Unpainted kitchens

[Staverton]

Has anyone used them? Are you happy with the quality?
They are coming out about £2500 less than Harvey jones( in the sale )
HJ obviously say the quality is rubbish because they don't us traditional Joubert techniques but HJ are trying to sell me a kitchen..
Any thoughts?

OK excuse me for being opinionated for a minute!

It seems to me both companies are pretty coy about the actual construction and materials of cabinets and focus on the superficials like doors and handles. What does unpainted mean - sanded, primered? What do you actually get delivered? Are they timber, MDF or chipboard?

OTOH it is a bit like Jaguar saying Mercedes Benz are rubbish... they are both apparently high end "bespoke" kitchens.

IMO There is a limit to how robust a kitchen needs to be in terms of the cabinets as long as they have good backs and shelves, they just sit there on the floor. I can't imagine either of those kitchens having a quality problem it would be more important it was well designed and laid out so someone doesn't rip it out in frustration!

Feel free to be opinionated!
Unpainted kitchens are completely mdf. Harvey jones and mdf doors with a solid timber strip running down the hinge side. The carcasses themselves are 18mm mfc and unpainted kitchens do mdf carcasses and will do melamine for a bit more.
I don't think unpainted kitchens claim to be high end- but they will copy high end kitchens more cheaply.

I suppose i just want to know if anyone has used unpainted kitchens and if they are happy with the final product- does it look as good as a harvey jones/John Lewis hungerford etc kitchen...

Joubert?? In OP- meant to be joinery!!

Bump

Aha. I was sucked in by the brochures thought they must be hand hewn solid 200 year old oak or something for that price. Oh well perhaps someone will be along who has experience of those companies - good luck (and a bum)

noooo. BUMP blimmin keyboard

Bump (or bum) again

Are you looking at an in frame kitchen? I have also been looking for one but sadly my plans on hold at the mo as I have a perfectly fine Ikea kitchen and we need to spend the money elsewhere. Also although I love the look of the in frame I am a bit worried about the practicality, i.e the smaller opening, small drawers and lack of pull outs etc.
Anyway I was looking at kitchens direct of Christchurch. Other Mners have recommended and the kitchens look very good in the gallery section of website. I think the prices are a lot less than HJ too. Others worth a look at Neptune kitchens, lovely but not much choice regarding the size of cabinets.

Hi thanks for your message.

Yes we are looking for an in frame kitchen but with flat rather than the panelled doors - like Harvey jones linear range. I'm pretty sure handmade kitchens direct won't do that buy unpainted kitchens will copy anything.
Certainly at HJ there are loads of inserts etc but they are not as cheap as ikea.
Unpainted kitchens was recommended by a mumsnetter so hopefully want someone will come along with experience of them.

HJ in the sale wasn't tooooo bad- about 12,000 incl vat but not appliances and worktops for a reasonable size kitchen.

Last hopeful bump!

Ok. So one more bump. Desperate to know if anyone has used this company

I have an unpainted kitchens kitchen
It is fine
The doors are mdf, the frames are pine and we had the laminiate insides. The whole lot was less than 3k when HJ quoted 12k (this was 8 years ago) for the cabinets.

personally I like them because even though mdf can get a bit chipped if you pull your pans out and whack it, you can fill and repaint. We have had them repainted twice over the years and they looked like new both times.

Downsides - you have to measure yourself (I didn't mind that).
Upsides - you can have whatever you want size wise etc

If you want a bespoke kitchen of the quality solid wood variety and painted, I recommend Higham Furniture.

I have one of their kitchens (handle less shaker). It's utterly utterly beautiful and practical in every way.

It cost circa 25% less than HJ qoute for same amount of units but v bland look in comparison.

It was also cheaper than Neptune.

It has lacquered birch interior. Solid maple drawers and cabinet drawers which pull out.

It's absolutely the envy of all our friends. Inc those who have HJ kitchens and even one friend with a Fired Earth Kitchen.

Higham were so lovely to work with. I got everything I wanted. Essentially if you can dream it up, they can build it.

They will help you work to your budget and tell you where you can make savings if you need it.

It's rare that I comment on products here on MN but these folk made me seriously happy. Kitchen has been in over a year now. No problems at all.

Argh. Zombie thread. For once put myself out there and it's a duff one.

Ooo this wasn't original thread!
We went with HJ in the end (40% off quoted price in the sale) and it is gorgeous! The kitchen is now 2 years old and still looks fabulous. HJ have been great to work with.

Typo-was my original