12 minute read
Kitchens
The UK’s number 1 trade kitchen supplier, Howdens, is expanding its rental and landlord collection with a new kitchen range.
The Witney is an iconic shaker style that offers a contemporary twist on a traditional look and is available in three colour options; White, Dove Grey and Slate Grey. Perfect for the rental market, the doors are 16mm thick for extra sturdiness, with a smooth matt finish that adds an upmarket feel.
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To complement the new addition of Witney, as well as Howdens’ popular Greenwich range, the company offers several suitable matching products in the worktops, handles, sinks and taps, appliances and flooring categories.
All products across the kitchen ranges, including the kitchen cabinetry, are available immediately from local stock and can be purchased as either rigid units or in flat-pack, ensuring those on quick turnarounds can complete projects without any costly delays.
Linzi Walker, Director of Kitchens,
says: “The kitchen remains the most important room in the home for many, and this is no different for the rental market.
“Our collection as a whole, including the new Witney range, has been designed to enhance a rental property while being conscious of the need to stick to tight budgets to ensure maximum rental yield for landlords.
“While both the style and the quality of the product is high on many landlords’ lists, having to wait for products when needing to turn around a property for the next tenant is a sticking point for many. Our commitment to ensuring stock remains immediately available at local depots removes this and has enhanced our offering and service to those operating within this marketplace.”
The rental and landlord collection is available in a selection of colours, with the Greenwich range available in both Matt and Gloss finishes, providing a breadth of options and styles while remaining affordable for those on a limited budget, and those completing renovation projects such as utility rooms and garage spaces.
The company designs kitchens to suit every home, but above all else, Howdens believes in expert craftsmanship. Selling only direct to the trade ensures that Howdens products are installed to the highest standard, with their kitchen cabinets receiving a 25-year guarantee as standard.
To find out more about Howdens, visit: www.howdens.com
Open-plan kitchen with hidden bootroom by Brandt Design in custom Velvet Blue & Polar White Urban Furniture
Leading British interior design specialists, Brandt Design, ensure the ultimate in contemporary family living with this deluxe open-plan kitchen with hidden bootroom for a beautiful family home in Hertfordshire.
Julia Steadman, Commercial Director at Brandt Design says, “Creating a signature style that plays to a very specific familydynamic, is increasingly important in kitchen design as we adjust to changing lifestyles and new spatial layouts on the ground floor. We are firm believers in ‘design longevity’ and take pride in planning and installing bespoke kitchens, which transcend the latest interior trends and enhance life at home. This fantastic project recently designed and installed by us, is the result of a complete redesign of the ground floor, where a brand-new kitchen and hidden bootroom now •20•
becomes the foundation of the entire downstairs living space. The combination of our Urban Furniture in Velvet Blue and Polar White helps to define as well as unify each room for the ultimate in fresh, easy living.”
Home to a busy household with school-age children and large family dog, the Brandt design team needed to make the kitchen living space dual purpose, creating a show-style kitchen in the main areas for the height of indoor-outdoor entertaining, alongside a more understated design in the bootroom where the focus is function over form. This said, both spaces offer an element of ‘hidden design’ as the run of furniture makes way for an expanse of storage that is only seen if needed.
In the contemporary kitchen, entertaining at home is made easy with a bank of built-in ovens, integrated hob and a super-size fridge freezer complete with luxury wine cooler. An impressive central island unit just steps from the palatial garden outside is topped with premium Caesarstone worktops, which are made by Brandt Design at its Bespoke Stone Fabrication Centre. Adding a modern feel, the stone worktops provide a direct contrast between the more classic herringbone parquet flooring and monolithic kitchen island with white Kartell bar stools.
Custom storage is built around the appliances to capitalise on every inch of available space, and the well-defined wet zone with matt black hardware, stone surfaces and ambient lighting help to localise the cook and prep areas. A unique pop-up power solution integrated into the island worktop adds value, creating another access point to
plug in small appliances when baking or preparing a large meal. Plus, it perfectly coordinates with essential components for a truly minimalist vibe. The luxury side-byside fridge freezer with integrated wine cooler heightens the level of sophistication and is cleverly designed on the periphery of the kitchen to ensure easy access from the dining area, and safe distance from the cook zone.
