If you would like to spruce up your kitchen but are restricted on budget, remodelling a kitchen could be an excellent option simply by bringing it uptodate. Replacing the solid-surface countertops that were popular in the nineties with more contemporary quartz or granite instantly gives a kitchen a new lease of life. The kitchens of today can be colourful, eco-friendly, high-tech and well designed for hygienic food preparation. The modern kitchen should be highly convenient and multi-functional at the same time.
Image above: Villa Giulia from www.fendi.com / www.clubhouseitalia.com. Below: Sine Tempore kitchen from www.valcucine.it
Kitchens and bathrooms represent one of the largest investments in renovation that you can make in your home, and anything goes these days: you can really go to town on different styles and functionality to suit your precise needs and taste. As interior designer Kelly Hoppen tweeted, “No longer just a place in which to cook, the contemporary kitchen should be designed as the pivotal room within the house. The kitchen bar is often the most sociable spot in the house, something I always try to incorporate into my designs.”
Villa Ada from www.fendi.com / www.clubhouseitalia.com
Timber is a timeless material when thinking about designing a kitchen, adding a sense of natural warmth and texture. When mixed with more contemporary materials such as stainless steel, the kitchen design is transformed into a trendy urban living space that develops in character over time. Recycled timber benches are not only eco-friendly but also economical and less formal.
Clutter can be an issue within a kitchen, so concealed storage is becoming extremely important to keep the work surfaces clear and aesthetically pleasing while at the same time saving space. Built-in and concealed appliances are increasingly popular – such as crystalline sink and flush, unframed oven tops.
Las Brisas from www.kubicdesignsolutions.com
A rural design for a kitchen evokes a cosier, more familial ambience. For the French farmhouse look, natural textures and finishes juxtaposed with unfussy cabinet designs are desirable if minimalist and more modern designs are not to your taste.
Hiding appliances behind bi-folding doors that slide open on a track or simply fold back are popular ways to give a sleek look. When the appliance is being used, the doors can remain open, and then shut away when not needed. If the kitchen and family room is connected, concealing appliances helps the kitchen meld seamlessly into the living space, making it feel less “kitcheny”.
Retro-modern innovation with the “Air Kitchen” from www.devolkitchens.co.uk
A solid colour that runs throughout your kitchen is striking and an accent colour on a kitchen island or cabinet is recommended so that the main colour theme does not overwhelm the room, although a pure white continuous colour scheme creates a serene mood-soothing atmosphere.
Integrating the kitchen with the architecture… www.rossana.com
As noted previously, kitchen designs of 2013 have been a case of “anything goes” so if your preferred style is traditional over modern, marble over granite, statement chandeliers or spotlights, there is something to suit everyone on any budget.
A timeless look that does not appear too traditional can be achieved through contrasting colours, evocative lighting, decorative finishes and gourmet technology – all excellent ways to achieve a classic look with a modern edge. Backsplashes in ceramic, porcelain or glass tile, reaching all the way up to the upper cabinets, offer practicality and are a quick and easy way to update your cooking space.
Groundbreaking “pulvinated” drawer-front from www.luxurybritishinteriors.com
Oversized chandeliers, paintings and antique mirrors add a touch of eye-catching glamour to a kitchen. Open shelves allow for a collection to be shown-off, giving the room a personal and creative look. Exposed hanging utensils can save on space and look rustic or urban, giving the kitchen added character.
These days many kitchens have a built-in or integrated refrigerator where you can have the option of wood panelling around the fridge, making it appear like a piece of furniture, or a stainless steel rim to add a shiny accent to your kitchen. Retro-style refrigerators work for traditional or whimsical kitchens, coupled with an old-fashioned style range such as an Aga that can come in a variety of interesting colours.
Villa Giulia from www.fendi.com / www.clubhouseitalia.com
It is not uncommon in new kitchens to have two ovens, either side-by-side or apart, which is ideal for entertaining a large group. With a range oven, it is useful to have a second oven that is also a microwave. There are certain brands that offer both a convection oven and a microwave, while there are other ovens that heat food with steam but can also be used as a convection oven. In addition, wine coolers and kitchen cellars are innovations that are becoming more integral than a luxury – especially if you entertain often.
