The Experience of the Kitchen Space

The drama of home life is played out in the kitchen. We commune, hang out, watch TV, telephone friends and relations, read the paper, do homework and hobbies, lounge on the sofa, cook and entertain, play music, argue and make up – all in one space.

The kitchen becomes the active zone of the house, with an emphasis on sociability. Individual needs can be built into alcoves or accommodated within screens, thereby defining activity areas such as children’s play areas, home work places and places in which to relax in comfort. 

 

What is so key about kitchen design? It is the word ‘kitchen’ itself that leaves us short. There is general agreement that the kitchen is the essence of home, a substitute for the hearth. The kitchen has become the new hallway. A cup of coffee or tea, which we consider more of a greeting than hospitality, means you go to the kitchen first, whether you ate a service engineer or a dear friend whose has travelled miles. The highest proportion of time spent in a room at home goes to the kitchen; the concept should allow us to realise how to re-orientate our homes to a lifestyle that suits us better.

‘Leisure together’  Families want to spend the precious home-time together after being at work or school that takes such a large chunk of our day. Expanded leisure activity and holiday takes us out-of-home, too. If work has expanded in hours, out of home leisure has also grown. With many households having two working partners the pressure on family time together is even greater. We believe this is one of the greatest pressures for working towards “one space for active living, with kitchen included”. We want to spend what time there is in visual contact and not be isolated in a separate rooms two corridors away. 

Appliances as icons… 

 

Ergonomics may form the basics of comfort but without the back up of wider psychological aspects, such as feelings of warmth or the pleasing of the eye, then why linger in a kitchen space? The tactile qualities of natural materials, the enchantment of natural light on colour and the use of pattern assist. 

 

Appliances as tools or as status symbols? They are both. Larder, fridges, Agas, ranges, dishwasher drawers, wok burners, massive air extractors – there is increasingly more demand for the top-end manufacturers to make status symbols for those who desire for something different and well made.

Identifiable icons are the unchanging products of a kitchen – the appliances. Fifty years ago, appliances dominated the kitchen industry, today the opposite applies. Apart from the prestigious large appliances of those mentioned above, appliances are formulated to submerge into the sizing of the kitchen units. Now that is a higher demand for bespoke cabinetry to tailor to those integrated appliances. 

Click here to take a look at our integrated appliances; http://thefreestandingkitchen.com/products/fitted-appliances/

Storage Ideas

How to add a larder to your kitchen

A larder can be a real space-saver in a kitchen of any size. Their rise to fame started in the Victorian period, and in more recent years, they have found themselves back in fashion in contemporary kitchens.

Code 211 Size: 1000 W 620 D 2100 H

Code 213L & 213R Size: 550 W 430 D 1800 H

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A traditional larder was typically a large free-standing unit or small room within the kitchen. Larders of this style are a fantastic choice for those who both have a large kitchen and prefer traditional design. If there’s not already a separate larder space in your kitchen, one option you’ll be looking at is a standalone unit

The free-standing units usually offer storage in the form of shelving and drawers hidden behind a set of double doors. Larder rooms, in comparison, are typically made up of shelving set from the floor to the ceiling of the room, offering space for huge amounts of ingredients and appliances.

  Caple kitchen trend 2017

A traditional part of any kitchen, larders take storage to another level, with space for small appliances, as well as everything you need for a good day’s baking, and more. Contrast the interior with the exterior for a modern effect. Use rich wood accents to warm up any kitchen and add a natural element.

Home Appliance Design Trends for 2018

Home appliance trends for 2018 

Brands are using natural materials to add an element of warmth, tactility and a crafted, luxury feel to their products. Wood veneers, cork and leather all provide a welcome contrast to today’s technological-driven products and synthetic materials, allowing appliances to sit more discreetly alongside furniture and domestic interiors.

Here at The Freestanding Kitchen company, we can offer integrated appliances to fit nicely within our freestanding kitchen units, see our Gallery for our clients’ photos that have been sent to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 SMEG has brought out a bold statement colours range

Bold, bright shades are really starting to make their mark within home appliances, offering statement pieces and injections of colour. Vivid red, deep teal blue and vibrant green are set to hit the home appliance scene in a big way, appearing across fridges, coffee machines and washing machines.

Examples: Smeg is an early trendsetter here. Looking to its heritage to inform its colour choices, Smeg has created a new range of kitchen appliances with colour options inspired by the Italian Rivera: olive green, sunshine yellow, deep red and burnt orange . The bright appliances use chrome detailing for a fresh take on Smeg’s renowned retro aesthetic.

As you can see below, are a few examples;

Pastel colours are becoming particularly progressive in kitchen appliances, challenging conventional design. The use of fresh shades like pink, green and aqua blue give products a ‘cute’ and softened aesthetic.

The use of rounded shapes, which are being explored alongside pastel shades, lend a nostalgic and retro quality, while pairing pastels with high-shine chrome and stainless steel creates a more sophisticated look. This trend mirrors the development of tech products becoming softened by brands adopting pastel shades in tactile materials and smooth textures.

 

 

Christmas is fast approaching, would you like a freestanding coffee machine to sit nicely on your kitchen work tops? Or a new dishwasher to save all that washing up after the family Christmas dinner?

If so, give us a call on 01787 223297 (Option 1) to discuss further

 

Our New Evelyn Range

Evelyn Range is now in stock!

As you can see below, this is our Evelyn Range. Due to popular demand, our cabinetry is now available in a limed oak finish as well as our standard oak. Limestone is ground down to a paste and applied to the furniture to create a lighter wash over the timber. The cost is the same as our standard oak range.

Freestanding Centre Larder

 

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