A "name" kitchen

[1JEB]

The wife and I are doing some preliminary work on kitchens for our yet unpurchased house. The choice as to whether it's worth getting a high spec "high street" kitchen or a lesser spec "named" kitchen has come up. I actually doubt the benefit of spending the money on the name would be recouped on sale but I suspect that potential buyers for what we're trying to achieve would be put off if it turned out the shinny kitchen was from Ikea, however good it looked. Sad but true...

My question is: what names are revered in the kitchen world? I'm new to this and only come across the following so would appreciate any additions!
Bultaup
Poggenphol
Schiffini
Tsunami (these are amazing in the flesh!)

[Phooey]

We have a kitchen from - http://www.rationalgb.com/

Very happy with our choice and product. Alno is worth a look too.

[Silver993tt]

I had a Leicht (German) kitchen installed a few years ago and it's superb. Fabulous quality. From entering their showroom to have a browse to completely finished kitchen installation (incl granite worktops) - 6 weeks. Not a single delay or problem.

[CatherineJ]

Smallbone or Mark Wilkinson, not sure they do a lesser spec kitchen though.

[Si 330]

How long you planning living there?
What sort of market would the house be aimed at?

Our last house we put a good quality kitchen it didn't appear to make any sort of difference come sale time.

So from that I would say if you plan on staying long term get the decent kitchen if that is what you want.
Or if it’s a luxury house and that is what would be expected come sale time.

[maddernj]

I am currently in the process of buying a new Kitchen and am using a company called Swans in Gravesend.

http://www.swanskitchens-bathrooms.co.uk/cms/home

The website looks a but rubbish but I eventually dragged myself over there and was presently surprised. The units are Hacker and the fronts are whatever you want. Worktops are your choice and he will price match the internet on appliances. Its not fitted yet but all seems very good so far. Been over 3 times so far and have altered the planners drawing because of Steve's suggestions on unit placement. overall impressions are good

[GTO-3R]

The name totally depends on what style of kitchen you want. If your after a traditional "British" kitchen then Smallbones, Mark Wilkinson etc but if your after a modern gloss minimal look then Alno, Poggenpohl and SieMatic.

We sell the Alno product and it is indeed very nice to look at, the finishings are excellent and with Alno being a huge company we get great back up.

Gav..

[1JEB]

That's great thanks everyone.

Ideally it will be a modern, minimal kitchen, part of a glass box extention on the back of a London town house.

As ever the difficult bit will be balancing paying for something we like vs not wasting money as we might only be there a couple of years.

On balance, I think people are more impressed by extras these days - boiling water taps, inbuilt coffee machines and wine coolers, clever lighting - than just having a "name". What do you think? And what are the latest must have kitchen accessories??!!

[GTO-3R]

Quooker boiling tap, LED strip plinth lights and if your having a handless kitchen then LED's in the handle recesses too. Wine coolers and coffee machines add bling-ability too but if you want something outstanding then get a Sub-Zero fridge freezer, there are fantastic!

[maddernj]

Depends on how deep your pockets are. To give you and idea 1x 300mm tall unit was £900 with the pull out larder and £370 with normal shelves. We have gone for a false wall on one side of ours with the units being built in. Looks cleaner and allows for mood LED's to be built in as well. Induction hobs look cool and for me work well as they are less likely to burn small fingers. Our door handles were £1700 (thin alu strips with a small lip) but basic brushed alu bars bolted to the front of the doors would have been zero extra cost. The Elica Star cooker hood looks great but only re-circulates the air.....We wanted a proper extractor to remove the smoke (this also impacts the placement of your island / velux windows / steel). We have gone for a Built in oven and steam oven as well....All down to you and how much you want to spend. As soon as you deviate away from the norm you will get bent over as the manufacturer recognises a need and prices it accordingly.

