High-level cupboards, two ways

This children's bedroom was built with high level cubbyholes, for occasional access. We created the cupboard doors and frames to reflect the traditional furniture that we made for other rooms in this historic farmhouse renovation. Hand-planed, quarter-sawn English oak, with hand-worked details.

The high cupboards in this little girl's bedroom reflect the semi timber-clad, old farm buildings that the window overlooks. We created this aesthetic by preserving the sawn finish of the oak boards, again supplied by Whitney Sawmills, to make four individually opening panels within a seamless run of boarding.

We designed a ladder to suit both sets of cupboards; strong and secure, yet light enough to be easily carried and positioned, and that would span the fitted desk already in one of the rooms. Sweet chestnut was chosen for this, being very similar in appearance to oak, though significantly lighter in weight. When not in use, the ladder stores away neatly behind a bedroom door.