Kitchens

3D PRINTING COMPANY LAUNCHES BESPOKE SERVICE TO THE ARCHITECTURE AND PROPERTY DEVELOPING SECTORS

Faster, cheaper and more accurate than traditional models

The 3D Printers is launching its bespoke 3D printing services to the architect and property developing industry, bringing complex designs and drawings to life so clients can envisage the finished building or design.

With more than 15 years’ experience of working in the film industry, making models for over 40 movies including James Bond, Star Wars, Gravity and The Bourne Ultimatum, the attention to detail in the models produced is unparalleled when compared to traditional models of individual houses or full developments of any scale.

Another benefit to 3D printing of property designs is that it is cost effective when compared to traditional handmade models and is typically two thirds of the price. The completed product is produced in resin, making it durable enough to withstand transporting to clients and prospective purchasers.

The models can be created in layers, making it possible to remove the roof in order to show internal layouts and fixtures and fittings if required; all in high detail.

The process involves taking the original architectural drawing and creating a 3D computer file from the plans. This file is created specifically to ‘talk’ to the 3D printer, ensuring an accurate representation of the planned property in its 3D version.

The entire process can be turned around in a matter of days, depending on the complexity of the design, as the printers operate 24 hours a day.

Darren Howton, owner of The 3D Printers, explains: “we are so excited to offer our services to this very exacting industry, which demands high quality solutions to bring their imaginations to life. We have a unique offering in the UK and are at the forefront of this amazing technology.

“We are a dedicated family-run business offering a fully bespoke service from start to finish, and quality, customer service and confidentiality have been key to our reputation in the film industry. We will continue this ethos in our work in this new and exciting sector for us.”

The 3D Printers has been endorsed by architect, Leslie Hutchinson, architectural designer at Building Design Studio in West Malling, Kent, who said: “The 3D Printers were great to work with from start to finish. They really understood the brief, created an amazing computer design of the house and the finished model was exceptional. For further information visit our website the3dprinters.co.uk or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @The3DPrintersuk or Instagram: the.3d.printers. “I find so many clients have trouble visualising the end build, but bringing it to life with a 3D model, instead of just the 2D plans, so they know exactly what to expect, makes the process so much more straightforward.”

ART GALLERY STARRING STERLINGOSB ZERO COMES HOME TO ROOST

“I think that, where we’ve used one skin of SterlingOSB Zero, we might have had to use two skins of plywood boards, all of which would have to be overlapped, so using OSB has saved us time and money as well as making for a more efficient structure”.

West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero board is often left exposed nowadays as it is en vogue! The earthy, rural look is fashionable and far more interesting than a white, untextured, ply wall. It is also the established, proven panel for roofing and timber frame applications - and it’s carbon negative!

Showing the panel in all its glory is a recent project where an abandoned chicken shed in rural Suffolk has been salvaged and cleverly reworked by James Grayley Architects (JGA) to create a bright, characterful print studio and gallery.

Founder James Grayley says that its transformation, on what he describes as “an ambitious budget”, was only possible through the use of economical materials such as softwood weatherboarding and SterlingOSB Zero, both of which have been thoughtfully and carefully detailed to create a refined, contemporary building that references the local vernacular.

This is the building’s third incarnation. It started life as an aircraft repair workshop on the nearby Parham Airfield. After World War II, it was dismantled, relocated and rebuilt on its current site, where it functioned as a chicken shed for many years.

When JGA first became involved with the project, the shed’s days as a home for chickens were long over. The building had no roof, its walls had all but disappeared and, apart from the remains of a giant rusty feedhopper, the only element of the building still standing was a row of 10 triangular timber roof trusses, each supported on a pair of timber posts.

Unsurprisingly, the client’s initial brief was to knock the shed down and replace it with a contemporary structure the same size and shape. But Grayley had •20•

other ideas: “We realised we could use what was still standing and build the new gallery around it,” he says. “Our starting point was to take something that had been deemed worthless and, by placing a mute building around it, bring out the beauty inherent in the original structure”.

