Thu 3 Jul 2008
Get into the kitchen
As buyers become increasingly discerning, housebuilders are raising their game in terms of the kitchens they choose. Roger Hunt reports on the latest models to hit the market."One of the main design developments in new builds has been towards the breaking down of the barriers between kitchen and living spaces and this has had a major effect on both the style of furniture and popular design layouts for the kitchen," says Terry Ball, managing director of William Ball. "For example, as the kitchen begins to double as a living/eating space, as well as food preparation, so the kitchen furniture look is being continued into the living area with matching collections."
William Ball has aimed to bring the style of the kitchen and living room together with its new Helena range. This features an ivory, high gloss door which can be mounted on a walnut carcase for dramatic effect. The whole gamut of kitchen units and sizes are offered but the collection is also extended into living room furniture, allowing a cohesive look to be created.
A housebuilder's perspective on kitchens is provided by Clare Pearson, sales and marketing manager for Crosby Lend Lease. "A core aspect of our philosophy for effective kitchen design is to make the space socially inviting so that, even if you are cooking, you are still part of the interaction with friends and family."
At its Potato Wharf development in Manchester, Crosby was keen to ensure that its kitchen choice made a statement to support the strong design cues exuded by the building. "We chose timber effect cantilevered breakfast bars to reflect the materials we used in the construction of the development and the option of a basalt grey finish to the furniture is designed to compliment the charcoal brick of the building's exterior."
Pearson continues, "In our approach to choosing and designing every kitchen for our developments we ensure there are an acceptable number of units versus the living space and we always integrate our appliances to give a streamlined and stylish look."
John Lewis of Hungerford has launched its urban kitchen range: the 'Cool Kitchen'. Inspired by the laid-back loft-living style of Manhattan's east side, the Cool Kitchen offers the latest design features ranging from sophisticated gloss or satin finishes in the cabinetry to stainless steel drawer options and ergonomic accessories.
K Kitchens, the contemporary kitchen brand exclusive to distributor PJH Group, has added to its portfolio with the 'Colour Collection', a range of kitchen fascias. The first of the new designs is the Concept gloss lime with matt aubergine kitchen which features a slab door design and mixes different finishes with contrasting colours.
"Mixing contrasting door fascias, in particular bold colours and finishes, is becoming very popular allowing the end-user to create a bespoke kitchen layout," explains PJH Group kitchen category director, James Calverley.
Meanwhile, another major contract player, Moores, is bringing vibrant green gloss to the contract market with its new Moderna gloss green range.
James Craig, Moores' brand manager, believes open-plan living is influencing a braver use of colour throughout the home. "A reaction against the blandness of white, cream or coffee hues has been noted and duly marked by many in the kitchen industry. We are now seeing the bolder developers embracing lime green, orange and red doors in the kitchen and this is set to increase as the consumer continues to revolt against uninspiring colour schemes. These dramatic hues work best in blocks of colour, typically with a gloss finish, and can be beautifully coordinated with stainless steel and glass."
Ian Munslow, sales director at Shanly Homes, notes a marked change in the materials used within kitchens over the past few years with a move away from traditional designs towards more imaginative combinations of materials and textures.
"These changes reflect the changing demands of today's house buyers. With purchasers becoming increasingly discerning, design and ergonomics have become key factors that we must reflect in our layouts ensuring that the resultant kitchens not only look good but are also functional.
"Overall we vary our specifications dependant upon our target market with apartments often requiring a more contemporary finish to houses. Consumers now expect good design, great looks, quality units and the right appliances. We focus on these areas to ensure that our kitchens continue to meet with the buying public's aspirations," says Munslow.
Symphony's latest kitchen designs for the private development market take their inspiration from cocobolo wood. Madison Cocobolo is a kitchen design in a cocobolo wood effect that adds texture and depth of character. Brushed nickel D handles are complemented by walnut or metallic effect accessories for a contemporary finish.
"Strong patterns and distinctive woodgrains are key trends within interior design at the moment and this has filtered through to the private development market," believes Kathleen Lyon, Symphony's building division marketing manager. According to Craig Burgess-Allen, Rational's marketing manager, a hint of colour or sweeps of veneer all add impact. "The introduction of exotic veneers individually hand selected and matched is not always attainable for the masses, but the overall style is achievable over different price groups from repro finishes up to and including more exotic styles."
The latest kitchen from Rational is Cambia in damson repro which, to create a modern kitchen setting, is coupled with sleek black micro lacquer. It joins a range which incorporates a choice of 43 different finishes: nine repro, 14 high gloss and 20 micro lacquer colours.
After 20 years of experience and increasing success in Italy, kitchen specialist Oikos Cucine, is launching in the UK through Simply Italian UK which offers the range nationwide. Oikos Cucine provides a wide selection of versatile kitchen styles where shape, content and appearance can be modified to produce a multifunctional work/living area; the company claims its emphasis is on detail and quality.
Bluestone, a contract kitchen brand targeting high end developments, has launched its new Riva range with a 'cutting edge' zebrano finish or aura almond gloss units coupled with a distinctive handle design.
Kitchen distributor Theobald's has introduced its new 'Kitchen Elements' range. Aimed at the lower price spectrum, it features seven kitchen choices in a variety of different finishes, including two solid doors, Lamborne and Townsend, in an oak finish.
Steve Flynn, Theobald's national contracts manager, acknowledges that housebuilders work closely with suppliers and use them as a sounding board for advice on trends such as colours and finishes.
"Neutral tones still remain a firm favourite in the majority of developments combined with the increasing use of new textures and darker finishes such as black walnut. The focus is on more compact design solutions and the use of innovative storage systems and compact appliances is becoming very popular."
Michael Powell, managing director of fittings systems specialist Blum UK, believes the way in which a kitchen performs, as opposed to how it looks, has become a key selling point for housebuilders. "Behind the door and drawer front the available space has to be used in the most economical and ergonomic way. Access to all parts of the cabinet is vital. So, no fixed shelves in base units and the contents of all drawers and pull-outs must be totally visible and accessible on a full extension basis. Access to wall cabinets must similarly be easy with lift-up doors proving to be the best modern solution."
Blum has developed systems that include special solutions for corner units and other difficult areas of access and its Orga-Line range helps with the internal organisation of units. Recently Blum has been concentrating on 'perfecting motion' for cabinet interiors and its new Servo-Drive allows the automatic opening of drawers and pull-outs via a small electric motor activated by touch on the cabinet front.
One of the newer products to be used in the manufacture of kitchen fronts is Parapan, a durable, solid acrylic. To create a seamless look by avoiding the need for handles, the company has introduced finger pulls to its design repertoire for doors and drawers.
When it comes to counter tops, LG Hi-Macs is a new acrylic stone made from a blend of 75 per cent natural minerals and pigments set in an acrylic matrix. Claimed to be extremely hard wearing, non-porous and scratch resistant, it offers the user a solid surface which is easy to clean and extremely hygienic.
From Dornbracht comes, what is claimed to be, a completely new concept for kitchen sinks: 'Kitchen Zones'. While sinks are usually used for many different work processes, very few residential kitchens have separate locations for different applications so the Kitchen Zones range of products focus on the essentials - cooking and prepping or washing and cleaning - a concept that has long been common practice in commercial kitchens.
Posted by Roger Hunt
in Blum UK, Clare Pearson, Craig Burgess-Allen, Crosby Lend Lease, Ian Munslow, James Calverley, James Craig, John Lewis, Michael Powell, Moores, Oikos Cucine, PJH Group, Product Portfolio, Rational, Shanly Homes, Steve Flynn, Terry Ball, Theobald's, William Ball on Thu 3 Jul 2008