Greg Daulby, Senior Designer at Cor Domi, is a bespoke joinery designer working across kitchens and full-house joinery schemes. His view is that bespoke joinery is not just about cabinetry, it is about creating thoughtfully engineered pieces that enhance the architecture and the daily life of the home. He explains his approach to this beautiful family home project …

Q: What was the overall request from your client for this project?

Their main priority was to create a true family kitchen, where they could cook seriously, dine together and spend meaningful family time together when everyone was back in London. Gas cooking with strong extraction was non-negotiable, as well as a well-considered coffee set-up.

They emphasised that they were not looking for a show kitchen. They wanted a warm, comfortable space, built to last. Natural materials were important, alongside a strong use of colour, they were not interested in a safe, neutral colour scheme.

Light was to be a critical consideration. The existing kitchen space, in a London terrace, felt tight and underpowered. They wanted us to make a new kitchen that felt open and connected to the garden, whilst still retaining a sense of character and architectural integrity.

Q: What were your steps to answering this brief?

The first step was reworking and extending the space properly. The original rear extension was small and low in proportion, so we replaced it with a longer structure, added a side return and increased the ceiling height. This immediately transformed the quality of light and spatial balance.

Internally, we kept the layout simple and logical. The island anchors the room and clearly separates preparation from dining. Cooking, washing and storage are all positioned within easy reach. This creates an efficient movement and workflow without compressing the space.

Because the house includes a formal living room and cinema room elsewhere, this room was able to be entirely about cooking and the family gathering together. We also used a consistent joinery style throughout the house to ensure the kitchen felt part of a cohesive whole, rather than a standalone feature.

Q: How did the new space affect the rest of the home?

The extension significantly increased the footprint of the kitchen, allowing the owners to create a space that properly reflects how they live. Given the limited outdoor space that is quite typical of a London terrace, the large rooflights and sliding doors maximised the natural available light and strengthened the connection to the garden. The result is a brighter, more open kitchen-dining area that feels integrated rather than constrained.

Q: Were there any tricky structural considerations for the project?

The overall design direction was established early and remained consistent throughout. However, as with most full renovations, refinements were required once the structure was opened up.

Ceiling height and steel positioned influenced final cabinetry proportions, so some adjustments were necessary. Heavy stone elements elsewhere in the project required close coordination with structural engineers. However, these were technical refinements, not aesthetic shifts and the scheme evolved through precision rather than redesign.

Q: What were your material choices for the cabinetry?

There’s a theme of nature and natural materials for the kitchen. Timber doors and lacquered green oak veneer introduce rich layers of texture. Quartzite Taj Mahal work surfaces and upstands maintain continuity and clarity across all finishes. Our clients approval of all the surfaces, from the kitchen joinery to the flooring and walls were key to creating a cohesive and harmonious space. There’s also a clear rhythm to the joinery with lines aligned and grain direction considered, creating an inviting space where nothing feels over-designed.

Q: What storage elements do you think work particularly well?

The tall cabinetry works hard, providing proper storage without visual clutter. We used internal drawer systems and soft-close hinges from Blum, which make a real day-to-day difference in the use of the kitchen, with smooth and reliable action. We think this is particularly important in a kitchen that gets properly used…

Deep drawers for pans and prep equipment are always more practical than cupboards. We planned the storage around how and what our clients actually cook, not what would just look neat on the plan. It’s straightforward, well-organised storage that will work smoothly for years to come.

Q: Now the project is complete, what were your clients most pleased with?

They kindly gave us a lovely review: ‘We are very pleased with our final project from the Cor Domi team. Greg was a delight to work with and gladly incorporated our suggestions and noted our concerns. Our project was substantial – designing and installing a new kitchen, along with all bathroom vanities and bedroom cupboards. We were very glad we chose to go with Cor Domi!’

Q: What is your best advice for someone planning a new kitchen?

Plan around how you actually live. Not trends, not Pinterest. Think about workflow first, where you prep, cook, clean and store. Get that right and the aesthetics will follow.

Invest in cabinetry and internal hardware – these are the elements you interact with every day. Poor fittings will frustrate long after surface finishes lose their novelty. Finally, make key decisions early. Kitchens are highly detailed environments and rushed choices can lead to unnecessary compromises at a later stage.

Q: Do you think you have a particular ‘style signature’?

We tend to use natural materials and avoid anything too trend-led. Timber and stone both age well and provide longevity for the project. We are disciplined about proportion and detailing. Clean elevations, balanced compositions and consistent material language underpin our project. I think that attention to proportion defines our work more than any specific finish.

Q: Are you seeing more large-scale projects involving other rooms as well as the kitchen?

Yes, clients increasingly want a cohesive design language across kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and utility spaces. Delivering full joinery packages ensures consistency in detailing, material quality and overall aesthetic.

It also streamlines project management, with one team working across the entire scheme. As homes become more multi-functional, particularly for clients dividing time between locations, tailored storage and integrated design solutions are becoming increasingly important.

Q: What are your trend predictions for the rest of 2026?

We expect to see movement towards stronger, earth-led palettes, such as greens, browns and warmer neutrals. Natural stone with subtle movement is likely to take precedence over high-contrast marble, and textured timber veneers will continue to gain traction over ultra-matte minimalism.

There is also a sustained demand for concealed functionality, for kitchens that perform at a high level but remain visually calm and understated.

Full house design project by COR DOMI, COR DOMI, 27 Ackmar Road, London SW6 4UR, E: enquiries@cordomi.co.uk, T: 020 3488 9772 Follow the team on Instagram @cor.domi