Project : Kitchens

“THE LINE BETWEEN KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM HAS ALL BUT DISAPPEARED”

The heart of the home continues to house the biggest design trends – our love of metals, our yearning for texture, our forays into lighting, our favourite colour palettes; they all magnificently collide in this epicentre. Nowhere else does technology and taste sit side by side. In 2018 anything goes – mix your steel and copper, use luxe fabrics on bar stools, combine opposing materials and watch your main living space evolve. No longer is the kitchen simply about cooking. “These days the line between kitchen and living room has all but disappeared with creature comforts like sofas and the TV nestling snugly in the kitchen space,” says Anna Sadej, owner of Kitchen Connections. “The current trend is towards an open-plan and free flowing room that blends seamlessly into the living room, inviting people to move easily around the space while engaging with the cooking process.”

This kitchen was made using recycled metal and industrial fittings – dRAW Architecture.

Larder cupboards are easier to access than big pull out drawers – Run Projects.

Island cloaked in brass contrasts with classic, handle-less white kitchen – Eclectic Interiors.

For social entertaining put the hob on the island – Simply Construction.

Maximise the island’s usage with built-in shelving – Hub Kitchens.

“Warming drawers are great for proving bread and Miele’s Souz Chef ESW6229 gives that extra height required for larger bakes. It heats to 85 degrees so can also be used for slow cooking making it a multifunctional appliance”

Hub Kitchens

DESIGNING A FAMILY KITCHEN

  • The kitchen is the epicentre of the house so consider this when designing your space
  • An L-shape or island allows access from all sides and can be multi-functional – a snack bar, a dining table or homework area.
  • If the safety of young children and a clear cooking area are paramount, opt for a U-shaped or peninsula style layout. Raising the oven to eye-level is safer and better for your back too! Induction hobs look elegant and have safety locks, no flame and the surface stays cool while cooking.
  • The choice of worktop is key. Porous surfaces like wood and natural stone can be very difficult to clean while Quartz, Corian and Porcelain are hard-wearing, stain resistant and easy to wipe. Doors and drawers are best in a matte finish to avoid fingerprints.
  • If you cook for large groups, an extra oven and a warmer drawer are invaluable. Boiling water taps are excellent time savers.

Source: Kitchen Connections

Different level worktops in alternative finishes help zone an island – Hub Kitchens.

White Corian work surface, deep blue units and warm wood back wall – Kitchen Coordination.

Position your eating area nearest the garden –Kitchen Connections.

Shaker-style kitchen in a rear extension from Zenico.

The trend for mixed materials is going nowhere – Eclectic Interiors.

“USE LUXURIOUS METAL WRAPS WHICH ARE REFLECTIVE, RICH, HAVE DEPTH AND TEXTURE”
ROUNDHOUSE

THE ISLAND

The island continues to be a major feature in modern kitchens and whether it is large or small you need to decide how it’s going to be used.

If you have a sink on the island you do not want it covered in washing up products. It is best to use a base unit with special sink base drawers, as these will give you easy and flexible access to cleaning products and keep your island clear.

If you have your hob on the island use the new generation integrated extractor hobs such as BORA. Induction hobs are the best for this and, with a central extractor
set into the hob, are designed to pull the cooking smells and moisture down rather than up. The best brands work well ducted out or when recirculating through a filter. This has the extra advantage of having clear space over your island and an unobstructed view of the room.

Source: Eclectic Interiors

Use a patterned material to make your island a focal point – Roundhouse.

Frosted glass, pull-down shutter style and solid finishes all work well together – Kitchen Connections.

Clever door panels leave a neat finish on wall cabinetry – Roundhouse.

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