A warm, modernist kitchen for a unique London home
When Erin, an architect specialising in residential design, and her partner Fred took on a small renovation of their London home, it was the kitchen that became the heart of the project.
The house itself, an unusual 1970s built gatehouse set at the end of a residential street of Victorian terraces, brought with it both quirks and opportunities. The couple chose Made in Ply to create beautiful bespoke oak ply cabinetry fronts for their Howdens carcasses, helping to realise their vision for a bold yet warm and timeless kitchen space.
We caught up with Erin and Fred to hear more about the house, the design process, and the details that have made their kitchen feel so personal.
Project spec:
A Howdens kitchen upgraded with Made in Ply Custom Oak Plywood Fronts, Panels, and Plinths, featuring bespoke elements like floating shelves and a built-in wine rack for a warm, modernist finish.
Can you tell us a little about the house itself - where it is and its setting?
Erin: It’s quite unusual. The house is set at the end of a street of typical Victorian terraces in London and was originally built in the 1970s as a gatehouse to a residential estate next door, which is no longer active.
Fred: It was never really meant to be a home; we think it was converted in the early 2000s.
It’s got a zinc-clad roof and quite a modernist feel to it.
Can you tell us a little about the house itself - where it is and its setting?
Erin: It’s quite unusual. The house is set at the end of a street of typical Victorian terraces in London and was originally built in the 1970s as a gatehouse to a residential estate next door, which is no longer active.
Fred: It was never really meant to be a home; we think it was converted in the early 2000s.
It’s got a zinc-clad roof and quite a modernist feel to it.
What mood or atmosphere were you hoping to create in the new kitchen?
Fred: High quality and sturdy, as we wanted it to feel considered and long-lasting.
Erin: The house didn’t have any period details like cornicing, so it felt a bit stark. We wanted something rich and warm but still befitting of the era, bold with contrasts to reflect its 70s roots.
What mood or atmosphere were you hoping to create in the new kitchen?
Fred: High quality and sturdy, as we wanted it to feel considered and long-lasting.
Erin: The house didn’t have any period details like cornicing, so it felt a bit stark. We wanted something rich and warm but still befitting of the era, bold with contrasts to reflect its 70s roots.
Were there any particular challenges during the kitchen project?
Erin: We knew from the start that standard wall units wouldn’t reach our ceiling height, and we really wanted that seamless, built-in look. That was one of the big draws to working with Made in Ply - being able to have the door fronts made oversized to sit flush to the ceiling.
We also filled gaps with thoughtful details like the wine rack at the end of the lower units, and used design tricks like double thickness ply to give the floating shelves extra presence.
Were there any particular challenges during the kitchen project?
Erin: We knew from the start that standard wall units wouldn’t reach our ceiling height, and we really wanted that seamless, built-in look. That was one of the big draws to working with Made in Ply - being able to have the door fronts made oversized to sit flush to the ceiling.
We also filled gaps with thoughtful details like the wine rack at the end of the lower units, and used design tricks like double thickness ply to give the floating shelves extra presence.
What led you to choose oak cabinetry, and how did you come across Made in Ply?
Erin: The house had a modernist, minimalist feel with lots of light walls and big glazing, so we knew we needed warmth in the materials. Oak was perfect for that; it’s simple but adds so much depth and tactility.
We’d been interested in plywood as a material and came across Made in Ply through online research. Their contemporary style felt right for the house and the oak veneer finish really stood out to us.
What led you to choose oak cabinetry, and how did you come across Made in Ply?
Erin: The house had a modernist, minimalist feel with lots of light walls and big glazing, so we knew we needed warmth in the materials. Oak was perfect for that; it’s simple but adds so much depth and tactility.
We’d been interested in plywood as a material and came across Made in Ply through online research. Their contemporary style felt right for the house and the oak veneer finish really stood out to us.
How did you balance aesthetics and practicality in the design?
Fred: We like entertaining and cooking, so having a more functional kitchen was a big part of it. One of the main changes was infilling a doorway on the partition wall, which allowed us to run full-length counters on both sides.
Erin: We were quite conscious about storage too, so balancing cabinetry with open shelving was important. The open shelves with exposed ply edges soften the look and give us space for things we want on show.
How did you balance aesthetics and practicality in the design?
Fred: We like entertaining and cooking, so having a more functional kitchen was a big part of it. One of the main changes was infilling a doorway on the partition wall, which allowed us to run full-length counters on both sides.
Erin: We were quite conscious about storage too, so balancing cabinetry with open shelving was important. The open shelves with exposed ply edges soften the look and give us space for things we want on show.
And what was the process of working with the Made in Ply team like?
Erin: Really straightforward. We had a couple of calls with Dan to work through the designs and the 3D visuals were so helpful in getting everything just right. The team were also really accommodating when we had queries about the oak veneer and made the whole process very smooth.
And what was the process of working with the Made in Ply team like?
Erin: Really straightforward. We had a couple of calls with Dan to work through the designs and the 3D visuals were so helpful in getting everything just right. The team were also really accommodating when we had queries about the oak veneer and made the whole process very smooth.
Now that it’s finished, what are your favourite details?
Finally, any advice you’d give to others tackling a similar kitchen project?
Erin: The floating shelves - they break up the cabinetry beautifully and feel decorative without being fussy.
Fred: I find the uniformity of it all so satisfying. The oak ply cabinetry gives the space such a calm, cohesive feel.
Fred: Get great people on board. We were working with an amazing product, and Erin is a very talented designer, but having a brilliant, flexible contractor who could problem-solve on site made a huge difference.
Now that it’s finished, what are your favourite details?
Finally, any advice you’d give to others tackling a similar kitchen project?
Erin: The floating shelves - they break up the cabinetry beautifully and feel decorative without being fussy.
Fred: I find the uniformity of it all so satisfying. The oak ply cabinetry gives the space such a calm, cohesive feel.
Fred: Get great people on board. We were working with an amazing product, and Erin is a very talented designer, but having a brilliant, flexible contractor who could problem-solve on site made a huge difference.
Project highlights
● A Bold Yet Warm Modernist Aesthetic:
Erin and Fred designed their kitchen to reflect the unique 1970s architecture of their gatehouse home. By choosing oak ply cabinetry, they introduced warmth and texture to balance the minimalist, modernist structure — creating a space that feels bold, rich, and timeless.
● Thoughtful Customisation for a Seamless Finish:
To achieve a fully integrated look, they opted for oversized cabinetry fronts that reached the ceiling and incorporated smart design details like floating shelves and a custom wine rack. These tailored touches brought both functionality and visual cohesion to the kitchen.
● A Collaborative, Design-Led Process
Working with Made in Ply allowed Erin and Fred to explore design ideas through 3D visuals and material samples. The process was smooth and collaborative, helping them create a kitchen that reflects their personal style and meets their everyday needs.
