Bespoke, experienced and excellent are just some of the words that come to mind when you think about the team at JL Custom Joinery. Established in 2024, JL Custom Joinery excels in high quality and elegant made to measure cabinetry, crafted around the foundations of style and functionality. Reflecting upon his legacy, the company has provided Dixon with the opportunity to follow his passion for design, creating inspiring spaces that exude modern luxury, completed with delicate, fine details that are pure brilliance.

Illustrating the company as a prominent voice within a crowded market, Dixon describes that it is the team’s professionalism, adaptability and personalised service that has helped them stand out within the industry. Priding itself upon a seamless process from start to finish, JL Custom Joinery centres its designs, trades and schedule around you, putting your needs and vision at the forefront of everything.

“Our personable connection brings a human element into creating and elevating spaces that thinks about the people living within these spaces,” Dixon depicts. “This human element also brings down barriers that clients may have with engaging with trades, that at times can seem cold or struggle with a lack of understanding about the client’s needs and problems.”

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that trends can shift quickly, and nowhere is this more evident than in kitchen design. The heart of the home, the kitchen is vastly transformed from a traditional workspace where we once connected and shared a meal, to a multipurpose hub, where we live and go about our days. Because there is so much life centered around this hub, Dixon notes that the kitchen ultimately sets the tone and style for the entire home.

Style and storage may cause a headache for some within the beginning stages, and this is completely understandable. However, it is important to remember that consistency is key in creating fluid and connecting spaces that feel and function just right. When starting your renovation or new build process, take a moment to ask yourself questions such as “What do I hope to achieve from this space?” “How do I want to feel within this space?” and “What features can I implement to evolve with my needs?” These questions are crucial in understanding a style and design that works best for your preferences and lifestyle, letting everything else fall into place effortlessly. Working with a professional makes the world of difference also, gaining an expert insight into how you can maximise your space, creating a timeless abode.

So, what design features should you look out for? Dixon explains. “One small one but a great addition to any kitchen is the hidden drawer above the pull-out bin,” he describes. “This drawer enables homeowners to store bin bags for easy access or anything else they rarely use but would still like a storage area for.” Dixon also emphasises that smart storage is critical within creating a consistent kitchen design, carefully considering aspects of placement, size, location and functionality.

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS

Now that we’ve broken down the basics of kitchen design, the question becomes how to seamlessly blend beauty with practicality. According to Dixon, the process begins with understanding the home itself. “Firstly, we look at the design of the home currently or the proposed end goal of the build in terms of the aesthetic the client is trying to achieve,” he explains. From there, the team considered the natural elements within the home and surrounding area – timbers, greenery, steel, concrete – anything that defines warmth and character of the space. 

Once the aesthetic direction is set, the focus shifts to function. “Then we see how we can best use the space available to us that incorporates as much practical storage and also the flow and look of how everything will come together,” Dixon adds. Finally, they refine the details, studying how natural and artificial light shape the room and selecting finishes that complement it.