George Robinson My great grandfather was also called George Robinson, and I have his name tag on the tool box I use today. He was a master carpenter and made many of his own tools; they are as good now as they were a hundred years ago. Perhaps this has given me my concern for the environment, which is an integral part of my working philosophy. We use wood from sustainable forests as much as we can, and the appliances we fit are chosen in part for being energy efficient. I am anxious that we hand on not only our tools but also the kitchen furniture we make as an inheritance to future generations. One of my passions is for my allotment and the vegetables I grow there. I love to see them develop from seedlings to the fully grown produce I enjoy cooking. In the same way, when I look at a kitchen space and start to plan its design, I have a sense of excitement that will develop until my colleagues and I can stand back from a finished kitchen and feel all the satisfaction of a job well done. If I like the sense of continuity that a traditionally manufactured kitchen gives me, I also love the simplicity and functionality of a truly contemporary design. In George Robinson Kitchens, both will be built to the highest standards that show both the passion and the commitment that my colleagues and I bring to our work.
COTTAGE
Slate Cottage Blue and Cream
Pippy Oa k ht g i L l a Nat ur
Fr e n c h Fa r mh o use
Materials: Tulip wood, hand finished Carcassing in veneered Maple Chrome cup handles and turn locking knobs Belfast sink
SLATE COTTAGE
Bridge mixer tap, in nickel
Design Features: Glazed wall unit doors Original granite recess used for shelving Slate upstand for granite worktops Slate splashback behind hob
George often allows the original features of period properties to become part of the kitchen design. The granite opening, long since blocked up in this Cottage kitchen, has been used to house shelving for storage/ display of kitchen utensils. Glazed fronted wall units give an illusion of height, and the soft grey tone of the units, and the light coloured granite, contrasts with the deep grey of the slate flooring. Slate has also been used as the oven splash back and upstand for the work surface, and the cottage style is completed by the moulded cornice and traditional porcelain sink.
PIPPY OAK Set within a painted kitchen, the Pippy Oak features in this kitchen really make an impact.
There are pan drawers, scribed into the granite walls on either side of the Range cooker, and crockery drawers with shaker pegs to hold plates in position are part of the dresser style unit. Pippy Oak is also a feature of the island unit drawers and slatted end unit. Blue lighting within the tall larder unit and the dresser unit cupboard adds a contemporary element as do the bespoke handles, made in chrome, and a Quooker hot water tap.
Materials:
Design Features:
Tulip wood, hand finished
Crockery drawers with shaker peg positioning
‘Pippy Oak’ used for variety of kitchen elements Bespoke hand cast ‘pull’ handles in chrome Bridge mixer tap, in nickel Quooker hot water tap in chrome Undermounted porcelain sinks
Mood lighting in the dresser and larder units Pan drawer units ‘scribed’ into granite alcove, either side of the cooker Sinks in both kitchen run and the island unit Larder unit with wine and spice racks, and cooling shelf
FRENCH FARMHOUSE
In this kitchen, the soft green of the base units is complemented by cherry wood wall units; the adjoining tongue and grooved window seat is hand finished in the same green, with trims and seating also in cherry wood. A traditional porcelain sink has turned pillars, and the worktop, also in cherry wood, has an inset compost bin, accessed by a ‘plug’ lid. The large larder unit incorporates a wine rack, bread drawers, spice and oil racks and a slate cooling shelf, as well as shelving for storage.
Materials:
Design Features:
Tulip wood, hand finished / Cherry wall units
Compost bin undermounted, ‘plug’ access
Cherry wood worktops
Pillared frame for sink unit
Slate worktop (around AGA)
Larder with slate shelf, wine, oil & spice racks
Single French farmhouse sink
Seating area in tongue and groove with cherry wood trims
Bridge mixer tap levers Cast iron knobs and pull handles
Pull out knife drawer, with child lock
Materials: Tulip wood Hand finished Ashwood Arenastone mix Double French farmhouse sink Monobloc mixer tap ‘C’ shape bar handles
Design Features: Peninsula unit / breakfast bar Curved end unit Arenastone ‘inset’ around sink ‘Box’ extraction ‘Floating’ wall mounted box shelf Wine chiller unit
BLUE & CREAM
Colour defines this kitchen, and contrasts with the granite walls of the cottage in which it is situated. George further accentuated the contemporary feel by the floating wall mounted ‘box’ shelving, the cream coloured box extraction unit and appliances such as a wine chiller unit.
