- The company has seen an 100% increase in kitchen consultations and a 35% increase in larger joinery projects
- Owner William Durrant offers tips for achieving a streamlined renovation project
- Sustainability is still at the heart of everything the company does and all elements continues to be made in Britain
Following the increase in home renovations over the past 2 years, the award-winning bespoke furniture and design company Herringbone Kitchens, has seen an 100% increase in kitchen consultations and a 35% increase in larger joinery projects.
The company has gone from strength to strength in the 7 years since William Durrant started the business. The company is now frequently taking on full projects for clients who wants a bespoke and streamlined feel throughout their home. As part of your kitchen project the following is now also available to include in your home renovation project:
- Fully fitted bathroom storage units and worktops
- Bespoke internal storage
- Drinks cabinets and bar units
- Office furniture including desks and bookshelves
- Living room furniture including entertainment units, floor to ceiling cabinetry units
- Adult and children’s bedroom furniture including wardrobes, bedside tables and dressing tables
- Utility room cabinetry
- Pantry larders
- Boot room storage and cabinetry
Tips for making a full renovation project a streamlined success
Home improvements come in all shapes and sizes and Herringbone Kitchens have done them all. William Durrant, designer and owner of Herringbone Kitchens, has worked closely with clients to achieve their dream projects from the get-go. Here are his dos and don’ts for achieving a successful renovation project:
- Planning, DO: A brief discussion with your planning department won’t harm as a first step, but in most cases, you will need to consult with an architect to produce initial drawings for planning (planning takes around 8 weeks – if you have cooperative neighbours). Getting a recommendation for an architect is crucial
- Planning, Don’t: It is normal for builders’ quotes to vary massively, so don’t go with the first quote you get. It will depend on how busy they are, what else they have in your area, how much they want the job and how well they think you’ll work together. Remember – cheap is not always best! It is important to have a good relationship with your builders and strong communication, this will help during the issues that will inevitably arise during every project
- Design, DO: It is a good idea to get an initial design and quote from your chosen kitchen and furniture company early in the planning process, after you have planning permission ideally. This ensures you won’t run into design limitations further down the line. Do think about how the spaces will work for your current and future lifestyle and invest in storage, furniture that can grow with you and last for a long time
- Design, Don’t: Don’t let colour be the last thing you think about. Using complimentary colours or materials to link living spaces together will help the design to flow. A well-placed island or peninsular can define the separate spaces. Fitted furniture, artwork and lighting will also help to add your personal style and character to the space
- Installation, DO: Make sure you have a concrete timeline in place from the start – this includes your planning, builder, designer and furniture maker. It is important that everything is lined up to avoid too many delays
- Installation, Don’t: Try to not change your mind too much. Changing your mind will delay things, for example, adding or changing designs or materials are not always quick jobs. Speak your mind and have a close relationship with your designers and builders, pop in often and try to enjoy the process together
Meeting demand by expanding the workshop and investing in technology
In order to meet demand and prepare for the future Herringbone has expanded its workshop. With the increase in demand the company has taken over the warehouse next door to their existing workshop and invested in new technology, a CNC machine for the workshop.
A CNC machine is a computer-generated cutting programme which the company is using for their kitchen carcasses and panels. The doors, frames, drawers and other bespoke elements like cutlery inserts and spice racks will all still be made by hand using the same traditional methods they have relied on since their very first kitchen in 2015.
Continuing to be sustainable and made in Britain
Herringbone Kitchens take pride in what they create and implementing sustainable practices across the business is a big part of their ethos. The company believes that the ingredient to long lasting kitchens and furniture is using considered materials that have been well cared for and are good for the earth and future generations.
Herringbone’s timbers are sourced from well-managed, responsible forests where the cycle of clearing and replanting has been continuous for many generations. They use indigenous British species wherever possible and plant a tree for every kitchen and project made and completed.
