Kitchen Trends: Two Tone Kitchens
We love how matching a combination of colours in a space can completely transform the mood and atmosphere and create a design that creates a wow-factor. That’s why adding a second colour to your kitchen is an excellent way to add interest to your space. Depending on the colour combinations a two tone kitchen can bring balance, contrast or boldness to the space, which makes you want to spend even more time there. In this blog post we speak a bit about how you can make a two tone kitchen really stand out and, also what you can combine with it.
There are many ways of making a two tone kitchen work, however, some of the best ways of achieving a modern yet classic space is to consider the following. A contrast colour for the island works really well so for example go with lighter cabinets and a dark island to achieve this look, naturally this can be done the other way around also. Alternatively, working with tones of the same contrast is beautiful, so think mixing pastels or mixing deep purples and red for different tones of the same colour. These are straightforward and easy ways to implement two-tone design into your kitchen whilst making an impact.
Often you might think that a dark colour, which you love already, might look and feel too dark for the space you have available. The best way to keep the colour in your design is by breaking the cabinetry up with a lighter, softer colour to balance the space. This way you don’t have to compromise on the dark colour you love. A two-tone kitchen will generally make a space feel and look bigger. We have a selection of colour combinations as part of the Herringbone Paint range here.
In addition to two tone cabinetries, at times adding some decorative splash back tiles or a mirror splashback that enhances the colour tones can work really well. This will not only make a statement as well as add character but also keep the balance and harmony of your interior design choices. This also goes for your choice of handles, cookers and hardware as the colours you pick for your cabinetry will help pull the design together.
Kitchen Trends: Banquette and Bench Seating
We have seen many more clients opt for banquette seating within their bespoke kitchen design, and it’s clear to see why! Not only are they beautiful pieces of furniture, but are also very practical. Banquette seating can make a kitchen the social heart of the home you want it to be, while also creating additional storage solutions.
Boot Area Seating and Kitchen Island Banquette
We love this gorgeous (and incredibly useful) boot area right by the front door. The fact that there is a space to sit, store and hang your clothes/shoes is a game changer when it comes to storage.
The L-shaped island works really well with the L-shaped worktop space and offers a wonderful built in seating area for all of the family. The seat lifts up to reveal even more storage and the warm tone of the natural wood is a lovely contrast to the other two colours in the kitchen.
Living Room Seating in Richmond Upon Thames
This L-shaped run of banquette seating is not only beautiful but also adds seating and storage with the lift-open seats. The base and back were matched to the colour of the kitchen while the seats and cornice on top were kept in the oak finish matching the inside of the family’s larder. A lovely bit of tongue and groove adds some dimension and interest while echoing the extractor hood in the kitchen.
Blue Banquette Seating in Balham
We love this sunny corner in a kitchen we designed for a lovely couple in Balham. They have created the perfect space to sit and relax with a cup of tea or read a book. The fern printed cushions and hanging plants help to create a transitional space between the kitchen and garden and the storage space underneath is useful to store shoes or gardening equipment.
Tongue & Groove Banquette Seating For A Family in Richmond
This banquette seating area is a wonderful alternative to a traditional dining table and chairs and creates a much more versatile space that can be used in different ways depending on the occasion. The top of the seating lifts up to access storage underneath which makes good use of the space. Our kitchen fitter James installed this tongue and groove panelling to fit around their window frame and there is a beautiful view out into their garden. Our favourite thing about this lovely family space is that they have displayed their daughter’s art work next to a map designed by her father, and we are sure many more works of art will be made here in future!
Chic Banquette Seating in Blackheath
This kitchen is a pink and brass dream, the banquette seating is just one of many things we love about it. The pink and blue cushions both add texture, and mirror the blue island and pink tiles, this is clever way to create continuity and harmony in the space. The top of the seating lifts up to access storage space beneath and is a great place to store items you don’t use too often, or don’t want on display.
