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An Ilfracombe Beaded Kitchen Makeover With Oti Mabuse

When Oti Mabuse set out to create a new kitchen, she wanted a design that worked harder for her growing family. She was instantly drawn to the true in-frame design of the Ilfracombe kitchen, which blends traditional craftsmanship with modern functionality. Inspired by her family's love of South African and Romanian cooking, Oti partnered with Emma, her Howdens kitchen designer, and carpenter and joiner Gavin. Both of them worked closely with her to create a welcoming space where cooking, dancing, and family time come together.

About Oti Mabuse

Best known as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, a talent show judge and presenter, Oti Mabuse leads a fast-paced life on and off screen. At home with husband Marius and their daughter, and with another little one on the way, she wanted a warm, welcoming kitchen that felt calm and comforting, while supporting busy days, family meals, and plenty of dancing.

Tall kitchen cabinets with beaded, shaker door fronts in a truffle colour. There is oak-effect flooring and a door to hallway.

Design Goals

Oti was looking for a kitchen with classic character that complemented the period features of her home. With a growing family, a busy schedule, and a love of cooking, she wanted a warm, calming space where the family could come together, supported by a practical layout and thoughtful storage.

An Ilfracombe Beaded shaker kitchen in a truffle brown colour. It has oak flooring, white worktop, and integrated appliances.

Finished Floor Plan

Ilfracombe frontals in Truffle and Sandstone introduce warm, natural tones that create a welcoming feel throughout the kitchen. Meanwhile, beaded profiles introduce handcrafted detailing for a premium look. Clever storage solutions optimise space for everyday essentials, delivering a practical layout for busy family life.

“We loved working with Gavin, he has brought our dream kitchen to life. He suggested solutions we hadn’t even thought of to guide us to the best design decision for us. I love the pocket doors and the InSinkErator. The brilliant space is such a good system that finally makes sense for us.”

Ilfracombe Beaded

Ilfracombe features a true in-frame design, enhanced by detailing that adds depth to the frontals. The beaded profile adds a decorative feature with visual interest. Meanwhile, its solid timber frame and shaker construction create a handcrafted look, full of character.

SEE ILFRACOMBE BEADED KITCHENS

A full heigh larder unit with beaded, shaker doors in a truffle colour. It is open with natural oak accessories and drawers.

Floor-to-Ceiling Storage

A tall fridge, freezer, and generously sized drawers make the most of the kitchen's high ceilings. The floor-to-ceiling design increases storage while keeping the layout streamlined.

See Kitchen Storage

A pull-out corner storage unit, in a natural oak colour, behind a truffle-toned beaded shaker door. It is full of pots and pans.

Smart Storage

Baking tray and chopping board holders keep essentials neatly organised, while rotating corner accessories make items easy to access. These clever solutions help make the most of every cupboard.

See Kitchen Cabinet Storage

Oti and Gavin stood in front of her larder, with the Ilfracombe pocket doors open. There is natural oak storage inside.

Pocket Door Solutions

Pocket doors keep ingredients, kitchen essentials, and small appliances neatly tucked away when not in use. Combined with tall storage, they create a streamlined space where everything is close to hand yet hidden from view.

See Sliding Door Kits

Full-height kitchen cabinet storage, with open doors in a truffle-colour. Inside is natural oak storage shelves, and drawers.

Custom Larder

Internal dovetail timber drawers, pocket doors, and integrated lighting bring together thoughtful design and craftsmanship. Truffle panelling creates a seamless look throughout the space.

See Larder Cabinets

Warm, oak-effect flooring in a plank format. It is fitted up to a kitchen plinth, with a white sealant in between.

Timeless Flooring

Combining the look of natural oak with a hardwearing finish, Oake and Gray flooring adds classic character to the kitchen. Its durable, seamless design is built to handle busy family life and plenty of dancing.

See Oake & Gray Flooring

Gavin, the joinery for Oti's new kitchen, installing a newly inspected quartz worktop. It is above Ilfracombe beaded frontals.

Polished Quartz Worktops

Durable and non-porous, the white quartz worktop complements the kitchen colour scheme. Continuing the same worktop into the larder creates a cohesive look throughout the kitchen.

See Quartz Worktops

A white, Blanco-branded sink fitted under a white worktop. It has a brass Quooker tap, food disposal unit, and chrome fittings

A Signature Sink

The BLANCO Etagon sink offers plenty of space for food preparation and washing up, while the aged brass Quooker tap adds a classic finishing touch

See Kitchen Sinks

A Lamona, induction hob with an integrated extractor fan. It is finished in a gloss black, and is built into a white worktop.

Integrated Extraction

A Lamona induction hob with built-in extraction combines cooking and ventilation in one appliance. Integrated oven, dishwasher, fridge, and freezer complete the kitchen, creating a clean, coordinated look.

See Hobs With Extractors

InSinkErator

An InSinkErator food waste disposer helps make clearing up after meals quick and easy. Fitted beneath the sink, it keeps worktops clutter-free. A safe and convenient way to manage food waste.

See Waste Disposal Units

Oti's Howdens Journey

At the heart of every Howdens kitchen is an expert designer and a skilled, local fitter, and Oti's space is no different. At her local depot, Emma helped Oti plan a kitchen would be both stylish and practical for family life. Meanwhile, Gavin's expertise tailored the design to bring her bespoke plans to life.