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How To Add a Little Flower Power to Your Cook Space

How To Add a Little Flower Power to Your Cook Space- If I had my way, there would be florals strewn throughout every room in the house – and yes, that includes the kitchen. Be it faux or fresh, fabric or paper, flowers have the power to inject a dash of much-needed colour, pattern, texture and, if real, aroma into every style of kitchen, from country cottage to slick contemporary. Display a simple jug of fresh blooms or go all out on floral wallpaper or fabric and, before you know it, you’ll find your spirits cheered every time you’re in there.

Holly Marder

Embrace ditsy wallpaper
Don’t keep florals simply for the boudoir – be brave and let them blossom all over your kitchen, too. This charming ditsy wallpaper is the perfect backdrop for the ice cream colour palette and cute retro touches.

Browse these fresh ways to work the floral trend

Beach Vintage

Collect vintage crockery
One of the easiest ways to introduce florals into the kitchen is with a hotchpotch of pretty vintage cups and saucers. Seek out an array of different patterns and colours and hang them up high – either in a rack like this or on the wall – for everyone to admire.

Cabbages & Roses Ltd

Celebrate faded florals
This pretty, washed-out rose print is ideal for the weathered, coastal vibe in this kitchen-diner. The cushions, tablecloth and curtains can afford to be matching as the print is so subtle. The real beauty of this look is that nothing is too pristine or perfect, and it will simply get better with age.

See how to create a springtime mood all year round

Dreamy Whites

Fill your kitchen with fresh blooms
Even if you’re an avid flower fan, you don’t have to introduce a permanent floral fixture into your kitchen. Instead, fill enamel jugs with freshly cut garden blooms and pop a pretty floral sprig into each of a series of plain teacups for the prettiest place settings.

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

Introduce subtle touches
This inviting, family kitchen introduces a mix of fresh flowers and floral prints in the most light and inviting way. The barely there print on the sofa is enhanced by the soft, washed-out jewel shades, while a line-up of glass vessels filled with pretty garden flowers transforms an uninspiring sideboard.

Roundhouse

Try a graphic print
Your knee-jerk reaction might be to avoid anything floral in an ultra-contemporary kitchen. But look how fabulous this William Morris-style wallpaper looks on one wall. The subtle olive green foliage print links in with the sage glass splashback, adding welcome organic warmth to the blocky white units.

Incorporated

Transform a fabric swatch
This is a clever and unexpected way of using a swatch of much-loved material. The striking floral fabric has been laminated behind glass to create a unique splashback, adding an unexpected twist to a plain kitchen.

Yasmin Chopin Interior Design

Be bold
If florals sound a tad too girlie for your tastes, try a striking, graphic print in vivid colours. This bold Sanderson fabric and wallpaper offers a more sculptural silhouette than traditional florals, introducing a large smattering of spirited hue at the same time.

Designerpaint

Pick sugary shades
Old-fashioned cottage flowers in a palette of sorbet shades will recreate a sweet, country look even if you’re in the middle of the city. Never throw away lengths of favourite fabric, either, as you never know when they might come in handy to liven up a plain table.

Sarah Greenman

Let loose with vintage flowers
Frame old-fashioned pictures, samplers and scraps of fabric to create a floral wall montage in the kitchen. Any odd offcuts of sweet rosy fabric can be simply transformed into the prettiest café-style curtain.

Are you tempted to use florals in your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.

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Room of the Week: A Chic Basement Conversion in Surrey

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Room of the Week: A Chic Basement Conversion in Surrey- Andrea and Adam Freeman adopted a gradual approach when it came to renovating their Edwardian family home in Kingston, Surrey. After they moved in 10 years ago, the Freemans tackled the loft conversion as well as other light renovation work on the property, which they share with their three teenage children and pet dog. But 10 years is a long time, and when Andrea’s home baking business – Andi Freeman Cakes – started to grow exponentially a few years ago, the family realised they needed more space to accommodate their evolving circumstances.

