After years of putting up with our ageing and awkwardly-shaped kitchen we finally decided to take the plunge and seek help. Darren was recommended to us by a painter who had known him for years, so as well as talking to four other companies we got in touch and gave him our initial thoughts.
Out of all of the companies we contacted, Darren was the quickest to respond and produced a suggested layout for the kitchen within a couple of days. In contrast with the others, it was immediately clear that he had understood our requirements perfectly, and his experience shone through with the questions he asked and the suggestions he made. The other thing we noticed immediately was how passionate Darren was about his work.
We then went to see him at his showroom and were amazed at the quality of the displays, one of which was exactly the sort of style and even colour we had been considering, so we asked him for a costed proposal. Predictably we received Darren’s quotation very promptly, and once more he had got everything right, something which in this day and age seems to be incredibly rare.
We therefore placed our order and within a few weeks our dream kitchen was being installed by a group of fitters that share Darren’s incredibly high standards. The whole process went incredibly smoothly and we now have an absolutely stunning kitchen that – on top of everything else – seems twice as large as the old one! To be honest, we had no idea how much pleasure it’s possible to get from a superbly designed, built and fitted kitchen. A few months on and we’re still delighted by it every time we use it.
Darren is one of those very rare people who believes passionately in his work, has the experience and attention to detail to deliver absolutely stunning results, and – to top it all – has a list of tradespeople that meet his exacting standards and can be drafted in as and when required (the ceramic floor tilers being a really great example).
We are completely in love with our new kitchen and have recommended Darren to everyone we know. We have also since commissioned him to design and build some other bespoke woodwork to match the kitchen. It’s been an absolute delight working with Darren – nothing is too much trouble and he does not rest until everything is perfect. What else is there to say?
Nancy Allen
Winchester
choosing products, placing an order and arranging the fitting programme – has been excellent. At all times we have felt both professionally and personally supported. The installation team, Dan and Dougie, were truly wonderful! Great to have in the house, exhibiting exceedingly high standards of workmanship and, where appropriate, involving us in decision making. Most importantly, we are extremely pleased with our new kitchen! It has exceeded our expectations.
Nick Symes
Winchester
Our Searle & Taylor kitchen is still beautiful after 13 years. They are definitely made for life. The team is extremely helpful!
Iliana Barda
Winchester
We were delighted with the whole experience with Searle & Taylor – great service/ideas/communication/value/quality – & the finished product looks beautiful! Many thanks.
Rob and Jill Horner
Oxford
UPDATE – they don’t just do kitchens!! Just had a home desk installed – same exceptional product quality and service. Thank you, Searle & Taylor.
Darren Ettridge
Soberton
If you are after quality and service without compromise, Darren Taylor and his team of kitchen experts are in my opinion, second to none.
Searle and Taylor have created a bespoke design for us that meets our every need. From the very beginning, Darren has gone over and above to ensure that our exact requirements and specifications have been met. He was incredibly open about the risks involved in our kitchen project. During the pandemic, there have been supply chain challenges for most businesses. Darren was totally transparent regarding the risk of delays to Neff appliances and has kept us informed of progress every step of the way.
Unfortunately, we are still waiting for a Neff dishwasher to arrive, but the issues is being well managed and Neff are even paying us compensation as a good will gesture! The situation has been 100% managed by Darren. In the meantime, we have kept our old dishwasher whilst Darren’s fitters plan to return the moment the new machine arrives to complete the job ?
Darren’s choice and recommendation of trades people has been impeccable. Dan and Dougie (kitchen fitters/joiners) and Nick (tiling and electrical) worked together like a well-oiled machine, maintaining progress, and keeping our living spaces safe and tidy.
My wife is in love with her new kitchen space. We particularly love the Quooker tap (for instant boiling water) and the “appliance garage” that houses our toaster and coffee machine. Brilliant!! Thanks Darren, you’ve done an awesome job!
