PROJECT KITCHENS What to look

RENOVATED CITY SEMI

Slim or chunky?

Surface depth is a factor to consider – options range from super-shallow 4mm to a standard 20-30mm up to more than 50mm, depending on the type of material. Malton kitchen in Seal Grey with Cosentino Eternal Calacatta Gold quartz worksurface, available in thicknesses of 20mm or 30mm, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers (burbidgekitchenmakers.co.uk)

Go for a greener option

Eco-friendly solid surface and quartz composites include the carbon-offset Sunlit Day quartz range from Silestone (cosentino.com), and Durat (durat.com), which is made with recycled post-industrial plastic waste. Durat worksurface, from £460 per sqm, with integrated Block II sinks, from £880 for a W430xD230xH130mm model, Surface Matter (surfacematter.co.uk) Chips off the old block

Resin-based terrazzo is durable and can include recycled waste stone or glass chippings. The random pattern of the embedded material makes each piece unique. TE081 resin terrazzo worksurface, from £300 per sqm, Diespieker & Co (diespeker.co.uk)

Practically perfect

Sintered stone, also known as porcelain, is made from natural minerals bonded together under extreme heat and pressure. Durable and resistant to stains and chipping, it can be used to clad cabinets, walls and floors, or to wrap around an island. Calacatta Light Ceramic SapienStone worksurface, from £210 per sqm, Cullifords (geraldculliford.co.uk)

A timeless appeal

If you want a timber surface, choose sustainable FSC-certified hardwood such as ash, oak, beech or walnut. The wood needs treating with a suitable oil to keep it in good condition, but any scratches or stains that do occur can be sanded out. Cabinets and worksurfaces in HeartOak solid planks, from £205 per sqm, Dinesen (dinesen.com)

FOCUS ON FITTING

Advice on installation from Oli Moss, senior designer at Roundhouse (roundhousedesign.com) ● When fitting any worksurface it is vital to ensure that the base units are level and securely fixed so there will be no movement once it’s in place. This will help reduce any stress on surface materials and will prevent potential bowing. ● Bespoke stone, quartz composite, porcelain, metal and solid surface installations will require templating so they can be precisely and professionally cut or fabricated off site. You will need to allow one to two weeks prior to fitting by a specialist installer, but a temporary surface can be fitted so the kitchen is usable in the meantime. ● Although it is possible to buy ready-to-fit pre-cast concrete versions, most seamless concrete and terrazzo worksurfaces are cast on site by a specialist installer. Allow time for measuring up, making the mould and pouring the concrete, plus extra for hardening and curing, a process that can take at least 30 days. ● Most laminate and timber worksurfaces can be cut to fit on site as soon as the base units are in place, saving time and money. I recommend professional installation for the best results, but surfaces can be fitted by anyone who’s competent in DIY. ● When calculating costs, take into consideration layout as well as material choices. Straight surface runs will inevitably be more cost-effective as they are easier to fit. Expect to pay an additional fee for each extra joint, for hob or sink cut-outs, and for drainer grooves.

a zinc-clad extension and also enlisted the help of Jennifer Todd from Life Kitchens (life-kitchens.co.uk) to plan the new and improved room.

‘We asked Jennifer to include an island in the scheme, and for it to be an important feature of the new layout,’ says Suzie. The designer’s solution was to site it close to the cooking area, which allowed plenty of room for the family’s dining table to go in front of the glazed doors that lead out to the garden.

Suzie and Nicholas wanted as big an island as possible without it dominating the room, so getting the dimensions right was crucial to the success of the kitchen. ‘Everything had to be in proportion,’ explains Jennifer. She plotted out each element with care to ensure there was a sufficient amount of clear floorspace around the island, and between it and the run of units along the wall. Jennifer also recommended that the island cabinets were painted in a paler colour than the other cupboards to further reduce its impact on the overall scheme.

‘We didn’t want it to include appliances,’ says Suzie. ‘Instead it provides plenty of storage, and a serving area with a couple of seats.’ Hence, the small oak block breakfast bar extends beyond the main quartz worksurface giving a handy spot to perch and grab a quick bite to eat or chat to whoever is cooking.

