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Old World Charm with All Mod Cons

Alt Admin • November 15, 2018

"We felt the compactness of the John Strand solution, and the ability to shut it away made it unique."

Tony Barsham

The Granary

The popularity of holidaying in the UK has seen a healthy increase in recent years.  The introduction of Airbnb has helped to revolutionise the self-catering holiday rental market and opened up a world of unique, interesting and wonderful places for travellers to find rest and relaxation.

A charming rural escape has been created within a refurbished Granary in West Sussex.  The proprietors were looking to offer guests the flexibility to be self-catered but wanted a kitchen that was compact, discreet within the period property and maximised the small space.

After successful installation of a John Strand made-to-measure concealed ‘hideaway’ kitchen we spoke to our clients about the renovation.

Can you tell us about your project?

My wife and I refurbished a ‘granary’ at our home in West Sussex.  It is a beautiful ‘timbered’ building with a bedroom, bathroom and large living area. The building is over 300 years old.   We are now renting this property out for weekend holiday lets.
 To make it a viable holiday let we needed to put in a kitchen facility – but we had very little space.  We also wanted something that would be in keeping with the building – hence we came up with the idea of a ‘mini kitchen’ which could be closed away.

Where did you find out about John Strand?
We found John Strand via the internet, and also through an interior designer who had dealt with John Strand previously. t.

What factors made you choose to work with John Strand?

We looked at a solution from Wickes as an alternative.  We felt the compactness of the John Strand solution, and the ability to shut it away made it unique.  We also liked the choice of finish which allowed us to match it to the surrounds.  The pricing was also very competitive with the ‘traditional’ approach.

How would you describe the design and selection process?

Very efficient.  My wife and I visited the office in Harrow where we were able to agree on the design.  A number of sample finishes were sent to us a few days after at which point we were able to confirm.

How was the delivery and installation process?

A date was agreed at the time of order, and John Strand delivered on that date.  We asked a local builder & electrician to fit the unit which took 1 day.

What feedback have you received from your customers?

The kitchen has been used by a number of guests and has been very well received so for!

Finally, would you recommend us? We would most definitely recommend John Strand.

 

 

If you fancy an escape to the country you can stay at The Granary, check out their Air BnB page here: The Granary – Airbnb Listing

 

John Strand could have the perfect kitchen for your next project call us on 020 8930 6006 or e-mail to enquiry@johnstrand-mk.co.uk

Kitchens Hidden From View

By John Strand • January 20, 2025
We have been making and selling kitchens for small spaces for a long, long time, so long in fact that we feel comfortable to call ourselves ‘expert’ in the field. An early design development was from the ‘mini kitchen’, which is solely a base unit, to the hideaway kitchen. ‘ Hideaway kitchen’ is the name they have always been given but then it dawned on us, do our customers (and potential customers) understand what a hideaway kitchen is? Simply put, a hideaway kitchen has a top unit with doors which can be shut to conceal the workings of the kitchen so thus hiding it away ! Other names for these kitchens include ‘kitchen in a cupboard’ and ‘concealed kitchen’ or the ‘hidden kitchen.’ We refer them to as hidden kitchens these days to avoid confusion. All pretty straight forward stuff. Simple but great, especially if you need a kitchen in a studio apartment or meeting room. Focusing on the design, the questions we most commonly get asked relate to safety. Can the hob be this close to the sink and is it safe to have doors? Safety is, as it should be, at the top of the list. Sinks must always be positioned with 300mm space between the hob and or any sockets, and the doors can be fitt ed with power supply cut-out and / or the hob is fitted with a safety timer so will cut out after a set time. Hidden kitchens are increasing in popularity every year and when you consider the combination of style, function and suitability for small or multi-use areas it just makes sense.  For more information please visit our website…johnstrand-mk.co.uk