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Searle & Taylor. We are thrilled with the results and love our fabulous new kitchen. Throughout the project, Gavin and Darren have always been so very helpful and patient and came up with the perfect kitchen design thanks to their expertise, knowledge and attention to detail. The build quality and finish are impeccable. Most highly recommended.
Sarah Northover
Timsbury
We first bought a Searle & Taylor kitchen about 15 years ago and when we moved house, it still looked current and fabulous, it was still the selling point of the house. More recently we bought a S&T kitchen for our office, the amount and quality of kit (high end Austrian kitchens) they fitted in in the space was amazing and despite the bumpy floors and odd walls Dan the kitchen fitter was amazing and did a first-class job at fitting it seamlessly. I would highly recommend Searle & Taylor to anyone.
Adam Sharp
Ropley
We recently had a kitchen designed and installed by Searle and Taylor. The whole process, from start to finish was seamless. Despite potential complications from Brexit/Covid, Darren and Gavin planned ahead, ensuring that we were not impacted at all. The whole project ran to time, in fact, they were able to work around delays at our end. Their communication was superb and they responded instantly to any questions or concerns we had. The end product is absolutely stunning. It has been fitted to perfection. All the goods run beautifully. The layout is brilliantly designed. The attention to detail is outstanding. We could not be more pleased. We would highly recommend Searle and Taylor and cannot speak highly enough of them.
Elizabeth Macdonald
Winchester
Amazing quality, precision and style are the hallmarks of the Searle and Taylor kitchen we had installed nearly 4 years ago – and it still looks as classy as the day it was installed. The designers and engineers satisfied all our demands, and even the odd quirky whim, with professionalism and quite some patience. We required units to house laundry, pantry, utility store, as well as all white goods, housing for an unsightly boiler, and all drawers necessary for a very busy cooking and baking schedule. It is a big decision to choose a quality kitchen but when every unit, hinge and accessory are of the highest spec, it really is worth every penny.
And we have been hugely impressed with the after-care provided by the Winchester team. Even now, 4 years on, they are prepared to come out to sort out a small realignment of the refuse unit. That is service! We would not hesitate for one moment to recommend Searle & Taylor to anyone wanting a kitchen that meets all contemporary needs.
We asked Searle and Taylor to return to our property to create a new television unit/coffee station to match exactly with the existing kitchen they had installed several years earlier. Darren’s attention to detail matched my fussy needs to make sure that the new unit matched the old in every way. Darren then arranged for the entire kitchen to be repainted, all cupboard and drawer handles to be replaced and the final outcome is fantastic. I can’t recommend Searle & Taylor enough, their design, quality, final touches and them not signing off the job until I was totally satisfied is reason for my recommendation.
Adam Briggs
Cheriton
“The team at Searle & Taylor Kitchens have done a terrific job of designing a kitchen that has maximized and visually expanded the space available for the kitchen in my Victorian terraced house. I chose an ewe kitchen that was manufactured to a high standard in Austria. Unique storage behind sleek handle free doors increases the sense of space and keeps everything readily accessible. The installation was carried out to a very high standard by Dan Munt of DJM BUILDERS. Dan also undertook to refurbish my cloakroom at the same time and called in professional contacts to expedite the plumbing and electrical work in both the kitchen and cloakroom. Once the kitchen was fitted, the countertop was templated and installed within a week so the whole job came together smoothly with the least amount of upheaval and disturbance to myself. Dan returned and attended to the finishing details and Darren Taylor has kept abreast of the job in person and via email and answered any questions I had along the way.
“Four wall cupboards were eliminated in the design to allow the skylight above the sink to fully illuminate the space. Despite losing the four wall cupboards we gained storage by fully fitting the remaining space available above the countertop. The new appliances are all energy efficient, quiet and labour-saving. The usable preparation area either side of the sink has increased, as has the corner to the left of the hob, so a number of people can now work comfortably together in the new kitchen.
