Kitchen Tips: A Guide To Kitchen Extensions Part 2
PLANNING
A brief discussion with your planning department won’t harm as a first step, but in most cases, you will need to consult with an architect to produce initial drawings for planning (planning takes around 8 weeks - if you have cooperative neighbours). Getting a recommendation for an architect is crucial. In some cases, you won’t need an architect and you can work with an architect technician or a surveyor.
The kitchen is normally the reason for the extension, so you want to make sure it can accommodate everything you are dreaming of. It is a good idea to get an initial design and quote from your kitchen company early in the planning process, after you have planning permission ideally. This ensures you won’t run into design limitations further down the line.
It is normal for builders’ quotes to vary massively. It will depend on how busy they are, what else they have in your area, how much they want the job and how well they think you’ll work together. Remember - cheap is not always best! It is important to have a good relationship with your builders and strong communication, this will help during the issues that will inevitably arise during every project.
During the project it is best to move in with family or into rented accommodation if possible. It is much less stressful - especially as it is common to experience delays to the project. If you’re staying at home during the build, think about setting up a temporary kitchen if you can. Lots of builders will do this for you, or there are companies that do this. Or you can set up the fridge, microwave and a camping hob and a slow cooker somewhere in the home.
DESIGN
Having a carefully considered kitchen design that works for you and your lifestyle is key when planning your extension. Your kitchen designer can help to advise with simple things that will make a huge difference to the design of the kitchen - like moving windows/doors, plug sockets and where to put the boiler.
When doing substantial building works like an extension, it’s normally possible to move the waste, so don’t let this worry you about where to put the kitchen. If you’re having under floor heating, think about where your manifold should go (a massive pipe junction that takes up a lot of room).
Your kitchen designer can show you different ways you can design the kitchen/living space, but there is usually one way that will quickly become obvious to your designer once you tell them what you would like in the space.
When sitting at the island, you want to face into the kitchen, not out into the living space - it feels more natural to be facing whoever is cooking. The ideal distance between an island and units is 1000mm, but aim to keep it between 900mm and 1200mm.
If you want to have a clear island with no hob/sink, you can put the hob and sink on the same run – but, this can make designing the space difficult. You will need quite a long run and you’ll need space somewhere in the kitchen for your tall units.
Using complimentary colours or materials to link living spaces together will help the design to flow. A well placed island or peninsula can define the separate spaces. Artwork and lighting will also help to add your personal style and character to the space.
Our personal top 5 must-haves for a kitchen/family room extension are:
1. An island/peninsula
2. Large doors (sliding/Crittal /bifold) leading out to the garden. But this does not have to be all the way across, sometimes it’s nice to break it up with a sink run
3. Underfloor heating – this removes the need for radiators which can take up a lot of space and will feel like heaven on cold winter mornings!
4. Skylights or roof lanterns
5. Banquette bench seating area
INSTALLATION & LEAD TIMES
Undertaking a kitchen extension is a big project with lots of moving parts and so there are many things that could potentially delay your project. Careful planning can help to avoid some of these delays but remember that some issues are unavoidable.
Keep in mind the lead times for your kitchen cabinetry (ours is currently around 6 months). It takes time to make a bespoke kitchen as every piece is hand made and finished just for you. This also applies to your handles and taps, especially if you are choosing a special finish like brass, which can take up to 12 weeks! The more you have decided on and ordered beforehand, the better. You don’t want to be disappointed if some products have longer lead times than you are expecting.
To fit some kitchens (like ours) you’ll need a finished room wall to wall, flooring, electrics and plumbing in place and ideally the room would be decorated so you’re not risking getting paint on your new kitchen.
Just like in Grand Designs, most window and doors will be made to order, and they will not make them until the space is measurable. There can be a lull in projects while you wait for windows to arrive, so keep this in mind when booking a date for your kitchen installation. Another common reason for delays to the project, is the drying times for different types of flooring. Concrete screed takes roughly 1 day per mm deep and some wooden floors need time to acclimate to your space which can take 2 weeks.
If you are having solid worktops (e.g. quartz, marble or granite), allow another week or more for this. The stone masons will template once the kitchen units are in place, then go away and cut the stone to the template and come back to fit it a week or so later.
Changing your mind will delay things, for example, adding or changing plug sockets are not always quick jobs. However, it is also the right time to do it if you don’t like something. Speak your mind and have a close relationship with your builders, pop in often and try to enjoy the process together.
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A Herringbone Christmas With Stories Of Home
The Christmas season is well and truly here, bringing with it the dark and cold evenings making us cosy up in the heart of the home, the kitchen. We sat down with Roma of Stories Of Home on Instagram and beloved previous Herringbone client, and chatted about all things Christmas. From decs to favourite meals and fondest memories of family time in the kitchen during the most wonderful time of the year.
HK: Roma, what do you love most about interiors during this time of year?
R: I absolutely love using what is around us outside in our decorating. Traditionally that’s what people did. They brought holly, firs and all sorts inside to make their homes more festive. I love that it doesn’t have to all be too much effort. Some wreaths on the windows, hydrangeas on the tree (that my friend gifts me from her garden each year). Twisting berry branches on your front gate and a string of preferably battery lights with a timer!