‘Andrea and Adam had spent years getting their house exactly how they wanted it, so they didn’t want to move,’ explains designer Siobhan Casey. ‘Instead, they decided the best solution was to dig down to create a basement for a new family kitchen and dining area that would then free up the existing kitchen for Andrea’s bespoke cake business.’ The couple wanted the basement to be the new hub of the home, where the sociable family could entertain and spend time together.

‘Andrea has wonderfully eclectic taste and had a vision of how she wanted the space to look, but once the building work was completed, she needed some help putting her ideas together in a coherent way. That’s where I came in,’ says Siobhan. The basement now houses a generous kitchen, dining area and snug. The space successfully blends traditional and contemporary elements with a hint of midcentury style.

‘Andrea’s not afraid to experiment when it comes to design,’ says Siobhan, ‘and the finished room is such a wonderfully eclectic and welcoming space, perfect for entertaining family and friends as well as kicking back and watching TV.’

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Andrea and Adam Freeman, their three children and a dog
Location Kingston, Surrey
Designer Siobhan Casey at Casey & Fox
Size 65.5 sq m / 700 sq ft

Casey & Fox

A walnut staircase, just peeping out, leads down from the main house into the new family kitchen and dining area. ‘It’s a large space with limited natural light, so we opted for neutral units with accents of walnut in the upper cabinetry and underneath the island to add warmth,’ explains Siobhan. ‘It’s a lovely touch that brings texture to this part of the room and prevents it becoming too cold or clinical.’

A dazzling double-width island, in glacier white quartz, is the main feature of the room, providing ample space for relaxed family breakfasts.

How to work a kitchen island into your scheme

Casey & Fox

‘The extractor fan is a beast!’ exclaims Siobhan. ‘Andrea really wanted to avoid a curved or hidden fan in favour of something with a bit of weightiness about it.’ The glimmering stainless steel fan she chose is a striking, almost sculptural feature that’s stylish as well as functional. ‘The polished finish bounces more light around this part of the room, as well,’ adds Siobhan.

LED lighting is set into the ceiling and bathes the kitchen in pools of soft light, which was sorely lacking in this part of the basement. It’s Siobhan’s favourite feature in the kitchen. ‘It’s such a wonderful product that’s cost-effective to run, and they’re specially designed to prevent any harsh spots of light, so they gently illuminate the entire space,’ she explains.

Stainless steel extractor fan, Britannia Living. LED lighting, ECOLED.

Casey & Fox

A glass splashback underneath the walnut wall units has been painted in a blue-grey hue for timeless appeal.

The Smeg gas cooker, with a cast iron griddle, references the industrial feel of the concrete floor and has been set into the quartz worktop of the island for a seamless effect. ‘The surface of the hob is silver glass, so although it looks quite sturdy, there’s still an element of glamour, plus it’s very easy to clean,’ says Siobhan.

Gas cooker, Smeg.

Casey & Fox

Given Andrea’s quest for light, the dark wall colour – Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe – seems a surprising choice at first. ‘They were very keen to add an element of drama to the scheme,’ says Siobhan. ‘Andrea wanted it to be a talking point and felt that uniform white walls would look a little dull.’

The polished concrete floor injects an industrial-style vibe into the space. ‘It’s a great look with a seamless finish, but it was a practical choice, too,’ explains Siobhan. ‘With three kids and all their friends coming in and out, as well as a dog, Andrea wanted a surface that was easy to sweep and mop clean. And the underfloor heating means it isn’t cold underfoot.’

Paint in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball.

Casey & Fox

In a space with little natural light, no opportunity was missed to get the lighting right. LED lights set into the underside of the island worktop illuminate the glorious grain in the walnut panels. ‘The lights here also add dramatic effect,’ explains Siobhan.

Vintage bar stools are an elegant, but simple choice. The contemporary elements of the kitchen area blend seamlessly with midcentury styling that continues as the space transitions into the dining area.

