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A lasting Legacy: Timeless kitchen design to last a lifetime

The idea behind every Martin Moore kitchen collection is to create timeless furniture, defying trends and offering longevity of use and relevance. Each kitchen gives the customer a design which truly stands the test of time, combining classic looks with contemporary practicalities. It’s a space you’ll never grow out of, ageing gracefully with you.

Fifty years in the making

When Richard Moore set out to design the Legacy Collection in celebration of our golden anniversary, he began by reflecting on the past 50 years and their significance to the company. His goal was to create a collection that both honoured our heritage and propelled us forward, blending timeless kitchen design and craftsmanship with modern innovations and thoughtful, enduring elements.

“We wanted a design to reflect our longevity and our heritage, and the fact that years ago it was natural timber kitchens that we built. That’s how we started – with pitch pine kitchens. Then we moved on to yellow pines, and then it was oak, then it was limed oak and so on.

Oak undoubtedly has a timeless appeal but the striking, linear detail of the wood grain and the lighter tonality of the wash chosen represent a natural progression in design style. Darker oak styles are traditionally more common, but the elegant pale finish offers a modern take. The detail and precision of how the wood grain is presented is reminiscent of the particular thought and care that is core to our processes.”

And thus, the Legacy collection was born. Featuring sleek lines and a pared-back aesthetic and crafted from natural oak in a pale washed finish, the focus on the natural beauty of oak and the craftsmanship of the cabinetry, more so than added decorative detail, makes the Legacy collection standout among contemporary oak kitchens—perfect for anyone seeking a simple yet elegant and timeless kitchen design.

Going back to our roots

The Legacy Collection by Martin Moore represents a refined evolution of our design ethos, keeping true to the heritage and the focus on craftsmanship we are so well known for while seamlessly integrating contemporary features.
At its core, our process has never much changed. We implement traditional construction techniques which prioritise strength and longevity. So, our in-frame furniture is designed to incorporate hardwoods and framed doors with traditional butt hinges, which offer superior durability compared to mechanical hinges fixed directly onto a carcass.

Why is oak cabinetry used in this kitchen range?

Oak has been used for centuries in English carpentry; it is a material prized for its immense strength and crispness when carved. Chosen as the material of choice for the Legacy collection, the timber is specially selected for its striking wood grain. Legacy moves away from the darker oak popular in the 1970s to an elegant pale-washed finish, offering a modern take on oak kitchen design that balances luxury with longevity.

The finest timber is used as always, but with this collection, extra care is taken with Richard Moore carefully selecting the wood for its beautiful and considered grain. The wood grain runs vertically in long elevations on the doors, drawers and panels; the only area this does not apply is on wide flat drawer fronts where the grain is horizontal to provide strength and rigidity to these narrower panels.

Design features and details within the Legacy collection

The architectural elegance of the furniture is teamed with luxurious materials; bespoke bronze handles feature a commemorative 50th-anniversary monogram, with the engraved edge details reflective of the linear look of the wood grain described above.

“Chicken wire” glazing featured on the cupboards of some of our earliest kitchens has been brought into the 21st century through the use of glamorous bronze mesh. The material palette is streamlined with the bronze repeated in the butt hinges and rails, and natural oak interiors tying the look together cohesively. In the kitchens shown, pleasing symmetry is incorporated into the designs: the hideaway home bar is complete with flanking wine fridges and optimised storage solutions for all your cocktail needs and the granite-clad cooker hood is framed by balanced cabinetry.

The Legacy collection encompasses more than just kitchens – the freestanding, bespoke nature of the furniture means customers can specify this beautiful range throughout the home. We picture TV units, dressers, and desks amongst other uses – it is a great collection to designate and divide specific zones within multifunctional living spaces, offering stylish and practical solutions for different tasks and storage.

The Legacy Collection WOW!house debut

For the 2024 WOW!house at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, Martin Moore teamed up with renowned interior design duo, Studio Vero, to create a bespoke kitchen for the event.

Alongside the key pieces in the Legacy collection, state-of-the-art Gaggenau appliances were chosen for their superb functionality and clean, dramatic design. Key elements included the honed granite surfaces, artisanal tiles and Waterworks “living brass” taps. The result was an impactful design, with multi-dimensional details – a really engaging end of a visitor’s journey through WOW!house.

Our Legacy collection is contemporary with a sleek and stylish look,” says Richard Moore. “Architectural elegance teamed with luxurious materials makes it perfect for today’s homes.

Putting our customers at the heart of our new kitchen design

Our new collection is designed to showcase the full extent of our craftsmanship, challenging perceptions of what we can create. While we are known for timeless, hand painted and classical kitchens, this collection introduces a more contemporary aesthetic— while still remaining deeply rooted in traditional materials and expert craftsmanship.
We want to surprise our customers, offering them something they may not have expected: a kitchen that feels modern yet unmistakably classic. The choice of materials and design details ensures a refined, contemporary feel while maintaining the warmth and authenticity of our heritage.

 

Most importantly, we want our customers to feel at home. Like all our kitchen designs, the space is calm, welcoming, and immersive. Our large room sets allow them to envision the kitchen in their own home, experiencing not just how it looks but how it feels—comfortable, elegant, and effortlessly inviting.

Kitchens today transcend functionality and are a space for entertaining, socialising, working and more. Incorporating drinks cabinets, seating, and artwork highlights that the modern kitchen is more than a place to cook: it is the hub of the home and a joyous space to sit, relax and delight in.

Come and experience Legacy for yourself in one of our showrooms in either Esher or Notting Hill and see just why we think this range is one you are going to love for a lifetime.

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