Why we are proud to be British

With the upcoming Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, there is most definitely an air of excitement across the nation, and we don’t think it’s purely down to the 2 extra bank holiday days!

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 is an opportunity for us to come together in our communities and celebrate all things British. From street parties to formal afternoon teas, the celebrations will involve consuming plenty of delicious foods, drinking a cheeky Pimm’s or two, and most definitely a cup or a pot of tea.

One thing is for sure, families up and down the country will be putting their kitchens to good use ahead of the long weekend preparing all the of the delights. Whether it be baking one of or several iconic British bakes, attempting Jemma Melvin’s lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle (the official pudding of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations), or simply rustling up a batch of cucumber sandwiches.

British delicacies aside, at Davonport we are immensely proud of our English roots, our commitment to detail and the fact that we create each and every kitchen in our workshops in Colchester, Essex (recently one of the eight towns to be made a city to mark the Queen’s platinuim Jubilee) ensures our kitchens really are of an unsurpassable quality, which in turn enables us to offer a lifetime guarantee on all our furniture and craftsmanship.

As Richard Davonport, founder and MD of Davonport says ‘it’s not just a job as the furniture carries my name.’ With a father who was an honorary member of the British Woodcarvers Association, working with wood was introduced into Richard’s life at a young age, culminating in setting up his own small workshop in the early 90s. 

Now based on a 1.2 acre site in Colchester in Essex, made up of a showroom and a 20,000 square foot workshop where each kitchen is intricately produced, Davonport works with over 20 design studios across the UK to produce bespoke kitchens. ‘And they are truly bespoke’, explains Richard. ‘Each piece of cabinetry and furniture is made to specification in our workshops, finished with British-made hardware and eco-friendly, scratch-resistant paint.’ 

The quality and attention to detail that comes with Davonport’s level of craftmanship has been widely recognised, winning a British Design & Manufacturing Award in 2017, while all timber used is sourced from suppliers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. ‘In order to create a cupboard that lasts a lifetime,’ Richard adds, ‘we use tried and tested methods as standard. Mortise and tenon joints in our cabinets and doors, dovetail joints on the corners of every box.’ Only after the cabinetry has passed rigorous testing is it deemed fit to have a small metal disc applied bearing the Davonport name.

From grade II listed properties through to unique self-builds, our expert designers are experienced in creating kitchens for a wide portfolio of properties, designing unique rooms that capture the essence of timeless handmade British furniture.

To arrange a visit to our Colchester showroom, or to book a design consultation please contact us.