who recently had the opportunity to specify their own Caple kitchen along with property developer Chapel Properties.
When Chapel Properties gave Sarah and Martin Worswick the chance to put their own personal stamp on every aspect of their new home, they immediately turned to Caple for an open-plan Shaker-style kitchen. Sarah explains: “We knew we wanted to have plenty of space in which to relax and unwind after a busy day. However, we also wanted ample room in which to entertain. So, we soon realised an open-plan space would achieve just what we were looking for. I’d already got my heart set on a Caple Shaker-style kitchen – their Harptree had caught my attention for some time, so I couldn’t wait to get to the kitchen design process.”
Sarah sat down with furniture designer Lily Dahl to discuss what the couple wanted from the new kitchen and exactly how they planned to use the space. Lily says: “The initial planning stages can be some of the most important aspects, when it comes to kitchen design. So, I discussed a variety of options with Sarah and Martin from how much storage they would need to the best locations for certain appliances.”
Style was important to this couple, however they were also looking for cabinets which would stand the test of time. “I chose a Shaker-style kitchen, because I’ve always loved this classic look. In addition, I wanted a kitchen which we wouldn’t have to rip out in five years or so because it looks dated. So, this made the perfect choice,” Sarah explains. The couple chose a two-tone effect with bold blue cabinetry on either wall and a pale grey for the island unit in order to define the kitchen area and give it more depth. Choosing timeless, Shaker-style kitchen furniture would also help them create a more seamless flow from the kitchen to the dining and living area.
The cabinets are bespoke in size and the lacquered oak drawer boxes feature the classic dovetail design. The doors are 75mm ash-framed surrounded by a solid ash beaded frame with feature extended bottom rail. This kitchen also comes with soft-close hinges for smooth opening and curved doors are available.
The central island
An island unit was important, but it would need to match the length of the tall Shaker-style kitchen units for a uniform finish. However, this suited the couple perfectly. After all, they were looking for furniture with plenty of storage and ample room for a breakfast bar and hob. This piece of furniture would also make a strong style statement and mean that friends and family can gather round as they cook on their induction downdraft. Sarah adds: “I’d seen this hob in operation before, so I knew it was perfect for our home renovation project. What sets this appliance apart for me is its ability to capture every odour, using Plasma technology. I don’t think there’s another extractor available, quite like it. “This appliance also didn’t take up much room in the base units below. In fact, the charcoal filter was stored in the plinth, making this a neat option. They added a neat power dock to the island too, with handy USB ports for charging phones and three 13A sockets.
The couple say they had their eye on a steaming water tap right from the start. “I don’t like clutter, so this made perfect sense. We could forget about a kettle and use the worktop space for other things such as food prep. We chose Caple’s swan neck steaming water tap as I thought the design would blend in,” Sarah adds. It looks classic, however Sarah decided to add a modern stainless-steel sink. This model features angular lines for contemporary appeal in the wet zone.
The worktop and flooring
Sarah says she really wanted a marble-style worktop to complement the kitchen. But she was looking for something which would be affordable and easy to maintain. So, the couple chose a modern slimline Formica top called Prima Radiance with a marble-effect finish from Kitchen Worktops Online. For the flooring, they chose luxury vinyl as they wanted wood effect but, again, maintenance and pricing would be key. Sarah explains: “We found a beautiful Moduleo tile from Donnelly Watson with a texture for a more realistic finish. It’s also hygienic and easy to clean, which enables us to quickly wipe away muddy paws from our cat, Mushka.”
