Bold dark blue kitchen with orange island. Dining Space has a colourful pendent light

In the historic city of St Albans lies our signature Lay-On Shaker style, offering a refined, elegant profile throughout the home. We had the pleasure of collaborating with interior designer Briony from Reyne Design, whose artistic flair and eye for detail brought an added layer of creativity to this multi-room project. The approach to colour, texture and flow of the rooms complements our craftsmanship, resulting in many spaces feeling both elevated and effortlessly cohesive. The design process was a true collaboration, with ideas flowing seamlessly between Briony, our team, and the client, each bringing their own vision and insight to create a truly bespoke result. For the kitchen, the main event, we worked with a U-shaped configuration, although the worktops are designed in an L-shape, the cabinetry is built around the walls for an uninterrupted flow and to bring the U-shaped layout. At the centre is a generous island with a social spot and plenty of prep space. The whole project was designed to add colour to the property, and the help of Plimsoll by Paint & Paper Library (a deep uncut blue) and Brinjal by Farrow & Ball (a sophisticated aubergine) were just the right contrast and drama for the kitchen. Placed under the window is the sink area, a sleek modern statement in its own right, combining practicality with bold design. The pairing of the Caple Black Steel sink and the Quooker Flex tap in Matt Black delivers an effortless style with high functionality. Amongst the cabinetry, there is plenty of our walnut signature construction, enhanced by thoughtful organisation details such as cutlery inserts, spice racks and integrated butler trays. Other details include solid oak chopping boards and a towel rail, stained in chocolate to elevate everyday functionality. One of the standout storage features is the walk-in pantry, discreetly set within the run of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that bends elegantly around the corners, and the pantry larder is the kind of smart storage you never knew you needed, but now couldn’t imagine living without. Every detail is considered from the bank of appliances to the custom-finished extractor housing in Liquid Metal Weather Worn Bronze. This adds another touch of luxury, like the Santorini Quartz and Corston Milliner bronze hardware. From the hidden chilled drinks fridge to the exposed wine cooler, the kitchen island has it all, effortlessly blending a new level of convenience to modern kitchen living. The Dining Space The dining area seamlessly connects to the kitchen within the open-plan layout, creating a cohesive and inviting space for both everyday living and relaxed entertaining. This focal point of a bespoke bench-style banquette is carefully hand-built to offer generous seating and smart storage, accommodating a few more guests. Finished in the same Plimsoll shade by Paint & Paper Library as the main kitchen cabinetry, the banquette ties in effortlessly with the overall palette, enhancing the sense of flow throughout the space. For added comfort and visual interest, the seating is topped with a striped, padded cushion, bringing a soft, tailored touch to the area. Hidden beneath are push-to-open drawers, offering discreet and practical storage, ideal for stowing away linen, tablecloths, board games, and so much more. A solid planked oak table completes the dining zone, stained in a rich chocolate finish to echo the timber accents throughout the kitchen. It’s supported by industrial-style black metal butterfly legs, adding a contemporary edge that contrasts beautifully with the softness of the seating. This warm, welcoming dining space becomes an integral part of this thoughtfully designed home.

A tailored banquette forms the heart of the dining area — combining comfort, versatility, and discreet functionality. Designed with a minimal footprint, it maximises floor space while offering valuable storage beneath the seat. Crafted in bespoke joinery and upholstered for relaxed everyday use, it anchors the space with understated elegance and purpose.

This dining space pairs an exposed brick feature wall with a rooflight that fills the room with natural light. A modern dining table is complemented by dining chairs in a rich, contrasting colour, while wall lights and warm tones create a welcoming atmosphere within the open plan scheme.

This full refurbishment of a three-bedroom Victorian flat on Old Brompton Road in South Kensington is one of our favourite projects to date. Set across two floors, the home was carefully reconfigured to create generous living and dining spaces on the upper level, with bedrooms tucked away below for privacy and calm. Designed as the couple’s first family home, the interiors reflect their distinctive Mid-Century-Modern-meets-Mexican aesthetic, balanced thoughtfully with the building’s heritage fabric. Engineered walnut flooring grounds the scheme, while a rich palette of warm tones and vibrant accents brings depth and personality. Layered textures — from bespoke joinery finished in textured bronze laminate to artisanal porcelain surfaces, soft furnishings and curated artwork — add warmth and tactility throughout. A reclaimed Calacatta Viola marble mantelpiece provides a striking focal point, seamlessly bridging classic architectural details with a contemporary interior approach. The result is a relaxed yet refined South Kensington home, full of character, warmth and individuality.