Clients Journey
Colin and Jo, Plymstock
A Showroom Kitchen at Home: Colin Marshall and Jo Grove
When Colin Marshall and Jo Grove began planning the kitchen for their newly extended home in Plymstock, they knew they wanted something special. Having fallen in love with a display at KF Kitchens’ Faraday Mill showroom, they turned to Nathan Damarell to recreate that same impact in their own home. The result is a striking Nolte kitchen combining Graphite Silver and Lava cabinetry, dramatic Dekton worktops and a statement island, all within a bright, contemporary space designed around the way they live. “I think they could use this as a showroom!” says Colin.
The Design Challenge
As part of an ongoing renovation, Colin and Jo were creating a kitchen in a new upstairs extension. Although the room had fresh walls and lighting, it was essentially an empty space, and they needed help deciding how best to arrange the kitchen. They knew the look they wanted from the moment they visited the KF Kitchens showroom, but the layout needed careful consideration to make the most of the room and its connection to the balcony. Nathan’s suggestion to position the kitchen at the front, where natural light enters, immediately made sense. “As soon as Nathan came up with his design, it made complete sense,” says Jo.
The Solution
The finished kitchen features Nolte cabinetry in Graphite Silver and Lava, paired with sleek Dekton worktops that extend down both ends of the island for a refined, uninterrupted finish. The 900mm-high base units, set on 50mm plinths, provide additional storage while giving the kitchen a substantial, contemporary feel. At the centre, the island combines an induction hob with an integrated extractor, creating a practical cooking area that also serves as a social focal point. NEFF appliances include an integrated microwave, plate warmer, separate oven with Slide&Hide door, fridge-freezer and additional fridge, while a Quooker boiling-water tap adds everyday convenience. The design also incorporates thoughtful details that help the kitchen function as a living space, including open display shelving, concealed storage within otherwise unused cabinetry and a wood-effect secondary worktop at one end of the island. With discreetly concealed sockets, this area doubles as a useful desk for work or leisure. Full-length sliding patio doors connect the kitchen to the balcony, bringing in natural light and making it easy to move between indoor and outdoor dining.
Installation & Completion
KF Kitchens managed the supply and installation, with experienced installer Kev completing the work over the course of a week. For Colin, who works in the home improvements industry himself, choosing professional installation was an important part of achieving the finish he wanted. “From the moment everything was delivered on Day 1, to the end, it was a pleasure. Our installer, Kev, is brilliant,” he says. Having a clear cost from the outset also gave the couple confidence throughout the project, allowing them to concentrate on the finished result rather than the practicalities of coordinating the installation.
The Result
The completed kitchen delivers the visual impact Colin and Jo loved in the showroom, while providing a highly practical space for everyday life. The carefully planned layout makes the most of the natural light, the island offers a generous area for cooking and gathering, and the adjoining balcony creates a natural extension of the living space. Storage, integrated appliances and the discreet work area ensure that the design is as functional as it is striking. For Colin, the finished kitchen was exactly the result he had hoped for. “I wanted a ‘wow’, and you get that when you see the kitchen lit up as you come up the driveway to the house. And then you get another ‘wow’ when you open the kitchen door and come into the room.” Having seen many kitchen projects through his own work, Colin was clear about the value of choosing experienced professionals: “We’ve just bought a fantastic kitchen. We wanted something a little bit extra special. So, why wouldn’t I get the best professionals to do it?”
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