Kitchen of Dreams – CAST

A truly bespoke kitchen is perfectly made-to-measure for your needs and a big decision for any household. We spoke to kitchen manufacturer CAST By The London Joinery Co to understand the process of creating a kitchen that reflects you and your family.

Bespoke – CAST’s definition of a bespoke kitchen is: “A kitchen built just for you. A kitchen that is entirely unique to each and every client, with no standard sizing and with everything designed and manufactured from scratch. A kitchen encompassing completely unique designs for every customer.”

Sustainable – CAST places sustainability at the forefront of its business with an in-house approach to kitchen design and manufacture. Their joiners will not begin cutting materials until your tailor-made design is exactly as you want it, ensuring both a reduction in waste materials and a perfectly-sized kitchen.

CAST try to source all materials naturally, particularly homegrown timber, providing it is structurally sound for the highest quality kitchen.

With the majority of their exceptionally talented joiners and painters in-house, time frames are easily met, and with the workshop so close to the office and the most local clients, any issues can be
quickly rectified.

Design – An initial discussion with the client begins the process, along with consideration of floorplans and other details and requirements. Initial sketches are provided along with a quotation for
the work. If the client is happy with the design and price, a site survey is conducted to obtain exact measurements leading to initial CAD drawings. These are then developed to ensure they are satisfactory for all parties involved and once finalised, the materials can be delivered to the workshop for building to start.

Client – The client is always key, and from initial discussions on design to the finishing touches, is always kept in close contact and regularly updated through photographs, calls or face-to-face meetings. In a unique part of the process, the client is invited to the workshop to witness first-hand their bespoke kitchen being built. A good relationship with the client ensures the entire process runs smoothly, and any small issues that may arise can be easily and swiftly resolved.

Components – Usually clients will choose from the existing high-quality range of materials, including solid oak and walnut, but CAST can source other materials from trusted suppliers if needed. Similarly, for appliances, CAST works closely with a number of brands such as Siemens, Wolf, Sub-Zero and Lacanche, but other brands can be sourced without issue. Popular worktop finishes include Dekton, Silestone, quartz (Cosentino), solid wood, composite and real marble.

Finishing touches – For lighting, handles, drawer and cabinet finishes, Buster + Punch is a CAST favourite as well as handcrafted, independent suppliers like Armac Martin for shaker-style kitchens. An important part of the design process is to ensure the correct lighting is in place to maximise both the practicality and the overall look of the kitchen. When designing pantry/larder units for example, CAST usually interconnect LED lighting within – entirely bespoke and up to the client. Finally, the kitchen can be linked to an open-plan design through joinery in other areas, often a popular choice.

Nitty gritty – The lead time, from the moment the CAD drawings are finalised to installation, is usually six to eight weeks. As each kitchen is bespoke, the price can vary greatly and is dependent on each client’s requirements. With the team’s expertise on design, materials and finishes, the CAST price for a truly bespoke kitchen remains highly competitive