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Archive for the ‘Kitchen’ Category
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
They say it’s one of the most stressful things you can do, but 2013 is set to be a year of change, decorating and more work on a house, as we’re about to up sticks and move.
Aside from the fact that we’re currently in pre-moving chaos and mega last minute de-cluttering (we move next week…eek), we’re looking forward to settling in and getting stuck into improving another house. The idea of gradually adding decor, new colour schemes, curtains and soft furnishings does, not surprisingly, rather appeal to me!
We’ve loved living in our current house and have done loads to it over the last six and a half years, thanks in part to finding some excellent builders, including a kitchen extension and re-fit, a bathroom re-fit and re-design, complete new fencing outside, new soffits and gutters, changing all the internal doors, decorating the hall and stairs, creating a lovely patio with contemporary glass panelling, and a lot of planting in the garden.
We will miss the garden as it’s rather quirky, and one of the compromises with the new house is a smaller garden – but on the plus side, it’s nearly a complete blank canvas, so we are looking forward to designing and planting it in the way we want it.
The hardest part is leaving the kitchen. It wasn’t that stunning when we first moved in – very small and a complete ‘shrine to pine’ – even the ceiling was clad with pine. But we were able to knock down a wall and extend it, creating a much bigger, more functional kitchen and breakfast room.
It originally looked like this:
In progress looked like this:
And was finally transformed it into this:
The kitchen in the new house is an original, somewhat retro kitchen, so at some point it’s going to be subject to another kitchen re-fit. It’s a reasonably good sized room, but there is scope to expand it – we’re currently debating whether to knock a wall down and create a large kitchen diner, to put a door through to the existing dining room or simply re-design and update the layout, adding lots more storage.
However, we’re going to have to live with it for a while and see how the space and layout functions, as the house as a whole is in need of a good dose of TLC and there’s a long list of more practical and pressing DIY jobs to do first!
For now, it’s back to the packing…
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Tags: contemporary kitchen, fresh design kitchen, kitchen conversion, kitchen design, kitchen re-design, moving house
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Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
As the old adage states, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and in the same manner, the way to a house’s heart is through its kitchen.
Houses are bought and sold on the strength of their kitchens, and are usually the first thing to be remodelled when new owners move in.
Your kitchen has to represent you and your lifestyle, so getting the design that works for you, your family and what goes on within it takes a great deal of consideration. Here are a few things to thinks about when planning a bespoke kitchen of your dreams.
Seek Advice
Like planning for a wedding, most people have made vague plans of what they think that they might want long before they meet ‘The One’. However, turning this into a reality takes a lot of fine-tuning.
Talk to bespoke kitchen designers such as Increation about some of your ideas. This way you will be able to get more of your own input into the design as they use their own craftsmen and source all of the products and materials around what you want.
Using High Street firms will result in you having to fit around what products and stock they have available and could result in compromise on certain features.
Put function before fashion
A good kitchen design should be timeless. Appliances may change and develop over time, but how you utilise the space and how it makes you feel should remain fairly consistent.
Choosing a high gloss, brilliant white worktop might fit with the style that you have selected on your mood board of ideas, but if that is where the kids usually do their homework it might not hold its lustre for long.
Draw on your memory bank of certain designs you have admired in the past and see if they still resonate with you now. Take on board the latest trends and styles but don’t be a slave to them.
Embrace your fantasy
Your new kitchen needs to represent and reflect you, so let your imagination run wild and contemplate a quirky feature you might like to include which will hint at the kind of person you are.
Maybe it could be an original mosaic or tile used, or a pattern that echoes around the space. Visit your favourite gallery or museum and look at art and design related magazines, not just ones that focus on interior design.
Make a list of the works of art that resonate with you and see if you could make a reference to a building, painting or sculpture that you identify with.
Or maybe you have a geographical place that you would like to capture the essence of and allude to with the colours you chose etc.
Get your kitchen right and the rest of your house should fall into place, and even if it takes time figuring out exactly what you want, it will be time well spent and should also be a lot of fun.
***This post is in association with Increation***
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Tags: bespoke kitchen, guest post, Increation, Kitchen, kitchen design
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Monday, December 17th, 2012
 Blenheim kitchen from Homebase The kitchen is one of the most important rooms of your home, so when it comes to choosing your perfect kitchen, it’s no wonder you want to get it right. If you’re looking to update or redesign your kitchen, then here are some ideas and tips to help you choose the right kitchen for your home.
In today’s market, there are plenty of gorgeous bespoke kitchen designs to choose from, in a range of styles and suitable for varying budget needs. It’s a good idea to take some time browsing the options available online, through kitchen retailer websites such as Homebase, as well as going to visit ranges in store so you can get a clearer idea of what the products look like.
