In The Press

Val’s ‘joyful’ kitchen is a dream come true

It’s one thing having a vision for your dream kitchen, it’s another thing entirely to find a firm that will turn your vision into reality. But after seeing the stunning kitchen that Plymouth family firm KF Kitchens designed and fitted for a neighbour, Val from south east Cornwall had every confidence they’d be able to meet her high expectations.

“In fact, they’ve more than met them, they’ve gone beyond them,” said Val.

The journey began with a visit to the firm’s extensive showroom at Faraday Mill and a chat with kitchen designers Nathan and Derinda Damarell. Val then invited Nathan to her home to discuss the design in detail: “Although we had a very clear vision, we wanted Nathan to suggest other possibilities, which he did.

“He showed us things that we might not have thought about. But we really wanted to do that so we could confidently confirm our original vision. Nathan was more than happy to go along with what we wanted, and he enabled us to create our vision. But equally, if we didn’t have a vision, he would have helped us to create one.

“Once we had the basic layout and idea, everything was put onto the computer so we could see. We could then see what it would look like with different handles and different colours. We had print-outs of four different options which we put on our old fridge freezer, which we whittled down over time to our final choice. That was nice too, the way we had time and space to make our decisions. We never felt pressurised at all.” 

Val chose a Nolte kitchen in Oak Barolo, with Miele appliances and Silestone worktops, Blanco sink, Quooker tap, and engineered oak flooring. The appliances include a combination conventional oven and steam oven, a warming drawer, and a coffee maker, while the induction hob on the island has an integral extractor.

“We’ve lived here for 10 years and what we had before was totally different,” explained Val. “The sink was in a different place and the island was the other way round and took up a lot of room. By moving the new one around by 90 degrees, it has created a lot of space.”

Further space was freed up by removing part of the wall adjoining the utility room, which has also been renewed by KF Kitchens. This extra space in the kitchen is now home to the integrated fridge, freezer, and wine conditioner: “The re-organisation makes the room a lot bigger,” said Val, “and when I’m cooking, everything now feels ergonomically correct. It’s revolutionised how I cook.”

The new appliances have also changed the way she cooks. KF Kitchens arranged for Val to go to the Miele Experience in London, and she said: “We were cooked a three-course meal by the chef, to show us the possibilities of Miele ovens, and the food was beautiful. The experience made me re-look at how I cook and what I need and don’t need in the kitchen. It’s given me a different mindset. I absolutely love the steam oven, that’s been eye-opening. I’d never have thought about having a steam oven but now, I use it all the time.”

The new kitchen has also made a big difference to how she uses the space: “We are spending much more time in the kitchen, and it’s actually a joy to cook. And we’ve future-proofed ourselves. It’s not just the quality of the kitchen and the appliances. Economically, because the appliances are energy-efficient, I’ve noticed the difference when I check the smart-meter.”

All the work was done by the skilled contractors that KF Kitchens have worked with over many years and Val said: “They were wonderful. It was actually a pleasure having them here in our home.  Nothing was a problem, whatever we asked, Nathan said ‘yes, we can do that’ or ‘my team can do anything’. They were flexible and happy to fit in with us.

“For example, the fitters, Kevin and Wayne, custom-made a cupboard for us to house our boiler in the utility room, and they came up with a solution when we said we wanted to fill in the space between the oven units and the ceiling. Nathan and Dee made the whole experience fun, and all their team were excellent.”

So, if she had three words to sum up her new kitchen what would they be? “Beautiful, up-market, practical. Oh, and can I have a fourth word? Because what I think really sums it up is ‘joyful’. Every morning, I come in here and I smile.”

And would she recommend KF Kitchens to other people looking for a “joyful” kitchen? “Absolutely. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. In fact, I already have recommended them!”

By design … couple’s ‘showroom’ kitchen with the wow factor, thanks to KF Kitchens

If you thought it was impossible to recreate a showroom kitchen as a ‘real-life’ kitchen, then think again.

Because the kitchen that Plymouth family firm KF Kitchens have just designed, supplied, and installed for Colin Marshall and Jo Grove could easily swap places with the one the couple saw when they visited the showroom at Faraday Mill: “I think they could use this as a showroom!” said Colin.

“I wanted a ‘wow’, and you get that when you see the kitchen lit up as you come up the driveway to the house. And then you get another ‘wow’ when you open the kitchen door and come into the room.

“It was the first kitchen I saw when I went into KF Kitchens,” he added, “and I knew straight away that’s what I wanted. I was like a little boy in a sweet shop, I kept saying, ‘I want that, I want that’. And Jo felt exactly the same.”

The kitchen is the latest part of Colin and Jo’s ongoing renovation of the house they bought in Plymstock two years ago. The house is “upside-down,” so the kitchen is upstairs in a new extension on one side of the house: “When KF Kitchens’ designer Nathan visited us, the room was all new, with fresh walls and lighting, but it was basically just an empty box,” said Colin. “At that stage, we knew what kitchen we wanted, but we didn’t know what should go where.

“Initially, we thought we’d have the kitchen at the other end of the room, but Nathan said, ‘why would you not want the kitchen to be at the front of the room, where the sun comes in’? He worked out exactly what would work and where. He designed everything to fit in with how we wanted to use the space.”

At the front of the new extension is a large balcony, which once finished is spacious enough to dine outside. It’s connected to the kitchen by full-length, four-pane sliding patio doors. Jo said: “As soon as Nathan came up with his design, it made complete sense. The kitchen is full of light, and the balcony is right next to where we prepare our meals, so it’s practical if we want to go outside.”

The kitchen is a Nolte German kitchen in Graphite Silver and Lava combination with 900mm base cupboards on 50mm plinths which offers 20% more storage space, and a Dekton worktop.  The state-of-the-art appliances are by Neff, including integrated microwave and plate warmer, a separate integrated oven with a slide and hide door, a fridge freezer and fridge. On the island, there’s a induction hob with an extractor, and the couple chose a Quooker boiling tap. 

Colin and Jo wanted the kitchen to be a living space, and the Nolte kitchen offers them just that, with open display shelves with practical hidden storage, including at the end of one of the cupboards which would otherwise be an end panel.

Another nice touch is the wooden effect secondary worktop at one end of the island, which has concealed sockets for devices, creating a desk for work or leisure. Each end of the island has the stunning Dekton wortop rather than end boards, adding to the stylish look.

The installation took one week, and Colin said: “From the moment everything was delivered on Day 1, to the end, it was a pleasure. Our installer, Kev, is brilliant. And because they give you a figure at the outset, you know exactly how much it will cost.”

Working in the home improvements industry himself, Colin has seen many KF Kitchens projects before and knew they were the best firm for the job: “Like many people in the building trade, I could have fitted the kitchen myself, to a standard. But we’ve just bought a fantastic kitchen. We wanted something a little bit extra special. So, why wouldn’t I get the best professionals to do it? It’s definitely worth getting KF Kitchens to install it, even if you have the skills.”

KF Kitchens is an ambitious, local, family business that is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a kitchen. From the moment you walk through the door of their studio, everything becomes possible and available to you, to achieve your dream kitchen. How is this possible? For a quick look, check out their website (www.kfkitchens.co.uk), social media on Instagram (@kfkitchens) or Facebook. Book a consultation in their studio, either by email (enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk) or phone (01752 255022), and make your first steps towards your dream kitchen today!

How KF Kitchens created Kim’s ‘forever’ kitchen

Ask Kim Bamford what she loves most about her new kitchen, and she reels off a long list which covers just about everything, and that includes never having to upgrade her kitchen ever again: “I wanted a forever kitchen, and now I’ve got one,” she says.

Kim chose Plymouth family business KF Kitchens to design, supply and fit her kitchen after they were recommended to her by two of her friends: “They both had great experiences with KF Kitchens, so I went straight to them, and I’m so happy I did.”

Kim booked an appointment to visit the KF Kitchens showroom at Faraday Mill, where she was given a tour by designer, Nathan Damarell. Nathan outlined the ballpark figure of each element of the kitchen and a rough overall cost, which gave Kim an immediate understanding of what was possible.

The second step was for Nathan to visit Kim’s home in Torpoint, to discuss and create a design: “I’d drawn a sketch of what I wanted, and I knew what I definitely didn’t want,” said Kim. “When Nathan visited, he made some great suggestions about how we could best use the space, which we hadn’t thought of. Between us, we decided where things should go, and it was then just a case of choosing the finer details, like the colour. It was a nice, simple process.”

One of Nathan’s suggestions was to move the patio doors to where they are now, creating a natural thoroughfare from the dining area to the garden: “That was a brilliant idea, so we got someone in to do that before we had the kitchen fitted,” said Kim. Another conundrum to solve was the rear of the stairwell, which backs onto one corner of the kitchen. Nathan’s solution? To install an open shelf unit in rustic wild oak, complete with lighting.

Following her tour of the KF Kitchens showroom and Nathan’s visit, Kim chose a kitchen by the German company, Nolte. The tall units alongside the ovens are in deep blue soft matt, with the base and wall cupboards offering a contrast in platinum grey matt. The worktop is 20mm in Ethereal Noctis Quartz by Silestone , and there’s a second eye-catching open shelf unit with lighting.

The flooring is Karndean, and all the appliances are by Neff – including the two oven combination, which has an integrated microwave and an oven with a slide-and-hide door. And you’d never guess there was a central heating boiler on the wall, as it’s now concealed in one of the cabinets.

The end result meets all of Kim’s hopes and expectations: “It’s a total transformation. I wanted a double oven in a block with tall cupboards in a dark colour, and it looks absolutely fantastic, it really stands out as a feature. The discreet handles in brushed steel are classy, and the worktop is beautiful. When the flooring was put down at the end, it just brought the whole kitchen together.”

The kitchen is the same size as before and the design retains the previous peninsula style kitchen: “But I’ve got double the storage space now,” said Kim. “And there’s more room to move around as well because the space is being used better. It’s much lighter and brighter than the kitchen I had before. It looks bigger, even though it’s not.”

The kitchen took around three weeks to fit, and that includes ripping out and replacing the ceiling. All the work was done by KF Kitchens – the electrics, plumbing, plastering, decorating, and fitting: “They were absolutely fantastic workmen, and all very respectful,” said Kim. “They communicate with each other so that everyone’s ready when it’s their turn to come in. It was like clockwork.”

For Kim, investing in her beautiful kitchen with high-end integrated appliances has given her everything she wanted: “We’re going to be staying here for the foreseeable future, so we wanted a kitchen that was stunning to look at, practical to use, and a lovely quality that would be a kitchen for life. And KF Kitchens have delivered us just that.” 

KF Kitchens is an ambitious, local, family business that is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a kitchen. From the moment you walk through the door of their studio, everything becomes possible and available to you, to achieve your dream kitchen.

How is this possible? For a quick look, check out their website (www.kfkitchens.co.uk), social media on Instagram (@kfkitchens) or Facebook. Book a consultation in their studio, either by email (enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk) or phone (01752 255022), and make your first steps towards your dream kitchen today!

No compromise needed with KF Kitchens

When Iain and Shelly Teasdale went looking for a new kitchen for their Plymstock home, they knew what they wanted: a kitchen that was light and bright, and which also had a stylish ‘statement’ feature. The kitchen had to be practical and social as well as beautiful – that meant lots of storage space and everything being in the right places.

The only problem was, they couldn’t find anything that lived up to their requirements – until they stepped into the spacious showroom at KF Kitchens: “We’d been to two high street kitchen providers, and neither of them were able to offer us what we wanted. We were having to compromise on things,” said Shelly.

“So when we were heading home, we thought, ‘let’s have a look at the showroom at KF Kitchens at Faraday Mill’. It was off the cuff, really, and we just wanted to look at the lay-out of the kitchens there.” But they were so impressed with the designs and the process which was explained to them, that they booked a home appointment.

KF Kitchens is owned by local couple Nathan and Derinda Damarell, who have decades of experience in the trade. Iain said: “From the minute we walked in, it was a completely different experience, the customer service was far superior. Nathan went through all the ball-park costings for everything, item by item, so it was transparent from the start, we knew what we were going to get and how much it would cost. They wanted a small deposit, and payment for the kitchen when it arrived. There was no big sell and no requirement to pay in full, up front.”

At the home visit, Nathan worked with the couple to design a kitchen which met all their requirements: “He designed the kitchen that we wanted so we weren’t having to compromise,” said Shelly.

Iain added: “We thought we’d have to extend out by about three metres to get the kitchen we wanted, but Nathan said, ‘no, you don’t need to do that’, and he was right, we didn’t, so the advice was excellent.”

With the large choice and unique combinations, Iain and Shelley chose a sleek Nolte German kitchen, with their ‘wow’ feature being the eye-catching Flair door in black soft matt combined with white matt base units. The cupboards all have anti-fingerprint coating; some have gold-coloured handles, others are handle-free including integrated shelf lighting. The base cupboards are 900mm high and have smaller plinths, which together allow 20% more internal storage space compared to traditional cupboards.

The island with a  Neff induction hob provides the extra space and the social element the couple wanted, where they and their three growing children can sit and chat.

To complete the look, the quartz Silestone work surface has subtle grey and gold veining. All the built-in appliances are by Neff, including the Neff slide and hide oven and combination Microwave. Some are controlled digitally, enabling the couple to switch them on and off even if they’re not at home. The finishing touch is a Blanco sink and a black

 Quooker Boiling water tap which gives instant boiling water.  And finally the Karndean floor pulled together the warmth of the gold tones running through the kitchen.

KF Kitchens offer customers the convenience of having all the work done by the skilled contractors they’ve worked with for years: “It was a one-stop shop, and we couldn’t fault any of the work,” said Shelly. “They did everything – the installation, the plumbing, electrics, lighting, plastering, Karndean flooring, and decorating. They all communicated with each other, so it was seamless. You can’t put a price on that.”

The previous kitchen was the original one that was installed when they bought their new-build home in 2008: “It was an oak, shaker-style kitchen, and it was never practical, things were in the wrong places and there was never enough storage for a growing family,” said Shelly.

