Traditional Kitchen with Black Cabinets, Distressed Cabinets and Red Cabinets Design Ideas

Expansive traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

A Victorian Cook's Table island designed and made by Artichoke with inspiration from Lanhydrock House in Cornwall.
Inspiration for a large traditional l-shaped kitchen in Hampshire with a farmhouse sink, distressed cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, limestone floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

When our clients approached us with their old vicarage renovation in Sawbridgeworth, their original kitchen sat in a dark, enclosed room tucked away to one side of their beautiful home. They knew the space deserved more. We reimagined the kitchen entirely, relocating to a spacious, light-filled room on the opposite side of the house, transforming it into the true heart of the home. Designed completely personal to our clients, every bespoke detail reflects how they live and entertain. The cabinetry is handcrafted in our newest style, which is a blend of our popular Mapesbury mouldings fused with our traditional In-Frame with bead detail in construction, giving the kitchen a refined, classic character that feels entirely at home within the old vicarage. The design centres around the striking Ilve range cooker, a bold colour palette, Zebra textiles and the impressive Viola quartz worktops, bringing our client’s wonderfully eccentric vision to life. This is a kitchen built not just to look at, but to work in: a functional, beautiful space shaped around the people who use it every day. The kitchen was just the beginning. We had the pleasure of carrying that vision through into a walk-through dining area, a walk-in pantry just off the kitchen, a utility room, a boot room and a media wall in a cosy snug, each designed in the same deep, rich colour palette that flows from the heart of the home. Every room connects, not just physically but in character, creating a collection of spaces that feel considered and cohesive from the first step to the last. Working within the available space, now flooded with natural light, the layout was designed to make every element earn its place. The wall run provides a home for the Ilve range cooker, connecting seamlessly through to the window bench and a slim cupboard for an integrated fridge-freezer, while the island commands the centre of the room as the main attraction. And it more than earns that title. Larger-than-life, the island is dedicated to doing far more than one job. It is where you will find the sink, generous storage and a huge prep space, all within arm’s reach. It is the kind of island that invites you to gather around it, whether you are cooking, chatting, or simply keeping the chef company. Dedicated to the space by the window, there was the perfect opportunity to introduce a cosy window bench, adding comfort, style, and function in equal measure. More than just a place to sit and admire the views with a rosé, it gives family and friends somewhere to perch while dinner is being prepared, keeping everyone connected to the heart of the action. Upholstered in zebra textiles, the mixture of textures and patterns brings a bold, playful energy that works beautifully within this traditional space. Every kitchen we build is handcrafted in our Essex workshop, and that is what makes the difference. Bespoke furniture, designed and built to fit the exact dimensions of the space and the exact needs of the people using it, means nothing is compromised. There are no fillers, no awkward gaps, no making do. Each piece is made with purpose shaped around how our clients cook, entertain and live, right down to the smallest detail. To find the perfect foundation for the home, we elevated one of our iconic styles with a traditional touch and an In-Frame style with additional bead. Each cabinet door and drawer is finished with Armac Martin Withenshaw handles in a polished brass lacquered finish. The warmth of the brass brings a richness to every touchpoint. This thoughtful mix of handles in varying sizes adds visual interest across the kitchen. Inside, the craftsmanship continues with solid oak dovetail drawers and an oak interior, ensuring the same level of quality is present behind the doors as it is on display. All hinges are soft-close, making the kitchen feel smooth and refined in everyday use. It is this attention to what you do not immediately see that sets a handmade kitchen apart. With a colour palette that is anything but safe, but that is exactly what makes it work. Hand-painted in the flattering tones of Farrow & Ball’s Off Black, it carries all the depth and drama of a true black but with a warmth that stops it ever feeling harsh. It’s