Is the classic shaker kitchen still the nation’s favourite, or are customers beginning to look beyond this enduring design? Long admired for its simplicity, versatility and timeless appeal, the shaker door has dominated British kitchens for decades – but bolder design choices and growing interest in contemporary finishes are starting to reshape the market. Head of Life Trade, Paul Berryman, discusses this classic style and explores how today’s preferences are changing and wha

With Havwoods For many years, contemporary interiors were dominated by smooth surfaces and minimalist finishes. Today, designers are moving towards a more tactile aesthetic to introduce character and depth to spaces. From fluted wall panels and slatted partitions to brushed timber flooring and sculptural veneers, texture is rapidly becoming one of the defining elements of modern interior design. This shift reflects a growing desire for spaces that feel warmer, layered and mor

Leading wood surface specialist Havwoods is delighted to unveil its latest WoodBook, released as the brand proudly celebrates 50 years of design-led excellence. The second book in Havwoods’ 50th anniversary series reflects five decades of craftsmanship, innovation and material expertise, presenting a curated guide to the latest product developments, fresh design possibilities and expanded material options for interior and architectural projects. The WoodBook is packed with b

Award-winning architectural ironmongery specialist John Planck is set to open its first product showcase at London’s prestigious Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Located within the Design Centre’s brand-new, fifth floor Design Emporium Collective, the showcase will officially open on 9 th March, giving architects, contractors, specifiers and interior designers direct access to the business, its partner brands and its superior technical expertise. Modern and contemporary in it

MDF is a staple component in most homes; the panel product has been around since 1966 when West Fraser’s CaberMDF was introduced to the building market. It can be sawn, drilled, shaped, and routed cleanly with minimum fuss, using hand or machine tools and looks good as the sm ooth surface of the panels is ideal for painting , veneers, or paper foils. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash CaberMDF plays hide and seek around the home; it can be an architectural feature, fa s cia

With the arrival of warmer weather and outdoor living on the horizon, homeowners are looking to introduce thoughtful design choices to their gardens that appeal to both performance and aesthetic. From lush greens to soothing neutrals and tiles used beyond the floor, María D Arráez, Director of Tile of Spain UK, reveals her top five outdoor tile trends for 2026. Classic Green “Green isn’t slowing down in 2026, and this includes the outside of the home as well as the interior

A domestic property in Alton, Staffordshire sits in an elevated position with driveway and compact stone garage beneath the level of the house. The laundry room is housed in the garage which presented a common but problematic drainage issue: no direct access to the drainage system. Waste water needed to be pumped upwards to the existing soil stack. After a flood caused by an incorrectly specified macerator pump, homeowner Ed Shenton sought a purpose-built solution and turned

After living with a dark, compact kitchen, the owners of this home near Bicester found themselves longing for more space for their family of four. The couple have two young sons and wanted to extend their property to create a light-filled, open-plan space with a central island that would become the hub of family life. “We wanted a large island in the new kitchen with enough room for all of us to sit at,” explain the homeowners. While durability and functionality were key, sty

CRL Stone has introduced four stunning new finishes into its beautiful range of quartz worktops for kitchens and bathrooms. The new additions - Barletta, Modena, Statuario Oro and Taj Mahal - enhance CRL Stone's extensive and diverse range of beautiful. CRL Stone has a wide range of options to choose from that come in a range of colours, finishes & thicknesses. Top left, Barletta: Top right, Modena: Bottom Left, Statuario Oro: Bottom left, Taj Mahal Barletta Infinitely elega