Category: Blogs

Stephen Graver shares his insight on how to maximise your design consultation.

1. Think about what inspires you

Whether you have a carefully chosen mood board for your colour scheme, looked at every page on Houzz or a Pinterest board that is the envy of all your friends, bring along your inspiration to give us an idea of what inspires your love for design, colours or textures.

If the very idea of all of that gives you a headache and you’ve no idea where to start, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Our first meeting will find out more about what you like and don’t like and how you want to use the living space and then guide you through our extensive range of completed projects to explore potential styles, colours and textures to create your vision.

2. Have an open mind

It’s great to have ideas and a vision for your space. We absolutely encourage you to be a part of the process as much (or as little) as you would like to be.

We pride ourselves on the fact that ‘We do Different’, and with years of experience in design and true craftsmanship, our job is to listen to your thoughts and provide unique solutions that are tailored around your lifestyle and needs. We can also handle everything from the moment we meet you to the best part, when we deliver the finished room you had been dreaming of from the start.

3. The b-word

Consider your real ballpark budget before you arrive and be open with us. This is absolutely not to give us a target to work towards, but so that we don’t waste your time with products that don’t fit your needs. It allows us to create a design that will incorporate materials and appliances that are within the scope of the project. Also think about how it will affect your day to day living or whether it’s for an investment. These considerations have a big impact on how much you are realistically wanting to spend.

4. Textures and colours

Think about your current home décor, furniture and even your clothes. Do you see bright colours, clean lines and fashion-forward styles? Or do you see warm tones, natural materials and classic themes? This may help to inform some of the choices you make, whether it’s to compliment your existing palette or establish a space that evolves from this. Also be brave and think about bolder accent colours or interesting textures to really make a statement.

5. Making every day easier

Take a moment to think about the little things that would help to make your day flow more smoothly. From a cup of tea without waiting for the kettle to boil, to effortlessly finding the perfect outfit in your bespoke wardrobe. Consider what ‘challenges’ you want to resolve, and we will design your perfect solution.

Stephen Graver is a family owned construction business backed by an exceptional team of master craftsmen who provide the seamless and outstanding service and quality. In short, we do different. Discover more about Stephen Graver here.

This week saw the return to our screens of The Great British Bake-off and that’s inspired to us go through our back catalogue to find those kitchens that would leave you vying for star-baker rather than wondering how you got a soggy bottom.

The Lansdown, Bath.

Our clients had just relocated from London and they wanted an elegant kitchen for their townhouse which is set in a beautiful crescent in Bath. It was the shape of the crescent which inspired the design of the island, featuring both convex and concave cupboards to soften the visual outline of the space, whilst offering plenty of storage. The handsome Wolf range, perfect for any signature baking challenge, is complimented with the Wolf Pro extractor hood, creating a bold focal point to the kitchen. The hand painted finish and elegant pull handles are complemented by the beautiful granite work surfaces and splash back.

The Green, Wiltshire

This country house required a bespoke kitchen that would serve as it’s heartbeat. With our client being a professional chef, it was essential that the space was functional and robust, whilst also providing a social environment. The kitchen plan met the ergonomic needs by integrating existing freestanding stainless steel tables into the island design. A hidden cupboard provides an extra worktop and shelving to home the client’s many appliances. We were also keen to maximise the beautiful views from the window by designing a cherrywood breakfast bar, banked by stainless steel roller shutters. The anthracite grey cabinetry gives a focal point to a bright and light room, whilst also helping to combine industrial/contemporary materials in a countryside setting.

The Old Rectory, Wiltshire.

Our client’s house is a very traditional listed manor house with beautiful original features that were sadly missing in the existing kitchen. The intention was to incorporate these back into the design. The building work consisted of installing a new, slightly lowered ceiling and installing age appropriate ceiling coving. The existing floor material was removed and replaced with new, extra-large format limestone slabs. With a new power and lighting scheme the room was ready to take to the new handmade, shaker-style kitchen. As part of the project the existing utility room was turned into a Butler’s Pantry with the utility items moved into another part of the house. With the addition of appliances from Sub-Zero & Wolf, Aga and Miele, and even bespoke window seats, this kitchen is now a place that can be enjoyed more and more upon each use.

Lucknam Park Cookery School, Wiltshire.

