Painted timber kitchens

This is a focused collection, distinct from our full painted kitchen catalogue, which includes other painted door materials and styles. Here the starting point is the character of a timber frame with a veneered centre panel, then the design decisions that make the finished room your own.

Five ways to use a painted timber frame

Mornington Shaker

For a familiar, versatile look, Mornington Shaker uses a 20mm lay-on door with a solid ash frame and an ash-veneered MDF centre panel. Its straightforward Shaker proportions work equally well in a simple run, a sociable island or a more traditional room with freestanding-looking details.

Mornington Beaded

A fine internal bead adds a decorative edge to the Shaker framework. Mornington Beaded suits a room where you want more definition around each door without moving into ornate furniture. It can be used selectively, perhaps across the main cabinetry with a quieter treatment on open shelving or utility storage.

Mornington Vale

Vale is for the look of a framed, furniture-like kitchen with the practicality of a lay-on door. Its 20mm five-piece door, with a solid ash frame and ash-veneered MDF panel, creates an in-frame-style appearance. It is important to be precise: Mornington Vale is not true in-frame construction, so it is a good fit for customers who like that visual language but are open to a different construction.

Crathorne

Crathorne narrows the Shaker frame for a lighter, more tailored expression while retaining visible ash grain in the timber. It is useful when you want a contemporary edge without losing the warmth and rhythm of framed doors, especially in a compact room or alongside strong architectural features.

Aalborg

Aalborg is the chosen micro-Shaker option, with a slim profile that brings subtle texture rather than a heavy traditional statement. The door uses an ash timber frame with a veneered MDF centre panel and a lay-on construction. Its restrained lines suit a modern painted scheme, two-tone cabinetry or a wall of tall storage where a broad rail could feel too dominant.

Design the room, not just the doors

Once a style is shortlisted, I help you work through the practical decisions that change how it will feel: where the tall units sit, how an island relates to the room, which areas need durable work surfaces and how handles, lighting and wall colour support the doors. Samples matter because daylight, flooring and adjoining rooms can shift the appearance of a painted colour. We can also discuss whether you want one calm tone throughout or a measured contrast between perimeter units and an island.

SJB supplies and designs kitchens nationally, with one point of contact for the design conversation and the specification. Cabinets are MFC, with the specified hinges and drawer system set out in your quote. Installation and building works depend on the agreed scope; many customers arrange their own fitter, so I will clarify what is included and who is responsible before you commit.

A clear alternative to compare carefully

If you are looking at brands such as SJB’s Harvey Jones alternative guide or SJB’s Tom Howley alternative guide, compare the complete specification rather than the door photograph: cabinet materials, fillers and end panels, hardware, worktops, appliances, delivery, fitting, VAT and exclusions. The five ranges above are not presented as identical construction or service. If true in-frame construction is essential, say so early; the selected lay-on ranges are intended for people who value the framed appearance and are flexible about that distinction.

Start with your room and priorities

Share a plan, rough dimensions or an existing quotation and tell me your preferred style, budget, postcode, timeframe and installation responsibility. I can then help you narrow the frame, panel and colour choices before the detail is finalised.

Begin your kitchen journey with SJB and start a conversation about a painted timber kitchen designed around your home.