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Various factors influenced the final layout, including the fact that windows and a staircase (seen here) took up two walls. “The wall with the chimney breast was really the only option for the main run of cabinets,” says Anderson. “The clients also wanted double ovens, which needed to sit side-by-side, and these dictated the overall size of the island.” Next to the ovens are drawers for cutlery and a deep pan drawer at the bottom.The worktop on the island is solid oak, and matches the open shelves. “The worktop is oiled, while the shelves have been varnished,” says Anderson.“The owners wanted a mix of materials to help soften the look and, due to the built-in drainer area behind the sink, it made sense to have the engineered quartz located there, as it’s a far more low-maintenance, less porous material than wood.”B57CR22N0B Built-in Electric Single Oven; C17MR02N0B Built-in Electric Oven with Microwave; both Neff.
The wide chimney breast limits the amount of space available for wall cabinets, so the owners went for open shelving instead. “It’s a good spot for their accessories and cookbooks,” says Anderson.As well as cupboard space and a bin cabinet, the base cabinets conceal a dishwasher (on the far left of this image). There’s also an American-style fridge-freezer to the right of the cabinets (not shown).
Lead the way with rich orangeThe owners of this house could have settled for only a runner on the stairs and it would have looked perfectly fine. However, they have to be applauded for adding a “hello there” burst of colour. The orange makes this stairwell sing and actually highlights that smart bordered runner very nicely. It’s a good idea to use a hard-wearing floor paint if possible, because, even though the runner will take most of the footfall, the painted surfaces will still need to withstand a fair amount of wear and tear.
The alternative: A window seatWhy it’s a contender: It’s sociable and relaxingOne of the great things about an island is how it can make kitchens more sociable – the cook can prepare food while easily chatting to guests. But there are other, much more luxurious ways to include friends and family in your culinary activities. In this airy room, the window seat is surely the main attraction for visitors. Imagine chilling out on those cushions while chatting with the cook and enjoying the view of the garden.
The alternative: A large butcher’s block on wheelsWhy it’s a contender: It’s a portable compromise Can’t decide whether you want an island or not? Give yourself the flexibility to change your mind with a handy butcher’s block on wheels. This one is large enough to provide a useful work surface and some extra storage, but when the owners need more floor space, it can be moved to the side of the room.
Cosy up with fabricsA great way to warm up a plain dining space is by adding some cheerful cushions. The bright fabric on the seat cushions here livens up the simple wooden table and adds a comfortable element to the space. What do you think of these dining space ideas? How have you made your dining area feel cosy? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
Build in a bench seatCushioned benches are both cosy and flexible. Make the most of an open-plan space by building one next to other elements in the room. Here, the bench rests against the kitchen worktop, creating a snug and sociable spot where guests can gather while the cook prepares food in the kitchen.
Solid surface Manmade, generally from a mix of minerals and resin, solid surface worktops offer a smooth, durable surface in a huge range of colours. Makes include Corian, Hi-Macs and Ikea’s Personlig acrylic.‘Solid surface has a soft, satin look,’ says Chris Hambrook of Increation. ‘It comes in a massive range of colours and, thanks to different-coloured glues, the seams are virtually invisible, so it’s great for long worktops, or L or U shapes. If you scratch it, something like Vim will polish it up again, so it’s pretty easy to maintain.’Pros Extremely robust, hygienic and easy-care. It can be formed into any shape, including sinks and upstands. The colour runs all the way through, so it’s possible to carve out draining boards. Cons Some of the darker colours are not recommended for kitchens as scratches show up too much. The area around a sink can discolour or crack over time. It can’t take hot pans, although round bars can be set into the surface to act as a trivet.
The Kvik kitchen is integrated into the corner of the large open space and was already there when the family moved into the apartment five years ago. “It has a good neutral white base, so we haven’t done anything to change that,” Wolff Christensen says.Wall clock, Kähler.9 neat ways to deal with rubbish in your kitchen
Kitchen at a GlanceWho lives here A couple with a baby on the wayLocation BristolProperty A four-storey Georgian terrace with 4 bedroomsKitchen-diner dimensions 15 sq mDesigner Sustainable KitchensPhotos by Charlie O’Beirne of LukonicThis kitchen proves once and for all that you shouldn’t be afraid to play with colour – with the star of the show a cheerful turquoise island. Elsewhere, pink chairs, leafy houseplants and modern artworks lift a clean and simple backdrop of white-painted walls and floorboards.“The colours in here really stand out against each other,” Lindsay Anderson says. “The owners are creatives who wanted to stamp their personalities on their house. They love colour and had lots of art and decorative accessories they wanted to display.”The large under-stairs double cupboard on the left was already there. The owners had shelves installed and now use it as a pantry and general storage cupboard.Base cabinets painted in Dock Blue; island painted in Green Verditer, both Little Greene.
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