1909 Kitchens In frame Shaker

The customers arrived with a clear idea of how they wanted the new kitchen to relate to the wider open-plan living space.

Island detail

With previous experience of property development, they had considered current kitchen styles carefully before visiting our kitchen showroom in Cheshunt . They were drawn to the construction, painted finish and furniture options available from 1909 Kitchens .

The kitchen needed to have enough presence for the scale of the room, but it could not feel detached from the dining area and adjoining living spaces. The overall design therefore needed to combine clear definition with a light and welcoming atmosphere.

A lighter finish was chosen for the perimeter cabinetry to help retain the open character of the room. A darker island was then introduced to provide contrast and establish a clear centre to the kitchen.

Stone feature

The main challenge was to design a kitchen with sufficient scale and visual interest for the large open-plan room without allowing the furniture to dominate the connected living areas.

The integrated refrigeration also needed careful treatment. Positioning the tall appliance housings directly beside the painted kitchen furniture could have interrupted the balanced lines of the shaker cabinetry.

The design therefore introduced a rugged stone wall around the refrigeration area. This created a clear architectural break between the appliances and the main kitchen furniture, while reflecting the natural materials and garden views surrounding the property.

• Painted 1909 in-frame shaker cabinetry
• Light perimeter units with a darker contrasting island
• Symmetrical furniture arrangement suited to the room
• Stone feature wall surrounding the refrigeration area
• Wide bi-fold dresser units for concealed storage
• Open connection with the dining and living spaces

The finished layout uses proportion, contrast and clear sightlines to bring order to the open-plan room.

The lighter cabinetry around the perimeter helps preserve natural light and prevents the kitchen from feeling too heavy. The darker island anchors the design and identifies the main preparation and social area without creating a physical division between the kitchen and the rest of the room.

The stone wall gives the integrated refrigeration units a separate architectural setting. This prevents the tall appliance housings from interrupting the rhythm of the painted in-frame furniture.

Large 1200mm bi-fold dresser units were included to create concealed areas for everyday appliances and frequently used items. They can function as breakfast or drinks stations when open and allow their contents to be hidden when not in use.

Symmetrical furniture lines were used throughout the design to suit the scale and proportions of the room. This gives the kitchen a calm, ordered appearance while retaining the character associated with traditional in-frame cabinetry.

The completed design supports cooking, storage, entertaining and everyday use while remaining connected to the adjoining living spaces and views of the garden.

Design detail

1. In a large open-plan room, lighter cabinetry can help retain natural light, while a darker island gives the kitchen a clear visual centre.
2. Tall appliance housings do not always need to form part of the main run of kitchen furniture. Giving them a separate architectural treatment can make the design feel more balanced.
3. Bi-fold dresser units are useful when a customer wants a breakfast station, drinks area or small-appliance zone without leaving everything permanently visible on the worktop.
4. Symmetry can be particularly effective in a large room. It creates a sense of order and helps detailed in-frame furniture sit comfortably within an open-plan setting.

The 1909 collection includes painted in-frame furniture with traditional and more contemporary design options. Customers can explore the collection and discuss suitable layouts at the C&C Kitchens showroom in Cheshunt.

View the 1909 kitchen collection or explore 1909 feature pantry and furniture pieces .