We are often approached by clients who are creating an open plan kitchen, dining and living area. To overcome some of the issues we make cabinetry which can hide away the usual clutter found in a busy kitchen. Bi-fold and pocketing doors are great in this instance as ovens and even sinks can be hidden away, making the cabinetry seem more like a piece of furniture than a kitchen. Our clients love being able to change the look of a space in an instance! It is crucial to make sure you choose your appliances carefully, i.e. a quiet dishwasher and a good extractor are of huge benefit here. As long as the space is thoughtfully planned there is no reason that it shouldn't work functional and aesthetically.

Having enough storage makes a huge difference to a kitchen - we had ours redone in 2015 & we decided on a lot of storage, with the cupboards scribed to the ceiling (no my dust at the top of the units) as well as useable long counter tops that are practical for preparing & cooking. We also opted to have a microwave built in because it frees up the counter in the adjoining utility. http://deeatthecarlton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/the-kitchen-is-beautiful.html Kitchens have to be practical because it is a space which is generally used a lot in most homes ...

Oh, those water stains. I so agree - aa interior design. I moved less than a mile but the water marks in my new home were astonishingly bad compared with before. By chance, Thames Water rang the bell one day to run a water test which showed that water here is the hardest it is possible to be. He explained that, despite moving such a short distance, my water comes from a different reservoir. I couldn't stand it and decided I had to get a water softener. It cost a lot but I can't tell you how liberating it is not to have to spend so much time cleaning, cleaning, cleaning or wiping, wiping, wiping just to manage or get rid of scale and scum. I really recommend it. It's also great knowing that my washing machine, dishwasher, radiators and pipes won't get bunged up and ought to function well for a long time. It took a while to get used to the feel of soft water but I now love it and can't imagine I'd ever not want a water softener again, if I were to move. Freedom!

A calendar is a must in our house, couldn't be without it.