Churchwood Design - Our Story
How we started…
Churchwood Design was founded by Mark and Marian Ambler in the mid 1980’s. Mark had been working as a designer/salesman for a national kitchen retailer. This was commission based work, and he found the hard sell tactics necessary to earn a living increasingly difficult to stomach, so, decided to start his own business.
Initially, he made traditional pine plateracks and other small items in his workshop at home (near Bakewell in Derbyshire) which he sold via adverts in the back of home interest magazines, and was always kept very busy fulfilling orders (which all came in by phone or mail order in those days!). Then, a chance introduction to a cabinetmaker who specialised in making furniture from reclaimed pine eventually led to the business that is still trading today.
The antique pine kitchens, both fitted and freestanding, where hugely popular and were especially well suited to the traditional cottages that abound in the Peak District. A love of using reclaimed timber led to the sourcing of antique oak from France, which was made into kitchens and furniture full of character and warmth. Other sustainably sourced timbers, such as oak, ash, elm and painted tulipwood were added to the product range as customer tastes evolved through the 1990’s and 2000’s, and in 2001 the business moved into larger premises in the Derbyshire village of Tideswell, where it is still based today.
Where we are now…
Mark’s daughter, Charlotte, joined the business in 2001 and Mark taught her everything he could about bespoke kitchen and furniture design. After a few years learning on the job she took over most of design work, allowing Mark to focus on managing the workshop and installations. Charlotte now does all the design work at Churchwood (along with many other things!)
Over time, Mark’s two sons, John and Alex, joined the company and trained as cabinetmakers. Alex is now the head cabinetmaker, John having left to pursue his main passion - making electric guitars and selling exotic timbers for instrument making (Ambler Custom Guitars and Luthier Wood).
Although reclaimed timbers still form part of the product offering, by far the most popular option for kitchens for the last ten years or so has been shaker style painted kitchens, closely followed by Churchwood’s signature pippy oak kitchens. Churchwood have always aimed to provide cabinetry of the highest quality matched by equally high levels of personal service, and this continues today. Fitted and freestanding kitchens and furniture are the bedrock of the company, but in a moment of nostalgia Mark has recently decided to launch a range of plateracks (which will soon be for sale on this website), so in a way, the business has really gone back to its roots.
How we work…
A lot of kitchen companies claim to offer ‘bespoke’ kitchens, but once you start asking questions you realise they aren’t truly bespoke - they are just a range of cabinets that can be tweaked a bit. Our kitchens, however, are the very definition of bespoke, in that every component of every cabinet is built from scratch in our workshop. Nothing is standard. And while we may use the same door style again and again (shaker style kitchens are never going to loose their popularity, and for good reason), if you want something completely different then we will do our best to oblige.
We can do as much or as little as you want, from a supply only kitchen to a full installation, including supplying appliances and worktops.
We are based in Tideswell, near Buxton in Derbyshire but work all over the mainland UK. We offer a complimentary design and quotation service, so please get in touch if you would like to discuss your project.
About our furniture…
Our bespoke cabinetry is endlessly adaptable to suit your personal tastes and requirements, but as a starting point the specification is as follows:
In frame wooden doors, traditionally made with mortice and tenon joints and mounted to the frames with recessed butt hinges.
Wooden drawer boxes made from (usually) beech or oak which are dovetailed front and rear and mounted on high capacity soft close concealed runners. Traditional wooden drawer slides are also an option.
Internal cabinet carcasses are traditionally made from solid wood (usually tulipwood or oak) with butt and bead backboards. Premium quality birch veneer plywood carcasses are also available for those who prefer a more contemporary feel.
All wooden cabinetry is finished in high performance lacquer. Painted cabinets are either spray painted or hand painted by our specialist decorator in the colour of your choice.
Integrated appliances, built-in bin systems and various clever storage systems can be included as required.
MISSION STATEMENT
“At Churchwood Design, we listen carefully to what our customers want - working closely with them to produce furniture solutions of the highest quality.
Our aim is always to exceed expectations - both with our levels of service and the finished result”
Charlotte Ambler / Head Designer