The ash wood worktop has a section of Arenastone around the sink area, and the curve of the breakfast bar peninsula unit is echoed in the curved unit which ends the opposite kitchen run.
NATUR
AL LIGHT Natural light is the key to the design of this kitchen. A roof light sits above the main kitchen area and floods it with daylight which is then reflected by the neutral colour of the simply designed units and white walls. The only antique feature in this modern space is the 1940s AGA, found and lovingly restored by its owner. The large larder unit has basketry and a slate shelf to keep stored items cool.
Materials: Tulip wood Kashmir White granite with upstands Undermounted stainless steel sinks Monobloc taps Chrome ‘pull’ and ‘twist lock’ handles
Design Features: Larder with basketry & slate ‘cooling shelf ’ Overmantle with extractor Pan drawers Fully integrated dishwasher & waste bin
HERITAGE
GEORGIAN HOUSE
The height of the ceilings in this kitchen space presents an opportunity for George to design gracious ‘runs’ accentuated by rounded end posts and curved end units; curves are also a feature of the freestanding fridge/ larder unit and the slate step leading to the garden. We constructed a ceiling height overmantle with shelf (with under lighting) and door style panelling. Attractive and functional features in this kitchen include four spice drawers in cherry wood to match the worktops, a ‘plug’ top waste bin, and recycling bins on either side of the sink unit. A bespoke refectory table completes this kitchen.
Materials: Tulip wood, hand finished Cherry wood worktop, spice drawers and plate rack Bridge mixer tap in nickel
Design Features: Granite slips in wood worktop around AGA
Granite ‘oils’ shelf behind the AGA
Refectory table also with cherry wood top
Double French farmhouse sink
Spice drawers
Larder unit with tall rounded end posts
Rounded end units, and a curved step into garden
Pull out recycling bins
Materials:
Design Features:
Tulip wood, hand finished and beaded
Tall units with larder and integrated fridge
Deep Oak wood work surface
Thick Oak island top with overhang for seating
Bon Accord granite with upstands
Curved granite top to facilitate pot bellied stove
Double French farmhouse sink
Classic ‘overmantle’ style hood, underlit
Quooker hot water tap in brushed chrome
Mixture of rounded and squared end posts
Bridge mixer tap Pewter knobs
CLAS
Hand finished in a soft, classic grey, and with a mixture of worktop types, this kitchen has a style which never dates. The tall units conceal a fully integrated fridge on the right and a larder unit to the left with integral trays, wine rack, spice racks and vegetable basket as well as a slate cooling shelf.
SIC
George designed the island unit with a thicker than usual oak worktop which accentuates the island’s squared end posts. Elsewhere in the kitchen, the rounded end posts, and curves in the granite and cabinetry, give a sense of continuity and flow to the working areas – this is the perfect kitchen for those who love to socialise!
Materials: Tulip wood, hand finished in 3 different colours Silestone Blanco worktops Whitewashed 80mm thick The specification for this kitchen design was that it should be in a ‘French’ style, and that the various elements of the kitchen should be created as individual pieces, but sit well together. The Georgian era height in the room provides a perfect setting for the tall units, and the ice cream colours ensure calm in an otherwise busy family environment. At the back of the only ‘run’ of units, are antiqued mirror tiles which help to endorse the ‘aged’ feeling of the furniture, and of course of the environment itself.