We couldn’t talk about kitchens that could elevate your cookery skills without mentioning the Lucknam Park Cookery School. The award-winning Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa has a cookery school designed and fitted by Stephen Graver. This culinary experience offers a unique opportunity for anyone who enjoys cooking, featuring the latest appliances from De Dietrich, this environment is perfect for developing new skills and mastering new techniques.

So there you have it, four bespoke kitchens that we feel are Bake-off worthy and set us apart from the competition, a sure fire first place in any technical bake.

Explore our website to see more examples of our bespoke kitchens and feel free to even take look at some of our beautiful bathrooms and stunning renovation work too.

We Brits love the outdoors but we only cook outside on that one day in the height of summer on a cheap and cheerful barbecue. There are lots of amazing and beautiful barbecues that will have the family running back for burgers and sausages, but with the unpredictable weather and the less laid back lifestyle it can somehow lose its magic.

But what if you have the space to design and create an outdoor kitchen? At Stephen Graver, we love to innovate and design products that transform living spaces and bring new life into your home.

Perfect for a bank holiday holiday weekend, or any day of the week for that matter, we’ve focused on the great outdoors with a stylish and practical outdoor kitchen designed for all weathers. We have created something with a focus on saving space and which also inspires the confidence to cook all year round!

Within the external cedar cladding you will find beautiful, bespoke, fitted cabinetry designed to withstand the elements. In this example the barbecue of choice is a Beefeater Signature 3000S, which features 5 burners, a tapenyaki plate, a built in analogue temperature and a lid with a glass viewing window so you can watch your food being cooked to perfection. We’ve even used granite worktops to add an air of luxury but we haven’t forgotten the practical touches either, it also features a stainless steel sink and tap, wire pull out and a small fridge.

The door to our outdoor kitchen doubles as a shelter from the elements. It allows you to cook with both hands with no need to balance an umbrella over your shoulder whilst you do so. When shut, the robust door closes off the typical British weather and provides protection and security to all the internal features.

Don’t like our prototype? Have no fear, it can be designed to your heart’s desire whether you want less or more, bigger or smaller not to mention the unlimited choice of finishes.

This outdoor kitchen can become truly unique to you so why not get in touch us and find out how?

If you’re looking for a project partner to help bring your dream kitchen, bathroom or home extension to life, our customers find that putting names to faces helps when they talk to us so you can find out more about the team at Stephen Graver here. It also helps to understand why Stephen Graver is different than other businesses you might have encountered. This is a good opportunity to tell you more about us so if you come to see us, we only need to talk about you.

So, we do different, but how and why?

Because every one of our clients is different, we treat each project individually, which makes it truly unique. But what else does that mean for you and what can you expect when you work with us? Well, firstly Stephen Graver is a family business. Stephen still heads the business and is involved in every project design and installation with his wife Amanda, and their son Tom is also now part of the workshop team.

Should you decide to pick up the phone and call us, you can expect a very warm welcome from Matt, our Marketing Manager, and for us to put ourselves in your shoes and see your project from your perspective. That means really getting under the skin of what you’re trying to achieve, what you like, what you don’t like and what you want from the space that you want to create. This means that you won’t find a “range” of designs or products on our website or in our studio but it does mean that your new kitchen or bathroom or furniture will be unlike any other and bespoke in the truest sense. Our customers come to us to provide them with a solution that works perfectly, just for them, so that’s what we do.

We start with a conversation and by getting to know you, progress to innovative designs, new ideas, drawings and concepts based on your requirements. We involve our team of dedicated craftsmen in our workshop on our site in Wiltshire, managed by Karl, who help us to provide our exemplary level of service and reliability, from the very start of your project, to the best part, completion and delivery, when we hand it back to you to enjoy.

Once we start, every seamless aspect of the process in between, is handled by us on your behalf, to the highest possible standards which is when you will get to meet Nick, our Project Manager and John, our Site Manager, who see your job through to completion, which is only at the point when you’re completely happy with it.

Our business is built on the foundations of client satisfaction which is why word of mouth recommendations are so important to us and are what we live by. It’s the reason our clients come back to us and tell us it’s what really sets us apart.

So, when you’re ready to move forward to make your dream home a reality, whether it’s a new kitchen or bathroom or a complete renovation, you’ll find design inspiration and feedback from our clients on every project across our website or in our brochure to help you through the process. Or come in and have a coffee with us to see just how, we do different.