a colour that commands a room without overwhelming it. Paired with the Off Black cabinetry are the Viola quartz worktops. A replica of the classic, timeless Italian stone that is often described as having “old-world” elegance, keeps within the Victorian feel of this property. Exactly what our client desired. Viola presents a captivating palette, dancing between the classic charm of crystalline white and the audacious boldness of rich violet veins and hints of golden touches. It is a surface that refuses to sit quietly in the background, and in a kitchen designed around our client’s eccentric vision, it feels entirely right. The sink area sits proudly on the main island, perfectly positioned for both preparation and daily use. At its centre is a Shaws of Darwen Bradshaw sink, a beautifully crafted fireclay design that holds its own against the bold Viola quartz worktop surrounding it. Paired with a waste and overflow kit in satin brass, every detail has been carefully considered to complement the wider palette. Above the sink, a Quooker PRO3 Fusion Modern Square instant boiling tap in gold provides boiling, hot and cold water from a single outlet, removing the need for a traditional kettle. Completed with a Quooker CUBE for chilled and sparkling water, a Quooker scale control to protect the system and a matching Quooker soap dispenser in gold, this is a sink area that works as hard as it looks. The gold finish across the tap and accessories ties effortlessly into the polished brass of the Armac Martin handles, creating a consistent warmth that runs through the entire kitchen. Anchoring the room with presence and purpose is the Ilve Majestic 1500 range cooker, delivering the power and versatility our clients needed to match their love of cooking and entertaining. The kitchen’s design was centred around this focal point. Above the Ilve sits the Westin Bloque extractor, seamlessly set amongst a handcrafted mantle with ornate and scroll detailing. The mantle frames the cooker and extractor as a single, considered feature rather than two separate appliances. It’s a focal point that feels as though it has always belonged within the character of this old vicarage. It is the details that truly define a handmade kitchen, and this space is full of them. Viola quartz shelves frame the cooking area, and the worktop continues up onto the walls, creating a beautifully cohesive backdrop to the Ilve and its handcrafted mantle. The angled skirting plinths and smooth end panels give the cabinetry a finished, furniture-like quality from every angle, ensuring there are no overlooked corners or rough edges anywhere in the room. Behind the doors and drawers, the storage has been designed with the same level of thought as everything on show. Bespoke cutlery trays keep everything organised and within reach, dedicated utensil trays sit exactly where they are needed, and deep bench storage drawers offer generous space for pots, pans and everyday essentials. We have planned the drawers and cabinets around how our client actually uses their kitchen, not around a standard catalogue layout. Step through the archway in the original exterior brick wall, and the kitchen reveals its second act. The opening welcomes you into a stunning glass-fronted extension, where the room and its furniture continue seamlessly into a light-filled space designed for dining and entertaining. Here, a second island takes centre stage, this time built for gathering around, sharing a meal and soaking up the daily dose of Vitamin D when that beautiful English sun decides to make an appearance. The beauty of the two islands is in what they allow. One for preparing, one for enjoying. And extending the home into a glass-filled space let the Viola quartz worktops truly shine against the rich, colour-drenched Off Black cabinetry, all handmade in our workshop. Connecting the two rooms delivers a bold, refined and full of character hub of the home. From iconic photographs to statement chandeliers and the warmth of the exposed brick wall, this space truly sets the scene, a wonderful balance of styling and handmade detail that could only belong to this home and these clients. Just off the main kitchen, the walk-in pantry is everything our client had pinned, saved and torn from the pages of glossy interior magazines. Designed as a dedicated space for the pantry essentials, it features open artisan shelving set against a tongue-and-groove panelled backdrop, creating a room that is a pleasure to look at and use. Every jar, bottle and ingredient has its place, proving that organised can be beautiful too. It’s a smaller space, but it makes a big impact, and the kind of details that turn a kitchen into a beautiful home.

