STORI Announces Top 10 Real Kitchen Projects of 2022

After weeks of deliberations between our judging panel we are absolutely delighted to announce STORI’s Top 10 Real Kitchen projects of 2022. Carefully scored on their design, innovative ideas, and use of materials, I’m sure you’ll agree that each one is worthy of the “winner” title out of the hundreds of entries we received.

Five nominated team members from our parent company, Uform Group made up this year’s judging panel, bringing five different perspectives to the scoring with their varying areas of expertise and industry experience. Commenting on the experience, Oliver Phelan, National Sales Manager said, “This was a challenging process due to the standard and number of entries we received, the 10 winners earnt their titles by creating aspirational living spaces through inventive use of our product and spectacular design.” 

In no particular order the winners of 2022 are…

Make Kitchens, Belfast

A previous Top 10 Real Kitchen Winner, Make Kitchens have outdone themselves with this opulent Winslow creation. Designed for an exclusive development on the Ards Peninsula, the monochromatic colour scheme adds drama and a modern twist to Winslow’s classic shaker style.

Winslow draws inspiration from our Belgravia range, the illusion of true inframe is provided by a subtle line detailing the perimeter of the plant on door. The range combines traditional craftmanship with the practicality of modern design, finished with an internal bead profile. The real ash grain doors are painted in Light Grey, a cool and delicate shade and Graphite, a classic charcoal, both offered as part of our standard paint palette. Top boxes utilise the high ceilings whilst profiled cornicing and a mantle shelf with corbels above the Stoves range add further opulence. Luxurious finishing touches continue with knurled handles and knobs, bullnose worktops, a wine cooler, and a hot water tap.

Duo Kitchens & Bathrooms, Derby

Duo Kitchens & Bathrooms based in Derby have transformed this palatial open-plan space for the Stevens family. A classic style in a modern colour combination, Wakefield adds grandeur with its traditional design elements.

Wakefield has an internal bead profile and a real ash grain which compliments the home’s original red brick wall and wooden beams on show. The design is balanced with a contemporary colour palette of Slate Blue and Light Grey, which pair together to create a warm and inviting space.

Brimming with design elements this kitchen-living area features a walk-in pantry, a statement island with deep pan drawers and moulded skirting plinth as well as a home bar, which is the perfect place to prepare drinks for any special occasion. The bar dresser includes glazed frames, to showcase any glassware or accessories, an open display with room to prepare cocktails, a wine rack, a wine cooler and ample storage for liquors and mixers. Opulent finishing touches include a rounded mantle shelf above the range, a traditional moulded cornice across the top of the cabinetry and a Belfast sink.

Mill Town Kitchens, Ashton-under-Lyne

Next, we’re in Glossop, where this stunning open-plan kitchen has been designed and fitted by Mill Town Kitchens, the perfect finishing touch for the Thomasson’s newly added extension.

The client opted for Aldana, one of our most popular ranges in 2022. Versatile in nature, its narrow shaker frame combined with its luxurious real ash grain lends itself to both modern and contemporary settings. Painted in Lava, a STORI exclusive shade, the moody dark beige is balanced beautifully with white walls and a subtly veined worktop. The dramatic hue’s warm undertones are complimented by white oak accessories, wooden herringbone flooring and antique brass cup handles and knobs, adding further richness to the design.

A space built for entertaining, the multipurpose island is the focal point. The pendant lit hub offers ample storage, additional seating, a hob (allowing for socialising whilst cooking), and most importantly a wine cooler. The wall of tall cabinetry featuring triple panel doors on the right and countertop cabinets on the left offer generous storage and the perfect place to hide any unwanted mess before guests arrive.

Elite Kitchens, Swinton

In Worsley, Mr & Mrs Clayson have had their kitchen dining area upgraded by the team at Elite Kitchens. Modern, yet timeless, the Belgravia range combines the best of both worlds with a luxurious true inframe design and an on-trend colour palette of Slate Blue and Stone.

Belgravia’s ornately detailed inframe design pays homage to the traditional features in the space including the exposed wooden beams and the bay window. Luxurious elements are dotted throughout the design that elevate the space including the traditional moulded skirting plinth, which wraps around the wooden-topped barrel unit with solid oak pull-out trays at the end of the island. A brightly lit dresser for glassware, moulded cornice, a mantle shelf above the range, a Belfast sink and brass knobs pair beautifully with oak open shelving to complete this lavish yet homely space.

Clonmel Kitchen & Bedroom Centre, Tipperary

Stylish yet practical, this Real Kitchen project completed by Clonmel Kitchen & Bedroom Centre, maximizes storage whilst making the transition from indoors to outdoors seamless.

Clifden is the perfect choice for this symmetrical design, with its narrow modern shaker frame and smooth matte finish. A concealed extractor fan, undermounted sink and centred island perfectly complement the linear lines of both the design of the door range and this newly finished extension.

