John Butler, Senior Designer
Experience
John has worked at Elements Kitchens for over five years, and working in the kitchen industry for over ten years. He initially trained as a stonemason, which led him into people's homes where he saw the most beautiful kitchens. After working closely with designers, he decided to follow his interests and make the move into kitchen design.
What ignited your passion for kitchen design?
For John, kitchens are the most interesting rooms in a home. They are so unique to everyone. You can tell a lot about someone from their kitchen; their personality really comes through.
What tips do you have for anyone in the market for a new kitchen?
There is so much to consider when it comes to kitchen design, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. It's important to work with a designer who understands your wants and needs for the immediate as well as the foreseeable future. After all, you will most likely have your kitchen for many years (decades, even) to come, so it's important to cover all the bases at this stage. Choose an experienced designer who understands all the different options available to you.
John's Design Philosophy
"Every kitchen needs a bit of theatre, a touch of the unexpected"
That's John's mantra, and it shows in his designs.
Hidden pantries and breakfast bars are key features in many of his designs, which are useful not only for impressing guests, but also keeping a kitchen tidy.
His background as a stone mason is an important foundation for him, which he draws on regularly for inspiration.
Most important to John, though, is getting the kitchen's aesthetic design and functionality to match the personality of the customer and their lifestyle.
"A kitchen isn't just a room; it's a collection of stories waiting to be told. The longer you use it the more memories you create. How the kitchen helps someone create memories is something that I think about when working on designs."
John enjoys working on modern and traditional designs, although he is a purist and likes to keep them separate. "I like to stay true to each style and utilise the features and quirks available to me."
Customer testimonials
"John was great! He guided us through the whole process and was very patient and helpful when we were not sure what to do. It was all worth it in the end. We now have a kitchen which is perfectly suited to us."
Mr and Mrs Hitchins
John's case studies
A Hand-Painted 1909 Family Kitchen
The owners were embarking on a total agricultural-to-residential barn conversion and required a large, multi-purpose kitchen-living space that would serve as the hub of their sociable home.
The brief was extensive and needed to cover very different levels of activity within the space. This included creating an area for sociable cooking, a breakfast bar area for low-key casual dining, and incorporating a dining table for up to 20 people.
State-of-the-art appliances, sufficient for catering to large parties of up to 60 people, was a key requirement. They were also keen to include a distinct bar area and desired the kitchen space to flow effortlessly into the lounge, maximising views of the open countryside.
John's articles
Germany is well renowned for great engineering and manufacturing – There is a reason why Mercedes and BMW are giants in their industry – Kitchens are no different. Bosch, Siemens and LEICHT are just a few examples of how Germany demonstrates top-of-the-line products made for the world. In particular, LEICHT Kitchens stands for innovation, strength, individuality, high quality and a contemporary international lifestyle. Here are some of the reasons why they are dominating the kitchen industry today.Â
Follow our guide to caring for your door furniture and your kitchen will continue to look its best for years to come.