“By removing a full size dishwasher and replacing it with a space saving model the hob was able to be centrally located which generated the extra workable space. The new white glass Novy extractor fan sits discreetly within the wall cupboard above the hob. The fan now vents to the outside and has storage in the housing cupboard either side of the fan for my tall pasta jars. An extra shelf in the cupboard where I store glasses and mugs means they aren’t stacked one upon the other and the whole cupboard is utilized. The same goes for the cupboard where I store my tins. All my things have a place in the new kitchen and I have not had to compromise one bit.
“The new dishwasher is conveniently located to the right of the sink, with the drainer above, so the door opens along the free wall and not between the hob and sink as it once did pinching me into a tight corner. The Quooker instant hot water tap has done away with a kettle on the worktop making way for an inset rubbish bin which is very convenient and keeps clutter off the floor.
“During the pandemic I have been Shielding so everyone was respecting social distancing and wore masks as appropriate. It was a tight knit group of professionals who worked together seamlessly and I cannot speak highly enough of the service provided. The new kitchen is convenient, efficient, light and spacious which has made cooking in the new kitchen a pleasure and delight. Just walking into the new space puts a smile on my face and a song in my heart. I would definitely recommend you visit Searle & Taylor Kitchens and allow them to make your dream kitchen a reality.”
Nancy Allen
Winchester
“Searle & Taylor designed and installed the perfect high-quality kitchen. I received an excellent service from start to finish, nothing was to much trouble. I would not hesitate to recommend this company.”
Elizabeth Benge
Bishops Waltham
“Searle & Taylor stand out for their excellent quality build of kitchen furniture and their very conscientious after sales service. A team you can trust to deliver a top quality, beautifully functioning kitchen.”
Michelle Nevers
Avington
“A full bespoke service: take any kitchen you like and they can make it. The cabinetry in my kitchen is of the highest quality and Darren’s patience and attention to detail is unparalleled. (And I have had a fair number of kitchens made for me over the years).”
Sophia Roe
Winchester
“Fantastic new kitchen, I couldn’t be happier. They listened to us and then gave us excellent advice which made all the difference. The fitters were very good and pleasant and tidy about the house too. All in all, a five-star experience.”
Deborah Parritt
Alresford
“Bought our kitchen through Searle & Taylor 5 years ago and received great service from point of our enquiry through to final completion. Darren personally involved all the way through and we have a very high-quality kitchen which was installed with care and attention to detail. Had a recent issue when a small part snapped on the carousel unit and Darren got the new part delivered from the manufactures to get it all spinning again!!!”
Tim Stevens
New Forest
“I found Searle and Taylor brilliant to work with. Darren and Gavin worked through different ideals for my kitchen and utility room, ensuring that the design worked for a family as well as being contemporary, practical and stylish. The kitchen was in an extension that was simply mud when the kitchen was first being planned, but through their vision, experience and thought, they were able to come up with a kitchen that as a family we absolutely love and it has become the hub of the home.”
Anna Strong
Ropley
“Gavin and the team were fantastic and we have a beautiful kitchen. We had lots of questions along the way but Gavin and Dean (Chapman’s – the fitters) were always quick to respond and reassured us that everything would be amazing – they were right! I would recommend Searle & Taylor with no hesitation.”
Sam Bailey
“Searle and Taylor were the best company we dealt with during our extension work. Darren Taylor provides a personal and sensitive service and does not hesitate to put anything right that may not be perfect after installation. He also recommended styles and flooring – all budget-sensitive.”
Juliette Kemp
Basingstoke
“Nothing was too difficult for Darren at Searle & Taylor – he made excellent recommendations on all aspects of our new kitchen design, appliance fit-out and installation. Darren’s after-care service has been first class. The kitchen itself is fantastic quality, beautifully painted and wows new guests every time – it is a standout addition to our renovation. Would recommend Darren and his team without hesitation.”
