Neptune, 1909 or Harvey Jones kitchens

2 years ago

Hi, we'd really like an in frame solid timber kitchen and like the shaker style but with beading details. Kitchens we've seen so far that we like are Neptune's Chichester range, the 1909 Georgian range and the Harvey Jones original range. Does anyone have any experience of these kitchens and any recommendations for which is better or any to avoid please? If you know of any similar kitchens we'd love to hear about them too. We're in Yorkshire so need a stockist in this area. Many Thanks.

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Lifestyle Kitchens

2 years ago

@margretg2 This is true that the majority of shaker kitchen doors have a solid timber frame, if its painted than its usually an ash frame, but the centre panel is an oak or ash veneer. This is because the panel is thinner and if it was a solid timber it could be prone to movement so being a veneered mdf or chipboard means a more stable door.

Neptune use a hardwood ply for their centre panels (according to their brochure-also in their brochure they say that they've moved some of their production to a purpose built facility in China)

Other factors to look for in a quality shaker frame is along the tenon joints, a cheaper door has a V groove along the joint as this masks any assembly defects and any hairline cracks due to movement that may appear over time. A smooth tenon joint is completely flat/smooth and can be reinforced with dowels to help prevent any later movement.

Also consider with timber is how the log is cut. There's 3 main ways timber is cut for furniture. The cheapest timber cut is plainsawn and has the cathedral arch characteristics and is just slices along the length of the log, this is more prone to movement/splitting (but is used with walnut to display the natural woodgrain). Quarter sawn (traditional and modern cut) is a more expensive way to cut logs but is ideal for oak giving a straight grain and is used for quality furniture especially if its to be lacquered. Finally there's rift sawn which is the most expensive cut and characterized for its clean sleek lines.

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Comments (15)

Daisy England
2 years ago
That’s something a joiner would make bespoke for you. Do you have any in your area? I bet they will be cheaper than the companies you mention and you will be able to have purpose made sizes.
PRO
Pennine Kitchen Designs
2 years ago
We're in Yorkshire too! Feel free to give us a call for a chat on 01535 282021 :)
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We’ve had our Davonport kitchen for just over a year now and I’d highly recommend using them. The fact that it’s handmade and carries a 25 year guarantee is what sold it to me! Have you been shown around the factory? If not - ask! I loved the showroom but the factory blew me away - that showed me how they can guarantee for 25 years. The passion Richard and his team have for design is infectious, they created not only a beautiful looking kitchen but a solution that truly works for all of my family.
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I also recommend finding a local joiner. However - there are also a couple of options that might fit the bill. Harvey Jones do a range called Linear. (Probably v expensive too - but you never know!). https://www.harveyjones.com/our-kitchens/linear-kitchens Naked Kitchen do the in-frame slab. https://www.nakedkitchens.com/kitchens/in-frame. Naked Kitchens also do replacement doors to overhaul existing units that I was tempted by a few years ago - until I found a local joiner 😂. This one is in Stamford - but they do a supply only option that might be a possibility (looks to be a good price too) https://www.thestamfordkitchencompany.co.uk/ranges/smooth-oak-in-frame-slab/ No idea on price with this one - but looks lovely https://www.elgarkitchens.co.uk/2019/10/01/1909-slab/. The make of kitchen “1909” seems to be fairly widely available too.
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Their fitting and pairting ARE expensive.... I definitely wouldn’t argue that. I have no idea about handles really, but surely you can argue that you fit them yourself after everything else is completed: so they don’t “handle” them.... Appliance is tricky: they can’t “check and optimise fit” without handling them I think? Presumably if they are painting the cabinets too, they have to lift in and out again? You can have HJ supply only and use your own fitters: that would definitely be cheaper. I don’t think that they dove the same guarantee though. But have heard of people fitting them themselves before. I think that HJ tend to market themselves as the full package (well only dry fit). So far have been very impressed by the service (checking measurements etc). They do carefully check during and after installation etc. I would expect fitting to be spot on. But that is coming at a cost.
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Is it Wren by any chance that you will be using? I’m aware that they do not take into account extra contractors within their price. If it is Wren please be cautious. They have a Facebook page called Wren Kitchen Disasters. There are lots of people claiming their money back through Barclays under S75 as some people are on their 3rd kitchen and it is still not fit for purpose. The 0% finance seems to pull in customers. Barclays are up to their eyes in refunds. Just proceed with caution. Perhapls an independent local kitchen company could quote you a price. They are no more expensive than Wren in fact many times cheaper.
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PRO
Lifestyle Kitchens
2 years ago
I use Marpatt for my in frame kitchen doors, they're based in Leicester and have a large showroom for customer visits. They're trade only so visits are by appointment and you can't buy direct. They can also design their doors to your specification and their in house paint shop can match to any colour. I've supplied kitchens in yorkshire before so travelling isn't a problem, if you'd like to know more just msg me.
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PRO
OnePlan
2 years ago
Have you looked at Classic kitchens direct too ? They are a friendly bunch - give them a call .