Casey & Fox

The sociable family needed a large table that would comfortably accommodate the children doing their homework, as well as the frequent dinner parties the Freemans enjoy hosting. The Horace table is made from reclaimed wood and can seat up to 12 people if necessary. ‘It’s a marvellous find,’ says Siobhan. ‘It cost less than £500 and is a great example of how you don’t have to spend a fortune for fantastic piece of furniture.’ Arne Jacobsen butterfly chairs in muted grey complete the look.

Tom Dixon pendant lights illuminate the dining table and reflect light from the bifold doors. Each pendant light is in a different finish. ‘Andrea didn’t want a homogenous scheme, so we’ve introduced subtle differences wherever we can,’ explains Siobhan.

Horace table, Metro Retro.

Casey & Fox

This copper pendant light glimmers in the natural light. The shine contrasts with the rough brick wall behind.

Copper pendant light, Tom Dixon.

How to choose the perfect pendant light

Casey & Fox

Contemporary artwork is also displayed where it will benefit from the light from the nearby glass doors. The choice of art, including a print of the Empire State Building in New York, breaks up the plain brickwork in the dining area.

Casey & Fox

Warm yellow and brown hues from the exposed brick wall contrast with the muted grey of the concrete floor and dining chairs, adding another layer of texture to the family dining area. ‘The juxtaposition of the raw brick and the clean, contemporary lines of the kitchen is what helps to define the different zones in the basement in a very natural and effortless way,’ says Siobhan.

The drinks cabinet was requisitioned from elsewhere in the family home.

Casey & Fox

A ceramic owl – an existing family favourite – sits on top of another bargain find. ‘This cabinet was bought on eBay and fits in perfectly with the blend of styles in the basement,’ says Siobhan. ‘The room is furnished with a mix of expensive pieces and less pricey but high-quality finds. There are some things it’s worth spending a significant part of your budget on, but other areas where you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a fantastic look.’

Casey & Fox

A set of vintage coffee pots adds a hint of retro chic to this corner of the room.

Casey & Fox

Opposite the dining table, there’s a cosy snug where the family kicks back and relaxes in front of the TV. Yellow accents add a playful touch in this pared-back corner, which features a slouchy sofa chosen for comfort. ‘It’s a very welcoming and relaxing space,’ says Siobhan.

Casey & Fox

Original monochrome tiles from the Edwardian part of the house are referenced in the dark grey and white walls that flank the walnut staircase down to the basement.

The brushed stainless steel handrail gives a hint that the basement may be a departure from the traditional scheme elsewhere in the house. ‘Brushed stainless steel gives an even more industrial-style feel than polished steel would, so it clearly marks a departure from the more traditional elements of the house,’ says Siobhan.

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Timeless Design Touches for the Kitchen That Never Date

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Timeless Design Touches for the Kitchen That Never Date- We spend more time there than practically anywhere else, whether it’s rustling up dinner, eating breakfast or brewing yet another cup of tea. However, doing up a kitchen can be time-consuming and pricey, so you’ll want to be confident you won’t change your mind once the fitted cabinets are in. Here, then, are the tried-and-tested kitchen classics to help you create that love-it-forever feeling. These ideas, pieces and materials have all been around for an age, but still look effortlessly stylish.

LEIVARS

Go mad for metro tiles
Yes, they’re absolutely everywhere nowadays, but the metro tile trend looks set to run and run. These utility-chic, brick-shaped tiles were originally designed for the New York Subway back in 1904. Today their unfussy design makes any kitchen look cool, and they pull off the trick of appearing both vintage and modern. Original white, used here as a splashback below open shelving, look fab teamed with dark grout. If white is too standard though, choose from the countless other colours and finishes around.

Designerpaint

Bag a Butler’s sink
There’s no doubt that a boxy Butler sink makes doing the washing up just that little bit more enjoyable. These classic, chunky sinks are ultra-deep, and slip satisfyingly into any kitchen scheme, modern or traditional. In this room, the white porcelain stands out against sophisticated navy blue-painted cabinets and walls – so the sink remains the star.

Discover more about traditional farmhouse sinks

Davenport Building Solutions

Join the retro fridge gang
A colourful American-style fridge elevates an ordinary kitchen into hip diner territory. No wonder it’s proved a style survivor down the decades. Basically, go for any shade you like, except bog-standard white or grey. I love this yellow version: bright, breezy and big enough to store plenty of cheesecake.

