Project Overview

Mr and Mrs May came to our Towcester showroom looking for help with a kitchen that had reached the end of its life. The old layout was tired, awkward to use, and it didn’t work well in their Grade II Listed Brackley apartment.

Their brief was clear – they wanted a practical kitchen with better storage and an open-plan feel that would work for everyday life and entertaining, linking the kitchen and dining area more naturally with the lounge. They also wanted a look that felt right for a period home, with a modern edge rather than something overly traditional.

The challenge: a listed building with tricky quirks

Listed buildings come with added complications. This apartment had high ceilings, unlevel floors, and uneven walls. The room shape was awkward, and the plumbing was not in a helpful position for the layout Mr and Mrs May wanted.

Access also needed careful planning. Being on the first floor with a narrow staircase and limited parking, everything from delivery to moving appliances had to be coordinated so the communal areas were protected and neighbours were respected.

Designing within the rules, and in keeping with the building

The biggest win in a listed property is getting a kitchen that fits perfectly without trying to force the building to behave like a new build. We designed made-to-measure cabinetry that worked with the room’s natural lines and constraints, rather than fighting them. This is where bespoke really matters – our cabinetry is made to suit the room precisely.

Fireplaces and hearths: preserving period character, refined for the new kitchen

Original features were treated as part of the design from the outset. The original cast iron fireplaces were retained and enhanced in both the lounge and the kitchen, preserving the character and charm of the apartment.

To help them sit beautifully within the new scheme, we redesigned and installed new hearths and surrounding details for each fireplace, framing them with quartz so they were in keeping with the kitchen. We also colour-matched the finishes on the mantles to tie everything together.

Solving the layout and services

To improve flow and reduce wasted space, we made several practical changes behind the scenes. The vent pipe sat awkwardly in the middle of the kitchen, limiting what could be done with the run of cabinetry. We rerouted it so the layout could function properly.

We also adjusted the plumbing and pushed the sink run further into the room which reduced dead space, improved the working area around the sink, and helped the kitchen feel more spacious without changing the structure of the building.,

Banquette seating: turning an awkward corner into a feature

One of the trickiest parts of the room was the dining area, where the shape and proportions left an awkward corner that never really worked. Rather than forcing in a standard table and chairs and losing valuable space, we designed a built-in banquette bench to make the footprint work properly. It creates a natural zone for dining and entertaining, helping the kitchen and dining area feel more connected, while keeping the layout open and easy to move through.

The banquette also solved a practical problem. By building storage into the bench, we created a discreet place for the things you want close by but not on show, from table linen to board games and everyday bits that otherwise clutter worktops. Finished to match the surrounding cabinetry, the seating feels intentional and cohesive, tying the whole scheme together and turning a previously unused space into one of the most inviting parts of the kitchen.

To complete the dining area, a custom-built table was designed to sit perfectly with the banquette, made by Harper Bespoke Furniture. It was the ideal finishing touch, bringing balance to the layout and ensuring the seating feels purpose-made for the space, rather than added as an afterthought.

Modern comfort with period-appropriate detailing

Because the apartment is a listed period property, a modern slab door would have felt too sharp against the original features. Instead, we specified a narrow framed shaker style from Second Nature, finished in a smooth, non-grained sprayed look to give the best of both worlds. It reads as timeless and architectural, but still feels fresh, especially paired with the brass detailing and Carrara Bianco quartz. Mr and Mrs May were drawn to green from the start, so we guided them through a few options and landed on a confident, timeless tone of Regiment

Carefully managed, from start to finish

The installation programme was planned around the realities of a first-floor listed apartment. Communal areas and the staircase were protected with dust sheets and floor protection, and materials were moved in carefully to keep disruption down, and the project was completed in five weeks and signed off ahead of schedule.

The Mays have shared a testimonial with us, describing their experience of working with Parker Kitchens from the initial design through to the final installation:

Appliances: performance-led choices from Neff, plus a dedicated wine zone

For cooking and cooling, the Mays chose Neff appliances including the oven, fridge, hob and dishwasher, keeping the look streamlined while delivering reliable performance for everyday use and entertaining. A Caple wine chiller was added to create a dedicated drinks area within the space, so everything needed for hosting sits neatly within the kitchen rather than spilling into the dining or lounge zones.

Quooker tap: everyday luxury, built in

To make the sink area feel both practical and special, we paired a brass Quooker tap with an Abode sink. The Quooker gives instant boiling water, with chilled and sparkling functionality for ease and effortless hosting, while the crisp white ceramic Abode sink adds a classic, period-friendly note that suits the apartment beautifully. Together, they create a clean, cohesive sink run that looks good, without drawing attention away from the cabinetry and original features.

Flooring: a durable Brampton Chase LVT finish

To create a clean transition between kitchen, dining and lounge, the floor was finished in Brampton Chase LVT. It brings warmth and texture underfoot while offering the practicality you want in a hardworking kitchen space, especially in a property where the original floors were not perfectly level.

Internals: storage that works harder behind the doors

We used clever internal solutions to make sure every awkward corner and tight run worked as hard as possible. Corner storage and pull-out mechanisms from Kesseböhmer make previously wasted space accessible, so cookware, small appliances and everyday essentials are easy to see and simple to grab, even in the trickiest parts of the layout.

