She and Ian visited design companies to check out the possibilites. Martin Scarth of Broomley Furniture emerged as the clear favourite and the couple were particularly drawn to a small piece of furniture he had made in sycamore and black walnut.
'What impressed us was that he was obviously someone who was a craftsman and understood the wood. He didn't push us. He came and looked at the kitchen, gave us some ideas and went away. I hate pushy salespeople; his laid back approach suited us.'