CASE STUDY
Highgrove – Quarter Sawn English Oak
Handcrafted Kitchen
Inspired by natural materials and crafted for light-filled living, this quarter-sawn English oak kitchen from our Highgrove collection celebrates the beauty of grain, proportion, and precision joinery. Designed and handmade by our workshop in Welshpool, it captures the essence of quiet luxury – where elegance meets function and every surface tells a story.
Locally sourced oak was carefully selected, air-dried, and hand-finished to bring warmth and natural texture into a contemporary home. The cabinetry’s soft sheen complements the daylight streaming through bay windows, while Willow Corian work surfaces and minimal detailing create a calm, modern balance. This project reflects the Kenton Jones ethos: considered design, enduring materials, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
What did your client want to achieve?
Was there a particular ‘must-have’?
Our clients wanted something beautiful and contemporary but with a warm feel throughout. Their home is incredibly tasteful so they needed a space that would integrate well with this, while at the same time making them feel excited when entering the kitchen each day.
How did you set about answering that brief and were you able to pin down their requests?
A key part of our process is to have in-depth discussions with our clients, giving us a thorough understanding of not just the functional needs of their kitchen but what they envision for the space as well. Defining their personal style is crucial to ensuring the design echoes the character of our clients.
What were the reasons behind the choices of cabinetry and work surfaces?
Bay windows flood the kitchen space with natural light. We wanted to amplify that feeling and our clients loved the idea, too. We initially suggested our Hygge cabinetry for its minimalist design, but our clients wanted to go even further with a handcrafted kitchen from our Highgrove Collection.
Sourcing some of the finest oak from local estates, we used Quarter sawn English Oak in a light finish for the cabinetry. Air-dried for three years before kilning, each piece was handpicked so that the medullary rays land perfectly on every door.
Willow Corian work surfaces were then an obvious choice, we thought, not just for its smoothness and adaptability but for the way it pairs well with the timber cabinetry. The soft finish further wraps the room in brightness and light.
What design elements do you think make the scheme so successful?
The balance of the layout of the cabinetry was critical to ensuring the success of this design. The modern dresser and American fridge freezer surround offer a fully functional side that still feels calming because of the minimal detail. The detailing on the island then complements the curved raised breakfast area, which gives a personalised charm to the space.
Now the project is finished, what design aspects are you most pleased with?
The view from the bay window is stunning and the natural materials enhance this. There’s space to sit and have an early morning cup of coffee, taking in all the beauty and greenery outside while surrounded by light inside.
We also love the pale colour scheme, elegant lighting, antique-style glass splashback, open shelving and illuminated glazed cabinets. All simple, classic choices that have come together to create an elegant, polished scheme.
Timber: Quarter-sawn English Oak sourced from local estates
Tap: Spirale tap with coloured flex hose, knurled nozzle brushed steel, 1810
Range Cooker: ER3 Series, AGA
Dishwasher: Series 4 SMV4HVX38G, Bosch
FEATURED COLLECTION
Highgrove Collection
Creating distinctive spaces that celebrate local heritage, our Highgrove collection of kitchen cabinetry and furniture is handcrafted from your choice of local or personal timber.
Need to speak to one of our team?
Handcrafted in Welshpool, Mid Wales, with our showroom in Shrewsbury covering Shropshire and Cheshire, our master craftsmen will bring the soul of your home to life with a kitchen that inspires laughter, dancing and celebrations. Book your consultation and start creating a unique space that sits in harmony with your home.