Beau-Port Kitchens

Get dressed up
Hear the words ‘Welsh dresser’ and you might think dusty china poodles and fussy knick-knacks. However these wooden wonders can add quirky rustic character to sterile spaces. Use the shelves to show off pretty crockery and cool collectibles, and keep linens stashed in cupboards. Then paint in a heritage shade to add period charm, as with this subtle pale blue.

Matteo Bianchi Studio

Hang a pendant lamp (or three)
Once the preserve of industrial-chic cafes, this look is now a kitchen staple, and it’s easy to see why. A trio of low-slung pendant lamps is a classy way to define a dining area or breakfast bar. Choosing a simple shape, like these matt-grey pendants, will help keep things timeless, or you can’t go wrong with vintage enamel. Pendants are practical, too – plenty of task lighting for following fiddly recipes. Supplement with spotlights for maximum effect, and before wiring, check ceilings are high enough to avoid bumped heads.

deVOL Kitchens

Buy a butcher’s block
Kitchen work surfaces in short supply? A traditional butcher’s block could be the answer. These sturdy wooden-topped units lend country kitchens a Downtonesque air, and are freestanding (so you can take them with you if you move house). Place wherever you need an extra spot for chopping, peeling or weighing, and hunt down versions on castors for extra mobility.

VSP Interiors

Style open shelves
Fitted cabinets are great for keeping the ugly stuff tucked away – tins of baked beans and packets of pasta. But leave space for an open shelf or two as well – they’re a proven way to give kitchens character. Fill shelves up with personal touches – vintage tea sets, your favourite cookery books – or simply mugs and glassware, as here, and suddenly a house becomes a home. Keep things chic by opting for minimal floating shelves that match your units, like these pared-back white numbers.

Stephen Graver Ltd

Install a flagstone floor
Hardwearing natural flagstones look stunning, and don’t just work in cosy cottages, as this airy twist on a country kitchen proves. Do some research to settle on the type of stone and colour you prefer, as shades vary hugely, from soft creams to greys and browns. If you hate chilly toes on cold mornings, consider installing underfloor heating. Just try not to drop too many wine glasses…

Read about the pros and cons of stone floors

Pearce & Co. Woodsmiths

Choose a rustic range cooker
Hankering after the country life? Look the part, along with the wax jacket and wellies, by installing one of these extra-wide beauties (though admittedly you’ll need space to squeeze one in). More stylish than the average cooker, a typical range has lots of hobs, so is ideal for keen cooks. The original heat-storage models are made of cast-iron and stay on all day to give homes the snuggle factor. To save on bills, choose a modern dual-fuel version.

Beau-Port Kitchens

Invest in well-crafted cabinets
A hand-crafted solid wood Shaker cabinet will always stand the test of time, both in terms of simple style and day-to-day durability: no creaky doors or peeling edges. Ask a carpenter to build a variety of different-shaped cupboards and drawers to max your storage space. Here, some of the oak cabinets have been left natural, while the rest have been painted a soft period grey-green for a heritage feel.

Russell Taylor Architects

Embrace your hang-ups
More than mere hardware, a traditional hanging pan-rack can have a surprisingly stylish impact on a kitchen. It gives rooms a homely farmhouse vibe, and also keeps cupboards clear. Suspended above a kitchen island is the ideal home; invest in quality saucepans for the full-on Masterchef effect.

British Standard by Plain English

Top off with wood
A real wooden worktop always looks beautiful in a kitchen, giving a feeling of warmth and country character. It works particularly brilliantly on top of painted cabinets. Yes, you’ll need to maintain and care for it lovingly, oiling and sanding regularly to avoid the dreaded watermarks and ‘black spot’ round the sink. But with looks this good, surely it’s worth it. And whether you choose classic oak, beech, walnut or something else, over time a few scratches and marks will only add to its charms.

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What are your favourite kitchen classics? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.