Suzie and Nicholas selected two quartz composite worksurfaces as the material is easy to clean, non-porous and ideal for food preparation. To contrast with the white and grey-veined Carrara Classic quartz on the island, they chose a black-and-gold marble-effect Black Fusion design for the cooking area. ‘It’s a dramatic combination, but it works really well,’ says Suzie.

In keeping with the age and style of their home, the couple chose more traditional in-frame cabinets, which are teamed with black metal handles for an element of industrial-chic styling. The pale pink and deep green cabinets complement the warm tones of the timber breakfast bar, open shelves and engineered wood flooring.

Jennifer proposed built-in appliances and an undermounted sink for a streamlined look. She also came up with the idea of the wall-mounted open shelves where the couple keep their stylish accessories on display.

This attention to detail has been a great success. ‘The kitchen looks great and works beautifully,’ says Suzie. ‘The layout is easy to navigate, and the island is a pleasure to use. We serve meals and drinks from it, and have even covered it in food to create a grazing table. It is a brilliant space.’ ABOVE An integrated bookshelf at one end of the island keeps cookery books within easy reach of the built-in ovens and hob LEFT The oriel window draws in natural light while creating extra seating. Matrix tiles, from £22.16 per sqm, Topps Tiles (toppstiles. co.uk)

B A T H R O O M E D I T

Keep a low profile

For those seeking a streamlined space, the new Superplan Zero shower floor from Kaldewai is designed to fit totally flush. The durable steel enamel surface comes in a variety of colours and dimensions, and is 100 per cent recyclable. Prices start from £582 for a 700x700mm design. (kaldewei.co.uk)

Riveting stuff

This industrial-style boat bath is new from BC Designs. Made from Acrymite, which is a high-quality, seamless acrylic, the tub’s decorative rivet-detail exterior can be finished in matt metallic silver or handpainted in a colour of your choice. It has generously curved sides for a comfortable soak, and measures L1,730xW690xD680mm. From £1,890. (bcdesigns.co.uk)

What’s inside?

This versatile soap dispenser is new to the Inu accessories range from Zone Denmark. Created by Tilde Nygaard of Neu Studio, the matt ceramic design measures Dia80x H116mm and comes with three labelled collars – soap, lotion and sanitiser – so you can identify the contents easily. From £24.95. (zonedenmark.net)

Get creative

The Artist vanity unit from Crosswater is made with FSC-certified timber. Available in four colours, with a solid oak top, it comes in three sizes and can be wall-mounted or fitted with heightadjustable beech or matching legs. Matt white Artist unit, W1,000 xD500xH500, £1,625, beech legs, £295, mirror, £400, Circus basin, £295, and Glide II monobloc, £319. (crosswater.co.uk)

B A T H R O O M E D I T

Bold moves

American bathroom and kitchen brand Waterworks has partnered with US design company Ash NYC. The Highgate x Ash NYC collection includes a thermostatic shower control valve, deck-mounted tap and floorstanding bath filler. They feature porcelain lever handle taps in a choice of four colours. Highgate x Ash NYC low-profile deck- mounted lavatory faucet in Jade Green, £705. (waterworks.com)

Lasting value

Whiteville Ceramics has unveiled Delta, the company’s affordable collection of sanitaryware, which features soft curves and sleek edges. Made using high-pressure ceramic casting for an exceptionally durable finish, the range includes full and semi-pedestal over-counter basins, and close-coupled, back-to-wall and wall-hung loos. Over-counter semi-pedestal washbasin, W550xD420xH255mm, £140, wall-hung loo, W372xD544xH358mm, £180. (whitevilleceramics.co.uk)

G limmer of hope

Yuri porcelain tiles from CTD Architectural Tiles are Cradle to Cradle Certified (c2ccertified.org) and made with 90 per cent recycled content. Suitable for walls and floors, they come in four matt tones with a metallic glimmer, in 600x600mm and 1,200x1,200mm slabs, or 300x300mm mosaics. Order through your contractor or architect, £POA. (ctdarchitecturaltiles.co.uk)

Tough love

The LayRed luxury vinyl flooring collection from Moduleo has been extended with the addition of 40 timber-effect designs. Complete with integrated underlay, the rigid planks click together and can be laid on an existing floor. The waterproof engineered vinyl surface is also resistant to scratches and stains. LayRed Woods Collection in Laurel Oak, £44.99 per sqm. (moduleo.co.uk)

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