So, what do they think of their new kitchen? Shelly said: “We’re delighted with it. It looks great, it’s easier to cook, it’s easier to keep clean, the lay-out is practical, and there’s space for us to use it as a living area. It’s just a lovely place to be.”

How “faultless” KF Kitchens “worked magic” to turn couple’s vision
of a dream kitchen into a reality

After decades of living in rented accommodation in the UK and overseas, the one thing that Jacqueline Collins wanted more than anything when she and her husband Paul finally retired was a fabulous kitchen that she could call her own.

Thanks to KF Kitchens, she has got exactly the kitchen she wanted - even down to custom-made storage spaces that we were able to make just for her: “If someone was to say: ‘What is your vision of a perfect kitchen?’, this is it,” said Jacqueline. “Everyone who has seen it has said ‘wow’. And that’s what we’ve got, the wow factor. Paul always promised me a dream kitchen, and now I’ve got it.”

It was fourth time lucky for the couple when they set out on their search for the kitchen that would meet all their requirements and would complement their house perfectly. After speaking to three kitchen companies and being disappointed by all of them, Paul and Jacqueline remembered a ‘questions to ask when buying a new kitchen’ magazine article they had cut out and kept which was written by Nathan, one of the three co-directors and designer at our family firm.

Paul said: “All the questions that Nathan focused on in the article and provided the answers for were precisely the questions we were asking. After our experience with the other three companies, we were starting to despair about getting the kitchen that we wanted. None of the three we spoke to were able to offer us what we were looking for. KF Kitchens were the only ones that could.

“Therefore, my advice to anyone looking for a kitchen is to go straight to KF Kitchens.”

When Paul and Jacqueline bought their detached house on the outskirts of Plymouth in 2020, they knew they would need a new kitchen: “The kitchen area was divided into three separate spaces - kitchen, breakfast room, and utility - it was very dark and dated and we really wanted to create something less compartmentalised, much lighter and brighter.”

The big question was, how? Enter KF Kitchens. The initial chat took place at the Collins’ home with co-director and designer, Simon. Jacqueline said: “Simon came in and he worked his magic. He sat with us and asked us what we wanted and went through how we could achieve it.”

Jacqueline and Paul then visited the showroom to discuss the design in detail and to view the kitchens, accessories and appliances: “KF Kitchens’ many years of experience and professional expertise were most obvious to us,” said Paul, “and we were never put under any pressure at any point.

“But the single, most decisive factor for me was that they could project manage the whole thing from start to finish. Every other company we spoke to said they could not do that - there were parts where we had to get someone else in. With KF Kitchens, they supplied all the skilled tradesmen: the plumber, electrician, decorator, builders, Karndean Flooring fitter and their kitchen fitter, Kevin. They all liaise together so that the work process is seamless and transparently connected. And all the rubbish that was taken out was removed promptly. The whole project coordination meant that we didn’t have to worry about anything. They completely de-stressed the whole thing for us. To me, that was priceless.”

The key to opening up the kitchen space was to knock down the existing separating wall, and to completely re-do the ceilings. From then, it was a case of designing and creating the Collins’ dream kitchen to meet their vision.

The couple chose a traditional Burbidge kitchen from the Finsbury range, painted in bone, with Silestone Calacatta Gold quartz worktops. The central area provides additional low-level storage to keep the uncluttered look, and, importantly for Jacqueline, a large work surface where she can prepare her home cooking and lay everything out for guests.

The KF Kitchens “can do” approach also applied to the inside of the cupboards and drawers, with our kitchen fitter measuring the shelf space specially for Jacqueline’s food processor and storage containers to slot in and providing a perfect space in one of the utility room cupboards for the ironing board. We also created a custom-made, free-standing dresser, and installed low level drawers for ease of access: “They were so flexible, nothing was too much trouble,” said Jacqueline. “It was also the little details, such as making sure the door handles were on the best side.”

The appliances are all Neff: an oven and combination microwave oven; induction hob; built-in fridge in the kitchen and built-in freezer in the utility. Finally, the bright and airy look was completed with a series of spotlights on the ceiling, and Karndean flooring with a rose tint to complement the kitchen and the window frames.

Following their experience, Paul and Jacqueline say they wouldn’t hesitate to recommend KF Kitchens. Paul said: “They are everything you would want a kitchen company to be, they were absolutely faultless. We were terribly worried about having this work done. It’s a lot of money to spend, and you’ve got to get it right. But the way that KF Kitchens handled it, they put us at ease. And we are absolutely delighted with the outcome.”

Contemporary style for Victorian villa apartment

A kitchen that ticks all the boxes for couple who love to cook

Paul and Sue from Plymouth wanted something extra special when they decided it was time for a new kitchen.

The couple wanted a space that was in keeping with their beautiful ground floor apartment with high ceilings and, most importantly, it had to be a kitchen that gave them everything they needed as keen cooks: “We both love cooking; the kitchen is a creative room for us,” said Paul. “It’s where we spend a lot of our time, so we wanted space, and we wanted a lay-out that worked for us in practical terms.”

They also wanted it to look great - and we knew just the kitchen that would tick all their boxes.

Paul and Sue came to KF Kitchens after a personal recommendation from a friend: “We did look around and we did speak to another company,” said Paul, “but the response we had from Nathan at KF Kitchens was so good, they were the only choice for us, really.

“When Nathan talked to us, he was very good, he gave us all the ideas about the design and the product. That’s what we were very impressed with, the engagement, I really liked the way they went about it.

“The other deciding factor was simply the quality of the product.”

From our initial chat and listening to their requirements, we suggested a kitchen from Nolte’s Titan range. Paul said: “We had quite an old-fashioned kitchen before, and we wanted a contemporary kitchen. We really like the modern look and the clean lines of this kitchen. What swayed us was how they designed the kitchen in a way that gave us everything we wanted. The design is excellent.

“Nathan suggested a peninsula, which we hadn’t considered, and we love it - it’s like a control console for us. It has maximised the space and given us additional storage and worktop space. But it’s still spacious enough for us to both move around. Having the induction hob on the peninsula is also ideal as it’s close to the oven. The ergonomics really work well.”

The age of the building and the existing lay-out of the kitchen called for creativity in the design stage and exemplary workmanship by our skilled team during the project installation. The Grade II listed Victorian villa was built in the 1860s and has been converted into flats, which posed some challenges.

“The project required a complete rip out,” explained Paul. “The boiler had to be moved, as well as the associated plumbing and pipe work. And we also had to move the cellar access which was previously in the kitchen and is now in the hall flooring outside the kitchen.”

The couple chose the gorgeous ‘Mother of Pearl’ colour for their Nolte kitchen, with Neff integrated appliances and Quartz worktop. The Neff oven with the slide and hide door has a proving and baking setting, ensuring Sue’s cakes and bread come out perfectly every time!

The walls, painted in a shade of teal, and the Karndean flooring complement the Nolte kitchen beautifully. To add to the ambience, the kitchen has ceiling spotlights and pendant lamps over the peninsula.

In a big project, it’s often the small touches that provide that extra special look or feel. With the space above the oven and cupboards, we created three stylish open shelves in a different texture and tone finish, complete with lighting. And we added a wooden panelling and  shelving feature on the wall at the end of the peninsula. Using different texture and bold statement like the handles bring the kitchen together and a style unique to them.

“These are lovely touches,” said Paul. “They don’t just provide us with additional shelving, they add to the overall look of the kitchen.”

And he added: “We love everything about our kitchen, we haven’t found anything that hasn’t worked for us.

“KF Kitchens were recommended to us by friends, and now we’ll be doing the same. The whole experience worked brilliantly, from start to finish.”

KF Kitchens transforms the heart of couple’s home
to create a stunning kitchen & living space

Mike and Sue Taylor knew exactly the kitchen they wanted the moment they stepped into the KF Kitchens showroom: “Once I saw it, I had to have it,” said Sue. “It was just perfect for what we were looking for.”

We were the third company that Mike and Sue contacted when they started their kitchen quest - and the only one with a showroom. Suddenly, they were able to see - and feel - real life, working kitchens. It was a game changer!

The kitchen that really caught their eye was our Nolte kitchen in concrete stone - inspired by nature and guaranteed to add a touch of style to any home.

But it wasn’t simply a new kitchen that Mike and Sue were after: it was a whole new living space that would open up a large area of the downstairs of their house in Plympton and also connect the living space to their beautiful garden.

The original lay-out had a long, narrow kitchen with a window above the sink looking out to the garden; an oven and units alongside the external side wall; and a breakfast bar which faced an internal wall between the kitchen and the separate dining room. At the far end of the kitchen was a utility room that also required updating.

To create the new kitchen and living space, we removed the internal wall and built the kitchen in what was the old dining room. We transformed what was formerly the kitchen into a new lounge and dining area and knocked down a part of the external wall facing the garden to remove the old window and instal patio doors. The utility room was also given the fresh Nolte look.

The project means the couple are now utilising the full space in their home - which wasn’t the case before: “When these were two different rooms, we never used the old dining room - we called it the forgotten room,” said Sue. “And we sat at the breakfast bar, facing the wall.”

The transformation process got under way as soon as they got in touch with us: “The experience we had with KF Kitchens was completely different,” said Sue. “With the previous two companies, we were shown brochures and samples, but we couldn’t actually see what the kitchen would look like. With KF Kitchens, we could go into the showroom and see everything working. And as soon as I went in, I saw this kitchen.

“I loved the texture, it’s beautiful - and it’s impossible to leave marks on it. And then I saw the Silestone sink, and I wanted that as well. But it all came together really when Simon, the designer at KF Kitchens, came to the house. He was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble.”

The structural work was done first so that the internal wall could be removed and supports put in, and the external wall was opened up for the patio doors. From there, it was a case of creating the Taylors’ kitchen and living space just as they envisaged it.

They chose an illuminated MatrixArt handle-less rail system for the Nolte kitchen cupboards and drawers - this is a real statement that adds to the clean line elegance of the kitchen while also bringing a homely ambience with adjustable lighting to match the mood of the moment.

The kitchen has integrated Neff appliances including a Wifi Slide & Hide oven, a Quooker boiling water tap, spotlights, and Quartz worktops that allow plenty of space for food preparation and entertaining. Another nice touch is an extractor hood for the hob which doubles up as a storage space for a spice rack: “The fitter also went above and beyond to conceal the extractor fan workings by creating housing for it within the cupboards,” said Sue.

In the dining area, Mike suggested a special light feature for the centre of the ceiling, which we were able to create - another fabulous statement piece.

The result of the work is that the Taylors now have a living space for life: “For 12 years, we didn’t even use the dining room,” said Sue. “So, we now not only have a new kitchen that will last us forever; we also have a fabulous living area - and it all connects to the garden through our new doors.

“It has made such a big difference to our home, and how we enjoy our home. It’s worth every penny.”

The work was designed and project managed from start to finish by KF Kitchens, with our skilled fitters, builders, plumber, electrician, door and window fitters, and decorator: “It was seamless,” said Sue, “the whole process was brilliant and there was a solution for everything. I can definitely recommend KF Kitchens, 100% - I really can’t fault a thing.”

KF Kitchens chosen to launch exclusive new brand that takes kitchen furniture to “a whole new level”

Iconic British company Burbidge have chosen family-owned Plymouth firm KF Kitchens to launch their new Kitchen Makers™ brand of luxury hand-made painted wood kitchens.

Faraday Mill-based KF Kitchens have expanded their showroom to showcase the Kitchen Makers range alongside their existing offering of beautiful kitchens and appliances.

It’s a huge endorsement for KF Kitchens, which was established 11 years ago by directors Nathan and Derinda Damarell and Simon Rice.

Nathan said: “We’ve been dealing with Burbidge ever since we started and we are very excited to be asked to be their first partnership dealership for Kitchen Makers, and the only one in our region. It speaks volumes about their trust in us and our reputation for customer service and installation skills.

“It’s also exciting for homeowners, because this gives people in the region the opportunity to see a different type of product, working with a local family business rather than having to travel outside the region. The brand gives us speciality products that are unique and would sit very nicely in a rural or classic style property. In that sense, this broadens our boundaries a bit more,” he added.

Burbidge was founded in 1867 by Henry Burbidge. Today, Ben Burbidge is at the helm - the fifth generation. The Coventry-based company is renowned for the quality of its design and craftmanship and holds the prestigious Manufacturing Guild Mark, awarded by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers.

Traditionally, Burbidge have made timber doors only. With the three Kitchen Makers designs, they are also making the carcases so when cupboards and drawers are opened, they are just as stylish as the exterior.

Ben explained why he had decided to launch Kitchen Makers with KF Kitchens: “This is our luxury brand and we need our partnership dealers to possess the kitchen design skills and installation skills so that everything is done properly for the consumer.

“We looked at the people we work with nationally, and there are only about 2% at the skill levels of KF Kitchens. It’s about attention to detail and doing things with precision.”

He added: “The main word we use for these products is furniture, not kitchen units. We are doing bespoke furniture-making in a ‘craft-meets-technology’ environment to create what the customer wants. The design clearly looks like furniture, but it combines with the practicalities of what is required in a kitchen.”

So, what are the key features of Kitchen Makers that sets them apart? Firstly, they replace wall units with on-trend super-length shelving, set against tongue and groove panelling and corbels for extra detail.

They also have beautiful internal drawers, with natural oak and dovetail jointing. The solid oak vegetable drawer crates, meanwhile, give storage a new look, and you can even match them with wooden serving trays and solid wood chopping boards!

And they make every inch count - from solid wood individual larder drawers and corner solutions, to integral bins, door-hung spice racks and lots more.

“The products are built to last - this longevity is all part of the value,” said Ben. “It also makes the products more sustainable, you are consuming less, which is hugely important. You’re creating a great living space and you’re future-proofing it.”

Nathan added: “This is taking kitchens to a different level and it reflects the way that people use their kitchens nowadays. The kitchen is increasingly the focal point of the home, where people spend a lot of their time, and they are demanding beautiful furniture. And although it’s exclusive, it’s not with the price tag you’d expect.”

The Kitchen Makers range has three kitchens styles: Alderley, Somerton and Haddon. There are 16 different paint colours or, if you have a specific colour in mind, this can be done at an extra cost. Everything is made by the craftsmen and women at the Burbidge factory and is delivered to KF Kitchens ready for installation.