However, the old structure’s instability and its lack of height were a major challenge to its reuse. Despite being quite a long building, it was only 2.3m from the floor to the underside of the trusses. To avoid additional structural bracing impinging further on the interior, Grayley has encased the entire superstructure in a rigid exoskeleton of 18mm thick SterlingOSB Zero. “We realised that if we covered the building in a carefully cut skin of OSB, it would provide the sheathing and structure needed to keep the building standing while being both visually and structurally lightweight,” he explains.

For the building’s insulated timber walls, the inner layer of SterlingOSB Zero provides both structural rigidity and has the additional benefit of allowing the depth of the timber frame to be reduced. A layer of plasterboard conceals the OSB to provide a neutral background for the gallery artworks. “There is nothing superfluous in the structure - everything has to be there to perform a function so we could build simply and economically,” explains Grayley.

By contrast, the SterlingOSB Zero shell has been left exposed on the underside of the roof. It has, however, been given a wash of milky-white flame retardant to prevent the spread of flame. The board’s oriented strands are still partially visible through the semitranslucent finish. Grayley says the benefit of exposing the OSB is that it provides a contrast with the white walls to help “lift the ceiling” while, at the same time, preventing the interior being a completely white box which might have been “visually overbearing”.

kitchens DEANESTOR COMPLETES CONTRACT FOR BESPOKE KITCHENS FOR NEW GRAINGER BUILD-TO-RENT SCHEME IN BIRMINGHAM

Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout specialists to the build-to-rent sector, has completed a contract to provide bespoke, contemporary kitchens for a new Grainger scheme in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

Awarded by main contractor Clegg Construction, the contract for Gilder’s Yard was for 158 high specification kitchens which were manufactured and installed by UK-based Deanestor.

Developed for Grainger plc – the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, Gilder’s Yard comprises the renovation of a three-storey Grade II listed former jewellery factory and the construction of three further blocks to provide high quality one- and twobedroom apartments for rent, and 10,000sqft of commercial space on the ground floor. The scheme was designed by BPN Architects.

There were three kitchen configurations – island, L-shaped and single wall – and two colour palettes for the cabinets – platinum white and graphite grey, both with white quartz worktops and contrasting stainless steel handles.

The ‘loft’ finish and open plan island kitchen layout were developed for the apartments in the listed building with the dark grey units designed to complement the exposed brickwork and surfaces.

According to Josh Barker, Development Manager at Grainger, “This was a complex

regeneration project which is breathing new life into a historic building in Birmingham’s thriving Jewellery Quarter. Gilder’s Yard will provide much needed high quality, contemporary homes for rent which incorporate traditional heritage features of the site.”

“We recognise the importance of quality, durable kitchens that are designed to meet the requirements of our residents, and we are pleased that the Deanestor team helped us to achieve this at Gilder’s Yard.”

Tim Croft, Project Manager for

Clegg Construction, said “The interior design of this scheme was a prominent part of the architecture and was designed to complement the retained exterior which has large picture windows that increase visibility of the internal features such as the kitchens. The new build wings are a modern interpretation of the listed elevation in fenestration and materials.”

“We were confident in Deanestor’s ability to deliver the quality required for the project and in a short timeframe. Their design team performed well with a good level of detailing and technical expertise. They were able to accommodate variations in layout whilst achieving as much standardisation for manufacturing efficiency as possible. The kitchens have been finished to a high standard.” Deanestor supplied and installed integrated appliances for each kitchen – tall fridge freezer, dishwasher, electric hob, and built-in oven. There is also a freestanding washer dryer and a ceiling-mounted extractor, with pull-up, down draught extractors for the island kitchens.

Deanestor works for some of the UK’s leading private residential developers on major schemes, offering bespoke joinery and fitout for high specification kitchens and bedroom furniture.

