The job
This project was a kitchen design, supply and installation for Sue in Faberstown, Wiltshire. The room itself stayed as it was; the aim was to replace a dark, dated kitchen with something cleaner, lighter, and much more practical.
Sue already had a clear idea of the look she wanted, including the modern handleless style and overall feel of the room. Roost's role was to take that vision and make sure it worked properly in everyday life, from storage and appliance placement to how the room would function when several people were using it at once.
Why they wanted change
The old kitchen had become dark, dated and difficult to use. Some of the storage was broken or awkward, the fridge freezer was freestanding and the microwave took up valuable worktop space. A small peninsula also interrupted the centre of the room, making it feel more crowded than it needed to be.
Sue wanted a kitchen that felt sleek, organised and easy to look after, without appliances and everyday clutter on show.
As she works from home with a small team, the room also doubles as a break space, so it needed to accommodate several people making tea, chatting and moving around without feeling blocked or cramped.
The design
The starting point was to simplify the room. Removing the peninsula immediately opened up the centre, improving movement and making the kitchen more comfortable when several people are using it at once.
Tall storage was then introduced to give the room something it had been missing: proper homes for the fridge freezer, microwave and everyday food storage. A tall pull-out makes tins, wine and other items easier to see and reach, while the ovens were positioned slightly higher for more comfortable everyday use.
The handleless cabinetry, integrated appliances and planned storage keep the room visually calm while giving everything a clear place.
Challenges
The biggest challenge only became apparent once the old kitchen was removed. The house had been built by a DIY builder, and unexpected pipework was found behind the area where the dishwasher needed to go.
Rather than compromise the planned layout, the pipework was moved and re-routed so the dishwasher could remain where it was intended. It was a hidden installation issue, but solving it properly helped protect the wider flow and functionality of the kitchen.
The difference
The new layout has made the room feel considerably clearer and easier to use. Removing the peninsula opened up the centre, while integrated appliances and better-planned storage freed up worktop space and reduced visual clutter.
The tall pull-out storage makes everyday food items easier to access, the raised ovens are more comfortable to use, and the built-in microwave no longer takes up valuable surface space. Soft LED lighting also helps the room feel brighter and more usable as the natural light fades.
Favourite detail
The tall pull-out storage is one of the details Jamie particularly likes because it solves a very practical problem without adding visual clutter. Rather than simply creating another tall cupboard, the pull-out allows Sue to see and reach everything inside easily.
The result
The blue and grey handleless cabinetry gave Sue the sleek, modern look she had imagined, while the improved storage, appliance integration and open layout made the room work much harder for everyday life.