The cabinetry’s rich hue takes inspiration from the immediate outdoors, painted in Heritage Green, an Express colour in the Clifden range. This strong shade is impeccably balanced with a lighter colour palette, white oak accessories and brass hardware to add warmth to the space.

More than just a pretty space, this kitchen offers a place for everything, featuring full-height cabinetry with triple panel doors, pan drawers, top boxes and a hidden tea and coffee station with oak internals, an organisers dream!

Kitchen Ergonomics, Herts

Mr & Mrs Alfassa from Berkhamsted now have their dream kitchen thanks to the team at Kitchen Ergonomics. A stunning open plan living area, designed to make a bold statement.

At the centre of the ultra-modern design is Zola Matte and Tavola, two simplistic slab doors with seamless lines in a rich and dramatic colour palette. Zola Matte’s smooth painted finish in Indigo, an intensely pigmented blue paired with Tavola’s horizontal woodgrain stained in Truffle Grey creates a luxurious look and enveloping feel, creating interest with the contrast of textures.

Clean lines feature throughout this design from the suspended ceiling with integrated extractor fan, to the handleless rail system in aluminium. The seamless layout is highlighted with an attentive lighting scheme that adds warmth while making everyday kitchen tasks that little bit easier. Flexible LED strip lighting is used above and below the wall cabinetry, around the angular island and ceiling adding ambience and practical focused lighting.

Aloco Fitted Furniture, Dublin

Aloco Fitted Furniture utilised every inch of this new extension to create a stunning social hub for Mrs O’Berine and her family in Goatstown. This kitchen is the perfect example of how traditional design elements can work in harmony with ultra-modern design pieces to create a showstopping space.

Using the Belgravia range for the foundation of the project, grandeur radiates throughout the design with the ranges’ ornately detailed inframe design and real ash grain finish. Opting for Graphite as the colour of choice modernises the classic range whilst adding depth to the palatial open plan kitchen living space. Traditional moulded cornice and skirting plinth top and tale the design to finish the cabinetry beautifully along with brushed brass hardware and beautifully marbled worktop and backsplash.

A wall of windows to one side and crittall doors to the other illuminates the space, further complimented with subtle ceiling spotlights and an abstract lighting feature over the kitchen island.

Broomside Design, Newton Aycliffe

Painted in one of 2022’s most popular colour combinations Light Grey and Slate Blue, this open-plan kitchen living space created in Durham by Broomside ticks all the boxes for avid hosts.

Wakefield’s classic design lends itself to luxurious spaces, with a beaded internal profile and real ash grain. Features that elevate this kitchen include the framed end panels on the island, plain glazed countertop cabinets, a mantle shelf above the range, the fluted glass pendant lighting suspended over the island and brass hardware.

Lavish design elements feature throughout the rest of the space including a hidden pantry with oak internals, framed nooks either side of the hob for easy access seasonings and our favourite, the hidden bar with bifold doors, glass backsplash, built in wine rack and a wine cooler. If you get a party invite from Mr & Mrs Nicholson, it’s an easy yes.

The Appliance Gallery, West Midlands

Simple but effective, this kitchen dining masterpiece has been expertly designed and fitted in Hagley by The Appliance Gallery.

Mr & Mrs Ellis Johnson opted for Rezana, a slab door with a rich real wood grain veneer, stained in Carbon. The cross-scratched timber finish adds depth and texture to the space while the stain adds sophistication to this modern creation. It contrasts with the subtly marbled Dekton, used throughout the room, including the pocket bar, worktops and to encase the main cooking area. Black hardware and accessories keep in line with the contemporary style letting the cabinetry take centre stage. The handleless design features ample storage and seating with a multipurpose island and a bench seating nook.

The kitchen is illuminated with an impeccable lighting scheme that softens the modern design with the perfect combination of mood and task lighting, including trip LED lighting above the hob and around the island with feature pendant lighting above it.

Cavanagh Kitchens & Bedrooms, Limerick

Previously a Convent Chapel, the Wakefield range perfectly adorns the crescent shape space where the alter once was in this newly renovated holiday home in Kilkee.

Working to the room’s curvature, Cavanagh Kitchens & Bedrooms has created a practical kitchen in a unique space. The traditional features of Wakefield compliment the history of the newly established residence, with a real ash grain and beaded internal profile. Painted in Marine, an exclusive STORI shade, the coastal surroundings are brought inside and paired with brass D handles for some further richness. The deep and dramatic blue is further complimented with light Corian worktops expertly cut and fitted to the arch, while curved doors finish the run of floor cabinetry beautifully.

Commenting on the 2022’s competition, STORI Brand Manager Shaunagh Devlin says,

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the standard of entries we’ve received this year from our approved retailers, their hard work and dedication to their craft was evident from the stunning projects submitted. I know for the judging panel it was particularly difficult to select the Top 10 winners due to the calibre of projects we received, and it served as a reminder of how lucky we are to work with such talented teams across the UK and Ireland. Congratulations to this year’s winners and a big thank you to this year’s entrants, you should be incredibly proud of yourselves, I can’t wait to see what you all accomplish next year.”