Andrea Hunt
Winchester
“Excellent service and kitchen design. We were absolutely delighted with the process of working with Darren and Hannah at Searle & Taylor. The logistics were challenging and Darren and the team had a very customer focused response to every situation. The experience was so positive that we also used them to design additional bespoke storage solutions in several bedrooms. I highly recommend them.”
Sian Searles
Winchester
“Searle and Taylor designed and installed an Intuo kitchen for us, when we extended the house. It was absolutely outstanding and the reason I’m writing this review is because they were were such a pleasure to deal, despite us being a nightmare customer and changing our minds endlessly! They actually helped suggest a better layout for the extension that the builders and architects originally suggested and we were able to fit everything we wanted in.”
Ben Karter
Ealing, London
“After shopping around and conducting lots of research on kitchens we found that Searle & Taylor offered a seamless service. The showroom at Ropley gave us great inspiration… so many gorgeous kitchens to choose from. Gavin gave us lots of practical information which helped us select the kitchen right for us. Nothing was too much trouble. We are delighted with out kitchen and have no hesitation in recommending Searle and Taylor to our friends.”
Sarah Rouse
“Searle and Taylor stand out for their excellent quality build of kitchen furniture and their very conscientious after sales service. A team you can trust to deliver a top quality, beautifully functioning kitchen.”
Camilla Mash
London
“The kitchen was installed on time and to budget. The finish and quality of the units and work top install was excellent. All the members of the Searle & Taylor team were great to work with and really helpful.”
Tim Fairchild
Fareham
“Excellent, responsive and totally professional job – from design through to execution. The finished kitchen has made a massive difference to the way we use the house. First Class!”
Keith Burgess
“Searle & Taylor is very professional and provide a great service. I absolutely love my new kitchen. Thank you, Gavin and Darren.”
Lucy Galloway
Winchester
D Smith
“Now the dust has settled on the installation of our new kitchen I feel compelled to write to you to say how very pleased we are. I feel well qualified, having spent the majority of my working life in the home improvement industry, to say that the quality of your products is exceptional. Well designed, well manufactured, innovative and above all sturdy. Having products of this standard though can be wasted if they are not installed properly, so in my book the quality of the installation is absolutely paramount. In this regard you simply excelled. So a really big thank you to you all…”
Mr & Mrs D. George
Eastleigh
“A superbly engineered product that has transformed our kitchen and dining areas. The design team and Searle and Taylor maximised the improvements we had in mind with some excellent ideas as well as practical advice to achieve what we wanted. Overall, we are extremely happy with what we have.”
Steve James
“Searle and Taylor designed and installed my kitchen recently in our family home. We received excellent service, with them listening and designing us a stylish, solid, unique kitchen that would suit our busy family home. We are always in there now and totally love the space they have created for us.”
Emily Mardell
“Very pleased with the whole package from the initial design and quality of the products to the supervision of the fitting and the after-care. The work was carried out efficiently and within the stated time. I would not hesitate to recommend Searle and Taylor if you are thinking of a new kitchen.”
Kathie Killingley
“I just wanted to write and thank you very much indeed for all your hard work designing, ordering and overseeing the installation of our kitchen and utility room. Both rooms look just brilliant and we are delighted. It has transformed things. At all stages of the process a fine job was done and all within schedule due to the long hours put in…”
Ms. D Thrower
Alresford
“Thank you, thank you, thank you for the most sensational bedroom in the entire universe; we are extremely delighted with it, all of it. Now that you have done such a great job on our bedroom, we are really excited about the new kitchen you have designed for us, so as soon as building work is underway, we can get together again to finalise plans…”
Mr and Mrs S. Slade
Northwood, London
“I just wanted to e-mail you to pass on my sincere thanks for the great job that your company has done in supplying and fitting our new kitchen… The finished kitchen has surpassed our expectations and looks superb. We’ve been particularly impressed by the quality of the build and also with the attention to detail of both the kitchen fitter and also the stone mason who fitted the worktop. I’ve also got to point out what a great job Gavin has done in planning our kitchen, helping us through the whole process and being incredibly flexible and supportive…He has provided exceptionally good customer service and designed an ideal kitchen given the space we have – as such I wanted to bring this to your attention. As a result of the work we’ve had done, we have recommended your company to several of our friends in Twyford who are also having building work done and need a new kitchen.…I’d be grateful if you could pass on my sincere thanks to the whole team, and particularly to Gavin, who has done such a great job. “
Mr. G. Fisher
(by email)
“Exceptional company that really cares and understands about the customer. Great product range supported by professional but personal after sales service.”