Built to last, cabinets are crafted using robust glue and dowel constructions. There is a wide choice of contemporary materials, finishes and colours, including gloss or matt, vinyl or laminate finishes, integrated appliances, and worktops such as laminates, marble, granite, quartz, and solid surface materials. These are installed by Deanestor’s site teams ready for M&E connections as part of the FF&E package for a full turnkey service.

For further information, visit

www.deanestor.co.uk/

buildtorent , call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com.

kitchens BLANCO LAUNCHES HYGIENIC, HIDDEN WASTE DISPOSAL SOLUTIONS

THE HIDDEN PLACES IN THE HOME ARE, ARGUABLY, THE MOST CLUTTERED AND TRICKY TO KEEP CLEAN; NO ONE SEES THEM ANYWAY?

BLANCO UK has put paid to this notion with the company’s portfolio of innovative waste disposal solutions, part of the popular BLANCO UNIT concept. The UNIT has been designed for the busiest area of the kitchen and is designed to help customers create feature-rich, creative kitchen hubs; and retailers with “upselling” opportunities. The system combines sinks, taps, in-cabinet waste and organisation systems into innovative and flexible solutions for modern kitchen life.

The sink base cabinet plays a major role in kitchen planning. It is the place where waste is collected, cleaning products are stored, and it is often limited in space due to plumbing components. With, perhaps, a drinking water system in the cabinet too, it is important to have a waste or organisation system which makes optimal use of the space. BLANCO UK offers the right system for almost all cabinet widths, pull-out or hinged doors.

Clever accessories include the MOVEX foot control for when both hands are full; while the practical bin lids negate unpleasant smell in the base cabinet.

Aside from the organisation options, BLANCO offers three waste disposal models depending on the size of the kitchen - or the number of inhabitants! The BLANCO FWD Max premium model is perfect for large households. The components for the three-stage grinding process are made of stainless steel, along with the auto-reverse function and ultra-quiet operation, make for quick, easy disposal. The system incorporates a 1200ml grinding chamber, a high quality, powerful AC induction motor and a threebolt installation system.

The BLANCO FWD Medium and FWD Lite models are designed for the medium and smaller dwelling.

If the space in the base cabinet is limited, BLANCO’s special solutions such as SELECT BOTTON II 30/2 can be used.

For further information on BLANCO UK, please call 01923 635 200 or visit www.blanco.co.uk.

TIPS FOR MIXING KITCHEN WORKTOPS

Worktops are probably the most noticeable feature in a kitchen. They are the largest and most visible surfaces in the room, and as they see lots of culinary action, what they’re made from is a prime consideration.

In addition to being visual elements, they’re tactile elements, so it’s important to consider how these surfaces feel as well as how they look. A current popular trend is to contrast worktops with other elements of the kitchen, whether in the form of different materials, colours, or textures. Read on for our guide to mixing and matching kitchen worktops. •26•

Mix materials

A popular way of mixing kitchen worktops is to incorporate multiple materials into your kitchen design. There are a number of ways to do this. One way would be to have one worktop made from one material, and another worktop made from another. This is particularly powerful if your worktops are distinct from each other (i.e. not touching), perhaps they’re on opposite sides of the room or you have an island in your kitchen. One option is to combine a natural material, such as wood or granite, with an engineered material, such as porcelain or quartz. This creates an enticing contrast of cold and smooth with warm and textured.

A different take on ‘mixing’ worktops is to contrast them with the

units upon which they sit. Wooden worktops with charcoal-coloured units or marble-style porcelain worktops with pale oak wood units create a clean contrasting style that is modern and sleek.

Another way of mixing your kitchen worktops is to have two materials within the same counter. For example, wood and marble are a tasteful combination that works together because they serve a practical function too. The wooden section is warmer to the touch, lacking the sometimes harsh cold feel of marble. The marble section, by virtue of it being inherently cooler to the touch, makes for a better baking surface since pastry behaves better under colder conditions. Woods such as teak are durable and water-resistant, making them ideal close to the sink. The mixture of these different elements allows you to elevate your cooking while adding a visual contrast into your kitchen.

