Kitchens

KITCHENS HIGH QUALITY OUTDOOR KITCHENS FOR THE GARDEN ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER

Joanne Bull, Marketing Manager for KönigOutdoor, and Königstone, answers questions on the growing market for outdoor kitchens and what the garden architect and designer need to look for when specifying an al fresco living scheme.

Why and when did you launch KönigOutdoor?

We knew that the “outdoor kitchen” was gaining in popularity way before the pandemic. TV shows (sometimes from the Southern Hemisphere), garden centres, cookery channels – all seemed to point to outdoor living more and more.

Our expertise in quality surfaces and worktops, and conversations with garden designers and architects led us to launch KönigOutdoor in 2022.

What is KönigOutdoor?

The KönigOutdoor range combines stylish sintered stone-clad cabinetry with materials of proven durability. We have created standard sized units that can be configured to suit the customer’s needs as well as offering a bespoke design service. We have teamed up with Neolith to provide eight colour options and we also offer a selection of high-end appliances to complete the package.

What if the customer wants a kitchen in another colour outside of the chosen eight?

One of the bonuses of working with Neolith is the wide range of colours. If a customer sees a colour on the Neolith website, we can create a KönigOutdoor kitchen using it. We believe the eight we chose will be the most popular so it saves the customer from spending hours scrolling through loads of different shades.

Why is the trend for outdoor kitchens gaining in popularity?

Historically, big events can change people’s priorities and we are confident that more value has been placed on spending quality time with family and friends at home, therefore creating a space for gatherings has increased importance.

What key elements do architects and designers need to include when planning a cooking space specifically for outdoors?

Definitely stylish appliances that are not only suitable for outdoor use but that look great and give a fantastic cooking experience, similar to indoor appliances.

It is also important to think about having usable surfaces for food preparation and food service. Stone surfaces such as granite or sintered stone are perfect as they are easy to maintain; simply wipe with a damp cloth and mild detergent or anti-bacterial spray to create a clean and hygienic surface.

What are the most suitable materials for outdoor kitchen furniture and surfaces – eg UV damage, weather corrosion, maintenance?

We believe the perfect material for an outdoor kitchen is sintered stone from Neolith which we use to clad our KönigOutdoor units, because it is resistant to extreme

temperatures, scratches and UV rays so can withstand anything the British weather can throw at it. Furthermore, it is 100% natural, hygienic, easy to clean and waterproof with the added benefit of giving a sophisticated high-end aesthetic.

What kind of customer should the designer be targeting for KönigOutdoor?

Definitely the high-end buyer who has disposable income. The KönigOutdoor range is made from high-quality materials and is made to stand the test of time. We have also chosen our appliances with this in mind – once you see and feel the quality of the built-in BBQ, you will know it holds the same quality as the whole outdoor kitchen.

What has been the response from the market so far?

We have a customer base of kitchen retailers from our stone surfaces so we have encouraged quite a few to take a dive into the outdoor kitchen market, particularly those at the higher end of the market. We have also had a great response from companies that specialise in outdoor kitchens that are wanting to expand their current offering with a product of superior finish and quality for the more discerning customers who demand the very best. Garden architects and designers are important markets too of course.

Do you think the outdoor living trend is here to stay? If so, why?

Definitely. With the consecutive lockdowns, it really showed us the benefits of time outdoors and although by and large life has returned to normal, we’ve been left with that renewed appreciation for our outdoor spaces, and more clients want their indoor and outdoor spaces to be as integrated and seamless as possible. Technological innovations such as retractable pergolas and clever outdoor heating have also opened up our gardens for longer periods of the year

What POS or “training” will you provide designers who choose to specify KönigOutdoor?

We support designers and architects with literature including brochures, price lists and example configurations, as well as supplying samples of the eight Neolith finishes available as standard.

Our sales managers are very well briefed on everything outdoor kitchen-related and offer training on the benefits of our cabinetry and the appliances that we supply. We also welcome visits to our factory in Kettering where we manufacture each order and are happy to provide support for any events or exhibitions.

For further information on Königstone, please email info@konigstone.co.uk or visit www.konigstone.co.uk

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Propure Quad Matt Black PT1162

INTRODUCING THE KIWA APPROVED PRONTEAU PROPURE 4 IN 1 BY ABODE

This month, Design Manager at Abode, Paul Illingworth looks at the rise in demand for stylish, sustainable, and safe kitchen solutions and how this is now a key part of the super luxe, interior design market.

Adding a layer of luxury to the modern home, our specialist Pronteau range offers end users with a high-specification range of 3 IN 1 and 4 IN 1 steaming hot taps with exclusive safety features and quality assured. Designed to be future proof, Pronteau caters to environmentally aware design briefs that require a superior style, heightened level of safety and sustainable operation.