So, you’ve been planning it in your head for months, possibly years and you’ve done your homework, maybe you’ve already applied for the planning permission you need to extend your home to fit in your dream project. But what’s next? There’s so much choice available, how do you filter it out to get what you want? Here’s a few ideas that should help you to clear the mist and make the decisions that will make the biggest difference to your project…

1. Make early decisions on floors and worktops – It’s more than the cabinets that make the kitchen and it’s the big spaces that will have the most immediate impact – the flooring will change the look of the space dramatically, as will your worktops. Large areas need careful consideration and whenever possible, it’s better to lay the whole floor before the kitchen is fitted. Look at worktop options and decide which works for you both practically and aesthetically – granite, marble, stone, slate, composite, wood, metal – the list of options is long and the spend will be an investment so it’s important to choose well.

2. Plan your appliances to suit your lifestyle – It’s important to think about how you will use your kitchen. Make it clear what are essentials and what are luxuries and choose appliances that you will use and need and don’t just look great, or they will become the best dust collectors!

Do you love cooking? Are you a great chef? Are you a coffee connoisseur? Are you a Star Baker? Is a curry night at your house often on the calendar?
Nothing is out of bounds but it’s important to make sure your kitchen designer gets to know you from the start so the design is tailored to your needs.

3. People buy from people so choose a supplier you like – Essential to the success of any project is the partnership between the designer and the client. You need a project partner with an empathy and understanding of your vision and what you are trying to achieve. You need someone who you can trust and bounce ideas off and who is on your wavelength, and then you need to trust their ideas and experiences and that they have your very best interests at heart and won’t cost you the earth. You need an open and transparent channel of communication and a combination of practicality and innovation. When all this comes together, it works beautifully and you’re both proud of the final result, so take time to find your project partner.

4. Set a realistic budget and be honest about it – We all have a dream of what our ideal home looks like, but can we realistically afford it? It’s important to be honest from the start about your budget and both you and your designer can work within your means. Budgets can often grow during a project, but it’s important that they are still within your financial reach, so start with a realistic budget which covers as much of your wish list as possible. If you are working in an older or listed property, there are often improvements you will have to make to the structure which have to be done but won’t be visible once you start ripping out any existing walls or fittings. Also be mindful of utility supplies which will cost money to move which makes the electrical and plumbing planning as essential as the cabinets.

5. Don’t skimp on the basic structure and infrastructure – Use your money wisely and rely on the advice of your designer and get them to be innovative with spend. If you have a limited budget then spend it firstly on getting the utilities in place, the electrics wired in, and the drainage sorted. Ensure the room is properly heated, either with underfloor or with traditional radiators, and that the walls are in good repair. The main structure being sound makes it much easier for a hitch-free kitchen installation.

You can find some fantastic examples of the kitchen projects we’ve completed on our website or perhaps you’re ready to take things further, why not come and visit us at our studio for a coffee and a chat?

We look forward to welcoming you!

The kitchen is the social hub of the home where friends and family gather for food and drinks, the main attraction of any house that deserves your utmost attention. So why not lavish it with some stunning appliances that look fantastic and also make your life easier?

A lot goes into planning a kitchen and when you’re considering new appliances, thinking about how you will use them and the benefits they bring will influence your spending choices and how much you want to invest to get the best you can afford. Range cookers can vary from price and colour to size and finish and we can help you to choose the perfect appliance that fits all your needs and understanding what you really want from your kitchen space.

Home cooking and baking is big business, and with people trying to achieve more and more in their kitchens, some are looking to incorporate that professional touch. If your trying to be more Gordon Ramsey than Harry Ramsden, Sub-Zero and Wolf, specifically the Wolf Dual Fuel Range could be deemed as the Nirvana of choices. This cooker combines the control and convenience of the electric oven with all the glory of gas cooking. Available in a choice of sizes and formats, the dual fuel ranges are welcome additions to kitchens of all sizes.

Perhaps your style is more traditional, you have a shaker-style kitchen or you’re searching for that that quintessential country look? The iconic AGA cooker has been at the heart of the English home for decades.

Originally designed in 1922 as a storage heater that allowed the accumulated heat to be used for cooking, the company has evolved to now offer dual-fuel and electric appliances in a number of varied colours. The newest model, the AGA Total Control, features a user-friendly touch screen panel that offers total flexibility and functionality and ultimately makes the AGA cooker a viable choice for the 21st century kitchen.

For those that are searching for something different, something that suggests a certain sense of style, an appliance that can be both bold and also understated, we could only recommend Italian firm Bertazzoni.