Oak wood worktop French farmhouse sink, and porcelain undermount sink Bridge mixer tap with rinse Quooker hot tap Bespoke hand cast ‘pull’ handles in chrome
Design Features: Additional scrolling on plinths ‘Freestanding’ feel to furniture ‘Alice in Wonderland’ style dresser Tall curved larder unit Antiqued mirrors on wall behind sole kitchen ‘run’
Materials: Maple wood Carcassing in veneered Maple Nero Asoluto granite 1&1/2 bowl undermount sink in stainless steel Lever monobloc tap in chrome
Design Features: Fielded panelling on the doors Rounded end posts for the dresser and larder cupboards Housing for the American style fridge, scribed into a granite surrounded alcove Extraction hood which allows for the ceiling beam to run through it
MAPLE The L shape of this kitchen and its thick, immoveable granite walls provided a design challenge for George! He met the unusual demands by planning the sequence of the kitchen layout, a classic design of fielded panelling on the doors and rounded end posts for the dresser and larder cupboards, and the use of maple wood to enhance the impression of light and space. The truly bespoke nature of this kitchen furniture is indicated by the housing for the American style fridge, which has been carefully scribed into a granite surrounded alcove, and the extraction hood which has to allow for the ceiling beam running through it!
Seamless run of kitchen units into Dining room dresser
1930s HOUSE Set in a listed 1930s house, the main focus of this pristine, era influenced ‘cooks kitchen’ is the large island unit. This provides much of the kitchen’s storage and work surface as well as housing a hob, the kitchen sink and a warming drawer.
Hand finishing the units in a clean white, and fitting a light coloured Arena stone worktop, has given definition to the stainless steel appliances and fixtures and fittings, and reinforces the slightly ‘utilitarian’ feel of the period.
Materials: Tulip wood, hand finished Arena stone / Stainless steel mix worktops Undermounted stainless steel sink Bowed bar handles Mixer tap with porcelain levers
Design Features: Double oven unit Warming drawer Rounded end posts Round edge shelving Arena stone / Stainless steel mix worktops
CONTEM
PORARY River Kitchen shown in this image
Materials: Oak veneer, hand finished with a lime ‘wash’ Glass composite worktops, no upstands Stainless steel trough sink in island unit Circular ‘undermounted’ sink in main run Bridge mixer tap Push mechanism drawer openers
Design Features: Curved ends on Island unit, with curved drawers & top Floating ‘underlit’ shelving Minimalist door & drawer furniture Corner fridge unit 3 crockery drawers 4 deep pan drawers
With a backdrop of the Fal estuary, this light modern kitchen has a range of energy efficient, built in appliances and glass composite worktops. The ash wood used to make the cabinets has been ‘limewashed’ to produce a contemporary finish, with mirrors at the back of the tall glasses cupboard to reflect the light. The minimalist theme of this kitchen is accentuated by the lack of conventional door furniture and use of push button drawers. The island unit, with its gently rounded shape at either end, has a built in trough sink – perfect for filling with ice to chill wine.
Materials: Tulip wood, hand finished with fielded panels Kashmir White granite with upstands 1 & 1/2 bowl Stainless steel undermount sink Single lever mixer tap, with pull out spout Raised glass ‘breakfast bar’ Bar handles
Design Features: Curved glass breakfast bar on island Compost bin & knife rack in island drawers Integrated end grain chopping board Curved cupboards in fridge surround 2 drawer dishwashers
CURVED
We made this kitchen for a space overlooking the cliffs and sea, with fielded panels on the doors and, unusually, in the glazed door panels too. The interior of the cupboards was finished in a dark grey as a contrast to the main kitchen colour, and the curve on the island’s raised glass breakfast bar is echoed in the curve of the storage units on either side of the large American style fridge. The island also houses a compost drawer and knife block beneath the inlaid end grain chopping board.
KITCHEN
ISLAND KITCHEN
We doubled the functional area of this hand finished kitchen with an enormous island unit, running the length of the kitchen space, and incorporating the sink and dishwasher, crockery drawers and a pull out waste bin as well as cupboard storage. On the ‘dining’ side of the room, the island provides storage for tableware. Other storage in this kitchen is provided by a larder unit and wine rack situated (usefully!) next to the fridge
Materials: Tulip wood, hand finished Cherry wood worktops Undermounted stainless steel sink unit Monobloc mixer tap Bowed bar handles
Design Features: Island unit running length of kitchen Larder unit with cooling shelf Crockery drawer with shaker pegs Tall wine rack in Cherry wood ‘Floating’ shelving
MIXED FINISH This stylish kitchen has a mixture of finishes – some units painted in soft grey and others, such as the Tamber storage unit, made in oak wood finished with Danish oil.