We also built in integrated waste and recycling bins, keeping everything neatly hidden behind the cabinetry while staying quick to access during cooking. It is a small detail that makes a big difference in day-to-day use, helping the kitchen stay calm and clutter-free while still being practical for busy family life.

Lighting, electrics and heating

To create a kitchen that feels warm, comfortable and properly resolved, we paid close attention to the finishing details. Under-cabinet lighting from Häfele Loox provides crisp task lighting exactly where it is needed, without adding visual clutter, while ceiling lights from The Lighting Studio in Banbury help the space feel layered and welcoming.

TLC Electrical supplied the switches and sockets, keeping the look consistent across the kitchen and dining area. For heating, we specified Milano Windsor radiators from Best Heating, a period-friendly style that suits the character of the apartment far better than a standard modern panel radiator, helping everything feel cohesive and in keeping with the property.

The finished space

The finished kitchen is brighter, calmer, and far more practical day to day, with a layout that finally makes sense for how the Mays live and entertain.

If you’re planning a new kitchen, we would love to help you make the most of it. Visit our showroom, or get in touch to book a free design appointment. We will guide you through layouts, materials and finishes, then create a made-to-measure kitchen that fits your building beautifully and works effortlessly for modern life.

Project Overview

When the Massie family in Buckingham first came to Parker Kitchens, their kitchen, utility and cloakroom felt like a collection of tired, separate rooms. The kitchen was dark, storage was never quite where it was needed and the spaces did little to support busy family life.

They wanted something very different: a bright, modern space that felt welcoming at any time of day and worked hard behind the scenes, from busy weekdays to family Sunday lunch.

Designing a space around family life

Before any kitchen designs or drawings were made, the team spent time in the house listening to how the Massie family actually used the rooms. The aim was not just a smarter looking kitchen, but a layout that would make daily routines easier and less stressful.

Detailed measurements and an on site visit meant the designers could spot pinch points and dead corners. 3D visuals then helped the family see how the new kitchen, utility and cloakroom would flow together as one calm, coherent space rather than three separate rooms.

A kitchen that feels good to cook in

The finished kitchen pairs modern, handleless cabinetry in navy blue and light grey with brushed brass details. In the corner units, we used “magic corners” so the full contents glide out in one smooth movement. It means tins and small appliances are no longer lost at the back of a dark cupboard and the whole space is usable and organised.

We installed white Calacatta Gold quartz worktops, with the splashbacks made in one piece and finished with a matching upstand and signature Parker Kitchen curved edges to soften the corners and remove grout lines.

For the family, this means:

• Plenty of clear worktop space for cooking together without bumping into one another
• Easy to wipe, durable finishes that shrug off everyday spills and still look smart
• A calmer backdrop that works just as well for a quiet coffee as it does for entertaining

The luxury vinyl herringbone floor runs through the kitchen and into the utility, visually linking the spaces and making the whole ground floor feel larger and more open. Pets, muddy boots and kids’ toys can all be handled with ease thanks to the hard wearing surface.

We also integrated LED strip lighting without visible fittings above the cabinet handles, with additional strips along the kickboards to give a soft glow, and inside the full height custom built pantry cupboard so every shelf is lit when you open the doors.

Behind the scenes spaces that flow smoothly

Behind the kitchen, the utility room takes care of the less glamorous jobs. Storage has been planned so that laundry, cleaning products and bulky appliances all have a proper home. That cuts down on clutter in the main kitchen and keeps worktops free for cooking and family life rather than piles of washing.

The cloakroom has been treated with the same care. Guests now step into a space that feels considered and in keeping with the rest of the home, rather than an afterthought. For a busy household, that means coats, shoes and bags are easier to manage and the hallway stays clearer.

A seamless, stress free transformation

The project ran from early May to early June. Throughout that time the Parker Kitchens project manager coordinated every trade, from demolition and first fix services through to fitting, flooring and final clean.

For the family, the benefit was simple. There was one point of contact, a clear schedule and regular updates so they always knew who would be on site and what was happening next. The in house fitting team protected floors, kept the site tidy and worked systematically so the disruption stayed as low as possible while the old rooms were transformed.

The finished space

Stepping back into the new kitchen now, it is hard to imagine the dark, dated rooms that were there before. Light bounces off the quartz, the handleless doors give a seamless run of cabinetry and the brass accents add warmth without shouting for attention.

More importantly, the whole ground floor now works around the family:

• Mornings run more smoothly with clear zones for making breakfast, packing lunches and grabbing coats
• Evenings feel more relaxed with a space that invites everyone to sit, chat and cook together
• Weekends are easier to host, with clutter hidden in the utility and a cloakroom that is ready for visitors

The Massie’s have since shared a five star review of Parker Kitchens, describing the experience as a joy from beginning to end, praising the polite, tidy team and the way every question was answered and every detail handled:

Working with the team at Parker’s Kitchens has been a joy from beginning to end. From walking into the showroom, eight months before the project began, Irfan took time to discuss what I was looking to do and designed the perfect kitchen we wanted with zero changes.

When it came to installation, Keith and the onsite team were a dream to have around for five weeks. Polite, on time, tidy and patient to answering all my questions the whole process was smooth simple and efficient. I was quite sad to see them go!!

I have no hesitation in recommending Parker’s Kitchens and will definitely be using them again for future projects. Thanks guys it’s been a dream!

– Mr & Mrs Massie, Buckingham