Our very own Maxine Hutchinson took home the award for Best Use of Small Space at the Neff Master Partner Awards, one of the industry’s most prestigious events.
Here at Kitchen Design Centre, we’re very proud of our status as a Neff Master Parter. Not only does it allow us to guarantee truly top-of-the-range kitchen appliances for our customers, but it also makes us eligible for the Neff Master Partner Excellence Awards, held every other year right here in the UK. This year, we were finalists for no less than three categories, and we’re thrilled to announce that our designer Maxine Hutchinson was this year’s recipient of the award for Best Use of Small Space!
Since the client in question was a second-time customer of Maxine’s, she already knew what sorts of results she could expect from our talented designers at Kitchen Design Centre. So, after a discussion with Maxine in our Barrowford showroom, she was happy to give her plenty of creative freedom with the design. The kitchen is in a former schoolhouse, which has now been converted into duplex apartments – resulting in a space with a very distinctive feel, thanks to its high ceilings and tall windows. While the open-plan living area already had a dining table, Maxine’s new design incorporated this table more completely into the kitchen area, enhancing the functionality of the space.
Naturally, Maxine’s keen eye for increasing functionality and versatility was one of the main reasons she was awarded Best Use of Small Space. As well as repositioning the dining table, she also incorporated a breakfast bar for two, a fridge freezer, and excellent storage in tall larder units, which were easily accommodated thanks to the kitchen’s high ceilings and windows. Maxine also infused the kitchen with a varied and beautiful range of textures, including natural wood, Corian and marble quartz. Finally, she added a few high-tech gadgets to make food preparation even easier – such as the Quooker tap, which is capable of providing boiling water at an instant’s notice. The result is a compact but highly efficient space that looks truly amazing!
As we touched on above, Best Use of Small Space wasn’t the only award we were in the running for. Alongside Maxine, our designer Suzanne Carter was one of the other finalists for Best Use of Small Space, while the talented Simon Thomas was a frontrunner in the competition for Best Kitchen Under £25,000. Meanwhile, our Barrowford Showroom was a strong contender for Best Showroom.
As you’d expect, there were some truly stunning designs in the running. As one of the most prestigious kitchen design events in the UK, the awards are held every other year and hosted by Neff, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of quality kitchen appliances. Only companies which hold the status of Master Partner are eligible to enter – so as you can imagine, we were up against some very fierce competition, in the form of magnificent designs from some of the UK’s leading kitchen designers.
The ceremony was a fantastic experience, as you’ll know if you’ve been lucky enough to catch any photos of it! Held in the O2 InterContinental Hotel in London, it was a beautiful black tie affair, with some wonderful food, and fantastic live music. We’re already looking forward to next year!
Of course, we always love to win awards, but it’s they’re a welcome bonus to pursuing our true passion; helping you achieve the dream kitchen you’ve always wanted. We’ve got designer kitchen showrooms in Barrowford, Blackburn and Manchester, so feel free to pop into your nearest one and have a chat with one of our experienced designers. We’ll be only too happy to help you start making your dream kitchen a reality!
TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY IN OUR LIVERPOOL SHOWROOM
In our Liverpool showroom, we’ve masterfully blended the best of traditional and modern design elements to create a unique, timeless kitchen display. This space is a perfect mix of classic elegance with contemporary functionality, and the focal point is the stunning L-shaped island, which serves as both a practical workspace and a social hub. Its clever design seamlessly links into a media wall and presentation area, incorporating the essence of modern open-plan living.
The colour scheme is a sophisticated mix of Concept130 Roma Graphite shaker cabinets paired with Montreal light fine oak handleless units and taupe trim handles. This combination offers a perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, perfect if you appreciate the classics but want something a little more updated.
Standout appliances:
Neff 30cm Wine Fridge
Neff 80cm Induction Hob
Neff Single Oven
Neff Tall Integrated Fridge
Neff Dishwasher
MODERN MINIMALISM AT ITS FINEST IN OUR URMSTON SHOWROOM
Our Urmston showroom display showcases a bold, modern kitchen design that effortlessly blends both form and function. The handleless units create a streamlined, uninterrupted flow throughout the space, perfectly complemented by the ultra-matt black finish on the worktops. This pairs beautifully with the elegant black ribbed-veneered door for the focal wall.
This minimalist design approach offers a chic, contemporary vibe, ideal if you love the clean, clutter-free aesthetic. To enhance this look, we’ve used warm accent colours that break up the monochrome palette, adding a sense of inviting depth and warmth to the overall space. The subtle, extravagant marble panels add a touch of quiet luxury, their natural veining providing visual interest and texture against the sleek black surfaces, especially when lit by warm LED lighting. This fusion of modern materials and timeless elements, such as marble, creates a display that is both stylish and practical!
Standout appliances:
Neff N90 Ovens with premium 6.8” touch screen display and Twist Pad Flex control
Neff Flex Induction Hob
Silgranit Blanco Sink
Quooker Tap
THE BARROWFORD SHOWROOM’S HARMONIOUS AND ELEGANT DISPLAY
In Barrowford, we’ve embraced a calming, earthy palette that combines functionality with elegance. The display features Hampton Ash wood doors painted in a Natural Umber shade, mixed with Scala Olive green flat doors, and completed with a mix of antique brass handles. The warm, neutral tones of the Natural Umber give this kitchen a wonderfully cosy feel, making it a welcoming space for both cooking and entertaining.
One of the key features of this display is the 30mm Vanilla Noir quartz worktop, which stands out with its dark, characterful design. The designer bench seating includes pullout storage to maximise space without sacrificing style. The bifold worktop unit and sliding doors on the island showcase smart storage solutions. Finally, the open shelves add a touch of rustic charm!
Standout appliances:
Neff Collection Oven
Neff XL Fridge Freezer
Quooker Classic Fusion Tap
Double Bowl Tartufo Sink
THE BLACKBURN SHOWROOM’S SLEEK AND MODERN MASTERPIECE
Our new Blackburn display is a testament to a modern, streamlined design. It features a bold black and oak colour scheme, seamlessly blending practicality and contemporary aesthetics. The tall units are clad in a Black Velvet Oak, adding depth and contrast to the sleek black wall units. The Toronto base units and matching worktops are finished in Natural Vintage Oak for a beautiful and cohesive end result.
One of the standout elements of this display is the quirky curved breakfast bar, a unique feature that blends functionality with style. Raised planters behind the bar add a touch of greenery; perfect if you love bringing natural elements into your kitchen.
Standout appliances:
Neff 60cm CombiZone Black Induction Hob
Integrated Design Hood
Neff Fully-integrated dishwasher
Neff Integrated Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
More from the team’s annual trip to Germany to the headquarters of Hacker Rodinghausen showroom.
Staff from all of our showrooms attended to view the new exciting ranges of kitchens and colours that are available from now. They were given a full factory tour & took part in product workshops. It was an intensive 2 x day trip however they had a fabulous time.
Head to our stories for more details or head over to our website to book your free design appointment
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