Behind a wall of white to the left, lies a hidden Bootroom with wallto-wall storage, which is designed in a galley-style arrangement to provide a more practical option in such a high traffic, all-purpose area. The run of dark blue furniture creates extra capacity for food
storage, and space for noisy laundry appliances that are less practical in an open-plan kitchen layout. Brandt Design also factored in how the family would use the extra utility zone going from inside to out, and therefore decided to integrate some bench seating on the opposite side including overhead compartments and space to hang coats, leisurewear, sports kits, school bags and keep shoes and trainers tidied away.
This deluxe kitchen by Brandt Design features:
• Urban Furniture by Brandt Design in Velvet Blue & Polar White finish • 50mm Caesarstone square-edged worktops by Brandt Design, part of The Brandt Collection • The 1810 Company Zenuno 700u Undermount Kitchen
Sink, Gun Metal • Quooker Flex all-in-one hot water tap with flexible hose, Black finish • Siemens fully integrated
CN878G4B6B oven & combi microwave oven, Stainless Steel • Siemens HB878GBB6B Oven • BORA CKA2FI CLASSIC SET combined cooktop and extractor, Black finish • Liebherr SIGN3576 Freezer • Liebherr IKBP3560 Fridge • Liebherr EWDTF3553 Wine Cooler • Siemens built-in dishwasher
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The hidden bootroom includes:
• Urban Furniture by Brandt
Design in Velvet Blue • 50mm Caesarstone square-edged worktops by Brandt Design, part of The Brandt Collection • 1810 Moulins Classic Bridge tap Brushed Steel • 1810 Luxoplusuno 25 700U
Stainless steel sink • Appliances by Miele GB – supplied by client Designed and installed by Brandt Design, the Urban Furniture Collection is priced from £15,000+vat with this deluxe kitchen project costing £55K, and £8K for the hidden Bootroom - both excluding vat.
Brandt Design
www.brandtdesign.co.uk info@brandtkitchens.co.uk
Hatch End: 431 The Broadway, Uxbridge Rd, Pinner, Herts HA5 4JR 0203 758 4455
Hampstead: 489, Finchley Road, West Hampstead, London NW3 6HS
0208 194 7888
Stevenage: Oxleys Rd, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG2 9YE
HOWDENS COMPLETES REFURBISHMENT OF RICK STEIN’S COOKERY SCHOOL
The UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, Howdens, has completed the refurbishment of the kitchens at Rick Stein’s Cookery School in Padstow, Cornwall.
Howdens has supplied Navy doors from its Chelford collection, with Natural
Oak cabinets, along with White Arabesque
Marble Quartz worktops,
Lamona sinks and taps, and brass accessories giving the school a homely and welcoming feel for its guests to enjoy.
One of the UK’s most beloved chefs, Rick is author of 24 cookery books and star of several cookery series and documentaries as well as owning and running restaurants across the country, retail shops, accommodation, and the cookery school in Padstow alongside his business partner and co-founder Jill Stein.
Nick Evans, Head Chef Lecturer at Rick Stein’s Cookery School and Restaurants, says: “Howdens was a natural fit for the refit of the cookery school as their product offering is vast and we were able to get exactly what we wanted.
“It was important that the cookery school retained its charm and that the products we chose provided a welcoming feel but also were built extremely well as they have to withstand a lot of use. Howdens were able to deliver on all these ‘must haves’, and we are very happy with the finished result.”
Emma Dolman, Interior & Event Designer at Howdens, says: “We worked closely with the team at Rick Stein’s Cookery School to ensure the design met their brief. As well as fixed cabinetry, there was a need for mobile workstations and sinks to allow flexibility in the layout as required.
“Our designers were able to create units that matched the overall look and feel including the use of quartz worktops to guarantee longevity, as well as several practical features.
“It was a pleasure to design and the Howdens team can’t wait to attend one of the cookery events in the near future!”
Sophie Leathley, Marketing Communications Manager at Howdens, says: “Rick Stein is a stalwart of British cooking and Howdens were delighted to be asked to work on his cookery school.
“The feedback from the team has been fantastic and we are hoping to continue working with them on other projects soon.”
Howdens designs kitchens to suit every home, but above all else, Howdens believes in expert craftsmanship. Selling only direct to the trade ensures that Howdens products are installed to the highest standard, with their kitchen cabinets receiving a 25-year guarantee as standard.
Howdens is the exclusive supplier of the UK’s best-selling integrated appliance brand, Lamona. Offering a wide range of cooking, cooling, laundry and dishwashing appliances.
