DIY-K: Helmsley, Stanbury, Norton or Linwood?

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

I can’t decide!
They all look lovely but are similar looking with slightly differing units available that it is making my head spin.
I would like shaker, painted wood so can be repainted in the future.

Can anyone help me to pick one of them?

[CCSS15]

Norton

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

Why @CCSS15 ?

[WhoHidTheCoffee]

Is the Stanbury painted wood or MDF? We have a Linwood and we like it. I chose it because I didn’t want in-frame (Helmsley was more expensive and I didn’t love the look enough to pay more for it). I originally really liked the Norton - and in some way prefer the look - but when we got the door samples, it worried me that it didn’t have v grooves and it didn’t look as robust - almost as if there was some strain at the joints.

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

You’re right @WhoHidTheCoffee, Stanbury is MDF.

What puts me off the in-frame is the reduced internal space, e.g. most of the inset accessories do not fit the in-frame kitchens, but I do like the look

[Waterdropsdown]

I’m pondering this exact same thing at the moment. It’s really annoying how not all the units are available in all the types particularly the tall units and dressers

[Waterdropsdown]

I just got my magnet quote back and it’s over £20k just for the units and that’s with an apparently massive discount and 3 less tall units than I want.
DIY for the same plus my 3 tall units is less than £8k for Stanbury because they didn’t have the tall units I liked in Helmsley.

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

@Waterdropsdown

I just got my magnet quote back and it’s over £20k just for the units and that’s with an apparently massive discount and 3 less tall units than I want.
DIY for the same plus my 3 tall units is less than £8k for Stanbury because they didn’t have the tall units I liked in Helmsley.

Wow that’s quite a big difference!

[Chasingsquirrels]

I went for Norton, because I preferred it without the lines and wanted wood not mdf.
Fitted 3.5 years ago.

[CCSS15]

We went for Norton in my old house and I'm about to again in my new utility room as I prefer the design without the lines and only wanted wood

I thought I had compromised when we went for the Norton as didn't want to pay for inframe - I have inframe now and I miss the Norton space so much - will replace as soon as able

[MayhemMostly]

My sister has Stanbury . It's very smooth. I like Harewood! Not decided yet either.

[ecology1989]

I am just fitting Helmsley and I love it! I didn’t think the difference in the cupboard size was noticeable if you went inframe or not? I know the opening is smaller but the inside is the same? For me, the lack of choice on the inframe units wasn’t a problem as I have a small kitchen so was limited on all the extras in terms of pantry, larder etc. I have also read DIY will make some bespoke items for the inframe kitchens if you contact them?

[skippy67]

We have Norton. I wanted wood, with a grain. Didn't want v grooves on the doors. The Helmsley is a bit too traditional looking and as it's inframe, has reduced capacity in the units.
We're really happy with our choice.

[Waterdropsdown]

I know it’s not my thread but thanks everyone for your input and experiences it’s really great to hear. I’m going to look into Norton as it seems popular and I don’t recall looking at whats available unit wise in that one.

[Chasingsquirrels]

This is mine, Norton in Sage.

[NonsenseBinary]

Completely unhelpful but when I first read your post OP I thought it was of those name suggestion threads!😂

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

Thanks all for your input - much appreciated!

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

@NonsenseBinary

Completely unhelpful but when I first read your post OP I thought it was of those name suggestion threads!😂

Brilliant! Although I can totally see why - out of curiosity, which name would you have gone with and why?!

[CCSS15]

I found a picture of my old kitchen

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

@ecology1989

I am just fitting Helmsley and I love it! I didn’t think the difference in the cupboard size was noticeable if you went inframe or not? I know the opening is smaller but the inside is the same? For me, the lack of choice on the inframe units wasn’t a problem as I have a small kitchen so was limited on all the extras in terms of pantry, larder etc. I have also read DIY will make some bespoke items for the inframe kitchens if you contact them?

The cupboards are the same size inside but the drawers are smaller

[MarieG10]

We have used DIY and bought the Stanbury after comparing like you. Excellent quality and 5 years in look like new still

[StatisticallyChallenged]

We've just ordered Norton. We're going for a dark colour and finger marks showed up really obviously on dark painted mdf in a way they didn't on wood.i didn't want in frame - modern house and it's just not the right look.

[WinterMusings]

@CCSS15 I love your previous kitchen!


NORTON. anyone who has had it for a while... the thing that puts me off is the depth of the frame on the door. Is it so noticeable after a while? Was/is it a complete cow to keep clean on the bottom ledge (of the doors)?

The showroom is a 3.5 hour drive (each way) from here, but I think I might have to go up again in the Easter Holidays. 🤦🏻‍♀️
I am really drawn to the 3 foil wrapped ones, I like the texture, but I'm still wary of foil wrapped 🙇🏻‍♀️

[Chasingsquirrels]

NORTON: I've had mine 3.5 years.
I love it and it is wearing well.
But I would never have a shaker style again, purely because the bottom ledge is a dust & dog hair magnet.
I'd not have listened if someone had told me that before though, I was dead set on it.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

@Chasingsquirrels

NORTON: I've had mine 3.5 years.
I love it and it is wearing well.
But I would never have a shaker style again, purely because the bottom ledge is a dust & dog hair magnet.
I'd not have listened if someone had told me that before though, I was dead set on it.

I'm doing it despite knowing the bottom ledge is a dust magnet. The bespoke painted slab option was mdf which showed every single finger mark so we're condemned to cleaning anyway

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

Thanks everyone for your input and I love the photos.

I don’t understand the dust magnet issue with the bottom ledge. Where/what is the bottom ledge? We don’t have one on our current shaker - below the cupboard door or bottom drawer is the kick board