As part of our work at The Harlyn, we designed and created two completely bespoke kitchens for the new residential spaces — one for a three-bedroom apartment and a smaller kitchen for a one-bedroom apartment.

The brief was to create kitchens that were practical and durable, but also full of character and in keeping with the wider Harlyn aesthetic. Sustainability was central to the approach, with each kitchen designed around an eclectic mix of original vintage pieces and carefully sourced reclaimed materials.

Each kitchen developed its own distinct character. The smaller kitchen was created predominantly from reclaimed school laboratory cabinets and drawer units, carefully adapted and reworked for their new purpose.

For the larger kitchen, the design took its direction from reclaimed oak and an eclectic collection of vintage pieces, including vintage haberdashery cabinets, antique museum drawers and old shop drawers. These individual elements were brought together and adapted to create a cohesive kitchen while retaining the character and patina of the original pieces.

Where needed, new carcasses were designed and made to accommodate original vintage drawers, alongside completely bespoke units incorporating reclaimed materials. New cabinetry was carefully aged and finished using reclaimed handles and vintage hardware, allowing it to sit naturally alongside the original pieces.

Reclaimed iroko laboratory worktops were repurposed as kitchen work surfaces, alongside a mix of reclaimed timbers and materials including oak, beech, teak and brass.

From initial concept and sourcing through to detailed design, restoration and finishing, the kitchens evolved around the individual materials and pieces we found, rather than being designed around conventional fitted cabinetry.

The result is two completely unique kitchens, each with its own character and identity — combining craftsmanship, sustainability and the warmth and character that comes from working with vintage and reclaimed materials.