Advice from Oran Duke
What inspired you to start Dukes Kitchens, and how has the business evolved over the years?
Dukes began in October 2000 when my father started the company. I was 12 years old at the time and somehow found myself learning the CAD design programme before we even had a designer on the team. I would help train designers when they joined, so kitchens have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Over the past 25 years, the business has grown from a hardworking family operation into a design-led studio focused on delivering a premium experience. When my parents stepped back, my goal was not simply to continue Dukes, it was to elevate it.
We refined our systems, invested heavily in design expertise and created a structured process that removes stress from what can often feel like an overwhelming part of a renovation. Today, Dukes is a premium design house, still built on the same foundations of trust and reputation that started it all.
How do you help clients create a kitchen that suits their home?
The first thing we focus on is listening. Every home and every family functions differently. Some clients want a showpiece space for entertaining. Others want a practical hub for busy mornings and homework at the island. We look at the architecture of the home, the natural light, ceiling heights and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the living space.
A kitchen should not feel like it has been dropped in. It should feel intentional. Our two qualified designers, Sarah and Ruby, work closely with each client to guide them through layout, finishes and functionality in a way that feels structured and reassuring.
Design decisions become much easier when you have experienced professionals helping you narrow down what truly works for your space.
What makes a bespoke kitchen different from an off-the-shelf option?
The biggest difference is control and precision. Off-the-shelf kitchens are built to standard sizes and shipped in. A bespoke kitchen is designed and built specifically for your space. For our workshop-made bespoke kitchens, we design in house and manufacture from our own workshop, which gives us full control over proportions, finishes and detailing.
We are not restricted by fixed cabinet dimensions or rigid systems. We can tailor heights, widths, internal storage and architectural details so everything feels balanced within the room. Investment in our workshop allows us to refine our craftsmanship even further.
That investment matters to us because, for our workshop-made kitchens, we are not just selecting products, we are creating them. It also ensures longevity. A well made bespoke kitchen should still feel elegant and relevant 15 or 20 years from now.
When designed and manufactured properly, it becomes part of the home rather than simply fitted furniture.
What are some of the biggest kitchen trends you are seeing right now?
We are seeing a shift toward warmer, more layered spaces. Soft taupes, deep greens, textured woods and statement stone are all popular. Kitchens are starting to feel more like living spaces rather than purely functional rooms. Waterfall islands and dramatic worktops are becoming focal points.
Interestingly, the strongest trend we are seeing is practicality. Hidden pantries, clever internal storage, boiling water taps and integrated seating areas are high on clients’ wish lists. People want beauty, but they also want ease. The most successful kitchens combine timeless design with one or two confident statement elements.
What can customers expect when they visit your showroom or begin the design process with your team?
Clarity and structure. Renovating or building can feel overwhelming. Our role is to simplify that. When clients visit our showroom, they are not just looking at door samples. They are seeing complete kitchen displays, full material combinations and real life layouts.
From the first consultation, Sarah and Ruby guide clients through a step by step design journey, from initial concepts to final installation. We communicate clearly, set realistic expectations and ensure every detail is considered before anything is ordered.
Designing a kitchen is a significant investment. Our job is to make clients feel confident and looked after from start to finish.
Read the original magazine feature
Originally featured in Local Women.
Keep exploring
- Before You Buy a Kitchen — Where to begin, what to bring to your appointment and how to plan a kitchen around the people who use it.
- The Smart Way to Plan YOUR DREAM KITCHEN — Oran Duke on layout, lighting, realistic budgets and the design decisions that help avoid costly changes later.
- Let’s Talk MONEY — Oran Duke explains what affects a kitchen quotation, where to invest and how to compare like with like.
Explore the Dukes collections · Discover Live Design · Kitchen planning advice · Real Dukes Kitchens
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