Industrial style is displayed beautifully here with scrap metal dining table, chunky handles, reclaimed timber bar stools, black board and oversized clock and matte black cabinetry. Far from being cold, this industrial styling is warm and inviting.

Luxuriously dark cabinetry, light worktops and walls with a spacious feel - this is a cool take on a classical kitchen design. Custom made for a couple with a keen eye for design, who work hard, know how to relax and absolutely adore their pups. Their kitchen renovation was part of a whole house restoration. With busy careers and two pups the brief highlighted two main aims. Firstly, to create space to enjoy the kitchen, for cooking and relaxing. Secondly, to provide customised storage so that everything has a place to help keep the space tidy. The main kitchen area is where the culinary magic happens with space to unwind. The home bar for gin and wine lovers, includes wine racks, antique mirror, glazed shelves for the gin collection and two fridge drawers for wine and mixers. Designed with pocket doors it can be left open to admire the beautiful bottles, or closed – maybe for Dry January?! It’s positioned cleverly next to their outdoor ‘lounge’ area complete with comfortable chairs and an outside rug. The larder cupboard has spice / oil racks, baskets and boxes at the bottom for treats. There are electrical points inside so the coffee machine is plugged in here and ready to serve that morning espresso. Being able to keep the kitchen tidy was important so we created a ‘home for everything’ using drawers within drawers, an Oak baking tray divider, pan drawers with lid holders and integrated chopping board and tray spaces. The ovens, warming drawer, induction hob and downdraft extractor are positioned together with the plenty of prep worktop space. The cooking section is aligned with the washing area including Fisher and Paykel dishwasher drawers, beautifully glossy white ceramic sink and boiling water tap. With a slim Oak shelf above for displaying favourite things. The Island serves as a breakfast bar as well as a sweet spot for a casual supper. There is a Zebrano wood knife block inset into the Island worktop so that their Global knife collection is on hand for food prep by the hob and oven. The table and chairs are painted in the same colour as the cabinets and upholstered in black and white, with bench seating by the window including drawers for dog toys conveniently by the doors to the garden. The second part of the design is the walk-in butler’s style pantry. This area was designed to keep the kitchen ‘clutter’ out of the main area. And it is a brilliant area to stack all the dirty dishes when entertaining as it’s completely out of sight. The cabinetry is an a classic ‘u’ shape and houses the fridge, freezer, cupboards for large appliances, oversized dishes and one for the mop and bucket. The tall cupboards with bi-fold doors are for food storage, and you can see from the photos that everything is beautifully kept – rice, pasta, popcorn, quinoa all in lovely named jars. It’s an organisers dream come true. There is also a sink for washing vegetables and oodles of prep surface. Colour pallet The cabinetry is hand painted in Farrow and Ball ‘Off-Black’. Dark and inky, it just lures you right in, timeless and deeply refined. With the cabinetry being grand in proportion too, with detailed cornicing it creates a really bold statement in this space. It can be daunting to go for a dark shade of black, blue or green, but you can see the drama of the cabinets is perfectly matched with plenty of natural light, the white walls and warm Oak floor tiles. The white patterned Domus ‘Biscuit’ tiles bring texture and playfulness. The worktop, Caesarstone Ocean Foam, is a white quartz with speckles of grey crystals. In a classic polished finish it lets the rest of the room do the ‘singing’ while providing a clean light reflecting practical surface for preparing and enjoying food and drinks. The floor tiles bring the warmth. No two tiles have the same pattern so they really do look like wood, but are better suited to the pups as they don’t scratch and are non-slip. Lighting Design The slim black framed windows with doors onto the garden flood the kitchen with natural light and warmth during the day. But atmospheric lighting into the evening was important too, so we incorporated custom lighting in the glass cabinet, gin cabinet and pantry. “It is so well integrated and was a really important thing for me, along with all the smart lighting in the room, and Mike did a great job with it all.” It was such a pleasure to make this kitchen. They wanted to work with a local company and we feel so lucky they picked us.

Open Plan kitchen and family room with island unit, in this super cool and stylishly remodelled Victorian Villa in Sunny Torquay, South Devon Colin Cadle Photography, Photo Styling Jan Cadle