One of the important aspects of a kitchen design is the layout. When designing the right layout for you, it’s important to consider issues such as the size and shape of your kitchen, as well as the location of essential kitchen appliances, such as the cooker, hob, fridge and sink.
If your current kitchen layout doesn’t meet your needs – perhaps you feel the sink would be better placed under the window or the oven moved from an under counter position to higher up in a tower - then re-designing the positioning and layout of items can help it work better.
 Contemporary Monza kitchen A good level of storage is important too and when you’re choosing a new kitchen, it’s a good opportunity to think about how you can incorporate all your storage needs. Simply adding more cupboards and putting away items that were previously left out on a countertop is one easy way of clearing the clutter in your kitchen. There are also lots of very clever kitchen storage solutions available too, such as pull out larders, that help you make the most of every bit of space.
Sometimes it can be hard to visualise how a new kitchen will actually look when it’s completed, especially if you’re changing the existing layout of the room. This is where online kitchen planners are incredibly useful, as you can use them to design and plan out your kitchen before you part with your hard earned cash.
There are some planning tools that help you work out where things are going to go, and the basic layout of a room, but don’t give you much visual idea of what your room could actually look like when it’s finished.
The Homebase kitchen planner, however, works in 3D so you can get a good idea of what the end result could look like. You can use the kitchen planner to help you decide what works and what doesn’t in your kitchen. The designs can be saved and printed out and are useful to have if you’re planning to book a free kitchen design and planning appointment.
***This post is in association with Homebase***
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Tags: Blenheim kitchen, contemporary kitchen, guest post, Homebase, kitchen design, Monza kitchen
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Monday, October 29th, 2012
 Astral blue gloss kitchen So, you’ve decided it’s high time you got the kitchen you’ve always wanted and you’re finally going to get rid of your dated looking units and get something a bit more contemporary.
Where do you start when designing a new kitchen and what are the key things to consider?
Kitchen layout
Well, the first thing to think about is work flow and where everything should be placed in the kitchen.
When you’re in the thick of it preparing the family Christmas dinner, there’s nothing worse than having to run from one side of the kitchen to the next looking for a spare inch of work space so you can peel the sprouts and chop the carrots.
Wide, spacious worktops right beside the hob and oven are very important for a happy cooking experience and the more workspace you can squeeze into whatever area you have available to you, the better.
Cupboards and storage
The next thing to think about is cupboard space and where you are going to store your cooking utensils, pots, pans and crockery.
Again, think about your work flow and how you’re going to move about the kitchen.
A good idea is to have a large pull out drawer just under your oven or hob where you keep all your pots and pans and other large cooking vessels.
If you have room for a drawer with a carousel in it then all the better. That way you can just twist it round to grab the pot you need without having to clatter through all the others.
Another key thing to consider is where you want your fridge freezer to go and how big you want it.
Obviously it’s a good idea to keep it as far away from the oven as possible otherwise it will just have to work overtime to keep everything chilled, which will add to your energy bills and isn’t very good for your carbon footprint.
Gas or electricity
Finally, have a think about whether you want to use gas or electricity.
This will most likely come down to a matter of personal preference. Some people love cooking with gas as the heat is instant and you don’t have to wait for the hob to heat up, while others prefer electric hobs and ovens.
If you don’t have gas fired central heating in your home then it might be a good idea to opt for electric appliances, otherwise you will have to get a separate gas connection which may not be worthwhile if it’s just to fire up your hob.
***This is a guest post***
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Tags: guest post
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Saturday, August 4th, 2012
In today’s hectic world, it is a rare treat to find yourself in a room that makes you feel completely calm and tranquil. As we spend so much time in our kitchens nowadays, even if we’re not preparing huge banquets from scratch but just whipping up a quick stir fry or simply using the room as a base to entertain friends, it’s a great place to create a peaceful atmosphere.
So how do you go about bringing the calming vibes into the hub of your home? This guide will help you do just that, because with some carefully selected items of decoration, and a specially chosen colour scheme, you’ll soon be reaping the benefits that a modern yet timeless kitchen can offer.
Choose neutral colours that won’t leave you flustered. A base of cool whiles, natural stone and soft beige will leave the space feeling airy and you feeling clear-minded. To stop walls looking too plain, decorate them with mosaic tiles from The Tile Depot. These can make for intricate detail and an elegant splash back, especially if using neutral colours.
Don’t clutter up your sides. Keep as much hidden away in cupboards as possible. Brightly-coloured packaging will spoil the tranquil atmosphere so ensure you have adequate storage space, or consider some pale-coloured jars or biscuit barrels placed neatly on coordinating surfaces to hide your multi-coloured snacks away.
Let as much natural light in as possible. Keep windows free of any curtains or blinds if you can. If you really need the privacy, choose a voile in the sheerest material suitable. Maximising the amount of natural daylight in your home has a whole host of benefits from uplifting spirits to helping the body fend off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), so make the most of every ray of light you can get into your kitchen!
