malcolmleigh

When you have a young, bustling family, your kitchen needs to do a lot of heavy lifting. It can’t just be a showpiece; it has to be the hardworking heart of the home. That was the exact brief for one of our recent projects. Our clients wanted a space bursting with colour, warmth, and life, but it absolutely had to deliver on daily practicality. The result? A breathtaking, high-end family kitchen featuring our Penwortham Shaker that effortlessly blends timeless character with modern living. Here is how we brought this busy family home to life. The Palette: Willow Green Meets Taupe Grey To breathe life into the space, we opted for a stunning two-tone kitchen palette. We paired the soft, earthy tones of Willow Green with the sophisticated warmth of Taupe Grey. What makes the Penwortham range so special is its gorgeous, authentic oak grain finish and classic Shaker detailing. It has the unique ability to look deeply traditional and sleekly modern all at once. Combined with the room’s gorgeous exposed coral beam, the entire colour scheme feels incredibly organic, warm, and inviting. To elevate the look, we topped the cabinetry with premium 20mm Porcelain Venacini Worktops (fabricated by our friends at The Granite House). It’s the ultimate material for a family kitchen, sleek, timeless, and virtually indestructible. Beneath it all, Tarkett UK flooring in ‘Creek Oak Brown’ (supplied and fitted by Greens Flooring) perfectly ties the whole room together. Designed for Connection: The Ultimate Openplan Island At the center of this openplan layout sits a modest, multi-functional kitchen island. Positioned right between the dining area and the cozy back snug, it acts as the bridge for the whole room. By placing the hob directly on the island, the chef of the house never has to turn their back on the action. Whether they are prepping weeknight dinners with the kids or hosting a lively dinner party with friends, they are always a part of the atmosphere. Hidden Genius: Smart Storage for Mess Free Living Let’s be honest: family life comes with a lot of stuff. To keep the space looking like a designer showroom, we built in some serious storage magic: The Feature End Larder: This clever unit conveniently hides away all those bulky everyday worktop appliances (kettles, toasters, blenders), leaving the counters completely clutter-free for food preparation. The Seamless Worktop Window Return: Instead of a traditional tiled window sill, we ran the Porcelain Venacini worktop straight up into the window frame. This continuous surface looks incredibly sleek and architectural, plus it has zero grout lines, making it a dream to wipe down and clean. Hidden Cutlery Drawers: To maintain the clean, symmetrical line patterns of the Penwortham Shaker, we concealed the cutlery draws inside larger deep drawers. Integrated Appliances: The dishwasher and large fridge-freezer are seamlessly hidden behind matching Shaker panels for an uninterrupted, premium finish. As night falls, the look is completed with warm LED under cabinet and plinth lighting, completely transforming the kitchen into a cozy, atmospheric evening vibe. Bring Your Dream Family Kitchen to Life This project proves that you don’t have to choose between a stylish, high end aesthetic and a functional, child friendly space. With clever openplan kitchen design and smart storage, you can truly have it all. Are you looking for an affordable green Shaker kitchen, or need expert advice on how to maximise kitchen storage for a busy household? We’d love to help.