Simple, Flat-Door Banquette Seating in Deal
This is our Applegate range and this kitchen (which we designed for the Applegate family!) was the first of its kind. They chose to continue the handless cabinetry style in their banquette window seating. They have again chosen to accessorise with material that ties in with the scenery outside and the colours inside, creating a lovely transitional space and social area to relax in the kitchen.
Cool, Industrial Dining Area in Gravesend
This gorgeous L shaped banquette seating sits under an exposed brick wall for a cool, Brooklyn loft vibe. With additional cupboards underneath for storage, this piece is not only comfy but super practical.
Our lovely client said:
“[My favourite part of the kitchen] Has to be the seating, so lovely having breakfast there every morning as a little family. With the back drop of our exposed brick work it gives off a really cool modern looking seating area that ties in with the rest of the exposed brick work in the other rooms, the cheeky little buster & punch lamp finishes the space off perfectly.”
Sleek, Sharp & Modern Bench For A Family in Dunkirk
This open plan kitchen was the creative vision of the couple and their interior designer, Katie Goring, with a large kitchen island being the main focus. This piece consists of two different stones, and sits at three different heights. Here, the attached banquette seating sits on the ‘outside’ of the island for more casual family meals or answering some quick emails with a cuppa while the baby naps!
Cosy, Morning Coffee Nook in Camberwell
Built into the kitchen’s bay window, this cosy little nook is perfect for that first cup of coffee in the morning, when the world is still asleep and quiet (before the kids wake up demanding cheerios!)
The best thing about designing and making bespoke kitchens is being able to create unique pieces of furniture that work perfectly for our client’s and their needs. If you have a challenging space or would like to discuss your project with us, please give us a call or drop us a message!
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Kitchen Trends: Autumn Days Are Back
The days are getting a little shorter, a little colder, the kids are back in school, and you may have a strange urge to put pumpkin in absolutely everything. As the autumn season slowly rolls in, we like to make our homes, including the kitchen, a little warmer and a little cosier. Here are some of our favourite ways to embrace autumn in the kitchen.
DIY Dried Autumn Wreath & Bouquets
Coco’s homemade wreath on her front door!
Go for a walk! We’re blessed to live in a country so filled with natural resources like parks and woods. Set yourself a little scavenger hunt, (get the kids involved!) and see what you can collect for your wreath.
Try looking for a mixture of textures, sizes and colours; a larger, flat leaf is best for the base of your wreath, while smaller, dainty dried flowers look lovely tucked in on top. If you’re feeling really crafty, pick up some thick sticks to nail or hot glue together to make the wreath’s frame.
Instead of chucking them away, dry out a bouquet by snipping off the wet stems and hanging them upside down by a window. Roses, gypsophila and cornflowers work particularly well with this technique!
Once you have your cornucopia of plants and flowers, give them a good shake outside just to make sure no critters get left behind. Once you have your base, this can be the aforementioned stick & nail ‘circle’, a bit of firm wire or even a pre-made wreath base, in a clockwise direction (I find this the easiest method) start laying your branches and flatter leaves down, securing them with twine or floral wire as you go.
5. Start to layer the smaller flowers on top, continuing to go round and round. Try to keep the same volume all the way around the wreath, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect; nothing in nature ever is!
6. Step back and admire your work. Hang it outside your front door or in your kitchen to maintain it longer.
Dried bouquets and foliage can also make for great decor, simply popped into a vase on your mantle, island or countertop. Add muted colours for a moody, autumnal look like burgundy, olive green, browns, burnt orange and brass elements. This can be done through flowers, artwork, decorative vases and jugs and much more.
Rugs
Area or runner rugs are a fantastic way to cosy up your kitchen in a very simple way. Adding that little bit of texture, colour and warmth beneath your toes will elevate your kitchen space and leave it looking chic and snug. If you’re a messy cook, are worried about spills or simply have children or pets, look for a rug made out of materials that allow for it to be chucked in the wash if needs be. Ruggable are a UK based company that specialise in beautiful, machine washable rugs! They have a fantastic array of shapes, sizes, patterns and colours and are made to order to reduce waste.
