As Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen unveils his first kitchen collection in partnership with KCM Kitchens, we find out about Quintessential Kitchens, and hear why it is of particular interest to independent retailers.
From its extensive 40,000sq ft manufacturing facility in Exeter, contract furniture manufacturer KCM Kitchens supplies made-to-order kitchens and furniture across the UK. But for its latest venture, the brand's vision is to team up with premier independent kitchen retailers and it is currently looking for partners to bring its new collection to customers. The plan is to open with 10 retailers by the end of 2024, and have another 10 secured by the end of Q1 2025.
The Quintessential Kitchens collection is designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who has brought his signature flair and love of all things opulent to the fore. According to KCM Kitchens, he will be 'heavily involved' in the laying out of the design guidelines for showrooms, and as the plan is to work with a 'small and targeted' selection of retailers, he will have more time to connect and work with them himself.
The collection is divided into 4 design identities. Kitchen Disco is vibrant, exudes 'Miami vibes', and has a 'love heart luxury' feel.
Albany is more 'private members club chic' offering a reinvigorated heritage style, with urbane tailoring and fine furniture detailing.
Cashmere is all about 'quiet luxury' and has a glamorous, couture feel, while Cuisine projects 'nourishing maximalism' – it's a 'cook's kitchen' with a global, culinary vintage feel.
"From the outset, I knew that the perfect way to introduce the Quintessential concept to the customer was through a highly successful and extremely energetic partnership with independent kitchen retailers," says Llewelyn-Bowen. "The big-name chains simply don’t have the knowledge, respect, or design credibility to work with me to give the customer the kitchen they’ve always dreamed of. As you know, it’s all about relationships."
He adds: "Using all my aesthetic experience and design knowledge, I’ve imbued my ‘Quintessential’ kitchen collections with a series of style solutions that I know will thoroughly capture the imagination of today’s kitchen customer. My concept is to create 4 distinct design identities from which the independent kitchen retailer can thoroughly tailor a bespoke-like kitchen to give their customer a space that looks and feels couture but at an enticingly Prét â Porter price point."
In addition, each of the 4 ranges will offer different distinct, bespoke details, from the hardware to the door colours and textures and the worktop choices, allowing customers to truly craft their individual kitchen design story.
"The Quintessential concept very much challenges the ethos that kitchens should be repetitive, neutral, and ultimately uninspiring spaces," says Llewelyn-Bowen. "By thinking outside the ubiquitous grey box of kitchen design, I’m reflecting the new confidence and exuberance homeowners are showing in the way they create interiors, which they insist should reflect their own particular personality."
The kitchen is the "busy, bouncy beating heart where our families meet, eat, love, laugh and celebrate", he concludes. "It’s become the hardest working room in the house, and I believe it’s the one room that absolutely deserves the very best, in fact, the most Quintessential Llewelyn-Bowen design imaginable."