Edited by maddernj on Wednesday 5th January 17:15

[evo4a]

No expert on German Style kitchens (flat panel high gloss) but the best traditional companies are
Mark Wilkinson Furniture
Smallbone kitchens
Underwoods
Armstrong Jordan Ltd http://www.armstrongjordan.com/ (I'm biased towards this company, traditional cabinetmakers )
Martin Moore
Plain English
Johnny grey Kitchens

[Phooey]

Silver993tt said:

I had a Leicht (German) kitchen installed a few years ago and it's superb. Fabulous quality. From entering their showroom to have a browse to completely finished kitchen installation (incl granite worktops) - 6 weeks. Not a single delay or problem.

I like them very much. Shortlisted for my next kitchen

[m4ckg]

evo4a said:

No expert on German Style kitchens (flat panel high gloss) but the best traditional companies are
Mark Wilkinson Furniture
Smallbone kitchens
Underwoods
Armstrong Jordan Ltd http://www.armstrongjordan.com/ (I'm biased towards this company, traditional cabinetmakers )
Martin Moore
Plain English
Johnny grey Kitchens

What about Edwin Loxley ? they seem to make some beautifull kitchens but it would be Mark Wilkinson for me if I was after a traditional kitchen.

If its a more modern kitchen look at Snaidero ( designed by Pininfarina ) or Warendorf ( formely Miele kitchens )

[paul0843]

Seems like you been down wig more street.. Intervari are worth a look.I think they are at 18 wig more street.
Nice range of modern and traditional.
Tsunami nice,but so they should be at 6 figure prices..
Smallbone and mark wilkinson good for name dropping but any good joinery or cabinet
maker will have no problem matching their quality..
A must have is the hot kettle tap..

[russ_a]

Is B&Q a name?

[Sour Kraut]

You seem to be interested in residual value; are you not planning staying in the property long?

If so, go for a mid-priced German kitchen and push the budget on the quality of the worktops (especially!), sink, taps etc.

[jke11y]

Hacker are a mid-price, proper rigid built german kitchen manufacturer- Not b&q prices but certainly not Bulthaup end. We have sold 30ish installs in the last few years. Might be worth a look at your local dealer.

My current office is in the same building as the main schiffini showroom in Battersea, awesome but like the Tsunami will be 3figures with ease if you got carried away.

[Simpo Two]

jke11y said:

Hacker are a mid-price, proper rigid built german kitchen manufacturer- Not b&q prices but certainly not Bulthaup end. We have sold 30ish installs in the last few years. Might be worth a look at your local dealer.

Ah yes. I had a quote based on Hacker units. That came to £9K; the same units from MFI were £1.5K. I saved £7.5K


But you should buy the kitchen YOU want, not what you think the next buyer might want (which you cannot know). It would be like buying a car with a cherished plate. 'But Mr Prospect, look at this plate, it's worth £5K!' 'Not interested, keep it, and here's asking price minus £5K'.

[jke11y]

Simpo Two said:

jke11y said:

Hacker are a mid-price, proper rigid built german kitchen manufacturer- Not b&q prices but certainly not Bulthaup end. We have sold 30ish installs in the last few years. Might be worth a look at your local dealer.

Ah yes. I had a quote based on Hacker units. That came to £9K; the same units from MFI were £1.5K. I saved £7.5K


But you should buy the kitchen YOU want, not what you think the next buyer might want (which you cannot know). It would be like buying a car with a cherished plate. 'But Mr Prospect, look at this plate, it's worth £5K!' 'Not interested, keep it, and here's asking price minus £5K'.

It's a discussion that I have a feeling is pointless, but they are not "the same" - similar in so much as they are both kitchen units. Hacker have a technology packed manufacturing plant and the stuff is great quality for the cost. It's s bit like when people talk about watches and say things like a £100 seiko does the same as a more expensive brand.

[Simpo Two]

jke11y said:

It's a discussion that I have a feeling is pointless, but they are not "the same" - similar in so much as they are both kitchen units. Hacker have a technology packed manufacturing plant and the stuff is great quality for the cost. It's s bit like when people talk about watches and say things like a £100 seiko does the same as a more expensive brand.

Agreed, Hacker is better than MFI, no debate. But is it 6x better?

If something is on show and appreciated by everyone all day, then the decision is tougher - do you want a Nissan Micra or a Jaguar? But a carcass...? I decided not; others may disagree.