Light and dark

Mixing bold, dark colours with bright, pale colours creates a striking image that never fails to demand attention, especially from guests. It’s a very bold option to use in your kitchen, so consider it carefully as the size and shape of your kitchen can significantly impact the aesthetic appeal of a light/dark theme.

Brilliant white marble and dark grey or charcoal work well together, and you may choose to have the room light with dark accents, or dark with light accents. The former creates a clean, minimalistic feel while the latter creates a more moody, atmospheric look to your kitchen. Choosing between these two colour palettes is where the size of your kitchen comes into play. Dark colours as the main theme may be overbearing in a smaller kitchen or one that receives limited natural light. As a rule, brighter and large kitchens can accommodate the intensity of dark worktops and units better than smaller or dimmer kitchens, which will benefit from light colours as the focus. Similarly, light colours help to make a room seem larger than it is.

If you’re set on having the primary colour be a dark grey or black, then a glossy finish could help with reflecting light and brightening the room more than a matte finish. It works in a similar way to how mirrors create the illusion of space.

A central feature

Another daring combination for worktops is to design your kitchen island as the main feature, central to the room both physically and metaphorically. Our pick would have to be a waterfall kitchen island, a particular style where the worktop runs over the edge and down the entire side of the island, giving it a smooth, complete finish.

By choosing a bold colour and design for your island and coupling it with a very neutral or monotone style throughout the rest of your kitchen, your island to be the standout feature. Having the worktop made from Tigerwood or Zebrawood (so-called for their bold stripes) for instance with off-white kitchen units would make for an excellent contrast that will draw the eye towards your central island. •27•

LUSSO BENTLEY FLOORING

– A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE TO KARNDEAN & AMTICO

LVT flooring has become a popular choice for UK homeowners. With their realistic wood and stone designs, easy maintenance, and excellent durability, it’s easy to see why they have dramatically risen in popularity in recent years.

However, there is one problem that you might face when trying to find an LVT floor to complement your living space, and that is the sheer amount of choice available. There are so many different brands and designs on offer that it can be tough figuring out which one is right for you.

The obvious choices are brands like Amtico and Karndean. However, floors offered by these brands tend to be quite expensive. To help make LVT flooring affordable to a wider range of budgets, Leeds based retailer, Stories Flooring, has introduced the Lusso Bentley Portofino collection. So, what is the new range and how does it compare to the likes of Amtico and Karndean? Read on to discover everything you need to know.

What is the Lusso Bentley Portofino Collection?

The Lusso Bentley Portofino LVT collection has been designed exclusively by Stories Flooring. It consists of beautiful, hyper-realistic wood designs that are available at budget-friendly prices. The range can be installed in commercial and domestic settings, in both click and glue down installation methods for enhanced durability and stability.

The range may be new, but it is already making waves in the flooring sector. It is easily comparable to the likes of Amtico and Karndean. Let’s take a look at how it measures up to these leading brands…

Lusso Bentley Vs Karndean LVT

When you compare Lusso Bentley to Karndean LVT, the similarities between the two collections are impressive.

They offer similar levels of durability, with both collections incorporating a 0.55mm wear layer into their design. This makes them suitable for high-traffic areas, and ensures they last for many years to come. However, the Lusso Bentley Portofino collection offers a slightly longer warranty, giving it an edge over its competitor. The Portofino LVT range offers a fantastic lifetime domestic, and a 15-year commercial guarantee.

The quality and design of the floors in either range are comparable. The Lusso Bentley Portofino range has been developed using the latest ecofriendly processes and there are a lot of beautiful wood-effect designs to choose from. Karndean LVT and Lusso Bentley LVT floors come with a hyper-realistic surface. This helps to provide a realistic wood effect while benefitting from the practical benefits of LVT.

Another similarity is their water resistant design. This lets you install them in any room of the house without worrying about water damage like you would with a solid wood floor.

