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A Classic Timber Kitchen Makeover With The Bald Builders

When Brad from The Bald Builders wanted to transform his daughter Chardonnay's kitchen into a space packed with charm and functionality, he came to Howdens. The result is a timeless shaker kitchen that balances heritage appeal with modern living. They created an inviting space where Chardonnay can cook, entertain, and make memories for years to come. Part of our Classic Timber Kitchens collection, this makeover showcases how skilled tradespeople, like Brad and Sam, can bring any vision to life.

Cheryl with her tradesmen

About The Bald Builders

Known as the Bald Builders, Brad and Sam had years of experience in roofing, plastering, and electrical work before going into business together. Known for their honest and light-hearted take on life on the tools, they initially made trade content on the side to help them get jobs and to offer an insight into their lives. They rapidly gained popularity online thanks to their professional and humorous approach and now host their own breakfast show on Fix Radio, which is aimed at the trade.

An in-frame, shaker kitchen in a bright linen tone, with a black island and gold fixtures

Design Goals

Chardonnay wanted a warm and traditional kitchen , infused with personal touches, and built to last. The goal was to deliver a functional space, full of character where she could cook, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy everyday life in a setting that feels like home.
An in-frame, shaker kitchen in black and linen tones, with an open, timber larder

Finished Floor Plan

Ilfracombe in linen and black was chosen for its heritage look, with authentic graining for subtle warmth throughout. Meanwhile, the island layout doubles as both a breakfast bar and sink area, making it easy to socialise while preparing meals.
Cheryl in her Frome kitchen

“The old kitchen was small and pokey; it needed some life and love, and that’s exactly what we’ve given it. A truly bespoke-feel kitchen, all thanks to Howdens.” - Brad

 

Ilfracombe

Chardonnay chose Ilfracombe fronts for their true in-frame style and shaker build, which gives a handcrafted, timeless appearance. Picked in a mix of linen and black, the palette creates a monochrome look with added character.

SEE ILFRACOMBE KITCHENS

Decorative Details

Chardonnay was looking for a traditional kitchen packed with storage and character. See how she achieved this with the help of Brad and Sam by using the products below.

A black kitchen island in a shaker, in-frame style with a bespoke quartz worktop.

Large Island

To make the most of the space, an island was fitted with inbuilt storage and two integrated bins, keeping waste hidden while maximising functionality.
See Kitchen Islands
A bespoke quartz worktop with ogee edging on top of black, inframe kitchen cabinets

Quartz Worktop

A bespoke Silestone worktop features stately ogee edging. It also has lower upkeep requirements, thanks to stain and scratch-resistant properties.
See Silestone Worktops
A custom larder made of timber elements inside a linen, in-frame kitchen

Custom Larder

The team fitted a bespoke larder complete with timber elements, offering a place to store appliances like the toaster and coffee machine.
See Larder Cabinets
A black kitchen island, complete with fluted, ceramic sink and golden tap

Fluted Sink

A hard-wearing ceramic sink was chosen, with a fluted design that enhances the heritage look of the kitchen.
See Ceramic Kitchen Sinks
A golden tap on a bespoke, quartz worktop

Hot Water Tap

An instant hot water tap in a timeless brass tone was added. This introduces everyday convenience, by speeding up the making of hot drinks.
See Instant Hot Water Taps
A bespoke media unit made using linen, in-frame kitchen units

Bespoke media unit

This bespoke media unit was built using the same Ilfracombe units, creating a uniform look across the open-plan layout.
Cheryl with her tradesmen

“We couldn’t be happier with how Chardonnay’s kitchen turned out. The Ilfracombe kitchen balances function and timeless style in equal measure.”

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Ready To Get Started?

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