Once you’ve chosen your style, designers Nathan and Simon will guide you through the process and offer their expert advice within your budget. Then, the installation team will work with you all the way, to ensure your dream kitchen is just what you want.

“We design your kitchen to your requirements,” said Simon. “But we’ll also question and challenge your decisions by asking ‘if this was my home, what would I do with this space?’ People really do appreciate that. It’s about designing your kitchen to best suit the space, the property and how you use your kitchen.”

Nathan added: “We are very fortunate with the skill sets we have. The guys who install our kitchens are basically furniture-makers who happen to install kitchens. So, from the start of the process to the finish, we offer the very best in production, design, install, customer experience and after service. Every part of it has to be excellent. That’s how we work. And that’s why Burbidge have chosen us to launch their Kitchen Makers products.”

Give the KF Kitchens team a call to book a chat, or pop into the showroom to view the kitchens on display.

KF Kitchens
67 Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth PL4 0ST
01752 255022
enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk
www.kfkitchens.co.uk
www.facebook.com/kfkitchensuk

KF Kitchens' latest creation is another barnstormer!

From a derelict 18th century farm building, to a stunning barn conversion in the heart of the South Devon countryside - and, taking pride of place in Nick and Kathy Cassidy's dream home near Ermington is their beautiful kitchen, designed and installed by Plymouth family firm, KF Kitchens.

The kitchen comprises half of the huge open plan living area upstairs, where only the finishing touches to the conversion are now needed - including balconies at each end of the room.

It's hard to imagine, looking at it now, that this used to be a piggery! "We think it dates back to the middle of the 1700s," said Nick, "and when we started doing the building work, we found evidence that people lived in the barn with their animals, so it seems it was their home as well as a piggery."

The couple bought the building and 12 acres of land a couple of years ago, immediately recognising its potential, while the fields were also perfect for their two horses: "We lived five or six fields away and we'd been riding our horses by these fields for 14 years," said Kathy.

"But it was only when our son Ryan saw the 'For Sale' sign that we even realised there was a barn here.  When we saw it, we thought 'wow' - and luckily, we managed to buy it."

But, added Nick: "It was literally four walls and a roof that was half tin and half slate! It was completely derelict, and we had to bring water and power in, as well."

After all the hard work to make the building habitable, Nick and Kathy were determined to create something amazing. A big part of that vision was to have a beautiful kitchen as the showpiece of the upstairs space. But finding a firm that that matched their own creativity and drive was proving a challenge: "I didn't know exactly what I wanted, but I knew I wanted something different," said Kathy. "But everywhere we went, there was a lack of vision. They weren't coming up with anything I couldn't conceive myself."

Until, that is, they visited award-winning firm KF Kitchens at Faraday Mill, run by Plymouth couple Nathan and Derinda Damarell and co-director, Simon Rice.

"We'd heard good things about KF Kitchens from a friend of mine, and we obviously did a lot of our own research," said Kathy, "but we were quite far down the line when we went in to see them at their showroom. We showed them the layout of the room and said: 'What would you do with this space?' The kitchen they came up with was a Mark 1 model of what we wanted.

"Nathan looked at the window at the end of the room and said 'that's your feature, that's what everything should work around. And the kitchen just grew arms and legs from there.

"What stood out was their approach, it was so refreshing," added Kathy. "Nathan was very transparent. He asked us: 'What are your necessities? What would you like but which aren't necessities?' And he went through the designs, with the prices of everything up front.

"They were very genuine, and they didn't try and sell us any add-ons. They just want everything to go smoothly, they want you to be happy with the results, so they only recommend brands that they trust."

Kathy and Nick chose the Langton 'in-frame' solid wood design by Burbidge Kitchens. With such a big space, they decided to have two islands in cashmere paint, while the cupboards are in charcoal paint. All the main appliances are in-built, including a full-size fridge and full-size freezer by Neff (check?), and a dishwasher by ???? that emits a small LED light onto the floor to display the status of cycle. Nick and Kathy also treated themselves to a 48-bottle wine chiller in one of the islands. The two cookers are NEFF 'slide & hide' ovens, one of which combines as a microwave.

The island worktops are (material info needed), fitted by Mayflower Stone. One of the islands has a NEFF induction hob, with the extractor built in. The other island has the sink, with a Quooker boiling water tap. Each island has a pop-up power socket tower.

With so much storage in the cupboards and drawers, it means everything can be put away neatly, giving the room the feeling of light and space Nick and Kathy were looking for.

The kitchen took eight days to fit: "It was a really nice experience," said Nick. "They all work together like a family, very professional. And Gary, the fitter, was a perfectionist.

"It was installed in the summer and we are chuffed to bits with it," he added. "It has everything we wanted, and it doesn't have anything we didn't want. Would we recommend KF Kitchens? Absolutely, without any hesitation."
 

KF Kitchens - going the extra mile to create the stunning new kitchen YOU want

There’s customer service, and then there’s KF Kitchens’ customer service. Just ask their latest happy customers, Chris and Margaret Thorpe, from Elburton. Their new kitchen takes the term ‘customer service’ to a whole new level.

The couple wanted a ‘false’ chimney breast to be built to accommodate their existing range, they got it; they asked for tiny cupboards to be inset in the chimney breast as a handy condiment store while cooking, not a  problem; they particularly liked the idea of in-frame cupboards and drawers for added character, they got them; they even asked for a bookcase in the same style - and they got that too.  And when they mentioned that some of the sizes were likely to be unusual and a bit tricky, guess what? That wasn’t an issue, either. 

“KF Kitchens gave us precisely the kitchen that we wanted.” said retired Royal Navy engineer Chris. “Some of the units had to be specially made because of the sizing. We wouldn’t have had that if we’d used a national company. They worked with us all the way. And because they’re based just down the road, we could nip in and see them at any time. From start to finish, their customer service was amazing.”

Not that it came as a surprise - Chris and Margaret chose KF Kitchens following recommendations from a number of friends: “We spent a lot of time looking at other companies online, but we always knew we’d be visiting KF Kitchens as well, because of what our friends had told us. And they weren’t wrong!”

KF Kitchens is an established family-owned company, run by Nathan and Derinda Damarell and Simon Rice. When Chris and Margaret first popped in to see them at their showroom at Faraday Mill, they already had a rough idea of the design, units, appliances and colours they wanted for their kitchen and utility room.

“We had a number of design meetings with Nathan and he drew up a rough costing at the outset, so we knew the ballpark figure we were working with,” said Chris. “There was never any pressure.  They were very friendly, and they were willing and able to go the extra mile to meet our requirements.

“Nathan advised us not to choose the colours until we’d decided the design of the kitchen. That was good advice. At that stage, we could look at the 3D images which gave us a good idea of how the kitchen would look.”

The Thorpes chose a shaker-style in-frame Burbidge kitchen in mink and putty, with a mix of cupboards and drawers which provide plenty of easy-access storage.  The kitchen is completed by stylish Silestone worktops, Blanco sink and Quooker boiling water tap. The fit also included new Neff appliances - microwave, dishwasher, and extractor hood.

“The kitchen we had before was nice, but it was about 20 years old and we felt it was looking a bit tired,” said Chris. “It was a cottage-style kitchen and we wanted something more modern. The new units in the utility means we have a lot more storage space, and the kitchen now leads nicely out to our conservatory extension, which was another of our aims.

“The one thing we really wanted to do was to make our range a central feature and we thought that a chimney breast would do that. But we didn’t have a chimney breast! They built one for us - it’s a perfect fit and sets a great feature for the room.”

The work took three weeks - and, just like the planning, it went like clockwork: “The fitter was meticulous with the installation, I can’t praise him highly enough,” said Margaret. “He was a perfectionist, making sure everything was just right. He was always making suggestions, advising us on how we could achieve the best look, and he kept us informed so we knew exactly what was going on.

“We couldn’t be happier with the end result.”

The entire project was managed by KF Kitchens, including the kitchen fitting, plumbing, plastering, electrics and decorating. So, will Chris and Margaret be recommending them to their friends? “We already have,” said Chris. “We found KF Kitchens through recommendations from friends and now, we’re passing our recommendation on to other friends. It’s obvious that they really care, they want you to get the kitchen you want.”

Visit the KF Kitchens website for more customer stories - and for inspiration on how to achieve your dream kitchen.

KF Kitchens serve up another fabulous family kitchen 
When Mark and Sarah Youde were considering a new kitchen for their home, they visited several local and national companies, and one firm stood out above the rest – Plymouth-based KF Kitchens.
And, right from the initial consultation and design stage, all the way to the finishing touches being added, the couple are glad they chose the Faraday Mill firm: “The work was meticulous,” said Sarah. “They really care, it’s as though it’s their own kitchen. 
“And it’s more than a kitchen. It has become the room that we use more than anywhere else in the house.”
KF Kitchens is an established family-owned company, run by Nathan and Derinda Damarell and Simon Rice. They were recommended to Mark and Sarah by a friend who recently had a kitchen installed by KF Kitchens: “We went and had a look and we really liked it,” said Mark. “But we did our due diligence by seeing what other companies had to offer, too. We knew what we wanted for our kitchen and it was clear that KF Kitchens were the best for us.”
The couple moved into their house in Kelly Bray in 2013 and a new kitchen was always on their ‘to do’ list. Mark explained: “The house was built it 2006 and still had the original kitchen. It was dated, dark and badly designed. The hob was against the wall at the other end from the dining area, which meant that whoever was cooking had their backs to everyone and was miles away. 
“And there was a dividing area where the walls took up so much room that there was only space for one person to be in the kitchen! So that had to go.  We worked with Nathan on the design and he agreed with our ideas. It meant some structural work, knocking down that bit of wall to open the whole area up. It has created a space that flows from the kitchen, to the dining area and to the conservatory and utility. It has also brought a lot more light into the kitchen.
“The other big change that Nathan suggested was moving the sink to the far end, where the hob used to be. We were going to keep it under the window, but by moving it, it has created one long worktop space – something we never had before.”
When it came to choosing their kitchen, it was as though it was meant to be: “We saw the kitchen we wanted as soon as we walked into the showroom,” said Sarah. “It was right there in front of us. The only difference was the colour, because it was pink and we wanted purple, which we’ve got.”
KF Kitchens managed the entire project, including the design, structural work, plastering, decorating, electrics, kitchen and worktop fitting, and flooring. The flooring also takes in the conservatory, to add to the ‘flow’, while new kitchen cupboards have added extra storage space in the utility.
“All the work was coordinated really well,” said Sarah. “Every single worker was professional and did their work to the best of their ability.  They wanted everything to be just right. When the fitters came to do the splash-backs at the end, they said they’d never seen anything so perfect – everything was completely level and straight!”
But it’s not just about looks – it’s about practicality, too: “The storage space is intuitive, everything is where you’d expect it to be,” said Sarah. “The hob has been moved to the dining room end, so it’s like a servery area and it’s much more sociable. The workmen also set the low-level storage units further back under the servery, so there is more room as you move from the kitchen to dining area, and it can also be used as a breakfast bar. 
“And everything is dead easy to clean, which is important in a busy kitchen. It’s designed with use in mind - and it does get a lot of use.”
The kitchen was a special treat for the family, following a health scare last year when Mark donated a kidney to Sarah when she suffered kidney failure: “It made us look at things differently and we thought ‘we want a kitchen, so let’s do it’,” said Mark.
“We’re so glad we did because we love it,” added Sarah. “We’ve now got a lovely social space that works well for us as a family with three youngsters aged 17, 16 and 12. And whoever’s cooking is now facing into the room, they’re not cut off!”
Having had KF Kitchens recommended to them, Mark and Sarah are now passing the message on: “My sister is having a new bedroom fitted by them now,” said Sarah. “And after our experience, we would definitely recommend them to anyone thinking of having a new kitchen.”
How KF Kitchens created Mark & Sarah’s fabulous new kitchen:
High gloss acrylic doors in cashmere on matching colour carcases
NEFF induction hob & extractor hood
NEFF slide and hide oven
NEFF compact combination microwave/oven
Neff concealed fridge-freezer
Neff concealed dishwasher
Silestone worktops, by Mayflower Stone
Blanco sink & Quooker boiling water tap
Karndean flooring
KF Kitchens
67 Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth PL4 0ST
01752 255022
enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk
www.kfkitchens.co.uk
www.facebook.com/kfkitchensuk

Jane and Peter’s new kitchen is designed to perfection by KF Kitchens

From an empty shell, to a contemporary kitchen that’s still in keeping with the character of a village home – and all the work completed to a tight schedule. No wonder Peter and Jane Jordan are delighted they appointed Plymouth-based family firm KF Kitchens to create their fabulous new kitchen and utility room.

The couple bought their house in Newton Ferrers last year and one of the first things they did was to completely gut the downstairs, getting rid of the old kitchen: “We ripped it all out,” said Peter. “We wanted to have a much more modern, open plan living area, so the old fireplace had to go to create enough space for a functional kitchen island. When KF Kitchens first came to see us, all that was left was a shell of a room.”

The design dilemma that Peter and Jane faced was that they wanted a kitchen and dining area that was light, bright and had a feeling of space. They also wanted plenty of storage and hi-tech appliances. At the same time, the house is full of character and the kitchen had to reflect that.

Enter Nathan, Simon, Derinda and the rest of the KF Kitchens crew:

“The design they came up with achieved exactly what we wanted, a kitchen with straight lines, lots of space and a nice big island area to work on with plenty of practical storage. Basically, Nathan, who designed it, did what worked – and at a very reasonable cost.”

Jane initially emailed KF Kitchens after learning that they are able to fit kitchens by her favoured kitchen brand, Burbidge: “We went into their showroom one Saturday lunchtime and they fitted us in for a consultation there and then. Nathan was very enthusiastic and offered lots of great advice.

 “The other thing that impressed us was that Nathan drew up the design and gave us a cost immediately. Its important to know what you’re getting for your money at an early stage so you can budget accordingly.

“He’d say: ‘My view is this’ or ‘this would work better than that and here’s why’ – and that sort of advice is very helpful. There are so many options, but they guide you through them very well. They didn’t try to sell us anything we didn’t want. They weren’t pushy. In fact, the whole process was very enjoyable.”

