James has been with The Recherche since the early days. He started as an apprentice cabinet maker in our workshop, moved into project management, and now leads the design team. We sat down to talk about craft, clients, and why the best kitchens start with listening.
From Workshop to Design Studio
"I never planned to be a designer. I loved making things — the smell of timber, the precision of a fitted joint. But over time, I realised the making is only half the story. The other half is understanding how people actually live."
The Brief Is Everything
"We don't start with layouts or materials. We start with questions. How do you cook? Who cooks? Do you entertain? Where do the children do homework? Where does the dog sleep? The answers shape every decision that follows."
A Project That Stayed With Him
"A couple in Clapham. Tiny kitchen, two young children, both working from home. They didn't need a showpiece — they needed flow. We removed a wall, created a peninsula that doubled as a homework station, and specified a boiling-water tap that saved them twenty minutes every morning. Six months later, they sent a photo of pancakes on a Sunday. That's the work."
What's Next
"More honesty in materials. Less veneer, more solid timber. Clients who want to see the grain, feel the joinery, know who made it. That's the direction."
James leads our design team from the London studio. Book a consultation to work with him directly.