HOME EDITION
• Invest in a home bar and add some of the latest tech, such as the new Vinidor wine cooler from Liebherr. • If you have space, a ‘back kitchen’ is the ultimate luxury, combining a utility area and walk-in pantry. • A high ‘slab backsplash’ made of the same marble or quartz as the worktop gives an immediate luxury feel. New ideas to optimise your kitchen
the company has also seen wood kitchens gain popularity over the past year: “Homeowners are increasingly drawn to contrasting materials, both in texture and colour. This has led to more experimentation with wood finishes, embracing the rich and varied tones of oak and ash, which pair beautifully with natural stone and brushed-brass hardware.” When it comes to layout, the fashion for multi-functional kitchens is as popular as ever – with the space used for entertaining and working from home as much as it is for cooking and dining. As part of the trend, kitchen islands – which can double up as spaces to prepare food, for casual dining and hosting – have evolved to be centrepieces in their own right. Rising in popularity are islands with rounded shapes, large sculptural stone structures and half-islands (where they are cut on an angle to save space). Allison Lynch, senior designer at Roundhouse Design, based in Cambridge, comments: “When designing a kitchen, it is good to bear in mind everyone’s needs in the family. Clients with young children benefit from having a space for their little ones to sit, draw and be close to them while they prep meals, for instance. I also think desk space is worth a conversation when designing your kitchen. A pocket door is a great way to hide a desk as it can be concealed within a run of tall units. The doors are pushed back out of the way when in use and can be closed off again to maintain a sleek appearance.” Monochrome and minimalist designs – counterbalanced with statement lighting and bold accessories – play into the
COSY MEETS CLEVER The classic wood kitchens by Olive & Barr (top) exude warmth and charm, while Roundhouse Design (bottom) emphasise practicality with its clever kitchen designs
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK OCTOBER 2024 83
Powered by FlippingBook