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Kitchen of the Week: A Bright and Airy Kitchen Makeover in Bristol

Kitchen of the Week: A Bright and Airy Kitchen Makeover in Bristol- The owners of this home had been renting for a year when they decided to make their move to Bristol permanent. Searching for somewhere to buy, they came across a Victorian house in need of some serious care and attention, but with the space they were looking for. ‘It was in quite bad condition,’ explains architect Elke Dittrich, who helped the family to bring their own sense of style and personality to the property. The whole house was renovated in one go, which took around five months.
Elke worked closely with the mother of the family, Mirkku, who is a graphic designer, to create this light, bright kitchen. The pair are friends, and Elke says of her, ‘Whenever she arrives, she always looks immaculate. It was a pleasure to work with someone with such a strong vision.’

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here A family of four
Location Bristol
Size 7.3 x 3.4m
Designer Elke Dittrich of DHV Architects

DHV Architects

When the family bought the property, the ground floor was a warren of rooms with very little light. ‘There were actually two kitchens – the original Victorian one and another, 1970s kitchen beyond it, plus a bathroom and scullery beyond that,’ Elke explains.

She stripped the entire area, which involved removing a large chimney breast and putting in a substantial amount of steel to support the building. The result was well worth it, though – a light-filled, spirit-lifting space.

Cabinets, Ikea. Rubber floor, Dalsouple.

Browse thousands of white kitchen photos on Houzz to find more inspiration.

DHV Architects

‘Mirkku is half German, half Finnish, and a graphic designer,’ Elke says. ‘She wanted to have a clean, almost Scandinavian look.’ Mirkku chose to go for a light and natural colour palette, mixing woods with white in typical Scandi style.

As the daughter of an art dealer, she had plenty of artworks with which to decorate her home, including some original Bauhaus pictures.

Browse the Scandi palette of wood and monochrome

DHV Architects

The ground floor used to be a dark maze of rooms and the garden was hidden from view. ‘There were no windows,’ Elke says. Adding a small, flat-roof extension enabled them to insert glazing to the same height as the windows in the rest of the room, which they wouldn’t have been able to do with a sloping, ‘lean-to’ roof.

‘The kitchen is west-facing and light was one of the most important factors in the design. For us, that’s always the most important thing – to create a space that’s not only comfortable, but makes you happy, too,’ Elke says.

The garden was overgrown and required a lot of attention, but is now a lovely, leafy space.

Thinking of going all white with your exterior? See these other white exterior photos for ideas.

DHV Architects

Mirkku found the kitchen at Ikea. ‘That’s the nice thing about her house,’ Elke notes, ‘it’s a wonderful example of how to combine classic pieces with more affordable options.’

DHV Architects

The Arne Jacobsen dining chairs are a good example of a well-chosen design classic. Paired with an Ikea wooden dining table, the look is fresh and understated, with a clear sense of the simplicity so fundamental to Scandinavian schemes.

The children’s artwork is displayed all over the wall, bringing personality to the room. ‘The display shows how things that are often thought of as quite messy can be shown in an organised and beautiful way,’ says Elke.

Series 7 chairs by Arne Jacobsen, available at The Conran Shop. Sliding doors, Velfac.

Check out more sliding door options

DHV Architects

Mirkku chose to avoid continuous units in favour of a more freestanding look. ‘The whole room is a mixture of modern and traditional,’ Elke says. ‘The tall unit is where the dresser would typically have been, so it alludes to that and looks more like a piece of furniture.’

The worktop is maple, and the couple installed and waxed it themselves in a bid to cut costs as the project came to a close.

DHV Architects

The Smeg range cooker gives the room a country edge. ‘Mirkku didn’t want it to be completely modern, and was keen it had a bit of a traditional twist, too, as it’s a period house,’ Elke explains.

DHV Architects

It was important for Elke that there be a variety of lighting in the room. ‘We find that in a kitchen, particularly a kitchen-diner, you need to have different types of lights for different functions. You need task as well as ambient lighting,’ she explains. Downlights are combined with a pendant over the dining table to enable different atmospheres to be created. Mirkku is quite the entertainer, so this was important.

‘It was a real pleasure and success working with someone with such a strong design language,’ Elke concludes. ‘The room is so light and welcoming, people are just drawn to it.’

TELL US…
Have you combined traditional with contemporary in your home? What do you think of this blend? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.