The fitting and associated plumbing and flooring all went smoothly, with the work done within the allotted time schedule. The main part of the kitchen is fitted with Burbidge Barnes shaker style white-painted timber doors, with a Blanco ceramic sink and a Quooker boiling tap. The appliances, by NEFF, are a slide-and-hide steam combo main oven; a compact microwave combo oven; a large warming drawer; a built-in dishwasher and a 60/40 fridge-freezer. Cupboards include concealed waste bin and a larder with attached spice rack and basket-style pull-out drawers.

The island is fitted with Burbidge Barnes shaker style painted doors in a shade called putty. It has four sets of drawers with pull-outs, and a NEFF induction hob. There is also a feature wine rack and book case at one end to maximise the space. The granite worktops were supplied and fitted by Mayflower Stone, and the flooring is timber-effect Karndean stripwood which has been used through into the hall and utility room areas. The utility room, meanwhile, offers an additional sink and matching Burbidge Barnes style storage cupboards.

Jane explained why she chose two different colours for the kitchen: “I wanted neutral colours and the white makes the main part of the kitchen nice and bright. But we went for a slightly different colour as the kitchen moves into the dining area, so that the island complements the furniture in that area. As the walls and units are neutral, we decided we needed a statement feature to tie the room together, so went for a bold patterned granite worktop. For us, the kitchen works perfectly. It’s a blend of old and new, and we are very pleased it.”

And she added: “I would definitely recommend KF Kitchens. From the design stage through to the fitting stage, it was a very positive experience, handled by an extremely capable and experienced team.”

KF Kitchens is an independent family firm that was established 11 years ago by its three directors, Nathan and Derinda Damarell and Simon Rice. Between them, they have over 65 years of experience in the business. Give them a call or pop into their large showroom at Faraday Mill to discuss your dream kitchen.

KF Kitchens
67 Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth PL4 0ST
01752 255022
enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk
www.kfkitchens.co.uk
www.facebook.com/kfkitchensuk

How KF Kitchens created Jane and Peter’s kitchen:

BURBIDGE BARNES shaker style Painted timber doors in white and putty

NEFF induction hob

NEFF slide and hide full steam oven

NEFF compact combination microwave/oven

NEFF large warming drawer

NEFF integrated quiet dishwasher

NEFF integrated fridge-freezer

Blanco ceramic sink and Quooker boiling water tap

Granite worktop from Mayflower Stone

Karndean flooring

KF Kitchens all set for a Merry Christmas and an exciting 2019

It’s that time of year when families everywhere begin to wish they had a bit more living space in their kitchens and when mums and dads are keeping everything crossed that their appliances stand up to the big Christmas challenge.

It’s one of the reasons why, when some businesses are preparing to take their foot off the gas for the festive holidays, Plymouth’s award-winning KF Kitchens will still be welcoming visitors to their showroom at Faraday Mill in Cattedown throughout December.

The independent family firm is run by its three directors, Nathan and Derinda Damarell and Simon Rice – all of them keen cooks. Derinda said: “Christmas really brings home to a lot of people just how important their kitchen is. It’s not just about having reliable appliances. More than anything, it’s about having the space where people can come together and have a lovely time.”

KF Kitchens are hosting a NEFF Christmas-themed Cooking Day on 8 December, with morning and afternoon events for existing and new customers to see appliances in action and get advice on how to use their oven to the max on Christmas Day.

The event caps a hugely successful year, which saw KF Kitchens win a national industry award and a host of glowing reviews. The firm was named Studio Partner of the Year by German company, Häfele, in recognition of its “consistent business excellence, fantastic customer service and commitment to quality”.

Another cause for celebration in 2018 was the firm’s 10^th anniversary. In those 10 years, KF Kitchens have completed over 1,000 projects and received more than 150 ‘thank you’ cards from happy customers – the latest one arrived on the morning of the Plymouth Magazine photo-shoot!

Between them, Derinda, Nathan and Simon have over 65 years of experience in the business – and they’re still as passionate as ever about their work. They are eagerly making plans for 2019 and gearing up for a busy New Year.

So what can people expect from a KF Kitchens experience? And what makes it so unique? Nathan explained: “Often, when people visit us in the showroom, they feel completely ‘kitchened out’ because they’re already bogged down with all the finer details. We cut out all the noise and get straight to the fundamentals. These are: Where do you cook? How do you cook? What are the costs?

“Deciding where the hob should go, that’s the starting point. Everything follows on from that.  It’s not about ‘will that cabinet fit there’, it’s about recognising the bigger picture and how the space works for you. This initial meeting only takes 20 to 30 minutes and in that time, we can give our customers an honest costing. That includes everything, the whole project. They don’t have to spend hours and hours listening to sales talk. We’re kitchen designers, not sales people.

“Only after we establish the fundamentals do we then turn to things like colour, materials, and design. It’s a journey. And once a customer has decided they want us to be on their journey, we will usually spend 15 to 20 hours with them getting everything right.

“We are also unique in that we’ll challenge our customers’ ideas,” added Nathan. “We don’t allow them to make a mistake. For example, why would you necessarily choose flooring right at the start? Why wouldn’t you wait until you see the kitchen and then decide what’s right? Our role is to guide our customers to make choices that are right for their space and their lifestyle.

“Some things are no brainers, so we’ll guide them to eye level cooking and refrigeration and slide-and-hide ovens. Why add to the noise by showing them options you know aren’t right for them? Yes, options are good – but only if they’re right. It’s about being transparent at all times so the customer can make educated choices. With our projects, we will future-proof their kitchen spaces for 15 to 20 years.” 

For home-owners with kitchens that pre-date the kitchen ‘revolution’ of 2011-12, now is a perfect time to invest: “Apart from some technology and gadgetry, kitchens won’t really be changing much now because we’ve gone through that major revolution.

“After around 2012, kitchens became a totally different entity.  It was like an explosion. Suddenly we had NEFF slide-and-hide ovens, Quartz solid work surfaces, made-to-size doors, induction hobs, Quooker instant hot water taps, curves, handle-less units, concealed accessories – it all changed.”

The biggest change, says Nathan, is how home-owners are again making the kitchen space the focal point of their homes: “We’ve basically taken a wall out, because for many years, a kitchen was always a separate room. Now, it has been opened up and is the centre of the home, which if you think about it, was always how it used to be – a place where families would gather. People are buying a project, a living space, and not products like cupboards and units.

“A new kitchen changes people’s lives,” he added. “It changes how you interact and how you live in that space when you’re cooking.  You need people who care about your project, not sales people. We want all our customers to go out and tell everyone what a great experience it was and that they enjoyed taking the journey with us.”

In 2019, KF Kitchens will be continuing to raise money for local causes, including Macmillan Cancer Support. A second coffee morning is planned, after this year’s raised £560. And next summer, Derinda is doing a 23-mile hike in one day around the Jurassic Coast to raise money for the charity – she has a Just Giving page, kfkitchens2019, for those who wish to donate.

Visit the KF Kitchens website and Facebook page for opening times, photos and customer reviews.

KF Kitchens
67 Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth PL4 0ST
01752 255022
enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk
www.kfkitchens.co.uk
www.facebook.com/kfkitchensuk

KF Kitchens make light work of fabulous family-friendly kitchen

Question: How do you transform a hallway and two small rooms into one stunning kitchen and living space, opening up the fabulous views outside?

Answer: Call in the experts from award-winning independent Plymouth firm, KF Kitchens, run by Nathan and Derinda Damarall and Simon Rice.

That's exactly what Richard and Sarah Ackland did at their beautiful home overlooking the golf course at St Mellion in Cornwall. The couple bought the house in 2016, always with the intention of creating a large downstairs room to make the most of the lovely view.

"The two rooms that were here before were very small and dark and didn't make the most of the views," said Sarah. "When we contacted KF Kitchens, that was our starting point. We asked them: 'What can you do to open up those views?' Our other requirement was that we wanted a nice big space where we could sit as a family with our two boys."

Richard and Sarah went to KF Kitchens after recommendations from two of Richard's work colleague: "They both said how great they were," explained Sarah.

The firm's solution was to knock down two walls to make one big room and allow for a huge window stretching almost the length of the room, with steel supports above. The result? An immediate 'wow' factor, a room full of light, and much much, more than kitchen.

When it came to the kitchen design, Sarah says she and Richard had "a vague outline" of what they wanted: "But when we sat down with Nathan and Derinda, it was clear that our outline just wouldn't work," she said.

"They spent two hours with us, talking us through what would work, illustrating everything on their software system. What they came up with was a much better solution in terms of where everything should go to optimise the space and the views.

"We knew what style of kitchen we wanted and what colour – dark grey – but again, Nathan and Derinda suggested that a lighter shade of grey would work better in this light. And they were right."

The advice went right down to the finer details: "Nathan was really good with the minutiae," explained Sarah. "For example, telling us that the hob should be fitted nearer the window because that's where you spend most time when you're in the kitchen, and the sink shouldn't be near the window because you spend very little time there.

"Their advice was so specific and so well thought-out, there was no generic advice at all. It was completely bespoke for our particular space and light. We were very pleased with the entire design process."

Richard and Sarah chose a kitchen from the Burbidge Kew range. The Kew is a fresher, sharper take on the traditional shaker form, with a luxury painted finish that accentuates the Kew door design and reveals the desirable, unique patterning of the solid ash framing.

The range offers bespoke colours and Richard and Sarah chose painted wood in slate and French light grey, on a light oak coloured carcase with T&G panels on all ends. They were able to choose from the wide accessory package that's available with Kew, to ensure the very best kitchen design options. Made to measure door sizes and curved doors are also available with the range.

When the work got under way, Richard and Sarah were able to sit back, while KF Kitchens took control of everything: "We'd had an experience before, at a previous house, where we tried to manage a project ourselves and we were dealing with lots of different firms. That was very stressful.

"With KF Kitchens, they do it all for you – and the team is fantastic.  We were very impressed with all the workers – the plumber, electrician, painter and decorator, builder, kitchen fitter, and the worktop fitter from Mayflower Stone. They were very nice people as well, and they cleaned up after themselves throughout the work, which we also appreciated."

The kitchen was completed in June – perfect timing to make the most of the summer sunshine streaming in through the window: "We are delighted with our kitchen," said Sarah. "It has completely transformed our home.

"The new kitchen is a great place to sit and socialise with friends. And the design means I can have the boys in here with me while I'm cooking. It's very family-friendly, which is what we wanted.

"We would happily recommend KF Kitchens to other people."

Visit the KF Kitchens website and Facebook page for more reviews and photo galleries.

How KF Kitchens created Richard and Sarah's stunning kitchen

Kew painted wood in slate and French light grey, on a light oak coloured carcase with T&G panels on all ends

Silestone quartz worktop

2 single Neff ovens with slide-and-hide oven doors

1 x Neff combination microwave

1 x Neff induction hob

1 x Neff warming drawer

1 x island extractor

1 x Quooker flex boiling water tap

1 x Blanco under-mount sink

2 x pop up sockets

Window: aluminium sliding door 

Flooring: engineered oak

KF Kitchens
67 Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth PL4 0ST
01752 255022
enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk
www.kfkitchens.co.uk
www.facebook.com/kfkitchensuk

Award winning local kitchen Studio Celebrating ten years in business.

On Saturday 30^th June KF Kitchens celebrated their ten-year anniversary when they hosted a NEFF cooking day. It was a day of celebration,  where the whole family came in to help and they had a great response from new and existing customers.  Helen Buxton Smith a NEFF home economist cooked some wonderful food and gave customers the chance to see how easy the NEFF appliances are to use.  To complement this one of their clients, Kate Brown, of Cakes by Kate, designed and made a celebration cake baked in her KF kitchen.

KF Kitchens was founded in 2008 by Nathan Damarell, Derinda Damarell and Simon Rice.  In the ten years they have supplied over 1000 kitchens…they have been driven by a passion to create amazing spaces within people’s homes. Today’s kitchens sit at the centre of the home, it needs to be functional but also give the wow factor.KF Kitchens have celebrated many successes in their ten years.

They are the only Neff 5-star MasterPartner® in Plymouth. This enables them to give clients access to the entire NEFF catalogue, to products and promotions which are only available through the Neff  5-star MasterPartner® network.They are also a Cosentino Elite Showroom and a Burbidge premium partner, which shows their dedication to working closely with the products that they know and trust.  The showroom has many working Neff appliances, working Quooker boiling water tap and over 20 kitchen displays, featuring timeless, elegant and cutting-edge design.

As a representation of their customer service they have also been a member of the Buy with Confidence scheme since 2013. They have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards to ensure you receive quality service.  You can visit the Buy With Confidence website to read customer reviews.

Their achievements culminated this year in being nominated and winning a prestigious national kitchen award.  They topped the ‘Studio Partner of the Year’ category at this year’s  Häfele Studio Partner Awards in London. They were also shortlisted in the Best Showroom and Best Success Story categories at the same ceremony.

Future plans for this year include hosting a Macmillan coffee morning in September and another Neff cooking day in time for Christmas. Start following them on Facebook  kfkitchensuk so you can keep updated with upcoming events or visit their website which also has many customer reviews including photos of kitchens posted by their clients.

KF Kitchens believe that your kitchen needs to be practical, beautiful and most of all uniquely YOURS! To begin your journey, get in touch or visit their fully equipped showroom. Whether you are planning to upgrade your kitchen or transforming the heart of your home, they will help you to make the right choice. For more information visit their website www.kfkitchens.co.uk.

