Never underestimate the kitchen. Never doubt the ability of an island, a glass of Merlot, and a simmering sauce on the back burner to heal our human divides. When it comes to the spaces where history is made, the kitchen is right up there with war rooms and parliamentary halls. It has the ability to lure the weary and overworked, to reattach the prodigal son, and to remind a person each day that magic starts with a non-stick pan.
The kitchen is an extraordinary place, and you’ll never go wrong by investing your heart – and your bucks – into it.
That’s also why we believe in providing the most unique artisan craftsmanship – to give your home a heart as unique as you are. Because the old saying couldn’t be further from the truth – one size doesn’t fit all. Ultimately the kitchen is a reflection of who you are, what you value and how you work. It’s as unique as your own fingerprints, and our job as the Kitchen Frontiers team is to ensure your prints are tastefully infused into every nook and knob of the design.
So go ahead and take the plunge. Renovate that ode to melamine. Build that dream kitchen. But before you do, read these tips to get you going:
You don’t have to know
The truth is, we love the idea of our kitchen as an extension of ourselves. We all want fridges and stove tops and wash up spaces that keep us in the holy triangle and seem to move in sync with our creative madness. We all want decor and details that describe us. And we all want to sit back on our brand new bar stool, at the end of the dusty exercise, and say, ‘now that was worth it.’
But let’s face it. We don’t know how to get there. So often as the client, we know what we don’t like, but we’re uncertain of what we actually do want in our little culinary kingdom. The options are endless and render us decision punch drunk.
That’s okay. You don’t have to know. A good design company will be able to walk you through the exercise and help you identify your needs and preferences. Their advisory team will place enormous emphasis on the client relationship and design journey, and help you to figure what the best you will look like in physical form and functionality. It’s a process and a partnership, and one that you should enjoy from the onset.
Let your personality shine
When planning your perfect kitchen, you need to start with the who before the what. Who are we as a family (or I as an individual), and how will my kitchen space facilitate that? Maybe you feel at home amongst the rich textures of traditional mahogany, and you prefer the privacy of meal preparation. Go for a formal, enclosed kitchen that will match your refined taste and hosting style. Or you’re a relaxed family with an informal, friendly disposition whose doors are open at any time. You should be busting open those old four walls and turning your kitchen into an open plan extension of your main living area, where the island becomes a central hub of activity and the dirty dishes in the sink can be unashamedly exposed.
There are no rules when it comes to custom kitchen design. Whether it be exposed pine or handle-less high gloss cupboards, you need to find the design that lives with you. Be sure to match your creativity with a company who insists on only the highest quality craftsmanship. It will be a winning product in the end.
Pay attention to the trends
And lastly, be aware of what’s trending. At the moment, island counters are the new black. Dining is becoming a more casual and relaxed affair, and, for better or for worse, the dining room table is being rendered redundant. Take time to consider the size and materials of your counter space. Have it be big enough to facilitate multiple facets of family life, like homework and meal time and coffee kuiers. Consider your materials well. For example, what about mixing high grain woods with granite, so as to contrast your worktop and eating area for an effective look?
Another 2018 trend is the use of raw materials. Exposed brick offers a timeless, classic look and provides a fantastic backdrop on which to pair industrial pieces like pendant bulbs or exposed piping. Brutalist concrete and untreated wood offer an almost ‘edgy’ feel, which can be offset with more classic or traditional pieces. The overall atmosphere will become open and warm and wonderfully honest.
Have you considered adding black to your kitchen? Today’s top designers say you should. Contrary to what most of us assume, black offers a sense of expansiveness, especially when it’s used as the predominant colour in a room or on a wall. It’s clean and angular, orderly and striking, in presentation – and it leaves you with a feeling of quiet confidence and cool headed composure.
So there’s some food for thought to take on your journey down the design road. Finding the right company is key – one who will match your unique personality with their supreme competence and resources. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re about to take your first steps on this journey. We would love to make this experience as painless and pleasant as possible.
Contact us for more information or for a quotation.