ABOUT US
Experienced, Trusted, Genuine...
We specialise in the design, creation and installation of exclusive handmade kitchens throughout East Anglia.
From traditional to contemporary styles, each kitchen is totally bespoke; individually designed to meet clients’ aspirations and hand crafted using the highest quality materials, finished with exceptional fixtures, fittings and accessories.
Our creativity and complete attention to detail delivers unique kitchens that truly inspire, where beautiful aesthetics blend naturally with pure practicality.
Darren's Back-Story...
Choosing Arrden Vale Kitchens for your project means you gain access to the 30 years of expertise and time-served craftsmanship that proprietor Darren Cross brings to every commission. He will turn your vision into reality and positively relishes challenging installation scenarios.
With a keen interest in wood-working from an early age, Darren served a traditional carpentry apprenticeship after leaving school. His early career was in exhibition work which gave him an insight into forming complex shapes and working with many modern materials. He then moved into Bar and Bank fitting; making and fitting bank counters, bars, ceiling panneling, flooring and seating all of which required a very high standard of finish, working predominately in solid timber and veneers. Clients included Lloyds Bank, Barclays, Nationwide, Wetherspoons, TGI Fridays, British Airways and many others.
In the late 1980s Darren made an important move where he gained many of the skills he uses today. He started work in a small rural workshop in Suffolk undertaking bespoke cabinet making. Each tradesman in the workshop would work on their own particular bespoke commission piece, mainly furniture for either private individuals or corporate businesses throughout the UK. This work was hugely rewarding as it was incredibly diverse and instilled the ability to work to deadlines.
In the mid 90’s he then spent a few years working for a small specialist builder where again the work was varied. He ran the joiner’s shop making everything from gothic church windows and door frames to internal furniture for period homes.
Darren then established Arrden Vale Kitchens in 1997; he enjoys working closely with each client, always taking on board their requirements and ideas to help create an aesthetically beautiful but practical end result.