The island unit has two other dramatic elements – soft built-in lighting, and a glass panel set into the oak wood breakfast bar. At the other end is a circular cupboard which has a storage carousel unit for complete access; its end grain chopping board top is inset into the worktop, and the black of this granite is echoed elsewhere in the contemporary kitchen appliances.
Materials: Tulip wood, hand finished and Oak wood Frosted glass Blues in the night granite Surface mounted stainless steel sink Monobloc U spout tap
Design Features: Illuminated island unit with frosted glass breakfast bar Ceiling light to mirror island granite shape Tambour unit in Oak wood Circular end grain chopping board Circular storage cupboard in island unit
FURN
NITURE We combine traditional construction techniques with the highest quality materials; our beautiful, handcrafted furniture will last you a lifetime. Some of our commissions are a direct result of our customers seeing the quality and design of their newly installed kitchen, and deciding that they don’t want to stop there, but we also receive ‘one off ’ commissions particularly when individually made furniture is needed for a space which doesn’t conform to standard measurements, or just can’t be found ‘off the shelf ’. At George Robinson Kitchens we believe that handcrafted furniture is an art form in its own right, as well as being practical and functional.
DESIGN
SERVICES
My designs are influenced by various factors, but the most important first stage is to talk in detail with prospective customers to find out as much as I can about what they need and what they would like within their living space, and the style of furniture that appeals to them. Sometimes they have collected images before contacting us, or they may have seen something on our website or in our brochure that has fired their imagination. I also ask about their lifestyles - whether they enjoy cooking, if the living space is a family area, or whether they have a wish list of features.
In line with our environmental policy and solid traditional manufacturing process, our furniture is built to last, and so we can offer a range of services to ensure that it continues to look as beautiful as the day it was installed.
The environment in which customers live also gives me information about design possibilities. Is it an old house, a cottage or a period property, or even – as has been the case on three recent occasions – a castle? The customer’s taste in furnishings and interior design will itself provide me with fruitful ideas. Even the surrounding landscape can also be an influence on the colours and shapes of features within a kitchen – in Cornwall, of course, the predominant influence is the sea. As I am myself a keen cook, I look closely at the functionality of the design. It may sound just like common sense, but siting a dishwasher close to the sink, storage cupboards and crockery drawer also saves time! Similarly, it is really important to make sure that the interior of a larder unit has features such as a slate cooling shelf, for those who love to make jams and chutneys, and vegetable baskets, for those who have an allotment and grow their own. My attention to layout and design was commended recently when Philip Howard, the Michelin two-starred owner of The Square restaurant in Mayfair, said after cooking in one of my London-based kitchens: ‘It’s not often that I find a domestic kitchen anything other than frustrating to work in. This kitchen worked and furthermore it was rock solid and beautiful.’ We offer customers a complete package in terms of helping to choose and source appliances, fixtures and fittings and worktops, and can make recommendations about the products that we use to hand finish our furniture. We can also advise on other interior features such as lighting and are happy either to recommend contractors or to work with those engaged by the customer.
We work largely with wood, which is a natural product and so can be influenced by the environment in which it is stored and installed. Our crib sheet of special conditions provides information and advice about such natural materials and about the preparation of your living space prior to installation. We are ready to come back within three or four months of installing a kitchen in order to realign doors or drawers that have had a ‘settling in’ period - this can sometimes happen with natural products. As an aftercare service, which we recommend each year, we will sand back and re-oil wood kitchen units and worktops and re-touch paint where necessary. We hope that this information has given you a clear picture of the great care we take over every kitchen that we design and manufacture, and of our pride in our work. When you contact us, you can be sure that we will do our utmost to help you realise your dream: a kitchen that is not only a joy to look at but, even more importantly, a delight to work in. .
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