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!
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
Kitchen Design Centre is proud to feature on George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds which features Katherine and Andrew’s Manchester build this Thursday 11 June , 8pm, CH4
We can’t wait to watch it!
Book A Free Design Appointment
