Creative kitchen displays launch a water tight partnership for two local firms

How many of us have walked in and out of showrooms looking for inspiration or something different? How refreshing to walk into a showroom to see a handcrafted kitchen sporting a beach house design and spectacular, sleek kitchen island styled as a boat complete with sails – truly unique!

Known for their cutting-edge, bespoke kitchens, made locally - Ashgrove Kitchens at Crediton were recently approached by renowned and respected Exeter Company, Beach Bros, looking for just that – a kitchen display that would showcase their quality real wood worktops in an imaginative way.

Beach Bros have been supplying cork wood and timber flooring to cabinet makers and the trade since 1868, so knowing a thing or two about working with wood and in partnership with Ashgrove, a company with over 25 years of kitchen crafting skills here was a chance for both companies to show off their strengths in design, craftsmanship and innovation.

Michael Beach, Director of Beach Bros comments “We needed a display within our showroom that would promote the quality and craftsmanship of our worktops which are used in both traditional and contemporary kitchen design. We wanted a display that would represent our tradition and generations of working knowledge and skill we have here at Beach Bros whilst demonstrating how our traditional skills have been adapted to modern materials and methods – in short something that represents the story of Beach Bros.”

So it was Ashgrove to the drawing board. Peter Barber, one of the Ashgrove Interiors design team, followed the principles of the brief, creating designs that focused predominantly on the name ‘Beach’ and also took into account that Beach Bros are also renowned for many quality decks of local boats, and so it seemed fitting to Peter to pursue this angle, especially due to their close relationship with Devon.

Peter carefully came up with a theme and designs for a modern kitchen with an island built in the style of a boat, along with a traditional ‘Beach House’ style kitchen in the background representing the company’s long history through different styles and periods and also to marry with its links with boats and Devon.

The combination the unique design concept along with Ashgrove’s long established ability to deliver quality finishing in both modern and traditional room settings fitted perfectly with Beach Bros aims and so the project was commissioned with Ashgrove firmly at the helm.

Peter comments; “There was little work to do on the design for the ‘Beach house’-styled kitchen as it followed tried-and-tested styling methods. I just wanted to offer simplicity in that design; however as a twist we introduced some modern features into the traditional kitchen and vice versa in the modern kitchen just to give a few small surprises! These included dovetailed wooden drawer boxes and walnut veneers used for the carcasses of the modern boat display, whilst modern materials have been used on the more traditional ‘Beach house’ style Kitchen.”

The worktops are as you would expect to find from Beach Bros, showing both modern and traditional uses, but the boat’s worktop by contrast has been based upon a traditional style boat deck, demonstrating Beach Bros abilities to produce unique worktops, which is why Ashgrove first became associated with Beach Bros due to their demand for high quality suppliers.

Within the showroom itself - carefully concealed lighting provides some drama in both the sail type shelving and on the keel where the detailing in the Ashgrove woodwork reflects the movement of the water, then further concealed lighting in the wrap around timber on the other units creates a great lighting detail whilst offering a practical option when doors and drawers are opened by lighting the interiors.

The units on the back wall are suspended as if floating and are framed by the natural walnut matching the worktops into which the long hob is discretely fitted keeping the focus on the main boat island where the sink is neatly arranged to replicate the cockpit of a boat.

Although whimsical in nature the boat idea still provides a practical working island and is a nice change to the everyday styling found elsewhere, although the simple contemporary style kitchens are still represented by the units placed around the island.

Inside all sorts of fun gadgets can be found and all modern conveniences are delivered by way of integrated refrigeration, larders and coffee machine’s so no hardship needs to be experienced aboard this little ship.

So how have these designs been received by the public? Michael says “The displays are certainly causing a stir in the showroom and are truly a conversation piece”.

Whether you are looking for traditional or contemporary these two kitchen displays demonstrate how simple or bespoke kitchen design can be. Both designs show off the high level skills of the designer and cabinet maker’s that were involved - something which high street retailers and bulk producers can only hope to achieve with their displays.

Should you wish to see these unique designs combining traditional and contemporary features please pop along to Beach Bros at Western Road, St Thomas, Exeter www.beachbros.co.uk

To see a full range of Ashgrove's unique bespoke kitchens and bathrooms visit www.ashgrovekitchens.co.uk