Finally, Derinda Damarell said “thank you to Nathan, Simon and all our associated trades people for everything they have done in the past ten years.  I would especially like to thank all of our clients that have trusted us with the dream for their home, for the reviews online and for all the cards that we have had sent to us in ten years.  Most of our business comes from recommendation so all the kind words help us to be as successful as we have been…”

KF Kitchens Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth 01752 255022

Can we add under the photo of the cake. “ Cake designed and made by Cakes by Kate”

Under my children photo can you add “Connor, Isabella, Fraser”

Local kitchen retailer and showroom KF Kitchens was nominated for a prestigious national trade award. The Plymouth- based company, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, has won a prestigious national kitchen award. The Plymouth -based company topped the 'Studio Partner of the Year' category at this year's  Häfele Studio Partner Awards.    
The awards evening, which took place on Thursday 24th May, was held at Jardin Blanc with Raymond Blanc at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London. The  World famous chef Raymond Blanc OBE was presenting the award alongside Chloë Thacker, Marketing Director, Häfele UK. 
The Häfele Studio Partner Awards celebrated the many successes and achievements of Häfele's Studio Partner network with more than 200 premium independent Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Studios across the UK.
   Robyn Berry, Senior Marketing Executive at Häfele, comments: "At Häfele we pride ourselves on offering only the very best quality products and we hand-pick our Studio Partners based on their commitment to quality, service and innovation to make sure that this is reflected in the customer experience. The standard of entries for our Studio Partner Awards this year has been particularly high so selecting nominees wasn't an easy task! However, KF Kitchens stood out as a model example of our Studio Partnership scheme, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to excellence and innovation, and is a highly deserving winner of the Studio Partner of the Year."
Nathan Damarell, Director, KF Kitchens, comments: "We were thrilled to be shortlisted for the Häfele Studio Partner of the Year award. As a local business, we are passionate about providing beautiful, bespoke solutions to truly transform our customers' homes. The nomination was a testament to the team's hard work. To win the award caps a fantastic start to our tenth anniversary year. The Häfele Studio Partner of the Year award is a very prestigious award. To be recognized nationally for the passion and commitment we show towards our customers, which is reciprocated through the Häfele brand, is wonderful. It is a recognition not only of our commitment but also that of all the highly skilled individuals we work alongside to create a wonderful product for our clients."
As an independent kitchen and bedroom specialist we source the products that we know and trust.  We also have many working Neff appliances, working Quooker boiling water taps and over 20 kitchen displays, featuring timeless, elegant and cutting-edge design.
To begin your journey get in touch or visit our fully equipped showroom for a free consultation.  Whether you are planning to upgrade your kitchen or transforming the heart of your home, we will help you to make the right choice.

How KF Kitchens made Christine’s dream come true.

After two years of searching with no success, Christine Sharpe from Plympton had almost given up hope of ever finding her dream kitchen – until local family-owned company KF Kitchens came to the rescue.

Christine visited showrooms across the South West in her quest, but it was a case of saving the best to last, when KF Kitchens came up trumps. Not only could they supply the kitchen she was looking for, but they also completed the installation with a high standard of customer service that made the experience “stress-free” for Christine and her husband, Russell.

“We travelled as far as Bristol, looking at showrooms, and we visited all the big DIY chains but none of them had what I wanted,” said Christine. “I knew the colour I was looking for and Russell had drawn up the plans, but we couldn’t find anywhere that would accommodate us with the design.

“Then we tried KF Kitchens, it was one of the last places we went into – and I’m so glad we did. We were very impressed by everyone there. They weren’t pushy, they allowed us to look around the showroom at our leisure. “

After bringing home a selection of samples from the KF Kitchens showroom at Faraday Business Park, Christine and Russell opted for acrylic metallic blue gloss cupboards, with a grey Silestone worktop. Throughout the planning process, they were helped by KF Kitchens’ owners, Nathan and Derinda Damarell, and their team: “We had basically designed the kitchen ourselves and Nathan agreed that it would work well in the space,” said Christine.

“It meant changing the layout completely so that we had an open plan kitchen-diner-utility. We wanted the job done properly, which included taking away a wall and getting rid of the artexed ceiling.

“Everything is new,” added Christine, “the units and worktops, the floors, the appliances, the lighting and electrics, the skirting boards, the plastering and the painting.  And right from the start – from choosing the products and Nathan getting all the specifications – to the very end, when they cleared away all the rubbish – they’ve been brilliant to work with. There was no stress for us whatsoever.”

KF Kitchens commissioned the worktops from Plymouth company Mayflower Stone, who supplied and installed them: “They were brilliant, too,” said Christine.

Within six weeks of visiting the KF Kitchens showroom, the work to create Christine’s kitchen was under way. And, less than a month later, she had her dream kitchen: “It was four days before Christmas and I couldn’t have been happier!” said Christine, who chose in-built Neff appliances: “I had a free-standing oven before, so I’m enjoying having my two single Neff ovens at eye level.”

The biggest ‘ask’ from Christine was that she didn’t want traditional straight-edged worktops and units: “I wanted curved edges – and they’ve done a fabulous job.” She also wanted the utility room to feel part of the kitchen, while also being distinct: “Again, they’ve done that just the way we wanted.

“The entire kitchen now has a greater feeling of space and at the same time, I’ve got more storage because the cupboard space is much more efficient.” The feeling of space has been created by the streamlined design, the minimalist stainless-steel handles, the oven with ‘slide and hide’ doors and the cupboards that have doors that can retract when open.

After her experience, Christine says she would have no hesitation in recommending KF Kitchens to others: “I was impressed with the whole process. They were friendly, efficient, professional and reliable. They kept me informed from start to finish and involved me in the process at all times. There were no hidden costs, so we had no nasty surprises at the end. They told us the ball-park figure at the start and the only times it increased was due to our choices to add certain items, such as the extra lighting. And that was entirely our choice. They never used hard-sell tactics or pushed us to add anything, so we were in control of our expenditure.

“And now I’ve got a beautiful kitchen, which is also a real addition to our home.”

Contact Nathan and Derinda at KF Kitchens to make your dream kitchen come true.

Christine’s dream kitchen from KF Kitchens – the full spec:

Kitchen: Acrylic metallic blue gloss cabinets with matching end panels, radius posts and concave doors, creating smooth curve. LED under-cabinet lighting.

Worktop: Marengo 20mm by Silestone, supplied and installed by Mayflower stone.

Appliances: 2 X Neff ovens with slide and hide oven door, telescopic rails and pyrolytic self-cleaning.

1 x 600mm Neff Flex induction hob.

1 x built-in Neff Microwave.

1 x remote-control ceiling hood with LED lighting.

Sinks & taps: 2 x Blanco Silgranit undermount sinks in rock grey colour.

1 x Blanco Arti quarter turn mixer tap in chrome.

1 x Quooker Fusion instant boiling water tap chrome.

Flooring: Karndean.

KF Kitchens
66 Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth PL4 0ST
01752 255022

KF Kitchens make it 3^rd time lucky for Jude and Andy!

After 20 years with their dark oak and black granite kitchen, Andy and Jude Hext from Yelverton decided it was time to brighten things up a bit with a brand-new kitchen.

But where to go, with so many options to choose from? For Andy and Jude, it was a case of third time lucky when they visited KF Kitchens’ Plymouth showroom at Faraday Mill in Cattedown.

“We’d already had two companies in to see us,” explained Jude. “I was adamant that I wanted everything to go – except the Rangemaster cooker. I was determined to keep that. So they both came back with their designs and they’d basically built the kitchen around the Rangemaster. The lay-out of the kitchen was more or less the same.

“Then Nathan from KF Kitchens came in and put me right straight away! He said, ‘that’s got to go’. Trust me, you can’t have that cooker there. You’ve got to be facing your garden and your guests’. So with Nathan it wasn’t a case of just coming in and measuring up. He was very passionate about his work and you could tell that he loves his job.

“It was his ideas and enthusiasm that sold the kitchen, really. His ideas were so different to ours, but he was right, and we were wrong. He was inspirational.

“The design was a developing process. We basically gave him a blank canvas but he and Derinda at KF Kitchens talked everything through with us at every stage and showed us how the kitchen would look on their computer. We had quite a few visits to the showroom; everything was done meticulously.”

All the shaker-style drawers and cupboards were built bespoke and painted a very light grey, while the work surface is Silestone.  The corner units include a pull-out mechanism and the larder unit includes a Vauth-Sagel larder that rotates when pulled out, so nothing is ever out of reach.

Jude and Andy chose NEFF appliances: an induction hob on a centre island; integrated fridge-freezer; integrated dishwasher; wine cooler; and three ovens that include combination microwave and added steam facilities. For added ease of use, the oven doors open and slide into a slot beneath. There’s even a warming drawer. And, hidden away under the island, is a draw that opens out to reveal a built-in ironing board.

The beautiful flooring is distressed oak by Karndean, while the finishing touch is added by the Quooker tap which provides instant boiled water – no more putting the kettle on for a cuppa!

Designing a dream kitchen is one thing; fitting it is another. Again, KF Kitchens surpassed all expectations: “What we really liked about them was that they encompassed the whole project,” said Jude.

“They did the whole works themselves, not just the fitting, but the flooring, the plastering, the plumbing, the decorating and the electrics. Once you have a price that’s it, there are no nasty shocks with bits being added on along the way.

“They also organised the Silestone worktops from Mayflower Stone. Everything went like clockwork. It was a three-week job and there were no gaps. And our kitchen fitter, Gary, was absolutely brilliant.”

The work was carried out in the Spring. A few months on, are they still happy with their new kitchen? “Oh yes, we love it,” said Jude. “You can see how light the room is now. And it’s dead easy to keep tidy because we now have so much more storage space. It’s going to make cooking at Christmas a whole lot easier, too.

“It’s just a beautiful room and we’re so pleased that we’ve done it. And that we listened to Nathan’s advice! We would certainly recommend KF Kitchens to other people.”

KF Kitchens
66 Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth PL4 0ST
01752 255022
enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk
www.kfkitchens.co.uk

Former Royal Navy Commander Dean Roberts and his wife Teresa had a clear idea of how they wanted their new kitchen to look…and also knew which company they wanted to take on the work for them.

Dean said: "We bought our home, which is located off Looseleigh Lane, two years ago and knew straight away that a new kitchen was
 a priority.

"We inherited a kitchen which didn't suit our lifestyle and the pine units made it look very dated.  Having served as an engineer in the Navy for more than 35 years I started to work on my plans and even made a scale model of how we wanted the kitchen to look," 
said Dean.

"We wanted a kitchen which was very much a social space because we do a lot of entertaining and also needed it to meet the functional and practical needs of a modern-day kitchen.

"We were also adamant that we wanted an island and breakfast bar as part of the new kitchen."

The couple chose Plymouth-based KF Kitchens to handle the project because the company was highly recommended by friends and colleagues who had already had kitchens installed by 
KF Kitchens.

"There was never any doubt about our choice of KF Kitchens - they were given glowing recommendations by people we knew," added Dean.

"We were impressed with the friendliness, enthusiasm and professionalism of Nathan and Derinda from KF Kitchens and the real key for us was that they project managed everything, organising every aspect of what was, for us, a pretty complex and obviously important task."

The Roberts' new kitchen involved major structural work - removing internal walls, installing RSJs and replacing the ceiling - as well as extensive plumbing, lighting and electrical work.  New French doors leading from the kitchen were also installed, along with Karndean wood-effect flooring.

"KF Kitchens have a fantastic team of skilled craftsmen as well as brilliant local suppliers, such as Mayflower Stone, Best Quality Windows and Sparkwell Electrics.  The project was handled with almost military precision and completed in just over four weeks - as promised by Nathan at the outset," said Dean.

"We can't speak highly enough of Kevin Drewery who literally built the kitchen from scratch.  He has a fantastic eye for detail and nothing was too much trouble for him. Ernie Brennan, who undertook the building work, was also excellent."

The Roberts' spacious new kitchen features an eye-catching island and breakfast bar, Acrylic Champagne gloss doors and drawers and a range of Neff appliances, including Slide & Hide Steam and Combination ovens, induction hob and extractor fan.

They chose a striking porcelain work surface called Neolith which was laser cut with curves and corners to create a distinctive and unique shape.

Floor to ceiling kitchen cabinets house a separate full-length fridge and freezer as well as accommodating a washing machine and tumble dryer.

The Roberts are delighted with their new kitchen.  "Everything KF Kitchens did was handled with enthusiasm and efficiency: it was a faultless service," said Dean.

So much so that their next-door neighbour has now also had a new kitchen installed by KF Kitchens.

"Our neighbour saw what a fantastic job they did for us and was so impressed that she has now had her new kitchen installed by KF," said Teresa.

KF Kitchens, 

67 Faraday Mill Business Park,

Faraday Road,

Plymouth.

Tel 01752 255022

Website www.kfkitchens.co.uk

When Mark and Alison Ashwell moved to their detached Victorian home near South Brent, one of their priorities was to install a new kitchen, reflecting the era in which the property had been built.

The property previously had a separate kitchen and breakfast room which they decided would work better as one large open plan space.

Local builder Martin Gould was commissioned to carry out the major structural work and install underfloor heating and create the space for the new enlarged kitchen.

Alison, a retired teacher said: "We knew what type of kitchen we wanted, but as relative newcomers to the area we had no idea which kitchen company to choose.

Martin strongly recommended KF Kitchens in Plymouth as he had seen the quality of their work at a previous job."

The couple visited the KF Kitchens showrooms in Faraday Mill and were immediately impressed with huge range of kitchen styles available.

They discussed their requirements with the KF Kitchens team - Nathan and Derinda Damarell and fellow director Simon Rice - and began working on design ideas.

"I showed them pictures of the sort of kitchen we wanted and then Simon came out to measure up so that computerised designs could be prepared.

"I am quite hard to please, but Derinda was extremely patient with me and accommodated my ideas and suggestions. We spent quite a lot of time finalising the designs on screen and the result was fantastic." said Alison.

"What they have done brilliantly is taken classic Victorian styles and created a completely bespoke kitchen incorporating everything that we wanted.

"We cannot fault the quality of their workmanship and their fitter Kevin Drewery was absolutely awesome."

The Ashwell's spacious new kitchen features units painted in soft grey with antique bronze handles and knobs and white Unistone worktops in Carrara Letano.

A centre-piece island accommodates a breakfast bar and features a contrasting Colonial White granite worktop with units coloured Slate. Also incorporated in the island is a marble sink with Quooker boiling water tap, which provides hot, cold, and constant boiling water from one tap.

A range of units along one wall include two build-in eye-level NEFF ovens and a NEFF induction hob. One oven is a compact NEFF Steam Oven and the other is a conventional NEFF oven with slide and hide doors.