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Kitchen Planning: How to Light Your Kitchen for Maximum Impact

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Kitchen Planning: How to Light Your Kitchen for Maximum Impact- Few rooms make as many demands on lighting as the kitchen, especially now most of us eat and often relax in there, too. Good task lighting for food prep and cooking is a given, but that doesn’t mean you need to be restricted to a grid of downlights. There’s a range of lighting options that can be incorporated to highlight features, zone areas and boost natural light. Read on for how to make your kitchen lighting fun as well as functional, and explore the practical considerations you need to plan for when designing your lighting scheme.

Always remember that the exact colours and colour renderings (how the light will make other colours appear) of light fittings vary hugely by manufacturer, so always test out a light source before you buy – you don’t want a tomato to look like a plum!

Flower Michelin

Keep it simple
A common mistake people make is to overcomplicate their lighting. Often, keeping it simple is the most effective and elegant solution. But simple doesn’t have to mean boring.

Here, the work surfaces are lit with precisely positioned spotlights, perfect for task lighting. The ceiling coffer lighting demonstrates how artificial light can be used to complement natural daylight. Sections of the ceiling have been lowered, then hidden, low-profile linear LED fittings have been used to wash the ceiling. This effect requires planning at an early stage, as the ceiling needs to be constructed to house the fittings.

Even at night, the colour temperature of these light fittings – between 3000-4000K – would make the space feel as if it’s filled with daylight. Natural daylight can be both cooler and warmer than this depending on the time of day, but 3000-4000K is a comfortable general approximation that will give a similar feel.

cu_cucine

Create low-level sightlines
In this kitchen, the interest is in the low-level lighting, which provides a warm glow and takes your eye down through the room.

If you’re considering this effect, take a careful look at the layout of your kitchen. It works best if there’s a continuous line to follow; it’s much more difficult, if not impossible, to achieve this seamless look if the kickstrip is interrupted by a dishwasher, fridge or other appliances. It also works best if there’s a small down stand (overhang) at the front of the units behind which the light fitting can sit discreetly.

LED fittings require a driver. Drivers have a similar purpose to transformers: they step down the mains power to the voltage required by the fitting. Drivers have a maximum distance they can be sited from the fittings they drive, so driver locations and access for maintenance will need to be considered at an early stage.

Dam Architects

Introduce a high-level wash
In rooms with tall ceilings, rather than keeping sightlines low, it’s a great idea to accentuate the height with uplighting. A wash of light delivers an even coverage across a surface from a concealed location. A simple, linear light placed on top of the upper bank of cabinets is great for this striking effect. It’s a very flattering light that has all the glamour of concealed lighting.

The linear, blue, under-unit lighting is an interesting accent, although as it’s a key functional area, it will need to be supplemented with some white light as well, separately circuited. The pendants, meanwhile, visually link the kitchen through to the lounging area next door.

See more on concealed lighting

Pedini London

Have fun with colours
If you have a white kitchen and want to add a touch of colour without making any permanent changes, or just want to jazz up your room a little, coloured lighting might be the way to go. It adds a layer of interest and totally changes the feel of a room – perfect for the transition from dinner to drinks, for example. Remember, though, that a little colour goes a long way, so use it sparingly.

The use of colour can be quite divisive – people tend to either love it or hate it – but done right, it can really make a space sing. The cheapest route is to use LEDs of a single colour, which come in green, blue, red or amber. This is straightforward and doesn’t require any additional cabling apart from power.

If you want the lights to be different colours, or want the ability to change colours, it’s best to use a lighting control system. This requires fittings that contain a mixture of red, green, blue and sometimes white LED chips. The lighting control system is able to set each of the chips to different levels, creating a complete spectrum to choose from or cycle through. This will need a different cabling structure and equipment and is probably a job for a professional.

Rocco Borghese

Use lighting to zone your space
One of the great things about venturing out of the conventional with your lighting design is that you can use it to zone your areas, and create different ambiences in each.

Here, the playful and glamorous dining area feels quite separate from the functional working zone thanks to the statement pendant lighting. Downlighting in the kitchen area is perfect for prep, and the combination of the two enables the mood to be changed at the flick of a switch – a lighting control system can throw the dining area into entertaining mode, with the functional lighting in the cooking area dimmed right down.

If you don’t want to go quite as flamboyant as this kitchen, you can pinch some of the same zoning ideas and apply them with a little more moderation.