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10 Ways to Bring New Life Into Your Kitchen

Admin 12.19 kitchen Add Comment

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10 Ways to Bring New Life Into Your Kitchen- Kitchens get so much use that, before you know it, they’re looking more than a little old and tired. You may not be able to make yours shiny and new again just yet, but these strategies will have you whistling while you work again in no time flat.

Wettling Architects

Clean and declutter
Freshening up your kitchen need not take more than a couple of hours, and the before-and-after difference will amaze you. For a clean-anything concoction that will have your kitchen looking and smelling great, mix two teaspoons of eucalyptus oil into a spray bottle filled with water along with a teaspoon of washing-up liquid. Get rid of grease and grime on and around hobs, clean out the fridge and microwave, and wipe down cabinet doors and handles. Don’t forget the windows! You’ll be surprised how much extra light comes flooding in. The last step is to rid worktops of all but essential items. Aah, now doesn’t that feel better?

Mark Newman Design

Update the splashback
Splashbacks tend to look dirty no matter how much you scrub them when they’ve been there for some time. Refreshing the splashback will be like waving a magic wand in your kitchen, especially if it’s in a happy hue like this one. Do the job yourself if you have time – mosaic tiles come grouped and spaced correctly in grids – or outsource the job to someone in the know.

moment design + productions, llc

Plant a kitchen garden
If you have a sunny windowsill, make the most of it and grow some aromatic herbs. You’ll find you use fresh herbs in your cooking far more often if they’re within easy reach.

Browse a variety of indoor herb gardens

Michelle Williams Photography

Install new lighting
Light fittings can date faster than you can sing ‘nineteen ninety-nine’, so scout around for some pendant lighting that makes your day; you’re sure to be thankful you did. Dimmer switches are easy to install and well worth it if your lights hang over a work area that doubles as an eating space.

See how to maximise light in your kitchen

Becky Cunningham Home

Create a display
If you have some shelves or an old dresser that has seen better days, browse through antique shops for new treasures to display. Tie them together by colour or kind, and add freshly cut flowers from the garden every few days. If nothing’s in bloom, try a rustic arrangement of leaves or branches instead.

Corynne Pless

Add some artwork
A brightly coloured or artistically brilliant artwork can become a new focal point in your kitchen, and that can be enough to breathe new life into a drab space.

Hufft Projects

Buy a new rug
A rug or mat in unexpected colours can do wonders for a kitchen in need of an image upgrade. The only rule? It has to be easy to clean.

Alison Kandler Interior Design

Paint the floor
Purple and green diamonds may not be your cup of tea, but don’t be afraid to cut loose and experiment with colour combinations that could work in your kitchen. You’ll know the right one when you see it.

Beach Glass Interior Designs

Paint the cabinets white
Nothing brightens more than white in a kitchen, and it will take less time than you might think to repaint the cabinets. Don’t try to cut corners by not removing the handles first (it will get messy and take you longer, anyway, to try and cut in around them), but you can take a shortcut by just painting the outsides of door and drawers.

One Small Room - OSR Interiors & Building Design

Make it welcoming
When there are people you like keeping you company in the kitchen, it can’t help but feel a little brighter. Make friends and family feel welcome with ultra-comfortable seating that says ‘relax and stay a while.’

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Do you have any tips for making your old kitchen look fresh again? Let us know in the Comments below.

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How to Work the Mix and Match Kitchen Trend

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How to Work the Mix and Match Kitchen Trend- For a long time, sticking to a single colour or material in your kitchen was the standard, but in recent years the design rules have been relaxed and we are becoming more adventurous, mixing and matching hues, materials and finishes with abandon. This trend works in any style of kitchen, too, from a Shaker design in two shades (I love putty and sage side by side) to slick, modern lacquer juxtaposed with reclaimed wood. There are no rigid rules, so feel free to play around with colours and materials, but don’t go overboard on a hotchpotch of shades and shapes or the look could become fussy. Check out these successful, well-balanced schemes, then get in the mix.