https://www.classic-kitchens-direct.com/
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margretg2
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Sorry, I'm a bit late to this but I'm in the process of having a Neptune Henley kitchen. I considered others but what sold me on Neptune was the fact that the kitchens do not contain any mdf. Other companies will tell you their kitchens are solid wood, but on closer questioning it transpires that the central panel of each door is mdf. I think Harvey Jones falls into this category.
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Kate Thomson
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you! That's so helpful to know and not late at all, we're still nowhere nearer to making a decision! We really love the look of the Neptune kitchens and if I remember correctly they offer a lifetime guarantee which the others we've seen don't. What put me off slightly though was how chipped a lot of the display kitchens were in the showroom we went to. It made me wonder if a hand painted kitchen would possibly need re-painting regularly.
margretg2
2 years ago
I suppose the beauty of wood is that it can easily retouched with one of those little Neptune tester pots - and they come in eggshell, too, so will match precisely. Once mdf is damaged, it will never look the same. I know what you mean about taking a time to make a decision. One problem I've found is that most companies, inc. Harvey Jones and Neptune do 'dry-fit' only which leaves the customer having to arrange for plumbing and electrics. We're even worse because we also need a new porcelain floor, and the logistics is giving me sleepless nights. Hope it all works out for you.
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Kate Thomson
Original Author
2 years ago
That's a really good and reassuring point about being able to touch up with a tester pot. I agree that having to find decent professionals who are also available at the right time will be very challenging. Most of the places we've spoken to have lists of recommended people so that might at least take out some of the risk. I bet a porcelain floor will look amazing! Good luck with it and please do share photos on here once it's finished. I'd love to see it!
Kate Thomson
Original Author
2 years ago
Wow there really is a lot to it! Thank you for taking the time to explain all that, I'll definitely check those things out before making a decision.
margretg2
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Worth knowing that Neptune doesn't use veneered chipboard or mdf. Re China, I was originally put off by this but the latest I've heard from Neptune is that production is now moving over here because the advantage of cheaper labour in China no longer applies. Increased freight charges, too, means it’s no longer viable. Also, worth knowing is that bespoke items have typically been made over here in their own workshop.
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margretg2
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Re Neptune, our kitchen is too far along now to back out, and I’m sure it will look great (well, I’m hoping it will) when it’s finished. However, much as I love Neptune’s style, I really couldn’t recommend the company for anyone looking for a hassle-free experience. Maybe Neptune branches differ, but in Bath it’s been a journey of timing promises made and promises broken, which has made it rather difficult to co-ordinate all the trades that customers have to arrange for themselves, like flooring, plumbing, electrics and of course removal of old kitchen, none of which Neptune covers. I’m going to write a separate post about this but if I have one piece of advice it would be to try to use a designer who works full-time. Ours was really lovely but only part-time. If you’re frustrated by out-of-office replies, choose carefully because once they have your deposit, you’re on the hook.
Nathan B
2 years ago
Not sure if it’d have come up on your radar but DIY kitchens is based on Yorkshire and they do inframe kitchens too - we’ve just fitted one!

We added some extra details the bespoke kitchen companies do (like skirting boards instead of plinths).

Not as “good” as an all out bespoke kitchen but a good slightly more budget concious option!
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PRO
OnePlan
2 years ago
I’ve recently ( Thursday ) had a small delivery from Neptune in Bath and it was perfect to be fair - but there wasn’t much they could have got wrong to be honest !

I do a lot of designs for people buying from various places - I mention one inframe company up thread - but Nathan B also pointed out DIY kitchens - I do lots of designs with people who want to buy from there -so don’t be put off by their lack of free planning - there’s freelancers like me about to work with you on your project !
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PRO
OnePlan
2 years ago
Adding link to Nathan B ‘s post about his kitchen !! Shows the design and the finished results !

https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/6255005/thank-you-here-s-some-before-after-photos-of-the-finished-kitchen

Neptune, 1909 or Harvey Jones kitchens

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