The best of British: John Lewis of Hungerford
As part of the Sourced Locally series, Period Living talks to Charlotte Hill-Baldwin, sales director of John Lewis of Hungerford, who hand make painted kitchens in classic styles.
John Lewis made his first kitchen for his mother when he was just 12 years old. Learning carpentry from his father, he grew to appreciate the simple virtues of wood – a trait that defines John Lewis of Hungerford’s painted kitchens today. ‘We believe in keeping it simple,’ says sales director Charlotte Hill- Baldwin from its Hungerford workshop.
The company is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It began as a one-man operation that existed under the simple premise of ‘make a table, sell a table’, but quickly developed. By the 1990s John Lewis of Hungerford was at the cutting edge of fitted kitchens, with a smart London shop.
The Artisan kitchen, with its practical blum hinges and painted finish had an instant appeal, and teamed with the fresh-looking Shaker kitchen provided an adaptable range of simple products that could be used in any combination.
Today there are showrooms located across the country with classic kitchen ranges, all painted from John Lewis of Hungerford’s own colour palette. The kitchens are made at the workshop in Hungerford using traditional carpentry, with the wood, taps and appliances sourced from manufacturers around the UK. ‘We make all our handles at a foundry in Birmingham, and have a long relationship with Aga,’ says Charlotte.
The company is based at Park Street, Hungerford, West Berkshire and at 156-158 Wandsworth Bridge Road, London. Call 01488 688100 or see john-lewis.co.uk for details of showrooms and stockists.
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FEATURE KATIE GIBBONS
Featured in the March 2012 issue of Period Living
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