Along the facing wall a stylish range of units incorporate a full-length Smeg freezer and fridge each side of a large larder cupboard specifically designed to accommodate the different types of foodstuffs that Alison and Mark use the most.

The larder also features two large soft-closing drawers which can hold a huge amount of packets, tins and ingredients.

A double Belfast sink build into a further range of cupboards and drawers completes the transformation.

Alison said: "We absolutely love our new kitchen. It has some classic Victorian features, but also includes some fantastic 21st century kitchen technology.

A Plymouth couple who both work at Derriford Hospital have praised the excellent treatment they received when they decided to have a new kitchen.

Paediatric Consultant Myooren Wimalendra and his wife Emily, who is a paediatric nurse, moved into their detached Glenholt home at the end of 2013. Emily said: "We were not particularly happy with the layout of the kitchen. There was a lot of wasted space and a peninsula breakfast bar which didn't really work well."

The couple visited two sets of neighbours who had recently had new kitchens installed in their search for a company to carry out the work.

Myooren said: "They were both beautiful kitchens and we contacted both companies involved to talk through what we wanted.

"It was KF Kitchens who impressed us enormously. Not only did they come up with some really excellent ideas but were also able to give us a pretty precise guideline estimate of what the cost would be.

"The other company were unwilling to give us an estimate as they said it depended on the final specification."

The couple spent several sessions with Nathan and Derinda Damerell at the spacious KF Kitchens showroom at Faraday Mill selecting the style of their new kitchen as well as choosing appliances.

"Nathan was brilliant," said Emily. "He came up with some really positive design suggestions for our new kitchen which really took our breath away.

"It was also lovely to sit down with Derinda and discuss the colour schemes and finishes available and then see them presented as 3D impressions through their CAD software.

"Derinda was really helpful and between us we came up with a really stunning colour scheme. Nathan also designed the new kitchen to make most of all the space - including, to our delight, an island with a built-in NEFF induction hob and extractor hood."

The couple chose Cashmire grey gloss finish for the majority of cupboards, doors and kitchen units, along with Avola Grey textured wood finish for a number of drawers and doors.

A trio of eye-level NEFF ovens feature along the length of one wall, while another wall houses a built-in Miele fridge, Smeg freezer and Artline pull-out larder.

The NEFF ovens, all featuring slide and hide doors, include a combination steam oven and two full-size ovens featuring 'Circotherm' technology.

The NEFF appliances also include a fully-integrated built-in dishwasher which has a nifty timelight device which projects the time left to finish the program on the floor.

Myooren also chose a Quooker tap providing constant boiling water as part of a granite double-sink arrangement.

Blanco Stellar Silestone quartz worktops installed by Mayflower Stone are featured throughout.

New low-energy lighting, a designer-radiator in Anthracite Grey, plinth heater and wood-effect Kardean flooring completed the stunning new kitchen.

Myooren said: "We couldn't be happier with our wonderful new kitchen. The way the whole project was handled was exemplary from the start to finish. They advised us it would take three weeks to complete the installation - and they were spot on.

"The team of skilled tradesmen - particularly their fitter Kevin - liaised closely with each other and with us throughout ensuring that the were no delays."

Emily added: "What could have been a very stressful time - particularly with our two young daughters - turned out to be a very pleasant experience. We are thrilled with KF Kitchens and can't thank them enough.

There's nothing more Plymouth couple Judith and Martin Soper enjoy than looking after their three grandchildren.

But their mid-terraced St Budeaux home needed more space, so they decided to extend upwards and outwards to give themselves the home of their dreams in readiness for Martin's retirement from the dockyard in a few years' time.

"We decided to have a loft extension to give us a total of four bedrooms and extend at the back of the house to provide a much bigger kitchen and dining area," said Martin.

Work began in the middle of last year and the couple soon got used to living in what had become something of a building site.

Judith, who retired from her job as a teaching assistant three years ago, said: "We virtually lived out of our front room for the best part of six months and Martin even created a temporary kitchen in the lounge while all the work went on." The loft extension created a brand-new master bedroom overlooking the Tamar Valley and Judith wanted fitted bedroom furniture to complete the transformation. "I visited a number of showrooms and eventually found KF Kitchens who had an excellent display of fitted bedrooms," she said.

"Simon from KF Kitchens could not have been more helpful and he designed the range of bespoke fitted wardrobes, along with bedside lockers and a matching door onto Martin's walk-in wardrobe.

"We were really pleased with the end result - but the best was yet to come," said Judith.

"I fell completely in love with one of the kitchens on display in their incredible showroom and I knew that anything else would be second best.

"I was like a child in a sweet shop looking at all the amazing gadgets, appliances and finishing touches that KF Kitchens have available," she added. Their previous kitchen had been small and cramped, but the rear extension created a spacious 240 square foot kitchen-dining area.

She and Martin selected a stone-grey gloss finish for all the cupboards, doors and kitchen units along with a quartz blanco stella worktop from Plymouth-based Mayf1ower Stone. A striking red splashback supplied by Armada Glass perfectly complements the cool grey colour scheme.

"I love bling,' said Judith, “and the worktop has a fantastic sparkly effect. I even managed to find matching f1oor tiles.'

Additional features included a Quooker tap providing constant boiling water, pop-up electrical sockets, LED plinth lighting and under-counter lighting for a breakfast bar area - part of a large central island which also accommodates an induction hob by NEFF.

The range of new appliances also includes a NEFF combination microwave and single oven featuring slide and hide door with telescopic shelf and warming drawer.

One of Judith's favourite features is the full length Artline pull-out larder with a series of spacious shelves which provides a huge amount of storage space for jars, cans, packets and much more.

"I love my new larder," said Judith. "Everything is instantly visible - no hunting around the back of cupboards looking for a long-lost bottle of sauce," she said.

KF Kitchens' team of fitters and trade specialists ensured that the whole installation was undertaken with the minimum of fuss.

"Their fitter Peter was brilliant," said Judith. "He installed all the bedroom furniture and then moved on to the kitchen when the builders had finished the major works.

"Nothing was too much trouble for him and he did an excellent job. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending KF Kitchens to anyone who is thinking about having a new bedroom or kitchen," she added.

Martin had the last word: "This has given us a fantastic new lease of life!"

An Ivybridge couple are enjoying life in their bungalow home - thanks to the team at KF Kitchens.

Retired company director Will Palmer and his wife Maureen - better known as Mo - originally moved to Ivybridge three years ago to be nearer their daughter and her family.

"We couldn't find a bungalow then and ended up buying a house" said Will, "but when the bungalow in Woodland Road came onto the market last year we felt it was the right one for us:"

However, it was anything but a dream home - more of a nightmare. Will said: "It needed a lot of work, especially the kitchen which was old-fashioned and needed complete modernisation. Ceilings were artexed and there were artificial beams made of polystyrene.

"I have fitted kitchens in the past, but there was far too much work to do on the bungalow. We knew all about KF Kitchens because they installed a new kitchen at the house we purchased in 2011.

"We had no hesitation in asking KF Kitchens to carry out the work on the bungalow," said Will. "They had done a superb job at the first house and we were totally content about their ability to carry out all the work on the bungalow".

The work involved knocking down a wall to create an open-plan kitchen and dining area, creating an opening in the wall between the kitchen and lounge, new ceilings, plastering, plumbing, decorating, electrical work and flooring.

"KF Kitchens have a great team of professional trades people and the way they work together and co-ordinate the job takes all of the stress and pressure away," said Will.

"The whole project was overseen and project-managed by Nathan and the team at KF Kitchens and we are delighted with the end result," he added.

The couple chose a contemporary style kitchen with Kashmere coloured doors and draws, matching Silestone quartz countertops and a range of NEFF appliances, including built-in oven, hob, microwave, warming drawer, washing machine and dishwasher. Attractive Karndean flooring complements the stunning new kitchen.

Mo said: "We stayed in a hotel for three weeks while the work was undertaken so that the KF Kitchens team could get on with the work. 

Will was on site most of the time to liaise with the various specialists and we were soon able to enjoy our magnificent new home."

Nathan Damarell of KF Kitchens said: "There was a lot of work to do, but it was all really straightforward for our team. 

They have all worked together for several years and Will and Mo knew them well from the work they did at their first home in lvybridge."

Will added: "We cannot recommend KF Kitchens highly enough. Their professionalism, quality of workmanship, attention to detail and experience is second to none."

What started as a search for new wallpaper eventually led to a Plymstock couple having a stunning new kitchen installed.

Dave and Janet Henwood were visiting one of the big DIY stores in Plymouth to look for wallpaper to brighten up their kitchen when Janet spotted a kitchen display which really caught her eye.

"Our kitchen was at least 20 years old and looking a little tired," said Janet "and I managed to talk Dave into thinking about having a completely new kitchen." But when Janet checked on the Internet she found some negative customer comments on the DIY store's performance. The couple decided to look at local independent kitchen companies and one of the first on their list was KF Kitchens in Faraday Mill Business Park.

Dave said: "We were really impressed with the huge range of displays at K F Kitchens and there was no high pressure selling at all. Nathan Damarell, one of the directors, told us to have a look around and see if there was anything we liked.

"We saw a style which really appealed, and Nathan kindly arranged for us to take away some door samples so that we could see which colour and finish our favourite was," said Janet. Nathan then visited the couple's home and came up with his suggestions on layout and equipment. "Nathan was able to give us a ball-park estimate of the likely cost involved and we only had to pay a small deposit to enable the installation to be started," added Dave, a retired shipwright.

Although the Henwood's kitchen is relatively small at 120 square feet, KF Kitchens have made the most of the space available. The new kitchen features the popular Cashmere coloured units with soft close doors and drawers, full length NEFF fridge and separate freezer, NEFF CircoTherm oven and microwave, with separate induction hob and a built-in NEFF dishwasher.

Janet said: "I wasn't sure about high level units with built-in appliances, but I was delighted that the oven and microwave could be installed at a height which is ideal for my height!" One of Janet's favourite features of the new kitchen is the easy access pull-out corner LeMans shelving. Janet said: "I really didn't want to have get down on my hands and knees to reach into the corner units, so I was delighted to find out about the LeMans shelves.

"Hardly any effort is required to make the shelves swing out from the cupboard and they can carry a lot of pots and pans or food items," said Janet. KF kitchens the final touches to the sparkling new kitchen included Silestone quartz worktops, supplied and installed by MayfIower Stone of Plymouth, Fuchsia glass splash backs supplied by Armada Glass and matching Karndean flooring.

Dave said: "We couldn't be more thrilled with what KF Kitchens have achieved. The installation team were fantastic and the whole project was completed in about two weeks."

Janet loves her new kitchen and has been delighted to re-ignite her love of baking." It's a wonderful kitchen and I still have to pinch myself every morning when I open the door," she said. By complete coincidence Janet's brother Richard is also having a new kitchen installed by KF Kitchens, while one of her best friends has been to look at what KF Kitchens have achieved.

Janet said: "My friend is moving house soon. I think she will be heading for K F Kitchens for her new kitchen too."

State-of-the-art oven technology is leading to a revolution in kitchens across the country. 

According to Nathan Damarell of leading Plymouth-based independent kitchen and bedroom company KF Kitchens, customers are choosing sophisticated ovens, hobs and microwaves with features that were unheard of just a few Years ago.

The trend is set to continue following further advances in the design and functionality of built-in ovens which have recently been unveiled by leading appliance manufacturer Neff.

As a Neff Master Partner, the team at KF Kitchens is excited about the new range of single and double ovens which embrace a range of innovative features.

"Neff ovens have always been at the leading edge of technology, but the new range launched earlier this year represents a major step forward," said Nathan.

"Cooking and baking has never been more popular and Neff ovens have definitely been designed by cooks for cooks with this in mind."

Features on the new range include the popular slide and hide oven doors, telescopic rails, self-cleaning, 'CircoTherm' simultaneous cooking on multiple levels, innovative steam assistance and a full touch screen colour display. The new range is now produced in a stylish black and stainless-steel finishes. The new touch screen display enables the user to simply scroll through a wide range of cooking functions with ease - all at the touch of a button and a full colour display.

Derinda Damarell said: "With the new Neff ovens complicated navigation is a thing of the past. Instead, you have an intuitive display right at your fingertips giving you more time to focus and enjoy your cooking.

"A range of pre-programmed options for roasting, baking and grilling are also included in the new controls, which takes all the guesswork out of cooking," she added.

Nathan said: "The new range was launched a few months ago and we have been testing the appliances ourselves and learning more about the new features so that we can fully explain the benefits of the new technology to our customers."

KF Kitchens have invested in a number of new displays at their Faraday Mill showroom to coincide with the launch of the new Neff range. Four new displays have been introduced with fully- functioning appliances and a range of finishes, sinks, worktops and flooring.

"It's important for customers to be able to visualise how a kitchen looks - complete with appliances - and how it functions. We spend a lot of time with them to ensure that we provide the best and most effective solution," said Nathan.

KF Kitchens boasts one of the largest kitchen showrooms in the region with over 40,000 square feet of space and more than 25 kitchens on display.

The new displays feature quartz and granite worktops, painted oak and gloss finishes in a range of colours and the latest Karndean 'Loose Lay' flooring. With kitchen gadgets also proving increasingly popular, one of the displays features the 'Quooker' boiling water tap - which provides hot, cold and constant boiling water from one tap.

"There's no doubt that technology like the Quooker boiling water tap and the latest induction hobs are especially popular with the man in the house," said Nathan.

"As far as colour trends are concerned, we have found that soft greys such as cashmere are extremely popular these days, so we have featured these in our displays so that customers can see for themselves how they look," said Nathan.

"But we are not limited to any particular colour. All our kitchens are bespoke and designed individually for each customer, so we can literally provide finished units to match any colour which the customer requires."

Customer service has been at the forefront of the KF Kitchens ethos since Nathan, Derinda and Simon Rice set up the business in 2008. It is ref1ected in the fact that the company has been approved by Trading Standards 'Buy with Confidence' scheme. "We believe it is important for customers to know how much their dream kitchen is likely to cost at the earliest opportunity and we can provide a broad outline of the figure involved within an hour of an initial meeting.

