Described as Birmingham’s ‘ultimate lifestyle destination’, the Mailbox shopping centre boasts a host of fashion and home furnishing stores as well as a selection of canal-side eateries – all buzzing when lockdown restrictions aren't in place – and now added to the list of luxury retail outlets is a Harvey Jones kitchen showroom. Spanning 165sqm, the new showroom takes the brand’s total number of premises to 31, and has been designed over two levels by Melissa Klink, Harvey Jones head of design.
“This is our first showroom with a mezzanine level,” she explains. “We designed the space with full glazing on the front so clients can visually take in every aspect of the showroom from every angle. It gives a completely new perspective on our kitchen displays and the overall spaces they create.”
The showroom displays the Harvey Jones Original, Arbor, Shaker, Linear and Linear Edge kitchen concepts. “We have actually been able to showcase all five of our styles within the three main kitchen displays,” says Melissa. “One of our specialties is the ability to mix and match the styles to create a completely bespoke aesthetic. We wanted to present very distinct looks that focus more on the overall design scheme rather than the strength of individual cabinetry styles. Each impression changes as you transition through the showroom, going from traditional and classic to contemporary and edgy.”
To ensure the client is the focus of the space it is also equipped with what Melissa describes as “an immersive planning zone”. “The client is guided through the process with one of our expert designers. From space planning and layout to functionality and material finishes, our client zone is full of samples and resources,” she explains. “We have curated packs for handle, worktop and backsplash options to suit every style and taste, and a private seating area with a large screen to walk through the details of a kitchen design, from plan to elevation, to 3D perspectives.”
The showroom, which is said by Birmingham’s Mailbox to have been well received by customers when it has been able to open, is not just about showcasing hand-painted cabinetry. With products from brands such as Miele, Liebherr, Fisher & Paykel, Siemens, Quooker, Perrin & Rowe Franke, Gessi and Bowland, it aims to give a full flavour of how a scheme can be arranged. “Seeing the kitchens in the showroom will help customers picture how their kitchen will look in their home,” says Melissa. “Our designers are experts in their field and are available to help inspire customers to create a kitchen to suit their lifestyle.”
“Now more than ever we expect clients wanting their kitchen spaces to be personal, and this has driven a lot of upcoming style trends to focus on adding rather than paring back,” she reveals. “And going along with the need to make our kitchen spaces personal, we always design with specific colour selections. Being able to hand-paint the cabinetry in any shade offers a wonderful base point.”
