Braids Kitchen

At Kitchens by Nick McNally every kitchen starts with a conversation, not a catalogue. Based in Edinburgh, Nick and his team design bespoke kitchens that reflect the people who live in them. From carefully sourced materials to thoughtfully integrated features, the focus is always on creating spaces that are as functional as they are personal.

Take the Braids Kitchen, for example a bold refurb inspired by an artisan ice cream parlour and brought to life with playful textures, colours and materials like Durat. It’s a space full of personality, joy, and lasting quality. It perfectly captures what Kitchens by Nick McNally is all about: thoughtful design, tailored to real lives.

What was the inspiration behind the Braids Kitchen?

The client came to us with a brilliant vision, something that felt like an ice cream parlour. They were inspired by a local Ice cream parlour that reuse their milk bottles and that sense of craft and charm really set the tone. The kitchen had to reflect their bold personalities, full of character. The full refurb gave us a blank canvas to bring that idea to life, from custom cabinets to baking-friendly worktop space.

Why did you choose Durat for the splashback?

Durat is durable and the colour Palace P007 immediately stood out. It’s got this confetti-like quality that felt fun and nostalgic. For us it's also easy to work with and behaves a lot like other solid surface materials. 

How do you develop new ideas for projects like this?

We take a very design-led approach. Clients come to us for more than just interiors, they want ideas. If a project starts with limited materials or tricky requirements, we source creatively and find solutions that elevate the brief. In this case, yellow became the anchor. The client was clear: "It has to be mustard not custard" that gave us a fun boundary to work within.

What are the top three things you prioritise in your design work?

• Design that reflects the client’s personality – It has to feel like them.

• Pushing creative boundaries – Nudging clients slightly out of their comfort zones. 

• Material quality and longevity – Looks matter, but the space also needs to stand up to everyday life. Working with materials we trust.

Explore Durat surfaces and discover how recycled solid surface can transform your next space.