"We don't believe customers should have to wait for weeks and weeks for an estimate, only to be deflated or disappointed when the supplier eventually provides them with a figure.

"We prefer to dedicate most of our time to customers who have made a decision to buy their kitchen from us, based on our detailed estimate and computer-generated designs.

"Unlike a lot of other kitchen companies we don't have sales - the price customers pay is the same all year round and it is always the best price available. We don't offer any fancy incentives or discount gimmicks," he added.

A highly-successful day of cooking demonstrations and advice was hosted by Plymouth-based KF Kitchens and Bedrooms.

The NEFF Cooking Day at the company's impressive Faraday Mill showroom proved to be popular with past and present customers of KF Kitchens - with many potential customers also enjoying the experience.

K F Kitchens has the distinction of being the only NEFF Five 5tar Master Partner in Plymouth and regularly hosts the special cooking days to highlight the benefits of owning built- in NEFF appliances.

K F's 40,000 sq ft showroom features a full range of NEFF products, including single and double ovens, steam ovens, microwaves, warming drawers, induction hobs, cooker hoods, dishwashers, fridges and fridge-freezers.

NEFF home economist and demonstrator Helen Buxton- Smith spent six hours cooking a wide variety of dishes to illustrate the versatility and innovative features of NEFF ovens.

NEFF's unique CircoTherm technology allows sweet and savoury foods to be cooked at the same time without the intermingling of flavours for perfect batch baking results. 

It can also be set for bread-baking, defrosting, grilling, roasting and slow cooking.

AquaAssist models bring two different strands of NEFF's expertise neatly together. The idea was born from years of experience in built-in ovens combined with a thorough knowledge of steam cooking. The result is an ingenious method of food preparation, which adds humidity to the cooking process for perfect results, time after time.

AquaAssist keeps meats tender and juicy and is ideal for crisping up foods. As well as reducing cooking times, it helps retain food volume, colour and moisture.

Nathan Damerell, director of K F Kitchens said: '"We find that the NEFF Cooking Days which we organise are extremely popular with customers. This one was no exception. There were a number of customers who have only had kitchens installed by us recently and were keen to learn about all the amazing things possible when you are cooking with NEFF ovens.

"There are so many features that it takes time and experience to know how to get the best out of these ovens. Helen does a fantastic job and her demonstrations are greatly appreciated."

Nathan said that the excellent relationship with NEFF had undoubtedly contributed to the continued success of KF Kitchens and Bedrooms.

"We've had an excellent year and our order book is extremely healthy going into next year." Among the many customers of KF Kitchens who attended the NEFF Cooking Day was Colin Soper of Elburton.

He has had a brand-new kitchen installed by KF in the last few weeks and went along to learn more about how to get the best out of NEFF Ovens.

"I had a NEFF oven in my old kitchen, but the technology has moved on at a rapid pace. There are so many new features available and I'm looking forward to learning all about them."

Widower Colin knows a thing or two about cooking. He ran a highly-successful fish and chip shop in Dean Cross Road. Plymstock before retiring six years ago.

"I decided I wanted to treat myself to a new kitchen and KF came highly recommended by friends. As soon as I walked into their showroom I fell in love with the first kitchen display I saw.

"Nathan and the team could not have been more helpful. They turned my dream into reality. My old kitchen has been completely transformed with fantastic new built-in Oyster gloss units, NEFF built in oven. induction hob, microwave. warming drawer, fridge-freezer and dishwasher.

"To round off the fabulous new look I also chose quartz work-tops which were supplied and installed by Mayflower Stone. I also had new lighting and flooring installed - it was a complete makeover.

"KF Kitchens planned the project with almost military precision. All the different trades turned up exactly when they said they would and the whole process ran extremely smoothly.

"I wanted the kitchen completed before the end of September because my daughter is visiting me from America - and the KF Kitchens team bent over backwards to achieve that.

"I cannot recommend them highly enough for their professionalism, attention to detail and superb customer service." said Colin.

While many big-name kitchen and bathroom companies have disappeared from the High Street over the last few years. Plymouth's K F Kitchens and Bedrooms has gone from strength to strength.

K F Kitchens and Bedrooms was launched at Faraday Mill in 2008 by husband and wife Nathan and Derinda Damarell and their business partner Simon Rice.

Between them they have over 60 years' experience in the kitchen and bedroom industry and boast one of the largest kitchen showrooms in the South West.

With over 40,000 square feet of space and more than 20 kitchens, four bedrooms and several rooms set on display, K F can cater for every taste and budget.

Nathan said that K F's turnover had increased by a third over the last six years - despite one of the deepest recessions the UK has experienced in recent times.

"There have been many significant developments in the kitchen industry over the last few years, notably the introduction of induction hobs and other advanced appliances, quartz worktops, slide-away doors, curved finishes and much more." said Nathan.

"We have kept up to date with all these developments ensuring that our customers benefit from our experience and knowledge.

"Kitchen design has changed dramatically in recent years. Kitchens are increasingly seen as the focal point of the home where families come together to prepare meals, cook and socialise.

It's not about cabinets and cookers now, it's more about lifestyle." Continued investment in the range of kitchens and appliances in their Faraday Mill showroom has ensured that K F stays at the forefront of kitchen developments and advances.

They boast the city's premier showroom for appliances from leading manufacturer NEFF and are a coveted 5 Star Master Partner of the German company.

Recent investment in a new range of bespoke bedroom furniture has further boosted K F's fortunes.

"We have brought the same ethos and design techniques to our bed room range that has been so successful for our kitchen products;' said Nathan.

"We help our customers maximise their bedroom space by offering high-quality made-to-measure products with a selection of 10 door styles and 30 different colour choices," said Nathan.

"Many of the big bedroom companies offer standard size products, which limits the full storage and space potential.

"Our bedrooms are totally bespoke and are designed to optimise space and storage as well as meeting the precise needs of the customer."

The new bedroom displays are complemented by a range of Karndean flooring and carpets, now also available from K F.

Glowing customer testimonials on the company website underline the quality of the service offered by KF.

Few homeowners are in the fortunate position of having a 'blank canvas' when it comes to deciding on the layout of their kitchen.

But this was the situation for Pete Cleeve and Annette Meakin when they purchased a brand new detached house in Oreston.

Their new home is one of two newly built luxury houses, constructed on a former orchard at the rear of a large detached property in Oreston Road.

"We first saw the property in May last year when it was pretty much a shell and decided that it was the house for us. But we didn't finally move in until just before Christmas," said Pete, a retired finance director.

"As it was a new build we were able to have a lot of input into the layout of the property, especially when it came to the kitchen; he said.

"We visited a number of kitchen showrooms in Plymouth and Exeter, including KF Kitchens, who had already installed the kitchen in the other new home on the site.

"We discovered that acquaintances of ours had also used KF Kitchens for their new kitchen and they couldn't recommend them highly enough. 

That, combined with the testimonials of other KF customers, was one of the main deciding factors in choosing KF Kitchens; he added.

Annette said: 'We were particularly impressed with the massive range of kitchens on display at The KF Kitchen's showroom at Faraday Mill, but more importantly, it was the fact that the KF team really listened to what we wanted.

"They are not only hugely knowledgeable, but also give you lots of helpful advice and guidance."

Pete and Annette chose a contemporary styled kitchen featuring a mocha and ebony finish with quartz worktops supplied by Plymouth-based Mayflower Stone. 

It includes built-in Neff ovens and microwave, American fridge- freezer and a double drawer dishwasher, which is ideal for both small and larger loads.

A large peninsula worktop not only features an induction hob and breakfast bar but also houses a nifty wine rack which keeps the white wine chilled and the red wine at room temperature!

"We were impressed with the installation and the pragmatic way that Kevin, the fitter, approached the job," said Peter.

"It took around a week to complete and was ready for us to have our first Christmas dinner here."

The couple are so pleased with the service and quality of KF Kitchens that they will be having matching ebony storage units in their lounge and also bedroom units from the company. 

"We are really pleased with our kitchen," said Pete, "and would have no hesitation in recommending KF Kitchens to other homeowners."

One of Plymouth's leading independent kitchen and bedroom companies is celebrating its fifth anniversary with further plans for expansion and development of the business. 

KF Kitchens and Bedrooms was launched at Faraday Mill in 2O08 by husband and wife Nathan and Derinda Damarell and their business partner Simon Rice. Plymouth Magazine - August 2013 Between them they have over 60 years' experience in the kitchen and bedroom industry and boast one of the largest kitchen showrooms in the South West. With over 40,000 square feet of space and more than 30 kitchens, bedrooms and room sets on display, KF can cater for every taste and budget. 

Nathan said: "We don't sell kitchens and bedrooms - we help customers to buy one." "We give an independent, honest opinion on products based on our years of experience and help our customers to achieve the kitchen or bedroom of their dreams at a budget they can afford. "Customers are frequently surprised that our bespoke kitchen and bedroom solutions are similar to off-the-shelf alternatives offered by the national chains and DIY sheds. 

Nathan said that the industry had undergone massive changes in the last five years with a number of high-profile brands and businesses disappearing from the High Street. 

"More and more customers are recognising that independent companies like ours not only offer high quality, professional and impartial advice but also deliver on time and to budget. 

"We hear stories all the time from customers who have been given the run-around by some of the big stores, often being asked to pay the whole price up front and then being expected to wait several months for their new kitchen. 

"If homeowners are thinking of buying a new kitchen and bedroom we encourage them to come and see us first. We can provide a no-obligation quotation within a few days and only ask for a £500 deposit at point of order - even if it's for a £20,000 kitchen. 

KF Kitchens and Bedrooms highly-rated customer service and business ethos was recognised earlier this year when they received the coveted 'Buy with Confidence' Trading Standards seal of approval. 

Continued investment and development of the business has enabled KF to establish an enviable reputation for high-quality kitchens and bedrooms at affordable prices. 

Latest developments include the launch of new branding and signage, more new kitchen installations in the next few weeks and the launch of a top-quality range of bedroom furniture. 

Simon said: "The bedroom market has remained relatively static over the last few years, but we have identified a stunning British-made selection of fitted bedroom furniture which we will be featuring in a completely new bedroom display area," said Nathan. 

KF will also be supplying Karndean flooring as part of its future product range.

The new display will be launched at a special event a Saturday September 7th when KF will not only unveil its new kitchens and bedrooms, but also host a NEFF cooking day.

The event will also mark the introduction of a new Dekton range of worktops which are set to revolutionise the market. Nathan and Derinda recently visited the hi-tech factory in Spain where the Dekton range is produced by Cosentino, the global leader in natural stone, quartz and recycled surfacing. 

Derinda said: "Consentino have invested over 90 million euros in the new Dekton range, including the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, which we were fortunate enough to visit earlier this year. The ultra-compact surface is completely scratch resistant and can handle temperatures up to 700 degrees. 

Gas engineer Darren Nicholson and his partner Collett had a tough decision to make when choosing a company to install a new kitchen in their Hartley home. Darren said: "I have three friends who run kitchen companies and l asked all of them to quote. KF Kitchens had also been recommended, but we left them until last. 'When we visited their fantastic showroom in Faraday Mill Business Park we were not only impressed by the huge number of displays but also their enthusiasm and creative ideas' said Darren. 'KF Kitchens say that they don't sell kitchens they help customers to buy one - and that was exactly what we experienced.' 

The couple bought their 1920s semi-detached property in February last year and spent nearly six months refurbishing and renovating it. 'It had been empty for three years and was basically uninhabitable,' said Darren. 'It was in a terrible state. Floors had collapsed, ceilings were down and to make matters worse there were huge Leylandii surrounding the properly which had actually grown into the roof space. This meant that there was also damp everywhere.' Specialists felled and removed the trees, leaving Darren and Colette with a huge amount of work to turn the house into a home. KF Kitchens KF kitchens 'We worked here seven days a Week from early morning to late evening,' said Darren. 'Everything had to be replaced or renewed, but all the effort was worth it in the end.' The couple have followed an art deco theme reflecting the age of the properly and they wanted the kitchen to be the centrepiece of their new home. 

We had a very clear idea of what we wanted and Nathan and Derinda Damarell of KF Kitchens helped us to achieve our dream,' said Colette. 'We had several meetings with them and we discussed and developed our ideas and plans,' she added. The style of the kitchen reflects their art deco theme and inspired by one of the display in the KF Kitchens showroom. The kitchen features a mix of alabaster gloss and olive wood-grain effect units and cupboards with a mixture of doors and drawers with and without handles. One of the striking features of the luxurious kitchen is the rounded doors and corners which help reinforce the Art Deco theme.

Built-in NEFF appliances include a microwave, steam oven, alarming draw, conventional oven and coffee maker. Dishwasher, washing machine and fridge freezer are all built in as well Darren wanted a gas hob, but Nathan convinced him that one of the new technology electric induction hobs would be more appropriate. being a gas engineer I wasn't sure about that, but I'm glad I listened to Nathan. The induction hob is absolutely fantastic.' Granite worktops supplied by Plymouth-based Mayflower Stone and Mica Marble flooring complete the stunning new kitchen. Nathan said: 'We wanted to create a retro feel and designed the kitchen in such a way that it resembles a kitchen with free-standing units.' Darren added: 'We could not be happier!'

Kitchen expert Nathan Damarell is a man on a mission - to change the way homeowners think about their kitchens.

"Most customers come to us with fixed ideas on the type of cabinets and appliances they want," said Nathan of KF Kitchens, who are based at Faraday Mill, Plymouth, "But choosing the style of kitchen should be the end of the process, not the beginning," he said. 

"We look at the whole dynamic of the home and the family lifestyle, which inevitably has a big impact on what happens in the kitchen. "With the increasing trend towards larger living space and open plan homes, the kitchen is more and more the focal point of family life. It is most important that the design and layout of the kitchen reflects that fact. "When we consider what's best for the customer's requirements we look at the actual living space and how it can best be used and then come up with a design concept. The choice of the actual style of kitchen and appliances then becomes a secondary issue." 

