An Exclusive Q&A with Exorna: Winners of the Overall Top Real Stories Award

Following their success in the Top Real Stories Awards, we caught up with Andy Oliver, Director at Exorna, to learn more about the inspiration behind their award-winning project, the design journey, and how the STORI collection helped bring the homeowner’s vision to life. 

What inspired you to enter the Real Stories Awards? 

The Real Stories Awards gave us a great opportunity to showcase our work and gain some valuable exposure. We’re always proud to share projects that highlight good design and craftsmanship, so entering an awards competition that celebrates real customer stories felt like a good fit. It was also a chance to show the work that goes into creating a kitchen that’s tailored to a customer’s vision. 

Can you tell us about the vision behind this project? 

The homeowner wanted a modern kitchen and was keen on incorporating darker features throughout the design. We used the Tavola range, as they were particularly drawn to the slab door, which helped achieve the clean, contemporary look they were aiming for. The finished design strikes a great balance between style and practicality, creating a space that feels both striking and welcoming. 

Tavola – Hacienda Black | Exorna

What drew you to the Tavola range from the STORI collection? 

The Tavola Hacienda Black combination was the perfect choice for the overall look and feel of the project. It complemented the modern design perfectly and added depth and character to the space. Combined with the horizontal grain detail, it helped create a sleek, seamless finish that worked beautifully throughout the kitchen. 

How did you approach designing this kitchen to meet the homeowner’s needs?

This was a project that evolved significantly throughout the design process. We worked closely with the homeowner and made major design changes from start to finish to ensure every detail worked for them. Each revision helped us refine the layout and functionality until we arrived at a design that suited both their lifestyle and the space perfectly. 

How did you incorporate the unique features of the STORI collection into this design?

One of the biggest advantages of the STORI collection was the Made to Order sizing options. This allowed us to make the most of the available space and create a kitchen that felt completely bespoke. The flexibility of the range helped us achieve a clean, seamless finish while meeting the customer’s specific requirements. 

Tavola – Hacienda Black | Exorna

What part of this project are you most proud of?

One of the standout features for us was creating a bespoke wine cooler door using four Tavola panels. It took careful planning to ensure everything lined up correctly and looked like one continuous feature. The finished result became a real focal point in the kitchen and is a great example of the attention to detail that went into the project. 

What do you think sets the STORI collection apart from other kitchen ranges?

The flexibility of the STORI collection is one of its biggest strengths. The range offers plenty of options to create something unique, while the quality and finish help elevate the overall design. This combination allows designers to create highly personalised spaces without compromising on aesthetics or functionality. 

Tavola – Hacienda Black | Exorna

What does winning the 2026 Top Real Stories Award mean to you, and what benefits do you see coming from this achievement?

Winning the 2026 Top Real Stories Award has been a fantastic achievement for our team and a great way to showcase the project. We’ve really enjoyed the exposure that has come from winning and the opportunity it has given us to share our work with a wider audience. It’s always rewarding to receive recognition for a project that involved so much collaboration and attention to detail. 

Congratulations to Andy Oliver and the team at Exorna on winning the Overall Top Real Stories Award. Their project is a fantastic example of how thoughtful design, collaboration, and the flexibility of the STORI collection can come together to create a truly bespoke kitchen space.