The biggest difference between Lusso Bentley and Karndean LVT is the price. The cheapest Karndean LVT floors are offered at £46.99 per square metre. The Lusso Bentley Portofino range on the other hand starts from £33.98 per square metre. It is also frequently on offer at up to 50% off, enabling customers to snag these floors for just £16.99 per square metre. That is a drastic difference in cost!

Lusso Bentley Vs Amtico LVT

The Amtico Spacia LVT range is also extremely similar to the Lusso Bentley Portofino range. Like Karndean and Lusso Bentley floors, the Amtico Spacia range features a 0.55mm wear layer. This makes them all comparable in terms of durability. However, again the Lusso Bentley range comes out on top, offering a lifetime guarantee and 15-year residential warranty. The Amtico range offers a 25-year domestic warranty, and a 10-year commercial warranty in comparison.

Lusso Bentley, Karndean, and Amtico all come in a gluedown installation method. This helps to provide the most stable and durable fit. Amtico floors are also water resistant, allowing them to be installed anywhere in the home.

So, in terms of design, durability, quality, and installation, there is virtually no difference, other than Lusso Bentley’s longer guarantee. It is the price that once again sets these floors apart. Amtico Spacia floors typically retail for £39.99 per square metre, though some go up as much as £72.99 per square metre. This means that Lusso Bentley floors are a lot more affordable. Conclusion

To sum up, Lusso Bentley LVT is an exceptional range of high-quality realistic wood effect flooring. It stands up well against leading brands such as Amtico and Karndean. The key features of these stunning floors include:

• A 0.55mm wear layer for incredible durability

• Resistant to water

• Available in striking real-wood effects

• Gluedown installation versions

• Click installation versions

• Underfloor heating compatibility Offered at just a fraction of the cost of leading brands, you can browse the full Lusso Bentley Portofino range at Stories Flooring today.

Industry news SCANDI MODERN STYLE RULES IN DESIGNER ANDREW LUDINGTON’S MANHATTAN HOME

THE COMPACT UPPER EAST SIDE APARTMENT IS BIG ON DECORATING INSPIRATION BY SAIQA AJMAL; PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLE FRANZEN

“Manhattan can be so chaotic so I wanted this space to feel like an escape,” says Andrew Ludington, founder of Studio Lud, about the pied-à-terre he designed for himself and his partner in New York City. The resulting interiors have a Scandi modern feel – clean and calm with a sprinkling of richer details.

Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the apartment was built in 1929 and its period charm shone through the run-down decor when Ludington first viewed it. “I’m always drawn to pre-war apartments in New York and love the details like herringbone floors and casement windows,” says the designer. “The proximity to the 59th Street bridge was also a big draw for me, as I spend most of my time in East Hampton.”

Renovations took six months and the compact proportions of the rooms presented several challenges; for example, the living room sofa had to be cut into three pieces so it could fit in the elevator. Fortunately the natural light in the space is ‘incredible’ and Ludington kept the design scheme neutral to capitalise on that. “The previous owners had used lots of dark colours which absorbed all the natural light so I started by painting all the walls white,” he explains. “I wanted a space that felt timeless and layered.”

The open-plan living area is a lesson in laid-back luxe. Originally covered in stone, ‘almost like a mountain lodge’, Ludington gave the wood-burning fireplace – a rarity in Manhattan – a modern makeover with a simple arabescato marble hearth and Venetian plaster surround. A pair of Stilnovo sconces, sourced via 1stDibs, hang above the mantle. “They were the first thing I bought for the apartment,” he says. “I’ve always loved Italian mid-century lighting.”

Contemporary statement scones by New York label Apparatus

add a decorative flourish to the den and media room. The same dark Venetian plaster finish used on the fireplace appears on the walls and ceiling here, creating a cosy, cocooning effect. The sleek kitchen has a similarly moody vibe, with inky cabinets and brass Waterworks fixtures giving Shaker style a fresh spin. Ludington confesses that he rarely has time to cook when he’s in Manhattan so the room mainly provides a feast for the eyes – and a snap-shot of Ludington’s moreish visual signature.