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2022 Kitchen Of The Year Winner

Thanks to their kitchen fitting expertise, our 2022 Kitchen Of The Year winners, Mark White and Tyrone Allan of Marant Development, created a fashionable space that fulfilled their customer's vision. Featuring a dramatic decor, smart storage, and multipurpose features, this kitchen makeover offers a masterclass in blending practicality and personalisation, for a scheme fit for family life. This setup also won over the judges and voters in our Kitchen Of The Year competition, as it beat hundreds of entries to reach the top spot. Explore how Mark and Tyrone worked with the Huntington depot and their client, Dan Francis, to create a layout to be proud of.

Meet Mark and Tyrone

Marant Development owners, Mark White and Tyrone Allan, were the fitters behind the winning design of our Kitchen Of The Year competition, taking home the trophy and a £5,000 holiday. Regulars to Howdens, the pair know our products are built to last and are competitively priced, which is why they recommend us to their customers.So, when homeowner, Dan Francis, wanted a practical cooking area with wow factor, Mark and Tyrone knew our wide product choice could turn Dan's ideas into reality.

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The design goals

A social setup

Experienced renovator, Dan Francis, wanted a sophisticated scheme that would update his 1980s property and set the scene for social gatherings.

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A social setup

Dan’s old cooking space was a far cry from his avant-garde aesthetic, so his ultimate ambition was a design that had a bold palette, organic accents, and sleek features. With a penchant for dinner parties, Dan also wanted a spacious area where he could entertain friends and family without having to extend the room. Bringing in trusted trade professionals from Marant Development and the help of our Huntingdon depot, Dan knew he wanted a high-end layout to suit his lifestyle.
Streamlined style

A fashionable layout was Dan’s priority, so Harry from the Huntingdon depot added statement shades and streamlined elements to the new design.

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Streamlined style

One of Dan’s main goals was a trend-led look, so his designer, Harry, used different techniques to create a scheme full of contemporary appeal. The black units and timber textures created a dramatic base, while discreet features maintained a streamlined look. Harry’s product knowledge, plus Mark and Tyrone’s installation expertise, also meant they could replace the old boiler with space-saving storage to increase the room’s footprint without an extension. This also freed up an island area, which created a dedicated zone for Dan to host guests or hang out with family.

The design details

Sleek, slab design

As a lover of contemporary interiors, Dan wanted modern fronts. The slab style and soft finish of our Hockley Matt collection made it his top choice.

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Striking shades

Dan had his heart set on a dark design, so his designer recommended a charcoal tone. This daring hue creates a statement backdrop for parties.

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Fashionable fluting

To add textural variation to the space, Dan opted for fluted, glass fronts. These offer an on-trend, layered look and bring art-deco accents to the design.

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Organic interiors

With the exterior sorted, Dan turned his attention to the cupboard interiors. He decided on oak units to create a cohesive look with other timber features.

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A custom centrepiece

Dan wanted a hub for hosting, so his fitters installed an island with a dedicated seating area. They also added storage to keep utensils nearby when cooking.

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Tall cabinetry

To create an airy interior, Dan’s fitters removed internal walls and installed larders. These allow items to be stacked vertically, saving valuable floor space.

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Ergonomic accessories

For the bold design to have maximum impact, clutter had to be hidden away. So, Dan’s designer planned in pull-out storage to organise essentials.

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Personalised pantries

By fitting door balconies inside the pantry, Dan's tradespeople created bespoke shelving for his spices and ingredients to make cooking easier.

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