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?

Norton

Why @CCSS15 ?

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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?

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.

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.

This is mine, Norton in Sage.

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

Thanks all for your input - much appreciated!

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

I found a picture of my old kitchen

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

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

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.

@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 🙇🏻‍♀️

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

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