Daulby and Tickle: Crafting a Sleek and Minimalist Kitchen

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a calm and sleek kitchen design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Daulby and Tickle.

Daulby and Tickle was commissioned to design, manufacture, and install a bespoke kitchen for the Devereux Road project, aiming to create a calm, sleek, and modern space that balances minimalist aesthetics with everyday functionality. The resulting kitchen showcases a refined palette of premium materials. Every element was meticulously planned and executed, with Daulby and Tickle’s in-house manufacturing. The final result is a harmonious, elegant kitchen that not only meets but exceeds the client’s expectations, delivering both visual sophistication and everyday usability in equal measure.

What was the client’s brief?

The client asked us to design a calm, sleek, modern kitchen with a minimalist aesthetic. They wanted premium materials, handleless cabinetry for a seamless look, and advanced appliances that support both cooking and entertaining. The space needed to be highly functional, practical to maintain, and visually refined, blending style with everyday usability.

What inspired the design of the project?

The design was inspired by the client’s desire for balance, something understated yet sophisticated, where every detail contributes to a calm, considered atmosphere. Our use of textured walnut veneers, ultra-matte Fenix finishes, and the dramatic Neolith Calacatta Luxe framing created a refined contrast that feels both warm and contemporary. Further inspiration came from the client’s reference to European design studios, which guided the development of our bespoke solid-brass patinated handles, ultimately becoming a defining feature of the project.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Though originally intended as a fully handleless kitchen, the design changed just before installation when the client requested a bespoke handle solution inspired by images from a French design studio. Sourcing wasn’t possible, so we designed and developed our own version from scratch. Working with local specialists, we precision-milled solid brass handles and hand-finished them in-house to achieve a smooth bronze patina. What began as a sourcing challenge became a Daulby & Tickle solution, playing to our strengths both creatively and technically, and ultimately elevating the entire kitchen design.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Our highlight was seeing the completed space come together exactly as envisioned, a kitchen that feels balanced, calm, and effortlessly sophisticated. Every element, from the subtle lighting to the refined mix of walnut, Fenix, and Neolith, works in harmony to create an atmosphere that is both modern and timeless. The client’s reaction, and their continued enjoyment of cooking and entertaining in the space, confirmed for us that we had achieved the perfect blend of style, practicality, and equilibrium.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We entered the SBID Awards to share our work with a wider audience and celebrate the craftsmanship, design precision, and ingenuity that define our projects. Although we have been in business for over 30 years, we have rarely shouted about our work, yet many of our projects are of an exceptional standard. The SBID Awards felt like the right platform to finally showcase what we do, benchmark ourselves against the best in the industry, and honour the creativity and dedication of our team.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Becoming an SBID Award Finalist has been hugely significant. It validates the dedication and skill of our team, giving both our clients and partners confidence in the quality we deliver. For our business, it has elevated visibility, opened conversations with new clients, and reinforced our reputation as a studio and manufacturer that blends exceptional design with outstanding craftsmanship.

Questions answered by Robin Evans, Lead Designer at Daulby and Tickle.