7th April 2025 | IN EXPERT INSIGHT | BY SBIDRichard Davonport, Owner and Managing Director of Davonport Kitchen & Home, has given his insights into the industry.
At Davonport, we have been designing and crafting bespoke handmade kitchens and furniture for over 30 years, creating beautifully tailored interiors that seamlessly blend form and function. Every piece is thoughtfully made in our UK workshop, using the finest materials and time-honoured techniques to ensure lasting quality and character.
Our bespoke approach allows us to collaborate closely with designers and clients, shaping interiors that feel both timeless and entirely personal. Whether it’s a statement kitchen or furniture for the whole home, we take pride in balancing elegance with practicality, ensuring each space enhances the way people live. From initial concept to the final details, our meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to excellence, create interiors that feel effortlessly refined, unique, and made to stand the test of time.
What are the origins of the brand?
Davonport was founded on a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, something that has been part of my family for generations. My father, Aubrey, was a member of the British Woodcarvers Association, and from an early age, I was surrounded by the art of woodworking. This instilled in me a love for fine craftsmanship and attention to detail.
After studying Furniture Design and Cabinet Making, I set up my own workshop in the early 1990s, initially creating fine furniture before shifting my focus to handcrafted kitchens in 1996. As demand grew, so did Davonport, leading to our move in 2013 to a purpose-built workshop and showroom in Colchester. While the business has evolved, our values remain the same—working with the finest materials, using time-honoured techniques, and creating furniture that not only enhances interiors but also stands the test of time. As I often say, “It’s not just a job, as the furniture we make carries my name.”
How do your products and services enhance interior design projects?
At Davonport, we believe that every interior should be a reflection of the people who live in it. Our bespoke kitchens and furniture are thoughtfully designed to complement each project’s unique aesthetic, ensuring a seamless integration with the wider interior scheme. No two kitchens are ever the same—we take the time to understand the vision, crafting spaces that are not only beautiful but also practical and tailored to individual lifestyles.
Our expertise extends beyond cabinetry, allowing us to support interior designers with everything from spatial planning to material selection, ensuring a cohesive and well-balanced design. Whether providing guidance on colour palettes, lighting, or statement finishes, we collaborate closely to create interiors that feel harmonious and considered. From initial concept to installation, our meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail ensure that every space we create is timeless, functional, and designed to be lived in.
What value does your specialist sector add to the industry?
We feel that truly exceptional interiors are built on craftsmanship, quality materials, and thoughtful design. Our bespoke approach allows us to create kitchens and furniture that not only enhance the aesthetic of a space but also add genuine long-term value to a home. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, our handcrafted pieces are made to last for generations, promoting sustainability and reducing the need for replacements over time.
For interior designers and architects, this means having complete creative freedom—every detail is tailored to complement the wider scheme, ensuring a cohesive and beautifully considered result. Our expertise and collaborative approach allow us to support designers at every stage, from concept through to installation, making the process seamless. In an industry that often leans toward fast furniture and fleeting trends, we take pride in championing authenticity, craftsmanship, and enduring quality, helping to create interiors that are as timeless as they are functional.
How do you work with interior designers?
Collaboration is the key to creating beautifully cohesive interiors. We work closely with interior designers, offering a flexible approach that adapts to the needs of each project. Whether providing full kitchen and interior planning—including flooring, lighting, and colour schemes—or simply focusing on the layout and design of our bespoke furniture, we tailor our involvement to complement the designer’s vision.
Our handcrafted kitchens and interiors are designed to seamlessly integrate into wider schemes, ensuring a balance of aesthetics and functionality. We understand the importance of detail, precision, and high-quality materials, which is why we take the time to refine every aspect of our work. With our expertise in bespoke craftsmanship and an open, collaborative approach, we help designers bring their concepts to life, creating interiors that feel considered, cohesive, and effortlessly elegant.
What has been your most significant company highlight or success from the past year?
Sustainability is an integral part of our approach, and in 2023, we took a significant step forward by installing solar panels across our 20,000 sq. ft. workshop roof. This investment now allows us to generate enough electricity to fully power our showroom and head office, as well as a substantial portion of our workshop, reducing our reliance on external energy sources.
This builds on our previous sustainability efforts, including upgrading our workshop roof insulation in 2022 to improve energy efficiency. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to responsible manufacturing—ensuring that our handcrafted kitchens and interiors are not only made to last but are also created with a mindful approach to the environment. By continuously refining our processes, we aim to support designers in creating interiors that are as considered and sustainable as they are beautiful.
What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?
We’re seeing a renewed appreciation for natural timbers in kitchen and interior design, whether as a primary material or a subtle accent. This shift towards organic textures brings warmth and authenticity to spaces, and as craftsmen, we love working with wood to highlight its unique character and timeless appeal.
Alongside this, there’s a growing preference for bold statement stones, with advancements in porcelain technology allowing for full bodied veined surfaces and dramatic finishes. These materials add a sense of luxury and individuality to worktops and splashbacks, helping to create kitchens with real personality.
We’re also noticing a resurgence in deeper mouldings and intricate detailing, adding depth and elegance to interiors. This blend of classic craftsmanship with contemporary materials reflects a movement towards enduring, thoughtfully designed spaces—something we always strive to achieve in our bespoke kitchens and furniture.
How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead?
The interior design industry continues to evolve, with a growing focus on sustainability, natural materials, and designs that stand the test of time. More than ever, clients are moving away from fast trends and instead investing in high-quality, thoughtfully crafted interiors that feel personal and enduring.
Bespoke craftsmanship is becoming increasingly sought after, as homeowners look for spaces that reflect their lifestyle and individuality. From carefully curated materials to tailored design details, there is a shift towards interiors that balance beauty with longevity—creating homes that feel both considered and effortlessly timeless.
Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?
We’re fortunate to be involved in a variety of beautifully designed projects, from bespoke kitchens to full-home interiors, each crafted to reflect the unique style and needs of our clients.
Beyond our design work, we’re particularly excited about our ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of craftsmen and women. Our Davonport Gauge of Excellence competition, held at a local college, challenges aspiring artisans to test their skills in a timed furniture-making challenge, helping them refine their craft under real-world conditions. We also work closely with the college, hosting showroom and workshop days where students can experience the practical application of their skills—whether in design, cabinet making, or fine craftsmanship. Supporting emerging talent in the industry is something we’re incredibly passionate about, and we’re always looking for ways to inspire and encourage the future of bespoke furniture making.
What does being an SBID Accredited Industry Partner mean to you?
Becoming an SBID Accredited Industry Partner is a wonderful achievement and a reflection of our dedication to bespoke kitchen and interior design. Craftsmanship has always been at the heart of what we do, and this accreditation is a valued recognition of the professionalism and high standards we bring to every project.
For our clients and design partners, it serves as a mark of trust and quality, reinforcing our commitment to thoughtful, well-crafted interiors that balance beauty and function. Being part of SBID allows us to align with the highest industry standards, ensuring our designs not only meet but exceed expectations, creating spaces that feel both timeless and considered.
About Davonport Kitchen and Home
Davonport Kitchen & Home creates exquisite, British handmade bespoke kitchens and whole-home furniture, blending timeless design with exceptional craftsmanship. Every piece is meticulously crafted in our UK workshop, using the finest materials and traditional techniques to ensure unparalleled quality and durability. Our bespoke service tailors each project to individual lifestyles, balancing beauty and functionality. With decades of expertise, we transform homes with elegant, enduring designs that stand the test of time. From concept to completion, our attention to detail and passion for perfection ensure every space is unique, reflecting the personality and needs of our discerning clients.
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