The complete process is managed by Shackletons, from the initial design and technical development through to manufacturing, assembly, delivery and installation. This integrated approach gives the team control over the quality, accuracy and finish of each piece while providing clients with one trusted partner throughout their project.
At the heart of the process is Shackletons’ cabinetry factory in Leeds, where precision machinery works alongside traditional hand-finishing skills to create furniture for care and senior living environments.
Designed by Shackletons
Every project begins with design.
For core cabinetry ranges, the Shackletons team has developed collections that balance appearance, practicality and the particular requirements of care environments. Dimensions, storage, accessibility, durability and ease of use are considered alongside form, finish and detailing.
Bespoke cabinetry starts with the individual space. Working from the project brief, interior scheme and site requirements, the design team develops a solution that responds to the room and its intended use. This may include fitted bedroom furniture, reception desks, bars, serveries, media units, libraries, display cabinetry or integrated storage.
Technical drawings translate the concept into a detailed manufacturing specification. Measurements, materials, construction, finishes and installation requirements are reviewed before production begins, helping ensure that every element is made accurately and that the finished cabinetry works successfully within the space.
Tools for Every Detail
Specialist cutters allow the team to create distinctive profiles and routed details, from subtle grooves and shaped edges to more decorative panelling.
Selecting the appropriate cutter is particularly important for bespoke designs, where individual detailing can give the cabinetry its own character and connect it with the wider interior scheme.
Cut with Precision
The cabinetry panels are cut and routed using CNC machinery.
Computer-controlled production enables complex shapes and repeated details to be created with a high level of accuracy. It also ensures consistency across multiple components particularly valuable on larger care home projects where the same design may appear across the home.
CNC technology supports both standard and bespoke manufacturing. It provides the precision needed for efficient assembly while allowing the team to produce individual sizes, shapes and decorative elements for a particular project.
Sanded by Hand
Once machining is complete, every routed component is carefully hand-sanded.
The team works across the surface, edges and recessed detailing to ensure a smooth surface and prepare the panel for its final finish. This hands-on stage achieves an even and consistent surface.
Hand-sanding also allows each component to be inspected closely before it moves to the next stage. The result is clean, well-defined detailing that feels considered rather than purely machine-produced.
Wrapped in Your Finish
The prepared panels are then placed into the vinyl press and wrapped in the finish selected for the project.
Heat and pressure form the vinyl closely around the face, edges and routed sections of the panel, allowing the decorative detailing to remain clearly defined. The process creates a consistent and durable surface suited to the demands of care and senior living interiors.
Our wide choice of wood and solid colour finishes support different design schemes, from understated neutrals and natural wood effects to richer colours that create contrast or a stronger focal point.
For designers and operators, this flexibility makes it possible to coordinate standard and bespoke cabinetry across bedrooms, dining areas, lounges and other shared spaces while maintaining a cohesive interior.
Built to Specification
After finishing, the individual components are checked against the technical drawings and assembled by hand.
Depending on the design and the requirements of the project, cabinetry may be assembled at the Leeds factory or constructed and fitted on site.
For fitted and bespoke schemes, close coordination continues through delivery and installation. The project team considers access, site readiness and the installation sequence so that each element can be brought into the building and fitted efficiently.
The Finished Result
The completed cabinetry is the result of a refined step-by-step process: the original concept, accurate technical development, specialist tooling, precision machining, careful hand-sanding, the chosen finish and skilled assembly.
Managing these stages in-house allows Shackletons to maintain a consistent standard from the first drawing to the completed installation. It also gives clients and design partners a direct route through the process, with the flexibility to respond to the practical and aesthetic requirements of each project.