To find out more about Howdens, visit: www.howdens.com
INDUSTRY NEWS AQUALISA APPOINTS MAT NORRIS AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Norris to lead business expansion at innovative British shower manufacturer
British bathroom specialist Aqualisa has announced the appointment of Mat Norris as Chief Executive Officer. As part of a planned succession, Mat will replace Colin Sykes, who has held the position since 2018. Colin will remain as a non-executive director and strategic advisor to the business until December, focusing on the company’s international expansion, at which point he will semi-retire and focus on other non-executive roles.
With an extensive career in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, Mat brings a wealth of experience from leadership roles at high-profile organisations including Ford Motor Company, Philips and most recently, ventilation firm Titon Holdings plc, where he served as UK CEO. Mat will work closely with Aqualisa chairman Kevin Sargeant, and will lead a senior management team of eight specialist executives who have been recruited over the last three years as part of the company’s transformation.
In this role, Mat has ambitious plans for the growth of the organisation, and will spearhead Aqualisa’s product expansion and innovation strategy. As pioneers of the smart digital shower, he will work with his team to continue Aqualisa’s focus on transforming the smart bathroom sector, creating the ultimate experience for homeowners and installers alike. As part of the company’s ‘Aqualisa H2.0’ strategy, this focus will accelerate a new purpose-driven ESG programme. •24•
Other developments will include the extension of the firm’s product portfolio to incorporate a premium, channel-exclusive brassware series under a new brand. This multi-brand strategy will complement the Aqualisa and Gainsborough brands, and further strengthen the company’s ability to offer its customers differentiated product ranges.
Kevin Sargeant, chairman of Aqualisa, commented, “Mat’s vast expertise from within the manufacturing and technical engineering industries, combined with his significant leadership track record and visionary approach, positions him perfectly to accelerate Aqualisa to the next level in its journey of growth.”
Sargeant added, “I would like to thank Colin Sykes for his significant contribution to the business over the last five years, and for his ongoing commitment and support through this period of transition.”
Mat Norris said, “Aqualisa has a strong heritage of innovating shower technologies, and the team clearly takes great pride in ensuring our customers enjoy the ultimate showering experience. I am thrilled to be joining our 260 dedicated team members at such a pivotal chapter in the organisation’s history, and I look forward to working with the outstanding management team that Colin has established at Aqualisa. My mission is to accelerate our innovation strategy, while ensuring operational excellence and the agility to meet our long-term growth, profitability and sustainability objectives. I am also eager to continue to build upon the valued relationships we have developed with our loyal customer, client and installer network in the UK, and internationally.”
Mat holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Exeter, and takes a keen interest in cars, technology and home renovations. He and his family currently reside in Cavendish, Suffolk.
INDUSTRY NEWS PAYING IT FORWARD TO CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF WORCESTER BOSCH
Worcester Bosch offers a day of employee time to support on community projects across the country
The UK’s leading boiler brand, Worcester Bosch, have announced a new initiative to celebrate their 60th birthday, which gives its employees the opportunity to volunteer a working day for their charity or community project of choice.
The company has over 1800 employees nationwide and are looking for Worcester and Clay Cross charity or community-led projects as well as groups that have national reach to put forward as inspiration.
At Worcester Bosch, Corporate Social Responsibility is an intrinsic part of the business that extends beyond the products they manufacture to encompass environmental commitment, social community and the workplace. Giving back to the community, for the past sixty years, has not only helped the manufacturer support and build lasting connections with the local community but has helped inspire both employees and the next generation of apprentices and young professionals.
Worcester Bosch puts charity and volunteering at the heart of their workforce and community. Every year, employees choose a charity to work alongside and fundraise for. This year, the chosen charity is Mind who provide mental health services. Over the years hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised for good causes along with days spent helping local charities including St Richard’s Hospice and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Victoria Billings, Director of Marketing at Worcester Bosch, comments, “Throughout our 60-year history, warming lives has been an intricate part of our business, not only in the products we manufacture but in the impact we have on those around us. We really want this to shine through during our anniversary by offering a collective 12,600 hours of support from all of our employees.”
If you are looking for volunteers and are based in the Worcestershire or Clay Cross area, the company wants to hear from you! Please visit www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/60yearvolunteer and fill in the simple online form.
Your project will be added to a register shared around the internal employees and our interested volunteers will be in touch.
