Kitchen Design, Supply & Installation in St Helens
For this kitchen project in St Helens, our client had a clear vision but also a fixed budget.
To make both work, we combined standard cabinets with bespoke joinery. This allowed us to keep costs controlled while investing more of the budget in the features that mattered most, including a solid oak island, pantry unit, drawers and mantle.
The result was a kitchen that felt highly tailored without requiring every element to be fully bespoke.
The Brief
The project included:
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Full survey and consultation
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Kitchen design and planning
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Supply of cabinetry
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Manufacture of bespoke elements
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Personalised colour matching
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Cabinet modifications
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Bespoke solid oak island
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Pantry unit and drawers
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Bespoke mantle
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Full installation
The client wanted an elegant kitchen with a strong bespoke feel, but we needed to be selective about where custom joinery would add the most value.
A Hybrid Approach To The Cabinetry
For the main kitchen run, we used standard cabinets with solid timber frontals and additional timber trims.
This helped us create a much more authentic in-frame appearance while avoiding the cost of fully bespoke cabinetry throughout.
We then used true bespoke joinery for the standout elements, including the solid oak island, pantry unit and drawers.
A personalised colour match also meant the client was not limited to the supplier’s standard paint range.
Solving The Dishwasher Detail
The in-frame detailing created one technical challenge around the integrated dishwasher.
Most integrated dishwashers are designed for standard 720mm kitchen doors. We did not want the dishwasher opening directly beneath the timber frame, as repeated steam exposure could affect the timber over time.
Chris knew from previous IKEA kitchen installations that their units use taller 800mm cabinets. We were therefore able to source a suitable taller integrated dishwasher that worked with the design.
It was a small detail, but resolving it properly helped protect both the appearance and durability of the finished kitchen.
Working Around The Existing Space
We also modified cabinetry to accommodate the boiler while creating a useful utility cupboard to keep everyday items out of sight.
The mantle was made bespoke too. The client wanted something elegant, but with enough depth to display decorative pieces comfortably.
By refining the dimensions during the design stage, we were able to make it practical as well as visually balanced.
The Finished Result
The installation took around two weeks.
What worked particularly well was the way the standard and bespoke elements blended together. The timber frontals, additional framing, colour match and custom pieces created a consistent look across the whole kitchen.
Most importantly, we kept the project within budget while delivering the features the client valued most.
What The Client Said
The client was delighted with the result and has since contacted us about further projects.
“We could not be happier with our finished Kitchen, the team at Pickford & Dyche literally brought our dream kitchen to life and within a workable budget. Chris's expertise guided our decision making and his attention to detail meant the finish result exceeded our expectations. Perfectionist, reliable and very tidy - everything you want in a tradesman.”
Google Review, February 2025