Art & Decor
You make a house a home by adding elements of yourself within the space. Whether you’re a minimalist, maximalist or somewhere in between, adding personal touches and decorative elements to your space will elevate the space’s aura and sense of cosiness. Art is a great way to add some flare, colour and texture in your kitchen. You can frame artwork you love, family photos or even postcards and old letters from loved ones, each will bring life to the hear of your home and tell your story.
Bookcases and libraries have a naturally warm and inviting energy. Your family’s favourite books, photo albums full of memories and personal nic nacs collected over the years from a myriad of places will put a smile on your face every time you glance over.
Displaying seasonal fruit and veg on your island or countertops will really bring some of that burnt orange hue into your space, (we all know what just a single pumpkin can do!) and makes for some yummy recipes!
Cosy Seats
Banquette seating, especially when paired with comfy cushions is the perfect spot to cosy up in on a rainy autumnal day. Decorate with seasonal colours in blankets and cushions or keep it simple and add a candle nearby. One of our favourites is the Velvet Woods & Amber candle by WXY.
Wallpaper
Moody wallpaper is a great way to spice up any space and will definitely make it feel more homely and eclectic. You can find thousands of artists and designs to suit everyone’s taste on Etsy!
Smells & Tastes
Autumnal Sunday Vegan Pancakes
For Fluffy Pancakes:
1 Cup flour
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup alternative milk like oat, soy etc
1 tbsp apple cider or white wine vinegar (trust the process!)
For Baked Fruit & ‘Sauce’
2 Pears, Nectarines, Apples etc
Local honey, agave nectar or maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
1-2 tbsp water
Method:
Combine milk, vanilla and vinegar and allow to sit for 5 minutes, meanwhile combine dry ingredients. After the 5 minutes, combine the wet ingredients mixture in with with dry. Allow to sit for another 5-10 minutes before frying in ladles.
Cut fruit into wedges and coat them in the honey or maple syrup and cinnamon. Pop them in a preheated oven at 180ºC for about 30 mins or until they have softened.
Remove some of the wedges and lightly mash them, adding a couple of tbsp of water until the sauce is the consistency you like.
Stack your pancakes, top with some Greek style yoghurt (Oatly's one is great because it gets the thickness of Greek yoghurt perfectly), add your wedges and drizzle your sauce all over. Finish with some Chía seeds for some extra texture and goodness and enjoy with a cup of chai or coffee.
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Kitchen Trends (& Tipples!): Welcome To Your Bar!
We have seen a great influx of bar unit and drinks storage requests when designing our client's’ kitchens in the past couple of years and there’s no sign of this trend slowing down!
Countertop Bars
One great way to incorporate a bar cabinet into your new kitchen is to design it as a countertop unit. This is perfect if you have a smaller space or don’t want an entire tall unit dedicated to your favourite hooch. If you’re installing quartz worktops in your kitchen; even better, as the non-porous material is so easy to clean and wipe away any sticky, spilt liquors and mixers! Add reeded glass doors to add a bit of flare or keep it simple with standard timber and keep the inside a pleasant surprise.
Wine Storage
Want to organie your wine? Make it a feature. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just know you like ‘the red one’, whether it’s a full cellar under the stairs or shelving above your fridge; nothing looks more lavish and sophisticated than your very own wine / champagne area. Now, where’s my feather boa and crystal coupe?
Stand-Alone Bar Units
If countertops just aren’t your thing and maybe you have some more space to play with; a free standing bar unit will have your friends and family ‘ooh’ & ‘aah’ing. A cold shelf to match your kitchen countertops will give that clean and cohesive look, cupboards underneath will help with storage of extra glasses or even larger kitchen gadgets you don’t need or want on display constantly. Add a drawer for things formal cloth napkins, bottle openers, bar spoons, cocktail strainers, and wine stoppers.
Fun, Bespoke Details
The best part of designing and making bespoke cabinetry, is that we get to come up with fun new ideas for your units, as well as executing your ideas! Hanging glass shelving, internal wine racks and shelves as tall or as short as your moonshines require. The world is your oyster! (Or the bar in this case.)
Kick back and pour yourself a drink; you deserve it!
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