We are proud to present this breath-taking kitchen design that blends traditional and modern elements to create a truly unique and personal space. Upon entering, the Crittal-style doors reveal the beautiful interior of the kitchen, complete with a bespoke island that boasts a curved bench seat that can comfortably seat four people. The island also features seating for three, a Quooker tap, AGA oven, and a rounded oak table top, making it the perfect space for entertaining guests. The mirror splashback adds a touch of elegance and luxury, while the traditional high ceilings and bi-fold doors allow plenty of natural light to flood the room. The island is not just a functional space, but a stunning piece of design as well. The curved cupboards and round oak butchers block are beautifully complemented by the quartz worktops and worktop break-front. The traditional pilasters, nickel handles, and cup pulls add to the timeless feel of the space, while the bespoke serving tray in oak, integrated into the island, is a delightful touch. Designing for large spaces is always a challenge, as you don't want to overwhelm or underwhelm the space. This kitchen is no exception, but the designers have successfully created a space that is both functional and beautiful. Each drawer and cabinet has its own designated use, and the dovetail solid oak draw boxes add an elegant touch to the overall bespoke kitchen. Each design is tailored to the household, as the designers aim to recreate the period property's individual character whilst mixing traditional and modern kitchen design principles. Whether you're a home cook or a professional chef, this kitchen has everything you need to create your culinary masterpieces. This kitchen truly is a work of art, and I can't wait for you to see it for yourself! Get ready to be inspired by the beauty, functionality, and timeless style of this bespoke kitchen, designed specifically for your household.

This is an example of a traditional galley eat-in kitchen in Kent with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, red cabinets, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Rustic/ Traditional kitchen with custom shaker doors and tongue and groove paneling. Lacquered finish in Resene Element. Dekton chunky island benchtop and stainless steel back benchtop.

Styled for The Plumguide; Photographer - Billy Bolton
Mid-sized victorian galley eat-in kitchen in London with a double-bowl sink, black cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, shaker cabinets and no island.

Tall blue black cupboards with secret doors opening into dining room. Photo by Infinity
Photo of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dublin with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, with island, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

A glamorous and elegant kitchen renovation featuring bespoke shaker style doors. Blending a modern style whilst still respecting the original character of the home. Quality construction and a more functional layout has meant that this family can enjoy their living space for many years to come.

Photography by Siobhan Doran http://www.siobhandoran.com

Luxuriously dark cabinetry, light worktops and walls with a spacious feel - this is a cool take on a classical kitchen design. Custom made for a couple with a keen eye for design, who work hard, know how to relax and absolutely adore their pups. Their kitchen renovation was part of a whole house restoration. With busy careers and two pups the brief highlighted two main aims. Firstly, to create space to enjoy the kitchen, for cooking and relaxing. Secondly, to provide customised storage so that everything has a place to help keep the space tidy. The main kitchen area is where the culinary magic happens with space to unwind. The home bar for gin and wine lovers, includes wine racks, antique mirror, glazed shelves for the gin collection and two fridge drawers for wine and mixers. Designed with pocket doors it can be left open to admire the beautiful bottles, or closed – maybe for Dry January?! It’s positioned cleverly next to their outdoor ‘lounge’ area complete with comfortable chairs and an outside rug. The larder cupboard has spice / oil racks, baskets and boxes at the bottom for treats. There are electrical points inside so the coffee machine is plugged in here and ready to serve that morning espresso. Being able to keep the kitchen tidy was important so we created a ‘home for everything’ using drawers within drawers, an Oak baking tray divider, pan drawers with lid holders and integrated chopping board and tray spaces. The ovens, warming drawer, induction hob and downdraft extractor are positioned together with the plenty of prep worktop space. The cooking section is aligned with the washing area including Fisher and Paykel dishwasher drawers, beautifully glossy white ceramic sink and boiling water tap. With a slim Oak shelf above for displaying favourite things. The Island serves as a breakfast bar as well as a sweet spot for a casual supper. There is a Zebrano wood knife block inset into the Island worktop so that their Global knife collection is on hand for food prep by the hob and oven. The table and chairs are painted in the same colour as the cabinets and upholstered in black and white, with bench seating by the window including drawers for dog toys conveniently by the doors to the garden. The second part of the design is the walk-in butler’s style pantry. This area was designed to keep the kitchen ‘clutter’ out of the main area. And it is a brilliant area to stack all the dirty dishes when entertaining as it’s completely out of sight. The cabinetry is an a classic ‘u’ shape and houses the fridge, freezer, cupboards for large appliances, oversized dishes and one for the mop and bucket. The tall cupboards with bi-fold doors are for food storage, and you can see from the photos that everything is beautifully kept – rice, pasta, popcorn, quinoa all in lovely named jars. It’s an organisers dream come true. There is also a sink for washing vegetables and oodles of prep surface. Colour pallet The cabinetry is hand painted in Farrow and Ball ‘Off-Black’. Dark and inky, it just lures you right in, timeless and deeply refined. With the cabinetry being grand in proportion too, with detailed cornicing it creates a really bold statement in this space. It can be daunting to go for a dark shade of black, blue or green, but you can see the drama of the cabinets is perfectly matched with plenty of natural light, the white walls and warm Oak floor tiles. The white patterned Domus ‘Biscuit’ tiles bring texture and playfulness. The worktop, Caesarstone Ocean Foam, is a white quartz with speckles of grey crystals. In a classic polished finish it lets the rest of the room do the ‘singing’ while providing a clean light reflecting practical surface for preparing and enjoying food and drinks. The floor tiles bring the warmth. No two tiles have the same pattern so they really do look like wood, but are better suited to the pups as they don’t scratch and are non-slip. Lighting Design The slim black framed windows with doors onto the garden flood the kitchen with natural light and warmth during the day. But atmospheric lighting into the evening was important too, so we incorporated custom lighting in the glass cabinet, gin cabinet and pantry. “It is so well integrated and was a really important thing for me, along with all the smart lighting in the room, and Mike did a great job with it all.” It was such a pleasure to make this kitchen. They wanted to work with a local company and we feel so lucky they picked us.

