Hill Farm Furniture is a family business that has been making beautiful, bespoke kitchens, pantries, boot rooms, libraries and studies from its Nottinghamshire workshops for 30 years. Still run by the Ashwin family - now headed up by brother-and-sister duo Chris and Jo Ashwin - and based at the family farm near Newark, Hill Farm cabinetry is known for its exquisite craftsmanship, impeccable detail and personal service that is second to none.
We caught up with Jo Ashwin, Hill Farm's Creative Director and Project Coordinator, to discover the roots of their craftsmanship, their guiding principles and what expert advice they would give to anyone undertaking their own bespoke kitchen projects .
What is your guiding principle when it comes to kitchen design?
It's so hard to pick just one! The way we approach kitchen design at Hill Farm is a little different as I would say there are two layers to the design that are looked at by two different people. Chris, who designs the kitchen to make sure it works, and works well. So from his standpoint, his guiding principles are practicality, symmetry and balance. I then look at the aesthetics of the design and aim to produce a kitchen that will be personal to the customer but stand the test of time. So for me, I would say my guiding principle is to adhere to a classic, timeless look using quality, durable products.
What part of the kitchen design process do you enjoy the most?
Seeing the customer so excited! It's always been my favourite part. Especially when we get to sign off all the final details and there's a moment of realisation that all decisions have been made and it's finally going to happen, that we are about to produce their dream kitchen! I'm lucky that I get to take customers through the whole design process, from the moment they walk into the showroom for the first time, to the day I visit for a cup of tea and admire the finished product. It's such a rewarding process to be part of.
We know you love to feature Jim Lawrence in your projects, but when it comes to sourcing materials and accessories, where do you begin?
For me, I very much have a "stick to who you know and what works" attitude. We have a handful of quality and trusted suppliers that mirror the Hill Farm ethos, and we know that whichever product we might choose from those companies, it's not only going to look right aesthetically, but also align with our values, those being; using the highest of quality materials, hand-crafted and British made, and having such care in producing a wonderful product.
How important is lighting in a kitchen design?
Lighting within a kitchen design is incredibly important, and something that can change a space from nice, to WOW with a few simple elements. For me, it's not just about adding physical light into a space, it's about using it to add depth and texture to the product itself too.
What do readers need to think about when it comes to kitchen lighting?
I would suggest looking at different areas or zones if you like, of lighting. This way it becomes less overwhelming and it gives you the flexibility to isolate different zones once you are living in the space. For example, zone 1 could be your spot lights, or "big lights" as many like to refer to them! Zone 2 could be pendants over an island or dining table, zone 3 potentially some wall lighting, and zone 4 any in or under cabinet lighting.
