Modern Shaker Kitchen Designed for Family Life and Entertaining

This kitchen was designed for the heart of a busy family home, perfectly integrating into an open-plan kitchen and dining space. The goal was to create a contemporary kitchen that was perfect for everyday family life and entertaining, successfully combining a fresh, modern aesthetic with unbeatable practicality.

The Modern Shaker Look

The chosen style is a Modern "Skinny" Shaker, which is a fresh, updated take on a traditional door style. This door has a noticeably slimmer frame than a classic Shaker, giving the entire kitchen a sharp, modern look. The British-made furniture was bespoke-painted in Farrow & Ball's "Drop Cloth", a beautiful neutral that gives the room a warm, inviting feel.

This warmth continues across the kitchen, which features a striking brass tap and brushed satin brass ribbed handles. These handles provide a bold, contemporary accent to the cabinetry. While the "Misterio Gold" quartz worktop is a stunning warm white material with subtle gold and brown veins. As a high-performance material, it looks fantastic while being incredibly durable and easy to maintain.

High-Spec Appliances and Entertaining

This British-made kitchen is equipped with a range of high-quality Neff appliances, making it a dream for both family cooking and hosting guests. Features include a warming drawer, which is handy for keeping plates warm while entertaining, and a glass downdraft extractor seamlessly integrated into the island. A dual temperature zone wine cabinet is also included in the island, perfect for keeping drinks chilled for relaxing or formal occasions.

The island itself is a central feature, complete with a seating area ideal for family breakfasts, informal dining, or guests simply relaxing with a drink while dinner is being prepared.

Clever Storage for Organisation 

Good storage with easy access was a key consideration for managing the demands of a busy family. So the design includes multiple bespoke solutions, including two full-height cabinets that provide excellent overall storage; these were configured internally exactly as the client wanted, featuring a mixture of shelves and drawers. One is used as a larder cabinet and the other for storing crockery, plus the drawer access makes finding items extremely easy. 

Functional drawers continue beneath the ovens with shallow-depth units, perfect for storing baking trays. A separate pull-out cabinet next to the ovens is dedicated to oils, herbs, and everyday cooking essentials, while an internal cutlery drawer helps keep the entire kitchen organised and clutter-free.

Finishing Touches

To complete the look, an open shelf adds visual interest and extra storage. The shelf material is the same as the cabinet interiors for a cohesive finish and the brackets match the striking brass handles. The client has truly personalised the space, beautifully accessorising the kitchen with carefully chosen finishing touches and decor.

I would give Haydown Kitchens 10 / 10 for customer service, quality and professionalism. They delivered over and above expectations. Communication is exemplary and we always felt they had ‘our’ best interests at heart. Would recommend their services every time!

ML - Andover Hampshire

If you're looking to create an open-plan kitchen that perfectly balances modern style, high-spec appliances, and family functionality, we're here to help.

Pop into our Stockbridge showroom anytime to explore our modern Shaker designs and chat through your project!