Grandeur in Fulham! This kitchen features dark blue cabinetry paired with natural stone worktops and brass accessories. The cabinetry range is named after the Swedish royal family name ‘Bernadotte’ as it reflects the classic style that the clients were after.

Inspiration for a traditional galley kitchen in Surrey with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a large traditional kitchen pantry in Kent with red cabinets, granite benchtops, panelled appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Situated just south of Kensington Palace and Gardens (one of the most prestigious locations in London), we find this lovely slim U-shaped kitchen full of style and beauty. Smaller in size but the sleek lines are still evident in this project within the tall cornices and external skirting. We loved working in this stately Victorian building! Our client’s luxury bespoke kitchen journey began with a visit to The Handmade Kitchen Co showroom. The couple were able to see the exquisite quality of our furniture for themselves which would provide them with a unique and personal space that would be loved for many years to come. Our client wanted to showcase their impeccably good taste and opted for our Traditional Raised shaker. It has been highlighted with a black paint hand-painted onto the cabinets known as Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore. It’s a rich shade of black with a hint of warmth. Versatile and sophisticated, black is a colour that can enhance any style of home, whether cosy or chic, soft or bold. Incorporating black paint, whether subtly or boldly, can make a significant impact on interior design. This kitchen isn’t just a culinary experience but is designed to make memories with loved ones in the space they call the heart of the home. Enhancing the cooking journey is the Rangemaster Classic Deluxe 110cm Dual Fuel Range Cooking in Black & Brass Trim which has been put alongside the cutting-edge Westin Prime extractor. Having a clear direction of how our clients wanted their kitchen style, they opted for a Nivito Brass sink, Quooker PRO3 Fusion Round Tap in Gold & Quooker Cube and a Quooker Soak Dispenser in Gold. All three items instantly add grandeur to the space, while maintaining a balanced and understated presence. To offset the boldness of the Black Beauty cabinetry, the Calacatta Viola Marble Honed worktops provide a striking contrast with their pristine polished finish. This juxtaposition creates a visually captivating and inviting kitchen space. The intricate features make up the kitchen design and the ones in this space are the decorative cornices and the Armac Martin ‘Bakes’ cabinet handles in burnished brass. Throughout this London townhouse, there was beautiful scribing in each room. Our client wanted it to flow nicely throughout the whole property and added it to the rooms we designed – the kitchen and bedroom. Adding to the theme and grandeur of the building, these decorative cornices look beautiful amongst the high ceilings.

This beautifully handcrafted Kitchen is from our stunning Monaco collection. The perfectly designed island provides an ideal space for casual dining or catching up with friends for a coffee. The professional Gaggenau cooking appliances provide the perfect opportunity for preparing large family meals. Our cabinets are hand painted and finished with a distressed antique finish. The solid timber oiled oak top on the island features a Kohler smart divide sink and Perrin and Rowe taps. Handmade forged brass handles add the perfect finishing touch to this gorgeous family kitchen.