Mowlem & Co

Move on from monochrome
Monochrome kitchens will always be popular, but this idea reworks the light and dark theme with softer, more on-trend colours. The grey-painted Shaker units create a classic look that melds effortlessly into the architecture, allowing the deep, inky blue island to become the star of the scheme.

The foxed mirror splashback and industrial-style pendants add another, slightly industrial layer for grit and glamour in one.

Browse more ways with dark blue

The Freestanding Kitchen Company

Do a paint job
Handcrafted wooden kitchens are the perfect blank canvas for the mix and match trend. You can easily commission your manufacturer or designer to paint certain sections of your kitchen in a contrasting colour to stand out against the plain timber.

I adore chalky vintage tones of grey, stone, buttermilk, duck-egg blue and eau de nil, which in my opinion will never date. And the real beauty is, if you tire of the colour as the years go by, simply choose a different shade and get painting (or, for a professional finish, call in the experts).

ALL & NXTHING

Harness reclaimed materials
This is a lovely, subtle way to harness the mix and match trend. Banks of matt grey cupboards hug the walls of this attic room while the island unit, made up of textural, salvaged wooden planks, adds an earthy contrast. Accents of tan and bottle green inject warm colour and enhance the modern rustic vibe.

Find more inspiration for using reclaimed wood

Rendall & Wright

Go half and half
It’s not unusual to see a bank of one colour on wall cupboards and a different shade on base units, but why not try dividing materials vertically, as in this stylish design? The contrast of slick, plain white units on one half of the kitchen works incredibly well against the exotic striped wood doors on the other – with the white dining chairs offering a clever visual link between the two.

Nicholas Anthony

Use to highlight symmetry
There’s a pleasing symmetry to this kitchen, which is accentuated by the canny use of contrasting colours and materials. Simple blocks of white, handle-free units create a starting point for the design, from which well-balanced planes of richly veined marble, exotic wood and stainless steel add an individual touch. To allow every element to create an impact, such variation needs space on its side, so this works best in larger kitchens.

Biglin Architectural Group

Break up an all-white scheme
Let’s be honest, wraparound white gloss units can be in danger of appearing a little clinical. However, introducing an accent colour or material on the bottom half of the design (this rich walnut is gorgeous), adds depth and definition, creating a more well-rounded space.

Artichoke

Mix up your monoliths
Even if you don’t have any wall units to speak of, your kitchen can still nail the mix and match look with aplomb. In fact, big, blocky kitchens are sometimes crying out for a juxtaposition of materials and hues to shake things up a little.

Look how incredibly chic this monolithic design appears, with the sink block clad in a luxurious veined marble and the cooking station swathed in a tobacco brown lacquer.

Of course, the grand proportions of this room offer bare bones of the highest calibre to start with, but the considered use of colours and materials enhances the elegant architecture many times over.

bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture

Style in a subtle manner
If bold colour and a daring use of materials aren’t on your design radar, why not introduce a subtle, sophisticated contrast instead? The understated mix of greige matt lacquer units and oak cabinets is gentle, refined and warm, but still manages to inject a fresh dynamic into the space. Keep flooring and walls muted and earthy, too, for a kitchen that’s inviting, livable and a pleasure to work in.

LWK Kitchens London

Contrast colour and finish
Mix and match kitchens aren’t just about pairing different colours, they’re also about the juxtaposition of textures – gloss against matt or honed against rough-hewn, for instance. Here, the glossy, silver-grey glass adds shine next to the rough-cut oak cupboards, creating an interesting look that would slot into any style of home.

LWK Kitchens London

Show off with a showstopper
Don’t be afraid to use a bold, bright contrast to make your kitchen really stand out from the crowd. Stick to a palette of easy-on-the-eye neutrals for the main units and then go all out on a fabulous statement piece in a more flamboyant hue. This dazzling turquoise shelving certainly stands out against the rest of the kitchen and transforms crockery and vases into works of art.

If you’re designing an open-plan living area, you can easily introduce the same colour into other zones – on fabrics or cushions for instance – for a harmonious space.

TELL US…
Have you shaken up your kitchen with a mix and match approach? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.

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