The Dunkirk Project

Kitchen, Utility, Study, Children’s Wardrobes & Entertainment Unit

The Backstory

We recently completed this large house project for a family of four in Dunkirk. Our clients Ben & Jonathan were initially searching for land to start a self build, but when a friend sent them details of a house in Dunkirk:

“We knew after our first visit that it was where we wanted to raise a family.”

The renovations have been vast in the house, taking the family over 14 months to complete. We took on their kitchen project as well as their utility, office and wardrobes for their little ones’ nurseries.

The Kitchen Design

This open plan kitchen was the creative vision of the couple and their interior designer, Katie Goring, with a large kitchen island being the main focus. This piece consists of two different stones, and sits at three different heights. Drawers & cabinets sit on the ‘inside’ of the kitchen area while an attached banquette seating sits on the ‘outside’ of the island for casual family meal times.

The kitchen that our clients inherited from the house wasn’t to their taste. Ben & Jonathan needed something sleek and modern for their forever home so we designed their bespoke kitchen with our Westminster units but with flat doors, removing the traditional Shaker cabinetry look.

“We wanted to change everything. You wouldn’t recognise where the kitchen used to be anymore.”

The kitchen space consists of the 3 tiered kitchen island, with drawers and cabinets on one side, and a long floor-to-ceiling cabinetry run featuring four ovens, a tall wine cooler, fridge & freezer as well as a pocket door larder unit with a cold shelf and drawers inside.

The Details: Colours, Handles Etc

For their cabinetry, our clients chose ‘Sinner’, a deep black colour, and combined it with beautiful walnut interiors and satin brass handles. This colour combination mingled with the tufted leather seats and bench, really brings a certain dark and mysterious aesthetic, channeling an ‘old world smokers room’.

“We wanted it to stand out and be unique. We wanted something that made you go wow. We went for contrasting colours that meant we could pick the hardware that would stand out. Such as our tap and handles.”

A fantastic three level kitchen island features two different stones; the white, a polished quartz in the colour ‘Calacatta Gold’ and the darker one, a matt finish quartz in the colour ‘Coliseum Napoleon Black’ both from Silestone.

Making Your Dream Kitchen In The Workshop

The Herringbone Workshop

The Entertainment Unit

The family’s television was encased in a large slab of grey, veined stone making it a statement piece of focus in the living-room. Four stained timber cupboards sit below the television with flat doors and a push open mechanism, as well as a shelf above.

The Children’s Wardrobe

The wardrobe we designed and fitted for Ben & Jon’s two wee boys was done in the Applegate range, with flat doors, cut-out handles and the unit flush to the ground with no ‘little feet’. This piece was painted in a geometric design with contrasting colours, pulling inspiration from the rest of the nursery’s cool toned colour palette. Inside are three hanging-rail sections as well as four shelves for clothes, toys or shoes; all in a beautiful oak finish.

The Utility

The utility was designed in the same style as the kitchen, in the Westminster range but with flat doors, removing the Shaker panel element. This large room features a run of cabinetry including a sink and stacked white appliances, as well as a gorgeous wall-hugging bespoke element consisting of a bench, shoe shelves, coat hooks and a shelf up top for clean towels. This piece includes beautiful tongue and groove panelling which adds dimension and texture to the space.

The Office

We also designed and fitted these two floor-to-ceiling bookshelves for Ben & Jon’s office space. They include varying sized shelves, a drawer and a cupboard each. The two units bring to life the client’s personality in the space showcasing their collections of books, family photos & favourite decorative nic nacs. The integrated lighting at the back of each shelf, illuminates the room subtly without needing to turn on any spotlights.

On Using Herringbone

“Our experience with Herringbone Kitchens was fantastic from start to finish!”

Jon & Ben- Dunkirk