Unlock the full potential of your living space

By John Strand MK • January 8, 2024
John Strand Sofa Wall beds 1. Maximizing Living Areas: The most apparent advantage of a sofa wall bed is its ability to maximize living areas. During the day, the sofa serves as a relaxing seating arrangement, allowing you to make the most of your space. When night falls, seamlessly transform it into a comfortable bed, eliminating the need for separate pieces of furniture and optimizing your floor space. 2. Dual-Functionality in Compact Spaces: For those renting or living in smaller apartments or studio flats, the sofa wall bed is a revelation. It effortlessly combines two essential pieces of furniture into one, providing a seating area for daytime activities and a sleeping space at nighttime. This dual-functionality is a game-changer in compact living situations. 3. Effortless Transition: The mechanism behind sofa wall beds is designed for ease of use. Transitioning from a sofa to a bed, and vice versa, is a smooth and hassle-free process. This user-friendly feature ensures that you can transform your living space with minimal effort, making it an ideal solution for all age groups. 4. A Stylish Addition to Any Room: Sofa wall beds are not just about functionality; they also add a touch of style to your living space. Available in various designs, colors, and materials, these pieces can complement any decor style. The seamless integration of a sofa wall bed enhances the overall aesthetics of your room.

Concealed Kitchens: The Sleek Solution for Modern Living

By John Strand • September 18, 2023
The benefits of a concealed and hidden kitchen.

Small Kitchen Design Layouts

By Donna Connolly • February 27, 2020
    Small Kitchen Design Layouts How to make kitchens work in a small space? Kitchen design, like many forms of design, relies on what have become traditional formulas and concepts.  These ‘design rules’ have been tried, tested and work a treat; such as the classic triangle of fridge, sink and hob within a 7 … Continued The post Small Kitchen Design Layouts appeared first on John Strand MK.

Making space in Studio apartments – A guide to open-plan, multi-functional apartment living

By Donna Connolly • December 19, 2019
    The diminishing size of homes, is a topic you often hear discussed but what truth is there in it?  Is it just a cliché and common misconception batted around, along with the lines of; “It wasn’t like that in my day”.  So are humans getting bigger (we are but that’s another story) or … Continued The post Making space in Studio apartments – A guide to open-plan, multi-functional apartment living appeared first on John Strand MK.

Wall beds for studio apartments

By Alt Admin • December 5, 2019
The objective was to create light filled, desirable apartments aimed at young professionals in a town centre location but the challenge was in the size. John Strand worked with property developers for a project of contemporary flats in Watford Hertfordshire.  The objective was to create light filled, desirable apartments aimed at young professionals in a … Continued The post Wall beds for studio apartments appeared first on John Strand MK.

Luxury Cabins by the Sea

By Alt Admin • November 14, 2019
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!The aim of Cabü by the Sea is to provide beautiful buildings for everyone.  An ambition successfully achieved with the Scandinavian inspired cabins offering a relaxing space within the wild and windswept surroundings of St. Mary’s Bay. CABU approached John Strand Kitchens for a development of architecturally … Continued The post Luxury Cabins by the Sea appeared first on John Strand MK.

Office to residential converstion in Harrow

By Alt Admin • November 5, 2019
Change of use from office space to stylish contemporary studio apartments with John Strand Contract kitchens.Harrow sits on the North West of London’s Metropolitan line. A short tube-ride into central London and a stone’s throw from the rolling countryside of the surrounding home counties. It’s a popular destination with first time buyers and therefore an … Continued The post Office to residential converstion in Harrow appeared first on John Strand MK.

Kitchens in a Grand Location

By Alt Admin • October 24, 2019
Bespoke kitchens for a beautiful and grand refurbishmentThe majority of John Strand clients call looking for expert help, they need a kitchen but don’t have space for one!  On the opposite end of that scale is Barrington Hall, lack of space was definitely not a concern for this project. A magnificent Grade II listed Georgian … Continued The post Kitchens in a Grand Location appeared first on John Strand MK.

A Brief History of the John Strand Mini Kitchen

By Donna Connolly • October 8, 2019
    It’s small and mighty.  John Strand has been supplying compact kitchens for over 30 years and here is the history of how it all began, and why, three decades on, the one-metre-wide kitchen units are still sold across the country. Constructed of steel with a powder coated white finish; it houses a sink, … Continued The post A Brief History of the John Strand Mini Kitchen appeared first on John Strand MK.
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