Alford Kitchen & Bathrooms

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Location: Alford

Client brief

This particular client came to us through a friend’s recommendation, after we had designed their kitchen and bathrooms. As the family was relocating back to Scotland from the United States, the couple wanted their new home to reflect an American feel. To achieve this, they were keen to incorporate a more open-plan layout, as well as include more traditional detailing than is typically seen in new-build Scottish homes.
A key priority was to create a warm and inviting atmosphere - particularly in the kitchen, which was to be designed with socialising in mind, while remaining highly functional and visually clean from every angle.

Challenges

Given that the family were based overseas for much of the design phase, communication took place primarily via email and video calls, requiring an added level of careful collaboration and a flexible approach from our team.

The design brief also included stylistic preferences not yet widely adopted in Scotland at the time - particularly a desire for bathrooms that embraced a more traditional aesthetic without becoming overly ornate.

In the kitchen, the challenge was to create a bright, uncluttered look without compromising on storage. The client’s wish for a seamless, clean finish meant that everyday appliances needed to be hidden from view, while still remaining easily accessible.

Design process

With several rooms requiring our attention, the client was clear on how they wished to allocate their budget - prioritising their own en-suite and the guest cloakroom, while putting less focus on the upstairs bathrooms used by infrequent overnight guests.

Once house plans were in place, our team began by consulting closely with the client to understand their aesthetic preferences and how each space would be used day-to-day. Product choices were tailored to suit their brief, and some subtle yet impactful changes to the original floorplans were suggested to improve functionality.

Using our virtual reality software, the client was able to ‘walk through’ their new home before construction had even begun. This immersive experience allowed the couple to visualise our proposed adaptations.

To meet the brief for a clean and organised kitchen, a bespoke double-door unit was designed to discreetly conceal everyday appliances such as the toaster and kettle. To make the most of the home’s tall ceilings, additional cabinetry was stacked above the standard units, complete with sleek push-to-open mechanisms for a streamlined finish.

The kitchen island was given special attention, with the client opting for a feature colour in a warm, medium grey-green. This bespoke shade was specifically chosen to complement the surrounding furniture, creating a cohesive flow between spaces.

Final solution

The completed home perfectly captures the client’s vision of an American-style interior set within rural Aberdeenshire. The kitchen has become the heart of the home, offering an open-plan, airy feel enhanced by traditional detailing and smart storage solutions that maintain a clean and uncluttered aesthetic.

In the bathrooms, a thoughtful blend of style and practicality with a traditional twist is evident - particularly in the master en-suite, which features a modern freestanding bath, paired with traditional inspired brassware.

For the utility space, the client chose to work with our sister company, Laings Directline, to ensure the same aesthetic style and quality were carried through as in the rest of the home.