A Complete Shaker Kitchen Transformation in Seascale, Cumbria
This Mastercraft kitchen in Seascale began with a clear brief - replace an ageing timber kitchen with a brighter white Shaker design, while completely rethinking how the room worked. The client particularly wanted a large central L-shaped island with built-in bench seating, creating a comfortable dining area within the kitchen itself. There was also a substantial appliance specification to accommodate, including an American-style fridge freezer, a new 1200mm range cooker with air-fry function, built-in microwave, dishwasher and a pop-up socket built into the worktop. Most importantly, the client wanted Mastercraft to handle the entire project - design, manufacture, building work, installation, electrics, lighting, flooring, underfloor heating, decorating, furniture and even the upholstery for the new bench seating.Before and After. The Mastercraft Difference.
1. The Original Space
Before – A Kitchen Ready for a Complete Rethink
An Outdated Layout
The original kitchen had solid timber cabinetry, tiled flooring and a fairly traditional layout that no longer made the best use of the room.
Although the space itself was generous, much of the centre was occupied by a conventional dining table and the kitchen felt visually separate from the adjoining lounge.
Making Better Use of the Space
The client wanted the new kitchen to feel lighter, more open and much more social.
A central L-shaped island with built-in seating became the starting point for the new Mastercraft design, allowing the kitchen, dining and living areas to work together more naturally.
Designing Around the Appliance List
The new layout also had to accommodate several specific appliances, including a large American-style fridge freezer, 1200mm range cooker, built-in microwave and dishwasher.
Rather than simply finding spaces for them, each appliance was incorporated into the overall design so the finished kitchen still felt balanced and considered.
2. The Design Approach
Rebuilding the Room Around the New Design
Opening Up the Lounge
One of the biggest changes suggested by our designer was widening the existing single doorway between the kitchen and lounge.
The opening was enlarged to create a much broader connection between the two rooms, with glazed double doors introduced to allow light to pass through while still giving the option of separating the spaces.
A matching glazed door was also fitted towards the hall, helping the whole ground floor feel more connected.
Preparing the Room
Once the original kitchen had been removed, the room was prepared for the new Mastercraft cabinetry.
Building work, plastering, electrical alterations and preparation were all coordinated around the kitchen design before installation began.
Creating the L-Shaped Island
The new island was designed as the centrepiece of the room.
Its L-shaped form provides generous additional worktop space while the built-in bench seating creates a comfortable dining area without the need for a separate freestanding table taking over the room.
The curved cabinet ends also soften the shape of the island and give it a more individual, furniture-like appearance.
Underfloor Heating and New Flooring
The flooring formed an important part of the transformation.
Electric underfloor heating was installed before the new pale herringbone floor was laid, replacing the original terracotta-style tiles and immediately making the room feel lighter.
The new floor continues through the adjoining living space, helping the rooms feel visually connected.
Lighting Designed as Part of the Kitchen
The lighting scheme was planned alongside the kitchen rather than added afterwards.
Recessed ceiling lighting provides general illumination, while warm LED lighting beneath the cabinetry and around the plinths adds softer task and evening lighting.
A worktop pop-up socket was also incorporated into the island, providing useful power without interrupting the clean worktop surface.
3. The Finished Kitchen
Mastercraft Kitchen Installations
Your kitchen, fully designed, built and installed by one team.
No chasing after trades after they’ve let you down. No gaps between stages. Just a complete, project managed transformation from start to finish.
What's included, everything managed for you
Design & Planning
Build & Installation
Finishing & Completion
Fitted by People Who Take Pride in the Job
Our kitchens are installed by experienced fitters who know our products inside out. They are part of the Mastercraft team, not outside contractors, so every job is carried out with care, attention and proper workmanship. From accurate fitting to clean finishes, our fitters treat your home with respect and make sure everything is done right, down to the last detail.
Fitted by People Who Take Pride in the Job
Our kitchens are installed by experienced fitters who know our products inside out. They are part of the Mastercraft team, not outside contractors, so every job is carried out with care, attention and proper workmanship. From accurate fitting to clean finishes, our fitters treat your home with respect and make sure everything is done right, down to the last detail.
We Can Manage All Your Other Jobs Too!
Looking for a full kitchen makeover? You’re in the right place. With Mastercraft, we can also re-plaster, lay down new floors, sort out the tiling, and even handle bigger jobs like taking down walls or making structural changes. Mastercraft can project manage all your kitchen transformation needs.
Structural Work and Wall Knock-Throughs
Doors and Windows Fitted and Moved
Plastering, Rendering and Damp Proofing
Radiators Fitted and Repositioned
Flooring & Tiling
Finance Offers
Built In-House. Made Without Compromise.
Every Mastercraft kitchen is made in our own UK workshops by skilled cabinet makers. From joinery to finishing, each cabinet is built specifically for your project, with careful control over materials, tolerances and detail.
Nothing is off the shelf. Nothing is rushed. What we design is what we build, ensuring your kitchen is made properly, to suit your home and to last.
Built In-House. Made Without Compromise.
Every Mastercraft kitchen is made in our own UK workshops by skilled cabinet makers. From joinery to finishing, each cabinet is built specifically for your project, with careful control over materials, tolerances and detail.
Nothing is off the shelf. Nothing is rushed. What we design is what we build, ensuring your kitchen is made properly, to suit your home and to last.
Properly Designed Before It’s Built
Your kitchen is carefully designed and finalised before manufacturing begins. Layout, proportions, storage and finishes are all considered in detail, so decisions are made with clarity and confidence.
This ensures your kitchen is fully resolved as a design, not just planned, so what is built matches what has been agreed.
Get free expert advice from the people who will design and build your kitchen. Keely Mastercraft Designer and Project Manager Simon Mastercraft Designer and Project Manager Susan Mastercraft Designer and Project Manager Steven Builder, Designer and Project Manager John Mastercraft Designer and Project ManagerMeet a Mastercraft kitchen designer
You'll work directly with a Mastercraft designer to plan a kitchen around your home, your layout and how you live day to day. From the first sketches through to technical planning and installation, everything is handled by one experienced in-house team. Every kitchen is made-to-measure for your room, your architecture and the way you use the space. We measure and plan everything before production begins so your kitchen fits exactly as intended. See door finishes, worktops and colours in your own home before making final decisions.Start your Mastercraft design consultation
Designed around your home
Technical survey included
Materials and samples
Inside you'll find our brochures, design guides, material references and any current Mastercraft offers. A practical starting point if you're thinking about a kitchen but not ready to talk yet.
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