A Space Reimagined
The Collins Project began with a vision to transform a modest kitchen into a light-filled, open-plan living space — one that felt more generous, connected and considered.
The result is a seamless blend of classic English cabinetry, intelligent planning and colour-driven personality.
The Signature Shaker cabinetry in Ash brings natural warmth and texture to the design, while the distinctive Ovolo detailing adds softness and definition to the door profile.
Hand-painted cabinetry allows the natural character of the Ash to remain subtly present beneath the finish, giving the kitchen a tactile quality that feels both refined and welcoming.
The Vision
At the heart of the transformation was a desire to create a kitchen that could work harder for modern family life while still feeling full of character and individuality.
Rather than treating the kitchen as a purely functional space, the design considers how people move, gather and interact within it.
The palette centres around Raspberry, a rich and expressive colour that brings energy and warmth to the room. Rather than overwhelming the space, it gives the kitchen a distinctive identity and creates a confident focal point within the wider open-plan setting.
A Kitchen Designed for Living
One of the most significant changes was the expansion of the island.
The original kitchen featured a smaller central island that felt disconnected from the wider room. This was reimagined as a larger, bespoke island, improving both circulation and functionality while creating a stronger visual and social centre for the kitchen.
The island was finished in a custom colour inspired by the client’s iconic Raspberry AGA, creating a highly personal connection between the existing appliance and the new cabinetry.
The result is a kitchen where colour becomes part of the story — bringing together soft traditional detailing and a bold, joyful accent.
A Palette with Personality
The Raspberry cabinetry provides the defining character of the Collins kitchen.
Rich, warm and full of personality, the colour creates a sense of confidence while allowing the traditional Shaker form to remain at the heart of the design.
The natural Ash construction adds subtle variation beneath the painted finish, ensuring that the bold colour retains a sense of warmth and depth.
Complementing the cabinetry are nickel hardware details, introducing a cooler metallic accent that balances the richness of the Raspberry and adds a refined finishing touch.
Together, the materials create a palette that feels expressive without losing the timeless quality of the cabinetry.
Practical Elegance
Functionality has been carefully integrated throughout the design.
A freestanding fridge freezer sits proudly within the cabinetry run, framed so that it feels naturally incorporated into the overall scheme rather than visually separate from it.
Elsewhere, open shelving provides accessible storage and an opportunity to introduce personality through everyday objects, while a carefully designed bookshelf insert adds another layer of practicality and visual interest.
These details help create a kitchen that feels lived-in and generous, giving everything its place while leaving room for the personal touches that make a house feel like home.
Quiet Details, Bold Personality
The beauty of the Collins Project lies in the contrast between its quiet craftsmanship and confident use of colour.
The Ash cabinetry has been hand-painted on site, allowing the natural grain and movement of the timber to bring subtle texture beneath the finish.
The chamfered bead and considered Shaker detailing soften the overall silhouette, giving the cabinetry a traditional character without making the design feel overly formal.
Against this classic foundation, the Raspberry finish provides an unexpected and joyful point of difference.
Designed Around the Client
The use of the client’s Raspberry AGA as a key colour cue gives the project a distinctly personal quality.
Rather than introducing colour simply as a decorative choice, the design builds upon something already meaningful within the home. The cabinetry therefore feels connected to the client’s existing style, while still carrying the craftsmanship and considered detailing synonymous with Corby Croft design.
It is this combination of personal expression and timeless design that gives the kitchen its individuality.
A Room That Feels Like Home
The Collins Project is more than a kitchen transformation. It is a transformation of light, layout and the way the space feels and functions.
The enlarged island brings people together. The open-plan layout encourages movement and conversation. Thoughtful storage makes everyday life easier, while the Raspberry cabinetry brings a sense of joy and personality to the room.
Classic craftsmanship and contemporary family living come together in a space that feels warm, generous and unmistakably personal.
A kitchen designed not simply to be beautiful, but to invite conversation, movement, laughter and pause.
To find out more about how to begin your kitchen journey, get in touch.
