KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL Get the inside information on the new trends

Industrial Scandi styling from Kutchenhaus Cardiff

KITCHEN It’s the hub of the home after all, so we’ve asked local experts what kitchen designs they love for the year ahead CONFIDENTIAL

“Try mixing up the textures to add interest”

From dark materials to a focus on the small stuff, the latest kitchen looks are striking, sophisticated and anything but bland. As we leave 2020 in the past, one of the things that’s noticeable is how our interior design choices have been affected by the changes a tumultuous year has brought about. There has been an amplified desire to ensure our homes are not only comforting and relaxing – our very own sanctuaries away from the stresses and anxieties of the outside world – but are great to look at too, considering we’re spending a lot more time inside them. The ways in which we cook, entertain, work and relax in our abodes have changed significantly, and there has been a shift towards braver and bolder styling choices as we attempt to bring some cheerfulness, individuality and functionality into our décor. Here, local kitchen pros share their reasons to look forward to the future: warm, welcoming, flexible kitchens with staying power.

THE DARK SIDE

Our kitchens are following the fashion for taking surfaces to the dark side. Viewed by many as an accent colour, shades such as black and dark grey can be used across the whole room – on worktops, floors, walls and splashbacks – and can, surprisingly, make a room feel very inviting, as well as très chic, liveable and luxe.

According to Ceri Hill, design director at Chalkhouse Kitchens on Bessemer Close, Cardiff, a rich, shadowy palette is one to consider if you’re going ultra modern. “Dramatic and dark kitchens are very much a key trend, but try mixing up the textures to add interest. Cupboard doors in a shade of off-black with just a hint of blue or green in it, cool marble worktops and a sprinkling of pale wood accents to warm things up are the essential elements for this latest on-trend vibe.”

Shahab Bari, director at Kutchenhaus Cardiff, Queens Arcade, agrees that dark intensity is a way to go, “Think deep walnut, black concrete and graphite finishes. Mixing concrete and wood finishes is really on trend too.”

An Autograph blush kitchen, from Leekes, Llantrisant

COLOUR POP When it comes to paint-colour pairings, feel free to throw the rulebook out of the window and properly embrace the unexpected.

“I feel we will see an upsurge in more rich colours such as indigo blues and bottle greens,” says Steve Drewitt, design director at Avantgarde Designs Ltd – a familyrun company offering Italian, German, British and handmade kitchens all under one roof – on Sloper Road, Cardiff. “But less is often more; a kitchen is a piece of furniture in its own right; classic lines and quirky details create a real statement.”

Dakeney Fox, photographer and marketing manager at Newport’s Cymru Kitchens, which designs, handbuilds and hand-paints bespoke kitchens, says that while minimalistic and traditional looks are still sought after, the bold, textured aesthetic is one for the brave. And Jo Littlejohn, director of buying at Leekes, which has a store in Llantrisant, says that adding pops of colour from patterned tiles can give your kitchen an instant refresh, and is a pretty inexpensive way of rejigging things. “Blue is big for 2021,” says Jo. “We have seen sales increase dramatically on blue kitchens and we see this moving into the year ahead also. Blue also looks great with brass and gold accents.”

A sophisticated aesthetic from Adam Elliot

A turquoise Tunstall look by Cymru Kitchens

“It’s easy to add individual touches to make your kitchen something special”

FEATURE FOCUS You of course don’t have to spend thousands and have a complete overhaul in order to freshen your kitchen. Jo at Leekes suggests statement lighting to add a new focus to an existing kitchen, which is an aff ordable – but expensive-looking – way of updating your space. Feature pendants are being used to dress the aesthetic up, and the use of spotlights or down-lights are still key.

Often overlooked, striking taps, hinges, knobs and handles can transform a kitchen design; Ceri at Chalkhouse Kitchens agrees that revamps don’t have to cost the earth and says it’s the fi nishing touches that can make or break a scheme. “The fi rst thing people notice in your kitchen are cheap handles, so splash the cash on new, quality hardware. Declutter your worktops, ditch the mismatched mugs, and add cute wooden chopping boards and a dash of fresh greenery for a quick freshen up. As someone who loves to cook, I like to design kitchens that not only look beautiful but work superbly as well. As our kitchens are handmade in our workshop in Cardiff , it’s easy to add those really individual touches to make your kitchen something special.”

Shahab at Kutchenhaus says that using wall panelling to replace dated wall tiles or to create a new feature is a simple but eff ective quick fi x. “We can even do them to match perfectly with our worktops for a clean and modern look.” And Steve at Avantgarde Designs adds, “A change in handles, worktops and or even the whitegoods can give a new and fresh feel without being budget busting.” ■

YOU’VE BEEN READING Cymru Kitchens Ltd, Old Mineral Water Factory, Turner Street, Newport; www.cymrukitchens.com Leekes Llantrisant, Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun; www.leekes.co.uk Chalkhouse Kitchens Ltd, Kitchen Studio, Bessemer Close, Cardiff; www.chalkhousekitchens.co.uk Kutchenhauas, Queens Arcade, Cardiff; www.kutchenhaus.co.uk Avantgarde Designs Ltd, Gripoly Mills Retail Park, Sloper Road, Cardiff; www.avantgardedesign.co.uk Adam Elliot, Vale Business Park, Cowbridge; Vale of Glamorgan; www.adamelliot.co.uk