Taking inspiration from the iconic shaker-style cabinetry revived by the Edwardians in the early 1900s, traditional kitchens epitomise beautiful craftsmanship, charming character, and elegant style. It’s certainly not hard to see why they’ve remained popular for almost 300 years! And with their impressive durability and the addition of the latest appliances and storage solutions, they make a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enhance their home. Here at John Ladbury, we specialise in designing, crafting, and installing beautiful bespoke classic kitchens. Having dedicated over 40 years to creating the finest, most elegant and practical interiors, we know exactly how to help you achieve the perfect kitchen for modern living. Below, we’ll take a look at how we’ve helped some of our clients do just that.
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Creating A Traditional Kitchen For The Modern Home A Spotlight On Our Favourite Projects
Shaker Kitchen With An Industrial Edge In Hertford
This stunning in-frame shaker kitchen in Hertford feels completely at one with our client’s beautiful family home. The cool undertones radiating from the bold Downpipe painted cabinetry create a striking contrast against the warm tones of the exposed brickwork. We’ve further accentuated the trendy, industrial feel by installing a trio of stylish brushed steel pendant lights over the island.
Meanwhile, a series of subtle custom design features, including a curved end unit and breakfast bar, cleverly reference the sublime arched windows, establishing a fluidity between the kitchen and its surroundings. The beautiful colour scheme, curved detailing, and stylish exposed brickwork give this interior a timeless and characterful yet current feel, perfect for busy family life.
This Hertford kitchen is undeniably as practical as it is stylish. The island provides additional storage and vital worktop space, enhancing the kitchen layout. It also allowed us to introduce a handy breakfast bar — perfect for quick family meals and helping the kids with homework. Housing a spacious American-style fridge freezer, a run of tall units offers ample storage. Plus, with a beautiful Falcon range cooker and a conventional oven from NEFF, our clients have the flexibility to cook a range of dishes, whether preparing a hearty stew or rustling up a speedy midweek pasta bake. This trendy traditional kitchen makes a wonderful addition to modern living.
Glamorous Watford Kitchen Perfect For Entertaining
Featuring an opulent colour scheme, luxurious finishing touches, and truly state-of-the-art appliances, this chic kitchen in Watford provides the ultimate setting for entertaining guests and cooking fabulous feasts. In recent years, darker, more dramatic finishes have really gained popularity. Our first foray into colour centred on elegant navy blues, now jewel-toned greens and purples are stealing the show. Little Greene’s showstopping Harley Green is the essence of timeless style and sophistication. It brings a magnificent contemporary edge to the classic cabinetry. Gorgeous gold accessories and luxurious veined Rema quartz worktops take this interior to the next level, completing the sumptuous on-trend aesthetic.
Boasting not one but four cutting-edge Miele steam ovens, two wine chillers, an impressive fridge freezer from Fisher & Paykel, and a Quooker CUBE, this kitchen isn’t short of innovative technology. With ample storage for perishables and drinks and all the latest cooking appliances, catering to a crowd is a doddle. The vast island provides plenty of space for guests to chat over their favourite tipple, and with wine in the chiller and sparkling water on tap, everyone’s happy. Combining breathtaking looks with the latest technology, this Watford Kitchen provides the ideal space to cook, relax, and entertain.
Elegant & Timeless Harpenden Kitchen
If you’re looking for something with a more understated feel, a timeless and elegant shaker kitchen in a soft grey makes a lovely choice. This graceful neutral hue will never date, bringing a stylish and sophisticated quality to your interior for years to come. We’ve paired a beautiful Farrow & Ball Dove Grey island and Cornforth White cabinets with white walls and luxurious silver Armac Martin handles, establishing an airy and refined atmosphere. Polished silver rise and fall pendant lights, minimalist white bar stools, and sleek modern appliances add a chic touch to the design. This subtle yet stunning Harpenden kitchen wouldn’t feel out of place in any home.
Positioned opposite the fantastic NEFF hob and ovens, the island provides the perfect space for preparing food. The additional prep sink comes in handy for washing veg while allowing family members to use the Quooker tap to prepare hot drinks. The eye-catching island also offers a lovely spot for friends and family to mingle without getting under our client’s feet whilst cooking. Our wonderful design makes cooking and socialising truly effortless. We considered every element of our client’s lifestyle and home when creating this space, resulting in a charming traditional kitchen that’s simply perfect for modern living.
With the proper thought and attention to detail, a traditional kitchen can provide a breathtaking and highly functional centrepiece to the modern home. Whether you’re looking for a cosy and practical family space or an opulent interior for entertaining a classic kitchen makes a wonderful choice. If you have any questions about whether a traditional kitchen could work for you and your home or would like to discuss your plans with our talented designers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 01707 262966 or email sales@johnladbury.co.uk.