We are therefore thrilled to offer our customers even more choice when installing specialist hot water •24•

taps in new builds and property developments, as demand grows for multifunctional taps that promote the perfect balance of health and wellbeing met with convenient luxury. Dispensing domestic cold, hot filtered cold and filtered steaming hot water from one source, our Propure 4 IN 1 is both stylish and safe, and as the sink develops into a key touchpoint for cooking, cleaning and refreshment in the hybrid kitchen space, it was a natural progression for us to secure the KIWA mark of quality and integrity Regulation 4 of Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 sets the standard for design, installation and maintenance of water fittings, and Pronteau Propure is now KIWA approved having undergone this strict, single application procedure for certification of functional and process aspects of products in contact with drinking water.

KIWA plays a leading role across the water industry by certifying the quality and safety of products, helping business and consumers to choose products which meet all regulations and industry standards. What’s more, all components within the Pronteau hot water tap system are also WRAS approved; an essential accreditation that demonstrates Abode’s commitment to designing compliant products for the kitchens of tomorrow. Furthermore, dispensing steaming hot water from 75°C to a maximum 98°C, ensures Pronteau taps are fully compliant with Part G(3) of the UK Building Regulations.

The UK population is expected to grow by another 6 million by 2043, and we’re keenly aware of our responsibility to protect the environment and save precious resources such as energy and water. Gaining KIWA approval is testament to our leadership in developing 4 IN 1 taps such as Propure, which are steaming, stylish and safe. We invest heavily in research and product development to maintain our high standards in premium water management so that our customers can realise water the way they want it.

The Pronteau difference is founded on three core lifestyle elements: a superior style, universal safety and ergonomic operation. The versatile Propure 4 IN 1 offers domestic cold, hot, filtered cold & filtered steaming hot water, two spout options in either Swan [c spout] or the pictured Quad [r spout], as well as five finishes: Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Matt Black, Brushed Brass and Urban Copper.

The Pronteau Propure is also part of the Abode Filter Recycle Scheme, which is 100% unique to our brand and business in the industry. This scheme offers customers extra peace of mind by ensuring redundant filters are recycled at the point of the product’s end of life. We will send the used filters to our approved recycle partner who responsibly oversees the separation of each component part where the plastic is ground down and ready for reuse along with the internal resin.

Our exclusive Filter Recycle Scheme adds yet another major benefit to the Pronteau list, as now even the filter inside the boiler is suitable for recycling at the end of its life! End users can simply send the expired filter back to Abode, free of charge via Royal Mail, ensuring a no cost and straight-forward solution for consumers, and retailers alike.

There really are no limits to Abode when it comes to delivering best-in-class drinking water solutions.

Discover our latest Sink & Tap Specification Manual, specially curated for the luxury development market where the KIWA approved Pronteau Propure sits alongside a premium range of designer sinks and taps, also by Abode. Just visit here.

For further info, please contact Abode:

w: www.abodedesigns.co.uk

w: www.proboil.co.uk

w: www.pronteau.co.uk

t: 01226 283 434

e: info@abodedesigns.co.uk

Propure Swan Urban Copper PT1154

industry news TECH TRENDS YOU MIGHT SEE IN YOUR HOME SOONER THAN YOU THINK

With smart home systems and the “Internet of Things” breaking into mainstream use, leading touchscreen developer Zytronic noodle on some of the tech trends we can expect to see in our homes in the near future.

Key findings:

• 50% of UK residents aged 16+ now own a smart speaker, up from 20% in 2019. • The number of smart devices in homes is predicted to almost double by 2025. • The latest ElectroglaZ™ technology creates the possibility of sleek new designer furniture such as glass bedside tables that can wirelessly charge your phone and other devices. • All new UK homes built from 2022 onwards will be required to have electric vehicle charging, with more electric cars bought in the UK in 2021 than in the past 5 years combined. • The proportion of the UK workforce that are hybrid working has risen from 13% in February 2022 to 24% by May 2022, with manufacturers of hybrid working tech thriving as a result. • Home security system innovations include

Amazon’s Astro, a security robot that roams around the home, as well as AI alarm systems that use contextual information to call emergency services or detect a false fire alarm.

• 28% of adults use sleep tracking apps, with wristbands and under-mattress sensors also available to help track sleep patterns. • Smart homes are also being designed to allow ageing in place, including smart pill dispensers, video check-ins with friends and family and realtime availability of healthcare support built in.

Top Tech Trends in the Home …

Until recent years, the idea of the “smart home” was something limited to tech conventions and proof of concepts. However, the growing affordability of this technology, combined with the soaring popularity of home improvement trends as a result of lockdown and increased home working, means that smart home technology is quickly catching on.

