is MFI Kelmscott same as Howdens Howarth

bootalishus

Hi

I really like the Kelmscott modern white schrieber kitchen in MFI. Howdens have one called Howarth White which looks the same.

Does any one know if they are made by the same people. If no, which one is the best quality. Or does anyone else make a similar one which is better.

Has anyone had it fitted and are they pleased with it.

Thanks for your help.

cheesesarnie

interested to know the answer...thought the same thing myself today..

vivatifosi

Howdens and MFI are the same company. Don't know if this kitchen is the same, but my Dad is a general builder and fits kitchens and has mentioned that some are.

When I was looking at kitchens a few years ago, with Howdens you got a five year warranty which you had to buy from MFI, don't know if this is still the case, but may be worth looking into also.

cuffie

Hey - how weird!! Was going to post a thread today asking if anyone had had the Howdens Howarth white one fitted!!!!!
Howdens and MFI are NOT the same company. A few years ago, Howdens used to supply MFI but they don't anymore. I have noticed that some of their older ranges are identical, but they use different suppliers now and the new ranges do vary slightly. Interestingly, we borrowed a Howarth oak door from Howdens yesterday and took it into MFI . Its very similar, but not exact. It looked very slightly lighter. The Howarth white looks similar too, BUT, Howdens do not do the tall 900 units, nor do they do the wide 900 drawers which I think makes this kitchen look so good. In my opinion, Howdens looked a bit "cheaper" - the plinths at the top etc - just don't look as good as MFI. I've been back into MFI today asking them to quote the space cream. The Kelmscott range for my kitchen is nearly £8k without worksurface, appliances, sink, installation etc etc. The Space Cream is £5.5k with worksurface (no appliances, sink or installation). I'm interested to see if anyone has had the Howarth white fitted and what it looks like. I have Howdens coming in next week to quote for that - will be interesting to see the price difference.
I have been looking at the Kelmscott for a while now. I cannot find a similar "framed" kitchen (which is what this style is) for this money - everywhere else seems to be a lot more expensive. Having said all of this, when I first fell in love with this kitchen, I went into my local MFI store which has recently been re-fitted. The units with the black granite worksurface looks terrific. I went into another MFI with my husband to show him the same units, and they looked "worn". A bit like how gloss paint can go sometimes - as if the colour had faded a bit. Now it might have been the lighting, but it didn't look as good.
Not sure what your budget is, but it is the top end of both MFI's and Howdens ranges. The quote I got for my granite worktop is 1k less than the whole of my space cream kitchen with wooden worktop! It really is coming down to price for me. I did read on another forum a joiner posted something on there that said he has been a joiner for 20yrs and the Kelmscott kitchen was the best quality he had ever come across. (google "Kelmscott Oak kitchen" - some fella on another forum has even posted pictures of his Kelmscott Oak kitchen and it looks lovely.........shame no-one has done the same for the Howarth white - I'd be really interested to see this!). Have you been into your local Howdens? (you need to know someone who is trade and has an account there as they will not sell to the public). Not sure where you live, but some of the Howdens have mock-up kitchens - the one in Romford I'm pretty sure has the Howarth white mocked up on display. Hope this helps. (Hope someone else can help who has had a Howarth kitchen fitted too!!!!).

vivatifosi

Oops, sorry. Cuffie is right. Howdens was part of MFI but I think they were sold off last year. Still worth looking to what the warranty issue is though.

Howden's state 'We offer a 5-year guarantee on our rigid kitchen carcases. In the unlikely event of a manufacturing or raw material defect, any rigid carcase will be replaced - absolutely free of charge.'

Can't find 5-year warranty FOC at MFI website, only 12 months. Which isn't to say they don't offer it, just that I didn't find it.

majjie

Actually, it was the other way round; Howdens sold off MFI last October ... but they are still supplying some of their kitchens until the middle of 2008. I guess it'll become increasingly hard to tell which ones, though. Howdens is now the biggest supplier of kitchens in the UK.

From a design point of view, MFI's Kelmscott isn't the same as Howarth ... whoever makes it. Not only are the available unit sizes different, but have a look at the wall units. The Kelmscott has a deeper frame (round the door) at the bottom - so you don't need to use light pelmet. The Howarth has a frame round the door and then light pelmet recessed behind that ... nowhere near as neat.

That's not to say that the Howarth wouldn't make a nice kitchen, though ... depends on the plan and what look you want. Don't know anyone who's had one I'm afraid.

cuffie

majjie wrote: »

From a design point of view, MFI's Kelmscott isn't the same as Howarth ... whoever makes it. Not only are the available unit sizes different, but have a look at the wall units. The Kelmscott has a deeper frame (round the door) at the bottom - so you don't need to use light pelmet. The Howarth has a frame round the door and then light pelmet recessed behind that ... nowhere near as neat.

Its funny - I was looking at both of them and couldn't work out why the MFI one looked so good and the Howarth one didn't look as neat.... The Howarth is their equivalent though - like you say - not as neat looking, but for a "framed" kitchen, its not bad. I think the Howarth white probably looks better than the oak if you are comparing the two Kelmscott ranges. Just interested to see the price difference...will find out next week!! I wish there wasn't so much choice!

sniperpenguin

Sorry to revive an old post, but thoughtit was worth it since MFI going under etc...

MFI Kelmscott is acually Howdens "Calgary" Range



Nice to know theres a second source, just bought a 16K set of units (inc sink) for 2K inc f/freezer and Smeg extractor for £2000!!!

Doozergirl

sniperpenguin wrote: »

Sorry to revive an old post, but thoughtit was worth it since MFI going under etc...

MFI Kelmscott is acually Howdens "Calgary" Range


Nice to know theres a second source, just bought a 16K set of units (inc sink) for 2K inc f/freezer and Smeg extractor for £2000!!!

It's not the Calgary - there's no frame around the doors/drawers in the picture you've shown us. It's quite different. The framing gives it a real classic style whereas the calgary is more modern.

The Haworth looks a lot more like the Kelmscott.

agd_2

Hi,does anyone know if Howdens do the kennington Range in Kitchen units. Have been left without a number of doors due to whats happend to MFI at the moment Hope someone can help me.thanks

atlantic04

agd wrote: »

Hi,does anyone know if Howdens do the kennington Range in Kitchen units. Have been left without a number of doors due to whats happend to MFI at the moment Hope someone can help me.thanks

i have looked
everywhere
for kennington doors but i have failed