Check out 10 ways to dazzle with cluster lights

Roundhouse

Opt for integration
If you’re planning on redesigning your kitchen, then you have a lot more options open to you, provided you plan far enough in advance. Working your lighting into the fabric of your kitchen is a great way achieve subtle elegance, and have a scheme that really panders to your every need.

In this kitchen, strong under-lighting of the island makes it seem as though it’s floating, and the backlighting behind the shelves brings out the texture of the stone and adds a welcome vertical contrast. The lighting really enhances the bespoke feel of this kitchen.

If you plan early, you’ll have a variety of options, including under-lighting units, building lighting into shelves or worktops, and dropping the ceiling to create a coffer. Discuss these options with your kitchen or lighting designer early on, as you’ll need to plan out a number of technical details, such as how you’re going to mount the lights, where the cables are going to go and where you are going to locate the control gear, such as the drivers for LED fittings.

Colin Cadle Photography

Position creatively
If you have an awkward space with no obvious points for pendants or spotlighting, don’t worry. Even the most challenging kitchen layouts can be worked around. In this kitchen, the track lighting and the small fittings mounted on the side of the cabinets by the range are particularly effective in delivering light to the working areas. The pendants, meanwhile, have longer chains to provide sufficient light to the island.

Early consideration needs to be given for lighting like this, as the transformers are generally fairly chunky and need to be fairly close to the light fixtures due to voltage drop restrictions. But the point to take away is that almost anything can be done with a little creativity.

Brilliant Lighting

Layer for warmth and character
Building up layers of light brings out the richness of finishes and creates interesting sightlines, drawing your eye through the space.

This kitchen features low-level LED accent lighting shining across the floor, under-cabinet lighting providing supplementary task lights, and high-output downlights delivering shadow-free task lighting to the main work surfaces. Other options for layering the light include uplighting and pendants in the dining area.

TELL US…
What does the lighting in your kitchen look like? Does it work well for you? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.

http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen

Kitchen Planning: Clever Storage Solutions That Think Outside the Box

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Kitchen Planning: Clever Storage Solutions That Think Outside the Box- Hands up who feels they have too much stuff in their kitchen? I know I’m guilty as charged. But, hey, you never know when you might need that special tool for hulling strawberries, or get back into juicing carrots and cucumbers… In the meantime, create calm from chaos with smart storage, from hidden cupboards to statement shelving.

Moon Design + Build

Climb up and over
This wall of smart shelving uses the space around a central fridge, but looks measured and pleasingly balanced. With plenty of depth, there’s space for essentials at a lower level, storing less-frequently used ceramics higher up. Having all your pieces on display is a good incentive for buying good-looking kitchenware and crockery. Out with the chipped, in with the white and wonderful!

Glenvale Kitchens

Research design ideas
Corners aren’t what they used to be, with nifty drawer units that can swallow all your utensils to make the best possible use of your space, so nothing is wasted. Deep drawers are much more versatile than old-style carousel storage in a corner and kitchen items are easier to access.

MR.FRÄG

Hang it all
A narrow galley kitchen calls for creative solutions and this one is full of them. Instead of going heavy on the wall-hung units, which would feel very crowded if they ran along both sides of the room, this kitchen keeps cupboard storage limited to just one side, then adds slimmed-down shelves and cabinets on the other – all hung from Shaker-style pegs. Genius.

Check out foolproof ways to declutter your kitchen

Roundhouse

Build into recesses
This slim recess has been fully utilised to accommodate a bench for a casual dining area, while sleek storage units above are perfect for packing away seldom-used items, table linen or even your wine rack. The equal squares add a note of organisation to the scheme.

Brayer Design

Create a breakfast bar
Coffee? Check. Cereal? Check. Toast? Check. Everything you need first thing is tucked away behind bifold doors, which would leave the main cooking area free of clutter. Unless you have a teenager in the house who insists on a fry-up first thing, of course…

Blakes London

Add an inside story
Scoop extra style points for your kitchen by lining wall-hung storage with a contrasting colour or material. These glossy white metro tiles bring out the beauty of the graphite grey cabinetry and link with the rest of the Scandi scheme. The problem with many wall-hung cabinets is they look bulky and bolted on. Here, the problem is stylishly solved.

Oliver Burns

Copy shop display tricks
This spacious kitchen doesn’t hold back with the shelving. It has the space to do so, but running five banks of shelving top to bottom is a bold move that pays off. As a result, kitchenware isn’t all crammed together and adds an ever-changing focal point to the warehouse-like space.