Interconnected Smart Devices

The idea of standalone smart home devices is becoming increasingly outdated as we slowly move towards an “Internet of Things” future, wherein everything in our home is part of a single digital infrastructure.

2022 has seen larger steps than ever in this regard, as everything from lights, entertainment, heating, security and appliances become connected to our smart speakers and smart devices. Although systems like these have largely been used by early adopters and tech enthusiasts thus far, smart home technology is now reaching mainstream levels.

50% of UK residents aged 16+ now own a smart speaker, up from 20% in 2019, whilst more than four in ten adults use smart technology to work the television. With this comes a drive in wider smart “ecosystems”. Companies like Amazon, Apple and Google are all pushing smart speakers – not only as a single product – but also as a gateway to their other linked smart services. For example, in 2020, Google offered a free Nest Mini smart speaker to all Spotify Premium users as part of its effort to gain a further foothold in the smart ecosystem market.

These growth trends are only set to continue moving forward, with the number of smart home devices predicted to almost double by 2025, rising to 13.5 billion devices.

Smart Furniture

Smart home integrations are starting to extend beyond our portable devices and speakers and into everyday furniture. From glass tables that wirelessly charge your smartphone to home sofas that provide an immersive 4D motion experience when consuming games and movies, smart technology is filtering down to every aspect of home life. We’ve even seen the introduction of permissions-based door locks which integrate fingerprint scammers and smartphone authentication.

The launch of new consumer technologies like Zytronic’s ElectroglaZ, which allows for transparent power delivery through a pane of glass, opens even further possibilities down the line for furniture applications in homes. Ian Crosby, Sales & Marketing Director at Zytronic, commented: “ElectroglaZ is completely transparent and can be used to ‘magically’ power a near-limitless variety of low power, electronic and electrotechnical devices embedded within a glass panel. Potential smart-furniture applications include everything from ‘floating’ lighting systems to glass room dividers featuring embedded hub screens, speakers or fans.”

Garages of the Future

With the news that self-driving cars could be legal on UK roads by 2025, the British driving experience is on the brink of change. The British car industry is already within a state of flux, with Britons purchased more electric cars in 2021 than the past 5 years combined. This shift in driving trends is already impacting home design, with all homes built from 2022 onwards legally required to have electric vehicle charging points. Meanwhile, more and more existing homes are incorporating garages and parking setups that accommodate self-driving experiences, such as vehicle charging points and garage doors that open as they sense your vehicle approaching home.

Home Office Setups

The working from home model adopted during the pandemic looks to continue for many businesses despite restrictions lifting. For example, 24% of UK businesses plan to use increased homeworking going forward, whilst 30% of people feel they are more productive and engaged working from home as opposed to an office environment. As a result, the tech industry around working from home is booming. Home office technology such as smart water bottles that track your water intake, motorised desks that move from standing to sitting modes and smart posture training tools to remind you not to slouch at your home desk are fast gaining popularity as the working from home and hybrid work models look to be here for the long term.

Home Security

The launch of Amazon’s Astro, a small roving camera bot for the home, promises users a helpful hand around the home and much more. The device’s facial recognition system, advanced navigation and obstacle avoidance system make it the perfect home security measure; Astro will autonomously patrol your home and investigate unusual events through motion and sound detection. As well as accounting for factors such as the sound of breaking glass or a fire alarm, Astro can also be used to check whether you turned off the oven or locked the front door.

Meanwhile, Alarm.com’s Ambient Insights uses AI to recognise contextual information in the event of an alarm. The system uses this data to alert emergency services in the event of a fire, reducing the chances of a false alarm or unnecessary dispatch of emergency services by allowing users time to cancel an alarm if the system believes the alarm has been set off in error.

Health Tracking

Sleep tech is quickly becoming the next big thing when it comes to health tracking. 28% of adults are using mobile phones to track their sleep, helping regulate sleeping cycles and promote better sleeping habits. However, the market has long outgrown smartphone applications, with everything from wearable wristbands and rings to under-mattress sensors available to help users track their sleep. The ability of smart homes to monitor and assist with health also extends to “ageing in place” and assisting vulnerable people who live alone. From allowing family members to video call and check in on their relatives to providing users with live physiotherapist sessions or smart pill dispensers, smart technology is rapidly enabling new levels of confidence in independent living. It’s an exciting time for home technology as the category evolves faster than ever and new developments bring greater convenience, comfort and efficiency to our lives. Smart home adoption is increasing at a breakneck pace, and brings with it a vast range of exciting innovations - which are you most excited about?

About Zytronic

A leading global developer of touchscreens, Zytronic also manufacture ElectroglaZ transparent power delivery technology, allowing electronic devices to be powered invisibly through a pane of glass. https://www.zytronic.co.uk/technology/electroglaz/