From Statement Island to Stunning Space: The Power of a Collaborative Kitchen Design

At Callerton Kitchens, we believe the most inspiring spaces are born from great collaboration. When clients bring vision, passion, and bold ideas to the table, especially when those clients happen to be creatives themselves, it opens the door to something truly special. That was exactly the case with Becca and Luke’s project.

From Inspiration to Reality

Becca Bird, Interior Design Director at a London practice with global projects to her name, had long envisioned the kind of kitchen she wanted for her own home. Even before planning permission had been secured, she and her partner Luke had already made a statement purchase: a stunning ex-display island from Rehome that they had completely fallen in love with. With this bold, character-filled centrepiece ready and waiting, they turned their focus to building a kitchen around it.

Enter Callerton Kitchens

With over four decades of experience designing and manufacturing premium kitchens, our team loves to be involved in collaborative projects like this—ones that challenge us to integrate existing pieces, work closely with architects and trades, and deliver a beautifully cohesive result.

A Dream Team Approach

This project was about more than just cabinetry and layout. It was about seamless integration across every part of the build. Becca and Luke brought on Victoria Ramez Architecture to lead the architectural design, and Johnny from Greens Building Solutions to take charge of the construction and of course Becca’s own skills and passion to deliver this project for her own home.

Our role was to listen carefully, collaborate closely, and create a kitchen that married the aesthetic of the Rehome island with bespoke cabinetry, functional flow, and premium finishes. Working alongside Becca’s keen design eye and the trusted build team, we ensured that every detail, from colour-matched cabinetry to the finer details, felt purposeful, considered, and completely personal.

A Little About How It All Began

Callerton Kitchens has its roots in the North East of England, with a story that stretches back to 1982. What started as a property development venture between two friends in Newcastle quickly evolved into something more. After importing kitchens from Germany, they recognised the opportunity to design and manufacture high-quality, design-led kitchen furniture right here in the UK.

That decision sparked decades of growth. Today, we’re proud to operate from our North East base, where our manufacturing site and two showrooms in Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed work closely together to deliver exceptional kitchens across the country. Our reputation is built not only on craftsmanship and design but on collaboration with architects, builders, and, most importantly, our clients.

The Finished Result

Back to Becca and Luke’s project. The end result is nothing short of sensational. The Rehome island now sits in harmony with the rest of the kitchen, thanks to expertly colour-matched cabinetry and thoughtful details that make the space feel connected and calm. Rich textures, elegant finishes, and smart storage solutions come together to support a lifestyle that’s both elevated and easy-going.

Projects like this remind us why we do what we do. Designing kitchens isn’t just about cabinets and worktops. It’s about creating spaces that reflect the people who live in them. And when that happens through a spirit of collaboration and creativity, the result is something truly timeless.

What style of kitchen is right for me?

While a kitchen needs to be practical and functional, we also want it to have that WOW factor. Is there anything better than inviting your friends back to yours to see their jaws drop as they experience your new kitchen for the first time?! It is therefore important that you choose a kitchen aesthetic that not only fits with the rest of your home, but also truly celebrates who you are as homeowners.

How we you define kitchen styles varies significantly – ask three kitchen designers this question and you’ll get different answers from each of them! In this article we’ll look at three of the most popular categories: Classic and timeless; modern and contemporary; and farmhouse or rural. So, let’s look at some of the features and benefits of each.

1. Classic / Timeless

What do you think of when you refer to something as “classic”? For us, it means timeless, sophisticated, and stylish. A classic kitchen should be one that can stand the test of time.

Some of the common features of a classic kitchen are natural materials like wood, stone and porcelain, quartz or natural stones if you wish – understated elegance is what we’re going for here. You might also consider using mainly neutral colours interspersed with more vivid dashes that really pop.

It comes as no surprise that the devil is also in the detail. The little touches are what elevates a good design to classic status. At Callerton Kitchens, our timeless kitchens thrive on embracing contradictions to cultivate a distinct style. This could be by harmonising vibrant and subtle finishes or bringing light and depth to the kitchen by introducing open shelves and illuminated glazed cabinets.

2. Farmhouse / Rustic

The farmhouse kitchen works best in a good-sized space, as at its heart it is intended to be a welcoming, warm, open environment.

Texture is really important in farmhouse kitchen design, which incorporates rougher textures from wood and stone. Once again, natural materials are prominent, such as stone, brick, or hardwood floors; exposed beams; stone worktops and wooden cabinets.

A rustic or farmhouse kitchen should also feel functional and keep things simple – you’re aiming for a stylish but unfussy aesthetic rather than clutter.

3. Contemporary / Modern

Minimalist and contemporary kitchens are defined by sleek lines and symmetry, delivering the perfect mix of functionality and style. At Callerton Kitchens we aim to go beyond the visually appealing to evoke a true sense of beauty.

You can go super sleek or incorporate more tactile materials such as metal, wood and textured decors, to soften the look and provide a wider range of sensory experiences. The colour palette is typically neutral, such as grey, black, or white, while design features include handle-free cabinetry and open shelving.

Callerton Kitchens offers a range of German kitchens that are exclusive to us in the North East. They tick all the boxes in terms of tidiness, clarity, functionality and ergonomic design, with a wide range of finish options.

If sustainability is also important to you, then you will love their climate-neutral production ethos.

Find out more

Within each of these categories there is huge scope for personalisation. You can even mix and match – for example, with a contemporary classic design that combines the best of both worlds.

If you want a kitchen that truly reflects who you are, then start by talking to an experienced kitchen designer like our award-winners at Callerton Kitchens!

How much does a new kitchen cost? Well, it’s a bit like the old question, how long is a piece of string! It entirely depends on what you want. In our experience, the best way to approach this is from the other side of the issue. Ask yourself: how much do you want to spend?

The kitchen is often the heart of the house, it is a busy space and one that has to be functional – but it can also be fashionable too! This means that kitchen trends are not just about colours and materials but are often also about increasing efficiency and usability.

Are you dreaming of creating your ideal kitchen? Are you undecided on whether to go with a household name or an independent North East fitted kitchen expert? Would you like some advice from a highly experienced supplier to help you make up your mind?

The year was 1982. Culture Club topped the charts and the only thing bigger than our hopes and aspirations was our hair! It was also the year we officially opened Callerton Kitchens, meaning 2022 is our 40th birthday. That is no mean feat for an independent business, and it’s no accident either. We have built a successful business around one simple idea: helping you create your ideal kitchen.