Maison d’Aquitaine: a kitchen company with a different approach
Maison d’Aquitaine is a kitchen and fitted furniture company with a difference. The new Dordogne-based retailer focuses on addressing the gap in the market for sustainable, quality craftsmanship (for all budgets).
Established by experienced furniture designer and carpenter, Craig Wadey and his wife Emma, they created Maison d’Aquitaine in 2024 to offer a furniture range that compliments classical, French homes. All without compromising on features or practicality.
It’s an approach that isn’t a surprise given Craig’s experience. Having spent the last 13 years in France creating individual furniture to order, he was regularly approached by people wanting traditional ‘shaker’ style furniture or similar. However, many unfortunately didn’t have the budget for completely bespoke pieces or very high-end brands. This meant that all too often, those within the region had to opt for low grade kitchen units etc. often from large retailers in France (usually made from unsustainable sources and offering an impersonal service).
A carpenter since 1993, Craig has a range of relevant qualifications including joinery, quantity surveying and structural engineering (equivalent to a university bachelors degree). His work can be found across the world as far as California and the Outer Hebrides as well as in chateaux, restaurants, shops and family homes throughout the Dordogne, Lot et Garonne and Bordeaux etc.
Craig highlights that “I was amazed at how few options there were for those looking for affordable, fitted (and even freestanding) furniture that suited traditional, French houses. Add to this the need to be sympathetic to the environment, and it was impossible; look deep enough and you’ll find that even some of the stylish, high-end brands ship their pieces all the way from Asia. And even then, they may not come from regenerative sources! I was used to going to the local woodyard and selecting locally grown wood my pieces. It was so important to find a supplier that had a strong ‘green’ policy.”
Some examples of Craig’s bespoke work as an individual joiner before setting up Maison d’Aquitaine. He continues to handcraft individual pieces, such as dining tables, to support larger Maison d’Aquitaine kitchen projects and also works with the well respected, interior design store Fabrica in Eymet, designing and installing their beautiful, Neptune kitchens.
Craig knew that he’d be able to offer a quality, personalised service but being able to ensure being eco-friendly has really meant that Maison d’Aquitaine can stand out from the crowd. All their cabinets are made from wood grown and manufactured within Europe. Their doors are constructed from renewable harvested alderwood and cabinets are built from 40% recycled materials on the inside. Everything is focused on being eco-friendly. Their suppliers focus on providing strong, rigid units, designed to stand the test of time. They’ve even achieved the Planet Mark certification and are Carbon Neutral certified by Ecologi, and importantly have a strategy to be fully Net Zero by 2050.
It’s refreshing to see sustainability achieved without compromising on style and choice, contact us to discuss your individual fitted furniture needs.