HUSK Kitchens: a new era for British-made, sustainable design
Modern craftsmanship meets tradition in Bristol’s latest showroom
By Sam Peters, Co-founder Planted
In the heart of Bristol, a wave of innovative kitchen design is quietly reshaping the way we think about the spaces where we cook, gather and spend time. HUSK, a proudly British kitchen brand, is leading this transformation, pairing a contemporary design aesthetic with traditional craftsmanship, while keeping sustainability firmly at the centre of its operation.
Last year marked another exciting milestone for the company with the launch of its new Bristol showroom in early December. Located on the historic Christmas Steps, the calm, beautifully finished space captures HUSK’s values of quality, longevity and considered design. The new site represents a broader expansion of the brand’s presence in the city. Alongside the showroom, the upper floors house HUSK’s growing design and operations teams, creating a central hub for client consultations and project development. This new space sits alongside HUSK’s existing workshop only a few miles away, where all manufacturing remains firmly rooted.
Founded with a clear mission, HUSK has sought to bridge the gap between high-street affordability and hand-crafted design. The company’s journey began with a simple but powerful concept: take high-quality, accessible cabinetry from mainstream suppliers like IKEA and Howdens, and elevate it with custom-made doors, cover panels, worktops and handles. This approach allows customers to achieve a more personalised design without the prohibitive price tag usually associated with fully bespoke kitchens.
Dave Young, who founded HUSK alongside long-term business partner Ross Norgate, explains, “The initial thinking was about offering customers a more accessible or affordable way to achieve a very high-end bespoke finish in a kitchen environment. The client would go to Howdens or IKEA to plan their kitchen, and then come to us for the finishing touches around the doors, panels, worktops and handles. The result is a customised kitchen at a price point that makes sense.”
This approach has struck a chord. HUSK kitchens may cost more than an off-the-shelf option, but they remain vastly more achievable than traditional, fully bespoke joinery - opening up a new space in the market for attainable craft.
The new Bristol showroom is a physical manifestation of HUSK’s design philosophy - affordable customisation, considered design and a deep respect for traditional British craft. Step through the doors, and you’ll find a space that balances contemporary design, gently grounded by classic references. Each display is a testament to the company’s ability to harmonise old and new. Traditional shaker-style doors in locally-sourced timber sit alongside minimalist matt finishes, refined textures and bold fittings.
This approach is not simply about aesthetics. “We deliberately designed the showroom to show how different eras and styles can work together,” explains Young. “A kitchen can have the warmth and detail of tradition, but we can bring it up to date with cutting-edge fittings and materials, or a pop of unexpected colour. It’s about giving our clients options, and showing how British design can be both timeless and forward-thinking.”
Collaboration plays an important role in how HUSK has evolved its collections. In 2024, the brand partnered with Another Country, the award-winning British furniture brand known for its paired back design and use of natural materials. The kitchen design offers a contemporary take on HUSK’s classic V Grove design, enriched with earthy tonal palettes and warm, tactile detailing inspired by both studios’ West Country heritage. The resulting collection is now on display in the new Bristol showroom.
Building on this, HUSK is soon to launch a new collection with Ro Projects, a Bristol-based interior design studio founded by designers Rosa Roig-Fiol and Anna Kidel. Like HUSK, Ro Projects champions local making, provenance and long-lasting beauty.
Together, the two studios are developing a collection that keeps craft close to home. Expect a timeless design aesthetic elevated with bold colours.
In a world where ‘sustainability’ is often used as a catchphrase, HUSK stands out for its genuine commitment to responsible production and ethical sourcing. The company’s Bristol workshop is a hive of activity where traditional carpentry skills are paired with modern technology to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
“Sustainability is not just a buzz word for us,” Young emphasises. “It’s at the heart of what we do.”
This commitment runs through every stage of the process. HUSK sources its materials with care, favouring FSC-certified woods, water-based paints, and environmentally responsible suppliers wherever possible. Waste materials from the manufacturing process are recycled or repurposed, and the company is constantly looking for new ways to lower its environmental footprint from energy-efficient machinery to packaging choices that avoid unnecessary plastic - all within a workshop part powered by solar energy.
The result is a kitchen that feels as good as it looks, one that clients can enjoy knowing it was made not just with skill and passion, but also with respect for the planet. “Our clients want to make a positive impact,” says Young. “They’re looking for beautiful, durable solutions that don’t cost the earth - literally or figuratively.”
Part of HUSK’s appeal lies in its approach to customer service. The team offers a genuinely collaborative design process, inviting clients to explore materials, finishes, and layouts in the new showroom, and encouraging them to bring their own ideas to the table. This personal touch harks back to the golden age of British craftsmanship, where every project was unique and every client valued.
“We listen carefully to what our customers want to achieve,” Young adds. “Sometimes it’s as simple as a colour that reminds them of their childhood home, or a handle that feels just right in the hand. Other times, it’s a bold, modern statement kitchen. Either way, we’re proud to make it here in Britain.”
It’s this combination of personalisation, quality and a design-led approach that has allowed HUSK to carve out a unique position in the market. Clients can mix and match contemporary and traditional elements to create spaces that reflect their personalities and lifestyles, while still benefitting from the reliability and integrity of British manufacture.
With the doors now open to its new Bristol showroom on the historic Christmas Steps, it’s clear that HUSK’s vision is resonating far beyond the city’s borders. In a marketplace shaped by growing awareness of sustainability and an appetite for authentic, local craftsmanship, HUSK exemplifies the best of modern British design: innovative, responsible and beautifully made.
With every kitchen that leaves the workshop, HUSK is not just transforming homes; it is helping to reshape the conversation around what it means to buy British, to buy sustainably, and to invest in design that stands the test of time.
Visit www.madebyhusk.com
Address: HUSK, 9 Christmas Steps, Bristol, BS1 5BS
By appointment only.
Ends