See 11 more inspiring ways to style open shelves

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

Rack it up
These metal luggage racks add a quirky twist to a compact kitchen, where nothing is too fussy or overburdened. In a small space, it’s good to stick to one main style statement, rather than have several clamouring for attention, and these original racks do the job nicely.

Etre

Be bold with brackets
These decorative shelf brackets make what could have been an unremarkable white scheme into something more decorative. The ornate style contrasts with the contemporary white tiles – and helps to draw the eye away from the rather less glamorous handles on the units.

WHAT_architecture

Take tiling to the max
This chef-worthy kitchen works some wonderful wizardry with tiles. Taking them across the floor and up the wall is pretty good going, but then they have created cool shelf fronts for another layer of pattern. It’s a glittering solution to storage, that runs the length of the kitchen for extra effect.

TELL US…
What are your storage tricks, favourite solutions or pet hates? We’d love to hear them all in the Comments below.

http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen

Kitchen Ideas: Shiny, Happy Cook Spaces for Summer

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Kitchen Ideas: Shiny, Happy Cook Spaces for Summer- We all love the summer and we all love our kitchens, right? So why not try sprinkling a little seasonal charm throughout our cook spaces to keep us smiling throughout the warmer, lighter months? The route to kitchen happiness doesn’t necessarily involve a full kitchen refit, complete with light-enhancing glass walls and ceiling (although that would be nice, thank you very much). Just a few smaller, easier measures – such as a vintage jug bursting with roses and peonies – will up the happy quotient no end. Shiny, happy people – we present you with your shiny, happy kitchens…

Lynda Miehe Associates

Cheer up with yellow
A surefire way to create sunny, happy vibe everywhere in the home, not least in the kitchen, is to add some yellow. This plain white kitchen has been elevated to the most cheerful spot in the home thanks to the expanse of vibrant yellow on one wall. Or you could introduce a couple of citrus yellow chairs, a lemon kettle or toaster or even just a vase bulging with sunflowers or marigolds.

Browse 10 more reasons to add yellow to your kitchen

Bruce Hemming Photography

Gather round a table
Nothing raises the happy kitchen stakes like a big, robust table where family and friends can congregate.

If possible, place your table slap bang in the middle of the room so you can cook while you chat. Dress it simply with a starched linen cloth or sheet, a vase full of freshly-cut blooms, and, most importantly, a gathering of your favourite people.

SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

Chalk up a blackboard
Happy kitchens need to work for every member of the family – from style-conscious parents to scribble-loving toddlers.

Tick a box on everyone’s cheery checklist by transforming one wall into a giant blackboard, where kids can doodle and grown-ups can keep on track with diary dates and to-do lists. What’s more, it’s the perfect finishing touch to the on-trend monochrome look.

Bag more inspiration for creating a kitchen blackboard

J M Interiors

Stock up your cupboards
A well-stocked larder will guarantee a happy family kitchen. Because despite all the talk of social hubs and open-plan living, kitchens are first and foremost places to prepare food. If you have the space, a dedicated larder can bring order to dried goods and tins, and provide a home for bread bins, mixers and other kitchen kit.

Larder or not, this is a good time to do an inventory of all your foodstuffs, discarding out-of-date jars and bottles, stocking up on summer essentials and decanting packets of pasta, rice and cereal into classic glass Kilner jars.

SOUP Architects Ltd

Drink in the views
This spectacular kitchen maxes out on happy-go-lucky summer vibes. With glass walls that glide right back, the blend of breathtaking views and seamless, indoor/outdoor living should ensure every day starts with a smile. Add in the shots of citrus yellow and a big, central dining table, and the chances are that the whole family will set up camp here all summer long.

While most of us aren’t lucky enough to have a kitchen like this, we can brighten our own outlooks by thoroughly cleaning kitchen windows and laundering any blinds to let the light pour in on sunny days. (And if you aren’t overlooked, consider taking down any window treatments during the summer months).

Beach Vintage

Surround yourself with beautiful things
Like every other room in the house, a happy kitchen should be filled with pieces you love. In my case, this means a generous smattering of vintage floral crockery in sweet, candy colours.

For others, decorating nirvana might come in the form of stripes, polka-dots or crisp, geometric patterns, be it on plates, cups, linens or tiles. A few new pieces in summery shades, whether it’s a cheery tea towel or a bright new set of coffee cups, can lift the whole room.

