DIY Kitchens - Norton vs Linwood shaker style, does anyone have one of these?

[clairedunphy]

I've just received samples of both of these styles and didn't realise how different they would be.

I like the simplicity of the Norton but it's quite chunky and I think the deep centre will be a dust trap. The Linwood has a shallower centre piece but has more grooves in it, which could be just as bad.

The paint finish also looks quite different on each one, there's a lot more of the wood grain visible on the Linwood, whereas the Norton seems to have a thicker, more even coat. I'm not sure if this is just because they're samples though, or if that's how they will actually be finished.

Does anyone have either of these kitchens, ideally in the paler grey colour (haven't got time to order bespoke painted)? And are you pleased with the finish etc?

These were exactly the 2 we were choising between earlier in the year.

I was sure I would choose the Norton but after seeing the samples we actually went for the Linwood. I liked the wood grain more and having the grooves / shallower frame just made it all seem more balanced.

I would also say the sample doors really don't do it justice. I was so impressed when the actual kitchen arrived, it's beautiful.

It's being fitted right now so I don't really have good pics yet but here's one to give you a idea. We have gone for the dove/light grey too.

I also worried that the samples looked quite shiny to me, I posted about it on here actually as was worried it might not quite be the look I was after. Not an issue at all on the final kitchen. I'm really so impressed with the quality of it.

Thank you, that's so helpful. It looks great in your picture, and I love your blackboard piece, very creative!

Is that Linwood dove grey then? It seems that the Norton comes in light grey and the Linwood in dove grey, but that you can't get both colours in both styles? The Linwood dove grey looks like it might have a slightly green undertone in some lights, have you found that at all?

Also thanks re the shiny look reassurance, that was something else that I was worried about!

We have the Norton light grey. Sorry, I can’t take a picture at the moment but will when I’m home this evening. We love it. It’s not shiny. Mind you sdaisy’s Linwood looks lovely too. I don’t think you can go wrong with DIY kitchens. The quality for the price is outstanding. New kitchen claire - so exciting isn’t it?

@clairedunphy

Thanks, that's the pantry door. My carpenter was cursing me as it was a right pain to cut down but I was insistent on the one panel shaker so I could have the blackboard!

Yes it's the dove grey. Given the carcasses are called light grey & they match the doors im not actually sure how much difference there is between dove & light? You could always ring & speak to them, I found them very helpful.

There is certainly quite a lot of depth to the colour, but I haven't noticed it's particularly green. It's in a very light bright room so may look different in a darker space. If anything I'd say a slight bluish / maybe you could say duck egg undertone. But definitely grey.

Thanks all, so useful. And yes Singing, very exciting but I'm the world's best procrastinator and terrified of making a wrong decision so it's proving challenging!

sdaisy I didn't realise the carcass colour is light grey, perhaps I'm looking for differences where there aren't any. The paint on the sample is definitely a lot thicker on the Norton so that doesn't help with my comparison.

All very reassuring though, thanks all. If you could just pick my wall colour, pendant lights and splash back for me please then I can start to relax

I used to think shaker doors were all the same but I was very wrong lol! Diy have a page on the shaker door differences here. The differences are subtle, well to me they are but that is probable because I prefer modern white doors, but hey, that’s just me. Have fun deciding anyway, the planning bit is great! Creat lots of mood boards too and get as many samples as possible (tiles, unit, door, flooring etc)

Yes me too Ramona, I think I'd be better off if they were all the same!

Mood boards, yes good idea. I'm not really a visualiser and end up browsing images for hours without really coming to any conclusions. Oh to be able to afford an interior designer!

Go to the actual showroom and look. The set ups are great and they have free drinks andcakes....

By the way, I meant to say in my previous post, I don’t remember the bespoke option taking longer. In addition to the Norton light grey we have some units in a contrasting bespoke colour. I don’t think it took longer -just cost a little more!

I would have loved to Karigan but we're really pushed for time and quite far away.

I've looked at their online showroom tour and gone through loads of their customer kitchen pics. Plus read a million mumsnet threads about them, which is why I knew you would be the perfect people to ask!

And thanks singing but I think I need to stop giving myself more options.

Babooshka is currently playing on radio 2! I don't even try to sing it!

clairedunphy you sound in the same boat as me. I sound just the same, hard to visualise, know the general end product 'feel', spend hours researching but still can't quite make the final choice!
We have literally just left the showroom though! Bit of a trek, but It was worth it. I didn't see the Linwood and annoyingly the Norton only had a little stand. Once they've sent the quote over it'll decide if we have Norton or stanbury. The website tour is not quite up to date with what they have on show I think, but they were all lovely.

I'm jealous of your showroom visit bobkate! Glad to hear that you're pleased with what you've seen though, very reassuring!

Good luck with all the decisions, it's exhausting when it's not your forte. I've just spent lunch time looking through magazines for inspiration. Am I any closer though...? Not so much!

Just returning with an update - I've checked with DIY Kitchens and you can have either style in either colour, although it's not that clear on the website. So we're going for Linwood in light grey.

Thanks for everyone's input, that's one decision sorted at least!