Make use of the modern world to increase your calm. Avoid stacked-up dirty dishes with a dishwasher, be fully prepared to entertain with minimal effort by investing in a built in wine-cooler, and, if possible, choose a fridge with an attached ice-maker.
***This post is in association with The Tile Depot***
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Tags: guest post, Interior ideas, The Tile Depot, tiles
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Friday, July 6th, 2012
 Curve cookware Sleek and stylish and perfect for a contemporary kitchen, the Curve cookware range is made from stainless steel and includes everything a discerning home cook requires, including saucepans, omelette pans, stockpots, and milk pans.
Saucepans and frying pans are available to buy individually from £23, or in three piece sets from £75.
 Value cookware Cookware needn’t be expensive and if you just want the basics, without spending a fortune, then the John Lewis value cookware does the job well.
The range, which includes saucepans and frying pans, is priced from only £5. The pans are made from aluminium, with non-stick inside, and a soft grip silicone handle. Great for students or first time home owners and renters.
 House steel grey cookware For oven to tableware for a contemporary kitchen, the House cookware range in steel grey ceramic is a striking addition for your home.
Items available include ramekins (£3), utensil jars (£10), jugs (£10), roasting dishes £15) and 3 litre casserole dishes (£15).
 - House white porcelain range
Or, if you prefer the fresh clean lines of white porcelain (and it’s ideal for mixing and matching with other crockery), the House range is also available in white. It provides functional and durable cookware with simple designs.
The well priced range contains a variety of kitchen essentials, from ramekins (£3) to rectangular dishes (£8), pie dishes (£18) and covered casseroles.
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Tags: affordable cookware, contemporary cookware, cookware, Crockery, Curve saucepan, frying pan, house, House cookware range, John Lewis cookware, John Lewis saucepan, Kitchen, oven to table, saucepan, saucepan set, stainless steel saucepan, student cookware, white porcelain
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Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
 Rainbow kitchen We’re swooning over contemporary kitchen design ideas today and came across this multi-coloured linear kitchen idea from Harvey Jones.
Painted in a rainbow of colours, with all the kitchen cupboards painted a different colour, it’s one way to brighten up a room! They’ve used darker shades on the bottom cupboards and corresponding lighter shades on top to create an interesting palette of colour.
Admittedly it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re not afraid of colour and want to liven up your kitchen, then it’s a rather fun idea. What’s more, the stack of Pantone mugs work wonderfully with it!
What do you think – could you live with a multi-coloured kitchen in your home?
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Tags: contemporary kitchen, Harvey Jones, Kitchen, kitchen cupboards, kitchen ideas, linear kitchen, multi-coloured kitchen, painted kitchen cupboards, Pantone colours, Pantone mugs, rainbow kitchen
Posted in Kitchen | 1 Comment »
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
 Decorative splashbacks Fancy bringing a bit of countryside into your kitchen?
If you haven’t got a stunning view outside your window, or you’re living in the city, then now you can have hills and grass in your home, thanks to these new Graphic Glaze splashbacks from Deco Glaze.
Designed by Ashley Phillips of Glartique the design is printed on the 6mm glass using environmentally friendly inks and is a great way of livening up a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room.
For more details, or to find stockist near you, check out the Deco Glaze website.
For more splashback ideas, see our previous post on contemporary kitchen glass splashback ideas.
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Tags: Deco Glaze, Glass, Graphic Glaze, kitchen decor, kitchen design, splashback, splashbacks
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Friday, April 15th, 2011
 
They’ve done it again! If you’re looking to liven up your cookware with a bit of colour and pattern, but haven’t got a big budget to spend, then the Kavalkad range at Ikea is really affordable.
The blue and white saucepan and frying pan both have a nice patterned design on them and are a lovely change to plain coloured pots and pans.
The Kavalkad saucepan costs £4.99 and the Kavalkad frying pan is only £4.59, both from Ikea.
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Tags: blue, cooking, cookware, frying pan, Ikea, Kavalkad, Kitchen, pattern, saucepan, white
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Friday, July 16th, 2010
 Ocean themed spoons For those that love the nautical trend in interiors, then here’s another fab way of bringing the theme into your home, this time through a great seat of spoons.
The neptune spoons, which come as a set of six, feature ocean-related designs, such as a shell, starfish and fish. Each silver plated spoon is different and measures between 12 and 14cm long.
The spoons are nicely produced and would add a quirky touch to a table. Use them for dessert or for eating ice cream on a hot day – they’ll remind you of being beside the sea.
You can purchase the neptune spoons from Buy the Sea for £21.95.
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Tags: Buy the Sea, cutlery, nautical, Not On The High Street, ocean, spoon, trend
Posted in Dining, Kitchen | 1 Comment »
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