Craftsmanship with Character
Designing bespoke Shaker kitchens for period homes is all about balance, retaining the charm and quirks of the original building while creating a space that feels beautifully resolved and ready for modern life. It's something we really love to do.
This custom-made Shaker kitchen, designed and built for a period property in Cranleigh, Surrey, is a perfect example of how traditional detailing and custom craftsmanship can sit effortlessly in an older home.
Embracing the Character of a Period Property
No two period homes are the same. Equally none of our Shaker kitchens for period homes have ever been the same. The unique features of a Period Property are often what makes them so special, but they can also pose challenges when it comes to fitting a new kitchen. Wonky walls and floors, beams, and asymmetrical nooks are all part of the appeal, but they require a thoughtful approach to layout and cabinetry design.
In this Cranleigh kitchen, our clients wanted something that would feel sympathetic to the bones of the house. The existing space had beautiful light, good proportions, and a calm atmosphere. The brief was to honour those qualities, while introducing a warm and welcoming kitchen that works for the rhythm of busy family life.
We worked closely with the clients to understand how they cook, gather, and use the space day to day. Every cabinet was designed and built to fit the exact dimensions of the room, making the most of every inch and allowing the cabinetry to feel like a natural extension of the house.
A Contemporary Take on Classic Shaker Style
At the heart of this kitchen is a large island, painted in a rich olive green and topped with warm oak. The contrast between the island and the rest of the cabinetry creates a visual anchor in the room. Around the perimeter, the Shaker cupboards are painted in a gentle chalky pink. This colour choice brings softness and warmth to the space, complementing the natural tones of the wood and the aged brass hardware.
Shaker kitchens are known for their simplicity and timelessness, but the beauty lies in the details. We use a traditional in-frame construction. Each door is fitted into a wood frame, creating a strong and long-lasting cabinet. The centre panels, classic proportions, and carefully considered cornices and skirting all add to the sense of character.
Above the Aga cooker, a bespoke extractor canopy creates a focal point. We added a shelf to display small artwork and collected pieces, which helps to soften the look and add personality. The aged mirror splashback bounces light around the room and reflects the gentle colour palette, adding a hint of patina that works beautifully in an older home.
Aga Cooker, Antique Mirror Splashback, Extractor Canopy: Shaker Kitchens for Period HomesShaker Kitchens for Period Homes with Practical Design for Real Life
Bespoke kitchens are not just about how they look. They are about how they function for the people who live in them. In this Cranleigh project, practicality for this family of five, was just as important as style. The layout is designed to support everyday life, from morning coffees to weekend suppers with friends.
The island offers generous prep space and a relaxed seating area for casual meals, homework sessions, or evening drinks with friends. There is plenty of hidden storage to keep worktops clear, including deep drawers for pans, a dedicated spice rack in the pantry cupboard, and recessed drinks cabinet.
We also created a tall run of recessed cabinetry (painted in an off white) to house the pantry cupboard, fridge and freezer, blending seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen. On the sink run, a classic white ceramic Belfast sink is paired with a beautiful tap, and the deep windowsill is perfect for plants and ceramics.
A walk-through utility room sits just beyond the kitchen, providing space for laundry, additional storage, and the sort of practical tasks that are better kept out of sight, although we do love the traditional look of the hanging clothes dryer. It allows the main kitchen to remain calm, uncluttered, and focused on cooking and socialising. It was also a great opportunity to choose a bolder colour.
Utility Room, Shaker cupboards, in-frame, red with belfast sink, washing machine and dryer: Shaker Kitchens for Period HomesWhy Bespoke Matters with Shaker Kitchens for Period Homes / How Bespoke Design Solves Period Home Challenges
Many kitchen companies offer fixed ranges of cabinetry in standard sizes, which can make it difficult to achieve a natural fit in a period home. Our approach is different. Every kitchen we make is designed completely from scratch. There are no templates, no pre-set dimensions, and no compromises on how things fit.
That means we can respond to the unique character of each building. In older houses, walls are often not straight, floors may slope, and spaces can be unusually shaped, often with either low or very tall ceilings. Our bespoke service allows us to build around those quirks, creating a kitchen that feels as though it has always belonged.
We also work with our clients to choose finishes, materials, and details that reflect the age and style of the home. Whether it is a country cottage, Georgian townhouse, or Victorian villa, we can help to design a kitchen that feels timeless, balanced, beautifully made and wonderful to live in.
A Collaborative Design Process
From the first conversation to the final fitting, our process is personal and collaborative. We take time to understand how our clients live, what they want to avoid and what they love. Every kitchen starts with a floor plan and a conversation, and it grows from there.
In this Cranleigh home, our clients had a clear vision of the atmosphere they wanted to create, and were open to ideas when it came to layout and detailing. We discussed samples, sketches, and moodboards, so that every decision felt grounded in their space.
Because everything is made to order, we are able to refine each cabinet and adapt the design to suit you and your home. That flexibility is a big part of why our Shaker Kitchens for Period Homes work so well.
A Kitchen That Feels Settled and Serene
One of the most rewarding things about this kitchen is how calming it feels. It is a space that works hard behind the scenes, with plenty of storage, food prep & cooking spaces with places to eat and rest; but never feels busy or overdesigned. The warm pink tones, natural oak, and green create a soothing palette, while the traditional cabinetry adds a beautiful structure.
There is a sense of softness to the room, helped by the natural light and the thoughtful styling. From the brass pendant lights to the ceramics, everything feels collected rather than coordinated. It is the kind of kitchen that grows with its owners.
Open-plan kitchen dining, Shaker Kitchens for Period HomesVisit Us to Start Your Own Bespoke Kitchen
If you are planning a kitchen renovation in a period home and want something that feels individual, enduring, and completely tailored to you, we would love to help.
Our showroom and workshop are in Shere, near Guildford in Surrey. We design and build bespoke kitchens for homes across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and London. Every project is individually designed and custom-made, with a focus on traditional craftsmanship and thoughtful detail.
Whether you are renovating a listed property, extending a cottage, or refreshing a Georgian farmhouse, we can help you create a kitchen that works perfectly for your house and your life.
The kitchen we've discussed in this blog post is our Cranleigh kitchen. You can see more of this project HERE
To see our kitchen portfolio, click HERE
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