Our History

To read a brief history - click on the dates to the right...

1972: I'm going to start my own business making furniture... I've found a little building in Hungerford that would make a great workshop. I'm spending too long fixing this workshop, I want it to be just right but I mustn't put off making some furniture for much longer... My hair froze to the wall last night and the gas froze. It's very hard but I've got to keep going... Yes. A 4'6" Welsh dresser. That will be £97.50 and delivery will be 4 weeks.

1973: I need to improve the workshop, get more efficient, maybe get some technical advice... Jim Boyne from COSIRA is really helpful, on his advice I'm going to buy a spindle moulder.

1976: I took the lease on a new showroom in Hungerford High Street last year. The turnover I needed seemed huge, but sales are going well. Now I need more workshop space... a big new factory in Wantage, yes, I'll take it!... It's so hot this summer and I'm working so hard; building, selling, installing. I can't keep this going, I must take a break... Positano in Italy for a holiday in my Alfa Romeo, OK. Maybe I'll see how they make their kitchens while I'm here...arched fielded panel doors, brilliant, we can do that!

1978: Created the new 'Breton' kitchen last year and took another showroom in Henley on Thames. People love our products, the new design and the craftsmanship... I want everything to be perfect, the design, production, showrooms, but I can't do everything, I'm going to have to stop working in the factory and doing installations and concentrate on the development of the business.

1984: We're going well, growing and I have added new ranges, we needed more factory space so 2 years ago I took another 5000 sq ft opposite our existing building. Business in London is booming. We need to expand to meet the constant demand.... Connaught Street near Marble Arch, yes... we better take on a PR company too.

1987: I've found a fantastic four level building in Bath to show off our growing product range but I still want to make the best kitchen showroom in the world. The I.D.I. Exhibition in Londonis booked and we have a fantastic stand with two stunningly beautiful kitchens to display.

Richard Liberty asked if I would like to open a kitchen showroom in Liberty's on Regents Street. . .YES! . . The Liberty showroom is fantastic. Richard also asked if I'd be interested in displaying bathroom showrooms as well. . . sure we can do that!

1989: Business is going well and the economy is very strong, we now have four factories, seven showrooms and employ eighty five people. . .This is quite a business! But there are signs of things slowing down, perhaps a recession?

1990: Building trade has collapsed and sales are down. We have big overheads and I have painful decisions to make. Our kitchens are truly beautiful, premium quality with a price to match. The Liberty bath house will have to be closed, as will the Bath showroom, redundancies are inevitable. It's a very lonely time.

1992: I think we have survived, we're down to twelve employees, two showrooms and only one factory. My passion for kitchen and furniture design remains strong and I have a greatidea! Our first truly affordable product will be my classically designed kitchen, functional, practical and timeless . . .I'll call it 'The Artisan Kitchen'.

1997: So many people love the Artisan product and our care and attention to detail. I've expanded the Artisan range to include 3 styles, the Original, the Shaker and the Urban. Our kitchens are affordable, look great and are built to last... we're growing well and have now become a PLC.

2004: Liberty's were bought out in 2000, they decided not to continue with kitchens and I was asked to close the showroom. I need a new showroom in London... Wandsworth Bridge Road, great large store in an interesting area, I love it! I will make it a great flagship showroom.

2008: Our 'affordable quality' continues to be popular, now with the children of our original customers from years gone by and we have great opportunities to expand our ranges and open new showrooms across the country. Our Artisan and Shaker kitchens out sell our competitors and we have new ranges to add to our existing brochure, 'The Steamer Bay', 'The Crème de la Crème' and 'The Cool' range. These are exciting times, our passion for kitchen design and attention to detail continues to grow and the future looks very bright indeed.