Our Process
Before any timber is cut, we focus on sourcing materials and components that will stand the test of time, often from British workshops and suppliers whose standards match our own. Keeping our supply chain close to home gives us reliable materials, consistent quality and the kind of working relationships that support the way we build. This foundation shapes the way we design, make and finish each piece in our workshop in Shenley, Hertfordshire ensuring it feels solid, reassuring and made for long‑term use.
Materials for Strength, Stability, and Longevity
The materials we choose are central to the quality of our kitchen cabinetry and fitted furniture. We work with hardwoods and high‑grade plywood because they offer the stability, repairability and long‑term performance that define our standards.
High‑Grade Hardwood Plywood
We use high‑grade hardwood plywood for our cabinet carcasses because it offers the strength, stability and durability we expect in our work. Its multi‑laminated core stays flat, holds fixings securely and provides a smooth, clean surface for hand‑painted finishes. If it is ever dented or knocked, it can be filled and sanded back to a perfect surface, which is far more reliable than repairing medium density fibreboard alternatives.
A Thoughtful Note About Medium Density Fibreboard
Medium density fibreboard has a valid place in the industry, and high‑grade versions of it perform well. When the specification is high enough, MDF can be very stable, but the grades that achieve this are not inexpensive. By the time you reach moisture‑resistant, dense‑core, furniture‑grade MDF, the cost is far closer to a quality timber‑based material than many people expect, without offering the same repairability.
For the type of cabinetry we build, we prefer materials that offer long‑term strength and can be repaired easily. If a door or panel made from wood or high‑grade plywood is ever dented, it can be repaired and refinished back to a perfect surface. MDF does not respond in the same way; deeper damage is harder to rectify because it cannot be sanded back cleanly without compromising the surface.
Our work is designed to last for decades, to be repaired rather than replaced, and to feel solid and reassuring in daily use. For that, we rely on materials that offer structural integrity, long‑term stability and the ability to be restored beautifully over time.
Solid Hardwood for Door Styles and Face Frames
Our door styles and face frames are made from tulipwood sourced through a specialist hardwood supplier in Guildford. They focus on high‑quality, well‑seasoned hardwoods and offer carefully selected, kiln‑dried stock, giving us the consistency and stability we look for in our work.
Tulipwood is a fine‑grained hardwood with a naturally flat, even grain that paints beautifully. It machines cleanly, holds crisp detail and provides a smooth, consistent surface without the movement you see in softer woods. Because it is a true hardwood, it also offers excellent repairability, which supports our belief that bespoke kitchens and cabinetry should be maintained and restored over time.
Painted Finishes
For our painted finishes, we use Little Greene, an independent British manufacturer known for well‑made, durable paints. Everything is produced in the United Kingdom. Their colours and finishes work reliably on the hardwoods and plywood we use. Their approach to making paint with care fits naturally with the way we choose materials.
We recommend their Intelligent Satin and Intelligent Eggshell finishes for cabinetry. Intelligent Satin offers a rich, mid‑sheen finish that is fully washable and hard‑wearing, while Intelligent Eggshell provides a softer, low‑sheen alternative with the same level of durability. Both finishes are water‑based, low‑odour, child‑safe and designed for real homes where surfaces need to withstand daily use.
We encourage clients to visit a Little Greene stockist to see the finishes in person, explore colour cards, order tester pots and speak with knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the right shade and sheen for your space.
A sidenote on birch plywood
Birch plywood was long considered the benchmark for high‑quality cabinetry because of its strength, stability and fine‑grained surface. In recent years it has become extremely difficult to source in consistently good quality, and supply into the United Kingdom has become increasingly unreliable. Rather than compromise on the standards we build to, we researched alternatives that could match its performance, which led us to the high‑grade technical plywood we use today.