KF Kitchens are in the ideal position to give homeowners a clear picture of how their kitchen can be transformed. With a 40,000 square feet showroom featuring more KF Kitchens than 30 fully-assembled kitchen designs on display, KF Kitchens can cater for every taste and budget. 

KF Kitchens have recently extended their showroom display by converting what was previously office space into a new 300 square foot room setting incorporating a dining area and fully-fitted kitchen. 

"We want customers to see just how to make the best use of space and we believe the creation of this new display will certainly help that process ." 

The display features a stylish kitchen combining natural oak finish with sage coloured painted timber and with solid stone quartz worktops, supplied by Mayflower Stone of Plymouth. An integral built-in stone sink is also featured, along with NEFF slide-away ovens, built-in NEFF fridge and NEFF induction hob. KF itchens To complete the picture the room set also features solid oak furniture supplied by Plymouth-based Inspired:Rooms and stylish Karndean flooring from furnishing Collections, who are based in the same building as KF Kitchens. 

It took six weeks to create the new room setting, but Nathan and the team at KF Kitchens firmly believe it will help customers to understand the importance of making the most of the living space available. 

"We have already had a very positive reaction from customers," said Nathan, "and it has certainly helped reinforce our design ethos." 

This latest development by KF Kitchens underlines their determination to stay at the forefront of kitchen design and installation in the South West. Despite the collapse of many of the big-name national kitchen companies, KF Kitchens continues to go from strength to strength. 

"We've had a very good year in 2012 - despite the problems caused by ongoing roadworks in the area which have affected many of the businesses in faraday Mill." KF Kitchens did the equivalent of 1O months' trading in the first three months of 2012, which underlines their commitment to total customer satisfaction. 

"Our philosophy is that we don't sell kitchens, we help our customers to buy one. We take the journey with our customers, helping them to make the most of the space available, designing a kitchen which meets their precise needs, advising them on appliances and materials and then overseeing the installation," said Nathan. 

"We offer a fully bespoke solution at a cost which is comparable with off-the-shelf alternatives offered by the big stores and national chains and go the extra mile to ensure that our customers are not only satisfied, but delighted," he said. 

There are no fewer than 40 customer testimonials on the KF Kitchens website which reflect their success in achieving that goal.

An Elburton couple who decided to give their kitchen a complete makeover was pleasantly surprised to discover that local suppliers proved more competitive, convenient - and responsive - than the big national chains.

David and Sally Hosking have lived in their five-bed roomed detached home for 16 years and have extended and improved it over that period, "The kitchen last had a makeover around 1O years ago and earlier this year we felt it was looking outdated and in need of something more substantial," said David, a retired naval officer.

"We spend a lot of time in the kitchen and it is very much at the heart of our home," said former teacher Sally. "So we wanted to make the most of the opportunity." "Having checked prices from national kitchen companies we decided to use local suppliers, so we started looking for two good quality Plymouth companies with a proven reputation in the market so that we could compare them," said David. 

"We had seen KF Kitchens' advertisements and were impressed by the customer testimonials on their website. We frequently drive past their showrooms in faraday Mill, so decided to visit them and discuss our needs. "Right from the first moment we met Nathan Damarell and the team at KF Kitchens we were impressed with their professionalism and responsiveness.
"within a few minutes of looking at our kitchen, Nathan had already formed a clear idea of what he wanted to propose. He was imaginative and innovative in his proposals and he delivered his first outline designs within 72 hours as promised.
"He explained that his estimate was based on a mid-range price that would vary no more than 1O per cent up or down, depending on the kitchen appliances we chose," said David, "And that was how if turned out.

"We had no hesitation in appointing KF Kitchens, particularly as their payment terms simply required a £500 deposit to secure the order. We paid the balances as the units and appliances were delivered and as the fitters and other trades people finished their part of the work," added David. 

The Hosking's kitchen and neighbouring utility room have been totally transformed as a result of the five-week project. Ceilings and walls were re-plastered, new electrics and low-energy lighting installed and plumbing adjusted.

We now have twice as much work surface than before and 50 per cent more storage space, all within the same kitchen," said Sally.

They Chose Coral gold granite worksurfaces supplied by local company Mayflower Stone, while the matching Karndean vinyl flooring was supplied and fitted by Richard Harding of Plymouth-based furnishing Collections.

The Alabaster kitchen units extend along three of the kitchen walls, and include a peninsular feature with storage space, wine rack and room for kitchen stools. Similar matching storage units have been installed in the utility room which included boxing in the gas boiler and also creating more larder and broom space.

Every inch of space possible has been utilised thanks to KF Kitchens' manufacture of bespoke units to exactly fit the space available.

A range of built-in Neff appliances have been installed including an Aqua Assist oven, steam oven, combination oven, warming drawer and coffee machine, plus Neff hob and stylish extractor.

A bold lime green and red colour scheme sets off the new kitchen, creating a fresh and contemporary feel. "One of the great things about KF Kitchens is that they are entirely bespoke - they make the units fit the space available, not the other way around," said David.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the finished result and would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending KF Kitchens," added David.

A Plympton couple have achieved the kitchen of their dreams - thanks to KF Kitchens, one of Plymouth's leading independent kitchen companies.

Robert and Kim Goodman had a clear idea of how they wanted to change the kitchen at their four-bedroom detached home in Romilly Gardens.
"We spend as much time as possible in our garden and I love cooking," said Robert. "But the garden wasn't accessible from the kitchen, which meant I always felt a bit isolated when everybody was outside and I was in the kitchen.
"We knew we wanted to 'bring the garden into the kitchen' by replacing the existing windows with patio doors and also wanted to give the kitchen a complete makeover at the same time.
"Our idea was that this would involve extending the kitchen into the utility room to create more space," added Robert.
"We spoke to a number of kitchen companies, but they all said that we would need to organise all the building work and then they would install the kitchen.
"We didn't want the pressure of organising that side of the work and dealing with lots of different tradesmen - which led us to contact KF Kitchens."
Nathan Damarell of KF Kitchens, who are based at Farady Mill, takes up the story. "I could see what Robert and Kim wanted to do, but felt that they could improve on their vision by not only extending into the utility room, but also relocating the downstairs toilet, which was accessed from the kitchen."
Nathan's more radical approach involved using some of the space in the property's double garage to relocate the downstairs toilet, which immediately created a more spacious and ergonomic layout for the kitchen.
He arranged for various specialist tradesmen to visit the Goodman's home to ensure that his plan was workable. It even required expert input from a firm of structural engineers because of the need to install a new load-bearing steel beam in the kitchen.
Robert said: "By putting us in contact with these specialists it gave us the confidence to go ahead with the work. We are absolutely delighted with the results."
His wife Kim said: "Nathan said that the work would take five weeks and it was completed bang on time and exactly on budget. The various tradesmen and local companies he recommended were excellent and very professional."
Nathan said that he had recommended Plymouth-based Best Quality Windows to install the new patio doors and Furnishing Collections of Peverell had handled all aspects of the new flooring.
"The kitchen design we chose combined the best of traditional materials with contemporary design," said Nathan. The kitchen units involve a combination of sage coloured painted timber and natural washed oak.
These house a range of built-in NEFF appliances including a hob, oven, fridge and dishwasher.
The centrepiece peninsular houses a sink and preparation area overlooking the garden and is finished with black quartz worktop. Downlighters, hanging lights and low-level plinth lights create a bright and warm feeling to the kitchen. 

Robert said: "KF Kitchens not only helped us achieve our dream - but actually enhanced it. We would have no hesitation in recommending them."

Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, which accounts for a lot of their challenge - and a lot of their appeal.

Making the most of the space and budget available as well as choosing the increasingly sophisticated kitchen appliances is very much a job for the professionals.
And with more and more homeowners improving their home, rather than moving, companies such as Plymouth-based KF Kitchens are enjoying continued success and growth, despite the current economic difficulties.
KF Kitchens boast one of the largest kitchen showrooms in the South West and have added to their reputation in the last few months by being appointed as approved stockists for NEFF, the leading kitchen appliance company.
With over 40,000 square feet of space and more than 30 fully-assembled kitchen designs on display, KF Kitchens can cater for every taste and budget.
One of the newest displays features a full range of working built-in NEFF appliances, including the latest state-of-the-art AquaAssist circotherm oven, steam oven, induction hob, coffee machine and warming tray.
The increasing sophistication of multi-functional kitchen appliances is one of the major trends witnessed in recent years, according to Nathan Damarell of KF Kitchens.
"Cooking and entertaining at home has become more and more popular, mainly due to the impact of TV programmes such as Masterchef and Come Dine With Me," said Nathan.
"There has been a definite move away from range cookers and traditional ovens, to cooking stations located within tower units where appliances are built-in at eye- level. The growth in popularity in energy-saving appliances, such as induction hobs and steam ovens has been phenomenal in recent years." he said.
In the wake of the collapse of many of the big-name national kitchen companies, KF Kitchens put their success down to one key factor - total customer satisfaction.
"Our philosophy is that we don't just sell kitchens, we help our customers to buy one. We make the journey with our customers, helping them to make the most of the space available, designing a kitchen which meets their precise needs, advising them on appliances and materials and so on and then overseeing the installation.
"We visit the customer's home to discuss their requirements and ideas in detail and then take comprehensive measurements. From this we prepare architect-style hand-drawn plans to ensure that we have taken account of every angle and measurement.
"This helps avoid problems at the installation stage - as we know from experience that simply relying on computer-generated plans can lead to issues when it comes to fitting the furniture and appliances.
"From our drawings we then prepare 3D computer-generated images of what the Plymouth magazine kitchen will look like so that the customer has a very clear idea of what they will be getting.

"We offer a fully bespoke solution at a cost which compares well with oft-the-shelf alternatives offered by the big stores and national chains," he said.
"The key factor in design is creating perfect lines - once that has been achieved it's then a question oi selecting materials and appliances. We give independent, honest advice based on our years of experience and help our customers achieve the kitchen of their dreams at a budget they can afford."
Nathan said that current kitchen design tended to polarise between minimalist and traditional, although he felt the combination of the two can achieve a classic contemporary feel.

"Combining timber finish with more modern materials can create a stunning look" he said. 

"Given that kitchens have a lifespan of 20 years or more we advise customers to choose neutral colours for the permanent fixtures and then introduce colour through low-cost accessories such as glass splash-backs and lighting.  KF Kitchens - NEFF appointed dealer
"This means that after a few years they can give their kitchen a fresh look by simply renewing the accessories in different colours."

Nathan said that about two-thirds of their business came from referrals from satisfied customers. "We make a point of asking for honest feedback from customers and this is now posted on our website for everyone to see," he added.

Focusing on first-class service for customers are the KF Kitchens team of Simon Rice (left) and Derinda and Nathan Damarell.

A leading Plymouth kitchen and bedroom company is enjoying continued success and growth - despite the much-publicized problems facing national brands.

KF Kitchens in Faraday Mill, Plymouth put their success down to one key ingredient - total customer satisfaction.
The company is run by husband and wife Nathan and Derinda Damarell and their business partner Simon Rice. Between them they have over 60 years' experience in the kitchen industry and boast one of the largest kitchen showrooms in the South West.
With over 40,000 square-feet of space and more than 35 kitchens and bedrooms on display, KF Kitchens can cater for every taste and budget.
Nathan summed up KF Kitchens' philosophy: "We don't just sell kitchens, we help customers to buy one.
"We give an, independent, honest opinion on products based on our years of experience and help our customers to achieve the kitchen of their dreams at a budget they can afford. We are not afraid to tell customers what we think about products and would certainly not recommend something which we felt did not offer good value.
"Our extensive experience in the industry has given us an excellent insight into which products are likely to work best for the customer in meeting their style and budget requirements.

"Customers are frequently surprised that we offer bespoke kitchen solutions at prices similar to off-the-shelf alternatives offered by the big stores and national chains," added Nathan,

"Customers are also surprised that we don't ask for thousands of pounds up front to secure the order. A deposit of £500 is all we ask when the order is placed - even if it's for a £20,000 kitchen."

It's this approach which has helped KF Kitchens build a growing reputation and a healthy level of personal recommendations. "About two thirds of our business come from referrals from satisfied customers," said Nathan. "We make a point of asking for honest feedback from customers and set up this facility on our website which we launched at the beginning of the year."

Customer Care History

Simon and Grace Quinlan purchased a kitchen from KF Kitchens in the summer of 201O. The new kitchen at their Manor Park home in Plymouth is Grace's pride and joy, but the journey to the finished article took several months of discussion and debate.

Simon and Grace have explained in detail on the KF Kitchens website about the process and their complete satisfaction with the end result.

Grace said: "I absolutely love my kitchen. KF were able to achieve something beyond my wildest dreams and Simon and I are delighted with the outcome. We would have no hesitation in recommending KF to other homeowners."
Simon's feedback on the KF Kitchens website includes the following comments: "Make no mistake the decision to change (your kitchen) is a big one and if like us, you have a perfectly good kitchen, which really just needs updating, there are a thousand reasons why you would put the decision off, particularly in these uncertain times.
"If, like us, you know that your kitchen is tired, in coming to your decision, be assured of KF's ability to provide you with something special. If you do this right the result is very rewarding.
"That is where KF Kitchens, and in particular Nathan and Simon really come into their own. Between them they have a number of years of experience and truly it shows.

"I fancy myself as a bit of a 'do it yourself' expert, these guys show you why you're not. Unexpected things happen, they have all the answers and they take it all in their stride. You don't need to panic; they have it sorted before you know. Same is true for the inevitable snagging. Any little issues that arise after the job is completed are tackled with the same professional friendly approach - and quickly.

"To sum up, if you are about to make this decision, prepare yourself for a bit of a helter-skelter ride. But if like us, you decide to go with Nathan and his team, and my experience is anything to go by, you will end up with a super end result.

"We love our kitchen it has perfectly clean lines and symmetry and as such is very unforgiving. If anything was wrong, it would stick out like a sore thumb. It's turned out better than we imagined, both stylish and incredibly practical.

"As far as the cost financially it was very keenly priced, and kitchens and bathrooms add value to your property. The true value for us is walking down every morning having a coffee and thinking what a lovely kitchen we have. That is in a big part down to Nathan and Simon and their team."