Logan Killen Interiors

Create a unique look
Happiness to me is all about a laid-back attitude to life, and that includes all things kitchen-related. While rows of glossy-white units and pristine surfaces might be a one-way ticket to happyland for some, I prefer a mix-and-match medley of sink stands, butcher’s blocks and quirky, freestanding pieces.

Add in a pastel coloured fridge and a distressed vintage wall shelf and the result is an all-embracing, welcoming hub.

Gabriel Holland Interior Design

Beautify with blooms and buds
There’s no denying the simple pleasures that flowers can bring. And filling your kitchen with fresh garden blooms, vibrant greenery and sweet-smelling buds will definitely raise the spirits.

Deep, roomy Belfast sinks (particularly in an adjoining utility or boot room) are a real boon for flower-arranging enthusiasts, as stems can be cut and soaked ready to create a fabulous display. Equally, as a backdrop, they’ll complement the rustic look of a colourful wildflower bouquet.

Joanna Thornhill Interiors

Bake a cake
Dust down your mixing bowls and spatulas and get ready for your very own version of the Great British Bake Off . Because there’s nothing more heart-warming than baking a cake or pudding, then enjoying the fruits of your labours with a few friends.

Piles of summery coloured ceramics and baking kit also look good, and leaving them out on show like this should inspire you to get busy.

Blakes London

Bask in a warm glow
Our love affair with warm metallics doesn’t appear to be losing its shine, and gold, copper or brass pieces are the perfect pick-me-up for happy kitchens. Plump for shiny and crisp or tarnished and matt (or a combination of both) with copper pendants, glossy golden panels or warm copper taps. The glow they give off will see you through even the most traditional (ie cold and wet!) British summer time…

TELL US…
What’s your secret to a happy kitchen? Share your ideas the Comments below.

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Kitchen Planning: How to Pick the Best Position and Layout for Your Hob

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Kitchen Planning: How to Pick the Best Position and Layout for Your Hob- Following part one of my guide to picking the perfect hob, which focused on whether gas or electric would be right for you and your lifestyle, this second instalment shines a spotlight on everything from the different sizes available to the benefits of linear and domino formations and how to make sure your hob is fitted safely and in the perfect spot in your kitchen. Below, four professionals share their expert knowledge.

Professional advice from:
Christian Gluntz of Schmid Kitchens
Hayley Zamur of CookersAndOvens
Conrad Hendrick of LWK Kitchens London
Steve Hanson of MyAppliances

LWK Kitchens London

Location, location, location
When deciding on the best location for your hob, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Firstly, how close your ideal spot is to the end of the unit run; secondly, how close it is to the sink.

‘Where possible, it’s best to keep the hob as far away as you can from the edge of the unit run or any tall units,’ says Conrad Hendrick of LWK Kitchens London – at least 60cm from the end of a unit run and 30cm from a tall unit. ‘These measurements allow sufficient space for pan handles to be turned inwards, preventing anyone from accidentally knocking them over,’ he explains.

When placing your hob in relation to your sink, Conrad suggests a minimum 60cm clearance for health and safety reasons.

LWK Kitchens London

Hobs and islands
When installing a hob on an island, keep in mind that there should be sufficient worktop space on either side. You will also need to consider extraction. Options include a pendant or island hood that will hang down from the ceiling, or a downdraft extractor that’s installed to the side or behind the hob and rises up out of the worktop when in use, but sits flush with the surface when not.

‘You also need to think about whether you can get the proper fuel connection to the hob,’ says Hayley Zamur of CookersAndOvens. ‘I would advise you consult a Gas Safe-registered engineer or professional electrician.’

Check out 10 reasons to work an island into your scheme

bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture

Factoring in extraction
When teaming your hob with an extractor, be aware that a minimum clearance is required between the two appliances. ‘A minimum distance of 75cm is needed between your cooker hood and a gas hob,’ explains Steve Hanson of MyAppliances, ‘while a clearance of 65cm is needed between your hood and an electric hob.’

Roundhouse

Safety first
It’s unsafe to install a hob over an unventilated gas oven where you have to keep the door open to grill. ‘It makes using the hob and oven at the same time very unsafe, as you are either at increased risk of burns by straining to reach the hob over the door, or the door to the oven will close during grilling, causing a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide,’ explains Hayley.

