Kitchen Tips: Modernising Your Kitchen
If you’re after a bespoke kitchen but are worried the Shaker style might be too traditional for your taste, fear not; there are many ways in which you can modernise your kitchen space throughout the design process and after.
Cabinetry Styles
A no fuss, flat door front style of cabinetry with always look sleek and modern. For the Dunkirk project (pictured below), we altered our Westminster range and omitted the shaker panels for a simpler look. A lack of decorative cornicing, little feet or even units flush to the floor will also help to modernise your kitchen.
Glass Fronted Cabinetry
Glass-fronted cabinetry, as well as glass shelving within, is another great way to modernise your space. Opt for plain glass or fireglass for a 21st century modern look and reeded for a more Art Deco one.
Stunning Stone Worktops
Possibly one of the most exciting ways of giving your kitchen a more modern edge is with a beautiful, bold stone worktop! Granite, marble and even quartz stones all come in a variety of colours, veins and patterns which will becoming a huge focal point of the space and always leave people saying ‘Wow!’
Two-Tone Colour Palette & Bold Colours
Bold and vibrant colours will truly help to make your kitchen a bit more contemporary. In the design process, play around with different colour combinations and even consider a two-tone aesthetic.
Hardware
For a more modern look, choose handles that are more geometric in their design. Squared edges and straight lines will always do the trick. Knurled or reeded details also lend themselves well to modern designs.
Downwards Extractor Hobs
At the height of cutting edge kitchen technology, an induction hob with a downstream extractor will streamline your surfaces and make for a very impressive cooking station! We love the Bora hobs as there are many different models with additional playthings and gadgets for the home chef.
Undermount Sinks
As with the induction hob, and undermounted sink will also help streamline your work surfaces, allowing a continuous flow for the eye. (Easy to hide dishes also!)
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Kitchen Tips: 'Countryfying' Your Kitchen
If you prefer a more traditional or ‘English Countryside Chic’ kitchen to a modern sleek one, there are a few things you can consider when designing and decorating your kitchen to ensure it’s every bit of what you first visualise!
Mixing & Matching Burnished Brass Handles and Knobs
Mixing up the shape and type of hardware in your kitchen will offer a traditional yet stylish look to your space. Keeping all the handles the same will offer a more modern and sleek look. Another thing to consider is the harshness of the shape. Squared off, geometric designs lend themselves to more contemporary kitchens. If what you’re after is a softer, more organic country look, think gentle, rounded shapes! An antique-esque burnished brass finish is perfect for adding that old, golden warmth so many farmhouses have.
Belfast & Pie-Crust Sinks
A big Belfast sink screams country kitchen! These ceramic beauties are not only beautiful but very practical because of their depth. You can get them as a single or a double (or an 1000mm if you want that extra bit of space!). A ‘pie-crust’ sink offers the same charm as the conventional Belfast sink but gives an extra bit of * spice *.
Keep Your Beams & Expose Your Brick!
If you’re lucky enough to have beautiful old wooden beams or an exposed brick wall, keep them just as they are! These natural textures and warm tones really aid that feeling of cosiness that a traditional shaker kitchen has. Try adding touches of wood throughout your kitchen to really amplify this with your stools or chairs, worktops or even displaying a lovely heavy wooden chopping board or pepper mill on your countertop.
Dresser Units
This isn’t your Nanna’s sideboard with all her fancy china, it’s a new and improved version! A dresser unit or side board unit is a classic piece in any English kitchen. Bi-fold doors and glass fronts can make it a really special piece that you will love using each day. We love seeing the beautiful oak or walnut on the inside as well as a cold shelf which makes cleaning much easier! If you want to take a step further, paint this unit an entirely different colour to the rest of your cabinetry or even consider exposed wood.
Table Seating
With kitchen islands and peninsulas truly stepping into the spotlight more and more, they can sometimes be a replacement for a kitchen table all-together. Keep a kitchen table for a more nostalgic and traditional feel (bonus points if it’s wooden).
Colours: Off-whites, Creams & Soft Greens
We all know of a country kitchen in an off-white or cream, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Warm neutrals, beautiful sage and olive greens will bring a cosy and natural feel to the space.
Window Bench Seats
If you’re thinking of adding some banquette seating or even a bench to your kitchen, consider placing it under a window if possible. These little nooks are wonderful places to curl up with a cup of tea and a book, where kids can do their homework or simply gaze into the garden.
Tiled Splashbacks
More modern kitchen designs have been leaning more towards quartz splashbacks to match the worktops or glossy, white metro tiles. Try a small, square porcelain tile for your splashback for a more traditional look. Play around with colours, patterns and textures to find what works best for you and your space; maybe try a terracotta tile!
Leave us a comment telling us what your dream country kitchen would look like!
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