Bertazzoni design appliances that showcase the Italian sense of style and flair and yet also fit seamlessly within both traditional and contemporary kitchens. If you have the room we would recommend using the addition of a Bertazzoni as a statement piece in either the clean, crisp stainless steel or the bold colours of yellow, red or orange, should your kitchen pallet allow.

So there you have it, our guide to three of the finest appliance brands that can elevate a kitchen of any size, colour or style.

If this has given you food for thought and you think it might time to upgrade your kitchen, or another part of your home, why not get in touch, talk to us and let’s put your dream house into motion.

We wanted to start this new series of blogs by sharing some of what we have learned over the years that may help you when you’re thinking about your next home project.

Deciding on installing a new kitchen, bathroom or extension to your home can be a really exciting time but it can also be daunting if you haven’t undertaken a building project of that nature before. Even if you have, it will still be something you’ll be taking on in addition to your normal day to day life so it’s worth thinking about how you can make it happen as smoothly as possible

There’s a lot to think about even before you choose who you want to do the job, try to keep in mind what you want to achieve and how much time you will have to be involved in the process. Here are some of the other things you might want to think about before deciding how to move forward and who you will work with to make it happen.

1. DESIGNED FOR LIFE – Think about what you’re hoping to achieve with your new space and its function. If you have this in mind it will make the planning process easier for you when it comes to thinking about the positioning of furniture, appliances, electrical points etc.

We LOVE the planning stage at Stephen Graver, it gives us the opportunity to bring your initial ideas to life and provide you with inspiration and options that you might not have considered. It’s often a real melting pot for ideas and where we get to know you better, to understand what really matters to you. It’s also why ‘bespoke’ really does mean it’s completely designed with your requirements in mind.

Our beautiful studio in Wiltshire is on the same site as our workshop, so we invite clients to come and talk to us about their ideas and consider new ones in the comfort of our unique space. Our studio has fully functional kitchen displays which are perfect for providing inspiration and to help you to see how your finished project might look in your own home.

2. STYLE & QUALITY – Once you’ve decided on what you want from your new space, it’s important to realise the huge variation in quality and finish from suppliers. If you decide to go down the bespoke and handmade route, you are buying into something that will probably outlast you!

The finish and construction of your kitchen will look as good as the day it was installed for years and years to come. It also means that there is no compromise in style, you can have exactly what you want, tailor made for the space you have.

Stephen Graver have been making kitchens, bathrooms and handmade furniture for over 20 years and we don’t like to blow our trumpet too much, but you can ask any of our clients to verify how good we are. We only use high grade wood in our cabinetry and the choice of finishes, worktops, flooring and handles is endless, making it unlike any other and it’s a total team effort! Nothing leaves our workshop until we and you are happy with the finished result.

3. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE – So in addition to your work, your family, and the general chaos of life, you’re now looking to add another job to the list with a home improvement project. If thinking about how much time you have to become a makeshift Project Manager is keeping you awake at night, it will pay dividends to pick the right partner to help you achieve your project aims.

At Stephen Graver, we manage everything, right from the initial design meeting through to the build and manufacture and then to the final point of installation and we invite you to be involved as little or as much as you want to be depending on the obligations on your own time. By getting to know more about you in the design stage, we put ourselves in your shoes and work hard to exceed your expectations. It’s how we’ve always worked and the standards we set ourselves and it’s why we have built the reputation that “We Do Different.” You can find examples of those projects all over our website.

4. PEOPLE BUY FROM PEOPLE: When you’re about to go ahead with something as personal as a home improvement project, you want whoever you work with to feel the way you do. To be excited about what you’re trying to do, to understand the importance of it to you and your family and to work to the standards that you would want to work to and protect your best interests to get the job done.

Stephen Graver is still very much a family firm headed by Stephen, whose meticulous attention to detail and focus on client service is absolutely paramount and what sets the business apart from many others. Nothing is too much trouble from the very start of the process and no job is signed off without our clients feeling completely satisfied with the result. It also speaks volumes that we maintain relationships with our clients long after the job is finished, and why a large amount of our work is referred by word of mouth recommendations from them.

5. ENJOY IT! : Making changes and updates to your home is always exciting! This may be the first time you’ve done anything like this or it may be one of the few opportunities to choose exactly what you want for your new space. Whatever the situation, enjoy the opportunity to create something special and unique which you will be able to enjoy for years to come.

If you’re considering a new home improvement project, come and talk to us about your ideas and see if we can inspire you with new ones.