Fitting a hob over a washing machine, fridge or freezer is also inadvisable. Over time, heat produced from the hob can badly affect these appliances. ‘There are sometimes a few exceptions, though, so we always advise our customers to consult the manufacturer’s installation guide before fitting,’ adds Hayley.

Northpoint

Shapes and sizes
Hobs come in all kinds of dimensions, with widths ranging from 30cm to 110cm, so it’s worth taking the time to think about what you need. Standard hobs are generally 60cm wide and feature four cooking zones. Also available are 70cm models with five cooking zones that can fit into a 60cm gap, as they are designed to overlap your worktop.

‘If you have the space available, it’s better to go for an 80cm or 90cm hob with five burners, especially if you do lots of cooking,’ advises Christian Gluntz of Schmid Kitchens. Extra space for pots and pans means you will work more efficiently.

To help you determine the best size for your needs and space, Christian suggests you:

Think about how you cook. For example, how many pots and pans do you typically use at any one time and what size are they?
Consider the design of your kitchen and the size of the worktop: make sure you have enough workspace around the hob.
Look at the depth of your worktop: if it’s less than 60cm deep, then consider a linear hob (see below).

Transitional Kitchen Transitional Kitchen

Linear hobs
Linear hobs, where the burners are set in a line rather than in a square shape, have a number of benefits over the more traditional-shaped hobs. ‘If you have limited space on an island, a linear hob may be more beneficial, as it has a depth of approximately 33cm, compared with a standard hob’s depth of around 50cm,’ explains Conrad.

Pros The neat, horizontal arrangement of rings means pots and pans are not sitting in front and behind one another. ‘This eliminates the need to reach over hot pans to get to the furthest cooking zones, making burns less likely,’ explains Hayley. ‘It can also make controlling the hob a lot easier, as the knobs or buttons are usually directly beneath the corresponding cooking zones.’

Cons The disadvantage of linear hobs is that they are the same width as a hob with five cooking zones, around 91.2cm, but can only facilitate four cooking zones. Plus, a linear hob can be tricky to integrate into your kitchen design. If you have a standard built-under 60cm oven, for example, a corresponding 60cm hob will look neater than a longer hob. ‘You will need to check the space you have before buying,’ advises Steve, ‘as linear hobs require a customised cut-out space.’

Explore 10 ways to make the most of a small kitchen

AR Design Studio Ltd

Domino hobs
A domino hob – as its name suggests – is oblong in shape and measures 30cm wide. Place two or three domino hobs together to create a bespoke cooking top, as seen here. Joining strips are available, so you can give the illusion of a single appliance. If you already have a standard 60cm hob, add to your cooking capabilities by placing a domino hob beside it.

‘Domino hobs are good for various situations,’ says Steve. ‘If you have an Aga, for instance, but only need to use the hob, a domino will save you warming up the whole oven. Domino hobs are also ideal for smaller families or people living on their own who don’t need four cooking zones.’

Pros ’Instead of relying on just one fuel type, you can use a combination of domino hobs to get the exact balance of gas and electric you require for your cooking style,’ explains Hayley. For example, you could mix and match a two-ring gas domino with an electric teppan-yaki hotplate and griddle station. What’s more, you can choose the exact layout to suit your preferred cooking style and the available space in your kitchen.

Cons A single domino hob may be too narrow for both gas burners to be used at the same time. ‘The hob area can also look a little disjointed, as the link between a raised gas hob and flat electric surface can make the cooking area appear a little clumsy, especially when moving pots between each cooking zone,’ says Conrad.

Paul Wiggins Architects

Professional installation
A gas hob must only ever be installed by a Gas Safe-registered engineer, while electric and induction hobs often need to be hard-wired by a professional. ‘It’s important the electricity supply has been configured correctly to ensure safe use of the appliance,’ explains Hayley. ‘Plus, if the appliance is installed incorrectly, this can invalidate some manufacturers’ warranties.’

As a rule of thumb, get a qualified professional to install your hob, whether gas or electric.

Markus Schmid Kitchens

Keeping children safe
If you have young children, think carefully about how much space surrounds the hob, particularly if they are likely to sit at the island to eat or do homework. Keeping small fingers a safe distance from an open flame or hot ceramic hob will avoid accidents. In this case, an induction hob is often ideal because, as explained in part one of this guide to choosing a hob, only the pan is heated, rather than the surface of the hob.