Darren Ettridge Soberton
“…Hopefully as this kitchen comes to fruition we can be a local ambassador to our friends and neighbours for your good services. (That said, we already are – as you have more than earned our recommendations)…”
Mr P. Menin (by email)
“We are writing to thank you for making our dream kitchen a reality now that it’s completed. After waiting so long for a new kitchen we were concerned about making the right decision in planning the room from scratch but your ideas about what we could do have proved absolutely right for the room and for practical use of the space. We are absolutely delighted with the finished product from the layout your suggested to the quality of the fitting to the quality of the units and we have already received lots of complements on the complete transformation of the room. We were particularly impressed by your personal interest and attention throughout the whole project accommodating changes which we requested. This made us feel that you were committed to ensuring that we were entirely happy with the finished product.I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Searle & Taylor and you in particular to other customers; we have enjoyed truly excellent customer service.”
Mr & Mrs A Moore
Alresford
“…We are delighted with our new kitchen; you really achieved amazing things in creating such a lovely room in such a challenging space. We were really happy with all aspects of the service that Searle & Taylor offered and we would not hesitate to recommend the company to any of our friends and contacts. The planning was efficient and imaginvate. The building of the units completed on time and to a very high standard, and the fitting also carried out with great attention to detail and quality. Everyone that we had dealings with was polite and extremely helpful…. Thank you all so much, you have transformed our house and the result truly exceeded all our expectations.”
Mr & Mrs S. Johnson
Winchester
“…it seems hard to believe that is is only nine weeks since we first came to your showroom. As you know we have been extremely pleased with the design, quality and professionalism we have met with throughout the project. In my opinion it is really quite rare to come across a company that is as truly customer focused as yours.”
Mr. A. Haines Overton, Hampshire
“…I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for building and installing a most fantastic kitchen. From the outset, you have been incredibly helpful and attentive. The standard of workmanship has been top notch. I have been overwhelmed at the attention to detail (however minor) and the spark of flair and imagination that turned my dream kitchen into a reality.”
H. Kennedy
Southampton
In 1991, my former business partner and I started a business called Farmhouse Furniture, which later evolved to become Searle & Taylor Ltd. During that time, I have been very fortunate to have received a number of unsolicited testimonials from delighted customers. In the past, happy clients actually put pen to paper and wrote kind letters praising our work.
These days, most of the charming letters we receive arrive in the form of e-mails, or via posts on our social media sites, such as Facebook. I always appreciate receiving feedback in any format, especially when the content is similar to these letters above.
One of my most treasured letters dates back to July 1994 and was sent to me from Sir John Fairclough (1930-2003); the former chief science advisor to Margaret Thatcher’s government, and is printed below.
“As a young cabinetmaker at the time, I hand-built two pieces of dining room furniture for Sir John and Lady Fairclough from solid English oak that were then distressed to match the surroundings of his country house, which was a very old building with exposed beams. I also built an oak radiator cover that linked with the aesthetic of the furniture and using an old lathe, I made over 50 hand-turned spindles that had to be exactly the same as each other. It took a vast amount of time and patience, but I remember it being a labour of love and the end result looked fantastic.”
Darren Taylor
Searle & Taylor has been designing and creating beautiful traditional bespoke and contemporary kitchens for clients.