HK: How wonderful, bringing the outside in! What are some little things you add or change in your home and kitchen during the festive season?
R: Our beautiful Herringbone kitchen comes into its own at Christmas. It is a pastel green and just looks incredibly Christmassy without the need to do much. So we dress the island a little then put a really nice wreath up on the window and this year the pantry doors too! I have a bit of a collection box of velvet ribbons in forest greens, deep mustard colour, ink black and deep red. I use these to tie up strings of light, bows on cupboard handles and of course to tie up some wreaths.
HK: It sounds beautiful! What part of your kitchen do you find yourself coming back to the most or is most useful during Christmas?
R: All of it! I can’t actually choose. We love to cook and use every section of our Lacanache Flavingny cooker. Roasting, stewing, baking or something bubbling away on top.
Our pantry cupboard has been so very useful. It is actually incredible how much you can store there and it’s so nice to make it pretty with different storage containers and tins. When it is tidy it’s one of my favourite places!!
Finally the sink. I spent a lot of time there during the holidays. Probably the most useful thing here is the hot water tap. It saves so much time if you need to fill a large pan or if you fancy a quick cup of tea.
When friends come over we gather around the island and share a toast together. So happy to be able to do that again this season! Fingers crossed.
HK: It sounds like your kitchen is well in use! We love to hear that. What’s your go to festive colour scheme/aesthetic? And has this changed?
R: Well I’m pretty much obsessed with greens and this has continued. I like to add black, pinks, deep red and toffee or mustard coloured accessories. Green on green is also great!
HK: Green has definitely been a huge favourite in kitchens this year! And we have been seeing a lot more colour come into projects too. Do you have any fond memories of being in the kitchen during Christmas, with family , friends or from your childhood?
R: Before we did our renovation at home and had just moved into the cottage we had to have a Christmas BBQ outside as our old oven gave up. It was a real laugh and definitely one of the funniest memories we have for this time of year.
Luigi is from Sardinia and they create the most wonderfully detailed miniature Christmas village displays at home. Spending a long time preparing each little section and collecting moss to be the base of the little village. It’s so beautiful to look at.
In Ireland I remember my family restaurant at Christmas time. My sister would paint the front windows with Christmas characters and cute winter scenes. People bustled in for a rest during their Christmas shopping and there was always a lovely community atmosphere.
HK: A BBQ Christmas sounds fantastic! Albeit might be a bit cold for me! Finally Roma, what is your favourite Christmas recipe? Are you Team English kitchen table or Team Italian?
R: We have so many! It’s impossible to choose, However at Christmas Luigi @theislandtable is head chef in our house and our favourite festive menus look a bit like this: On Christmas Eve we usually cook some fish dishes with a Sardinian twist. On Christmas Day it’s a pull out all the stops roast. Followed by some olives, chutney, cheese like taleggio, pecorino and local British and Irish ones.
HK: Sounds like the perfect blend of Italy and the UK!
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Roma for chatting to us and we wish her and her whole family a very Happy Christmas!
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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Bespoke Internal Storage For Your Kitchen
Bespoke Internal Storage For Your Kitchen
Sneaky Banquette Seating Storage
Glass Shelving
Pocket Doors
Traditional Zig Zag Shelving Or Loop & Socket
Painted Internals
Dovetail Drawers, Cutlery Inserts, Knife Blocks
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Kitchen Tips: Open Plan Kitchens; Are They For You?
When starting to think of your kitchen design and looking to begin the process, especially if you’re extending, the thought of a great big open plan kitchen with doors leading to the garden surely will have crossed your mind. Whether it be kitchen / dining, kitchen / living or all three if the space accommodates, here’s some things to consider if you’re unsure this layout works for you.
A Relaxed & Social Butterfly
With your dining and/or living space flowing straight into your kitchen, will automatically make it a more social environment in a very easy-going way. Families will natural gather in the living, dining and kitchen areas even if taking part in solo activities like reading, watching TV, colouring in, doing homework, cooking etc. This creates a lovely feeling of togetherness but with some personal space. If however, your family value privacy and less noise travelling, perhaps keeping the living space separate might be better suited for your lifestyle.
Or, if your space allows for it, creating a separate, cosy living nook!
2. Plenty Of Room, Plenty Of Light
With an open plan layout, you will of course be left with a larger room. This will also make your kitchen itself appear larger and especially if you’re extending and adding windows, skylights will allow more natural light in bringing the outside in. Extending into an open plan living layout will especially make a grand impression if you have high ceilings.
3. The Heart Of The Party
Are you an entertainer? Always the host? There’s no better way to throw a saoiree, be it small or large, than with an open kitchen and living space. Maintaining presence while finishing up food or making drinks ensuring you don’t miss a beat of your get together. Plus, a sofa or arm chair is the perfect spot to end up in after a few drinks!
Keep in mind that if as Toastmistress, you like to keep the mess that comes with a party or dinner more of a mystery to your guests, perhaps opt for a separate dining space or even a sink in your utility near by as a place to hide away dirty plates and glasses until your guests have said their fare-thee-wells.
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