TELL US…
What kind of hob do you have – or hanker after? Share your tips in the Comments below.

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Kitchen Planning: 8 Reasons to Choose a Single-wall Kitchen

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Kitchen Planning: 8 Reasons to Choose a Single-wall Kitchen- Forget the U-shape, L-shape, galley and island kitchens – the new, single-wall designs cover the basics in a singular, stylish unit. Having all the major kitchen components along one wall brings many advantages. The compact layout can save oodles of space, reduce manufacturing costs and create a more efficient work zone in which to cook.

The style has also often been seen as a cheap and easy way to install a kitchen, although the options available were sometimes a little dull. The latest designs, however, are nothing short of chic, reflecting the resurgence in this layout’s popularity with designers. In fact, the single-wall kitchen is now often a first choice for those looking for a stylish alternative to the traditional and, usually larger, fully functioning kitchen. Read on to see why the smart set are choosing single style.

Scandinavian Kitchen REFORMA DE VIVIENDA EN POBLE SEC

Is cheap to install
With only one bank of cabinets and a solitary worktop to install, the single-wall kitchen is significantly cheaper than the more popular galley or kitchen-island layouts. Choosing a flatpack DIY kitchen from one of the big furniture or hardware stores can also greatly reduce costs, is relatively easy for the home renovator to install and looks rather cool in a ‘less-is-more’ kind of way. A pale knotty timber or ply can get the look of a Scandinavian-style kitchen at a budget price.

An even cheaper option is to buy a ‘ready-made’ kitchen that’s crafted from a common timber, such as pine, and give it a good lick of paint in your favourite colour.

Nicolaj Bo

Saves space
The greatest advantage of the one-wall or single-wall kitchen is that it saves space. All the work areas, such as the sink, hob, fridge and dishwasher, are along one wall, leaving plenty of room for a dining table or, alternatively, as open space to use as a living area.

Put the wall above the worktop to good use and install a bank of spacious cabinets.

CHARLOTTE WIESSNER - Architektur & Interior

Is sleek and chic
One-wall kitchens are well suited to contemporary warehouse apartments or loft living, particularly when the cabinetry is crafted in the latest materials. In combination with white walls and pale timber, use a bright colour like this acid yellow for industrial-style settings, as it can bring a sunny look to what can occasionally be a sombre or hard-edged style.

Planning to renovate your kitchen? Check out these expert tips first

Vertebrae Architecture

Is perfect for small stations
The one-wall kitchen is ideal for smaller homes and apartments, although it can also be useful as a secondary kitchen in a larger home, granny flat or studio. It may feel like a compromise at first, but its smaller size puts plumbing and appliances in a compact space, placing everything you need within arm’s reach.

Laurence Pidgeon

Integrates seamlessly
As we continue to dine out, take-out or order in our meals, having fewer kitchen duties can eliminate the necessity for a fully functional kitchen. This can be especially so for people living in inner-city areas, which are usually full of good restaurants and eateries.

A single-wall kitchen unit can provide the basic services for someone who uses it infrequently without compromising on living space. By camouflaging a kitchen and painting it the same colour as the walls, its bulk will be less obvious. The focus of the room is directed elsewhere and, in the kitchen pictured here, to a gorgeous transparent dining setting. Add a butcher’s block or mobile bench that can be wheeled out for work duty when cooking for a crowd.

Christoph Kremtz Fotografie

Fits narrow spaces
The one-wall kitchen is ideally suited to long narrow spaces in which only one or two people work. It can stretch out the full length of the designated area, but to be efficiently used, the work zones should still be laid along the line in a particular formation – that is, making sure the sink is placed between the fridge at one end and hob at the other.

SMALL DESIGN

Provides clever storage
One-wall kitchens are improved with the addition of extra storage, most usually by overhead cabinets. However, if that space is taken up by a window or other features, deep, pull-out drawers best accommodate tableware and pots and pans for easy access, and can sometimes work even better than cupboards.

Steal these stylish storage ideas for small kitchens

Louise de Miranda

Aids workflow
The one-wall kitchen layout keeps the workflow running smoothly. This is because all the work zones are close together. Highly practical, this kitchen layout uses a single work line, positioning all three kitchen areas – hob, sink and fridge – side by side. The smaller the distance between the three work points, the better the functionality.

TELL US…
Would you install – or do you already have – a single-wall kitchen? Share your ideas and tips in the Comments below.

http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen