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Interior design advice
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Country gets a new twist with rich colours, such as this deep green. Chester kitchen in Forest Green, from £2,500 for an eight-unit kitchen, Wickes
I N T E R I O R D E S I G N A D V I C E HOW TO UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN IN 2021
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Planning a new-look kitchen this year? We asked the experts to share their insider tips and trend predictions…
‘The industrial look is here to stay, but it’s reaching another level of sophistication,’ says Darren Watts from Wren Kitchens. But it’s not all industrial, with Art Deco tipped by Darren as one to watch, along with retro-style kitchens in blush, mustard or cinnamon shades. ‘We’re also seeing a rise in organic influences and a modern take on country-style kitchens as younger generations develop an interest in STATEMENT PIECE
‘The larder cupboard has become the new “must-have” item,’ says Laura. Suffolk full-height larder, from £1,715,
till the heart of our
Shomes, but when it comes to kitchen colour, style, design details and appliances, there are some exciting new trends, from cabinetry to appliances. Whether you’re planning a full redo or just replacing elements, where should you start? We asked the experts…
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST TRENDS FOR CABINETRY? Neptune older styles and chintz prints – think peacock teal, forest green and navy-blue cabinets,’ says Darren. ‘I haven’t specified a plain white kitchen in over 12 years,’ says Laura Clark from Lamp Architects, ‘and I can’t see it reappearing as a trend any time soon. We’re seeing colour, texture and feature patterns, once reserved for bedrooms or living rooms, now in the kitchen. Watch out for florals coupled with reeded timber and fluted glass.’
ARE WE STILL BIG ON SHAKER? ‘No,’ says Laura. ‘Minimalist and simple looks are big for door styles in 2021, yet when combined with warm colours, this once pared- back style becomes glamorous.’
HANDLES OR NO HANDLES? ‘With most elements in the kitchen being stripped back with LUXE LOOK
Bring on the bling with veined marble and metallic accents. Milano Elements design in Metallic Night, from £164 a unit, Wren Kitchens
EARTHY TONES
Create a sanctuary feel with natural-style materials. Bushboard Omega laminate worksurface in Taros Gris Ultramatt, from £78sq m, Bushboard
“The new take on the industr ial trend is one of
the most exciting st yles” DARREN WATTS WREN KITCHENS
O N T H E L E V E L
Effortlessly simple in style. Silestone Loft Camden island and worksurface, from £450sq m, Cosentino
complementary colour schemes and textures taking centre stage, choosing handles can be really tricky,’ says Laura. ‘Natural materials, such as leather and timber, can be hard to keep clean. Textured doors look incredible without handles, whereas slim pull handles can really complement a plain matt cabinet door.’ For Darren, it’s about choosing a handle style that works with your kitchen’s look: ‘Sleek handleless cabinetry is a core part of the industrial trend, while semi-circular handles work with the Art Deco look. For a natural, organic style, leather handles or no handles work best, while wooden handles finish off a modern-country design.’
ANY NEW STORAGE SOLUTIONS? ‘Finally, we have a new contender for a kitchen’s most desirable item,’ says Laura. ‘Requests for the “statement island” have been replaced by the “statement larder”. Although the island isn’t going anywhere fast, having practical walk-in storage is one of the best ways to shift large amounts of kitchen kit off our worktops.’
WHAT ARE TIPPED TO BE THE BEST MATERIALS AND COLOURS FOR WORKSURFACES IN 2021? ‘We’ve recently seen a big trend in highly-veined and patterned marble, with the harsh, monolithic granite worktop being consigned – thankfully – to the 1990s,’ says Laura. Darren agrees: ‘We’re predicting over-the-top veined styles as well as deep, dark blacks and icy whites becoming even more popular in 2021. When it comes to material, topping the charts has to be quartz – not only does it look fabulous, it suits all styles of kitchen and it’s extremely durable. Plus, we are S L E E K & C H I C
Simplify splashbacks with coloured aluminium sheets. AluSplash Elements aluminium-based panel, from £139, AluSplash
also able to enhance this natural stone with manmade resins.’
WALLS AND FLOORS? ‘With the trend of kitchens becoming furniture, I love to create almost invisible splashbacks,’ says Laura, who suggests using a matt lacquer over the top of paint for a look that seamlessly blends in. ‘Alternatively, single sheets of metal can look spectacular, too – like matt brass or copper.’ When it comes to flooring, while Laura loves the look of wood, for a kitchen she prefers wood-effect porcelain tiles from a practical point of view. ‘Try laying extra-long plank tiles in a parquet pattern for a stylish, natural finish.’
WHAT’S TRENDING FOR
WHAT ABOUT SINK AND TAP STYLES? ‘For 2021, I think it’s all about simplicity,’ says Laura. ‘Steer away from the huge, commercial-style taps and go for minimalist brassware that complements your kitchen rather than jars against it.’ Darren is loving the look of a traditional sink given a modern twist, like a deep black Belfast sink. ‘And as our lives get busier, we’re seeing requests for instant hotwater taps, from the likes of
“There is cur rently a surge in dishwasher demand as the hyg iene factor of automated dishwashing resonates with
customers since the pandemic SIMON BENTLEY JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS ” WELL-MATCHED
‘Keep all of your cabinets to the same depth – it gives a beautiful clean line to the face of the units, which complements any style you are looking to achieve,’ says Laura. Arctic Cream granite worksurface, from £490q m, Cullifords GO DARK
‘Dramatic natural materials set against a simple palette can never date,’ says Laura. Lundhs Emerald worksurface, from £680sq m, Lundhs
3 OF THE BEST WOOD-EFFECT FLOORS
EASY DIY Good Homes Bacjata natural wood-effect luxury vinyl, £18sq m, B&Q
MONO SCHEME Notting Hill Silver Oak laminate, £16.95sq m, Lifestyle Floors
TILE STYLE Mikeno Honey wood-effect porcelain tiles, £16.99sq m, Tons of Tiles
‘Built-in larder units with recessing push-back doors are a great alternative where space is a premium,’ says Laura. Haddon kitchen in Charcoal, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers
Quooker and InSinkErator, becoming increasingly common.’
I WANT THE LATEST APPLIANCES – WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND? ‘A big American-style fridge-freezer, with large capacity and clever features – like the LG InstaView, with its unique glass window that allows you to get to the food you use the most,’ says Simon Bentley, partner and assistant buyer for large electricals at John Lewis & Partners. ‘If you don’t like cleaning your oven, then a pyrolytic one is a must, with Neff ’s Slide & Hide oven (as seen on Channel 4’s Bake Off ) remaining popular. I’d also suggest a combination microwave and warming drawer, along with an induction hob with downdraft ventilation that recirculates clean air around your kitchen. Induction is so much more energy effi cient than gas – and who wants to individually scrub pan supports as opposed to simply wiping the surface?’
ANY SMART TECH WORTH INVESTING IN? ‘Quiet, yet highly-effi cient, integrated extraction should be one of your fi rst considerations,’ says Laura. ‘Our homes – and kitchens – are increasingly being controlled by smart devices,’ says Darren. ‘You can now switch on your coff ee machine while still in bed, set the oven before leaving for work and use your voice to turn on the lights – perfect if you are on the go all the time.’ As we focus more and more on sustainability, Simon is quick to point out that customers are demanding better eco-designed FAU X FAVO U R I T E S ‘The new industrial sees hints of luxury in gold and fl uted glass with sleek, handleless doors in materials that mimic concrete, rust and oak,’ says Darren. Autograph Elements kitchen, from £164 a unit, Wren Kitchens
appliances that consume less power and water. ‘The new energy rating standard coming in 2021 will see improvements as manufacturers vie to achieve the best rating. Customers are also wanting their appliances to last longer, so we may see an increase in price to achieve better results in the long run.’
3 OF THE BEST CLEVER TAPS
TWO TONE Cooke & Lewis Kloey rubber spring neck tap, £115, B&Q
ON TREND Aquno Select M81 tap with three spray modules, £880, Hansgrohe
TRAD CHOICE Signature modern boiling and filtered water tap, £695, Qettle
MEET THE PROFESSIONALS…
DARREN WATTS, WREN KITCHENS SHOWROOM DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN DIRECTOR (WRENKITCHENS.COM) Darren has been a design expert at Wren Kitchens for 10 years and is passionate about closely following the very latest trends and innovations in kitchen design.
LAURA CLARK, ARCHITECT AND FOUNDER OF LAMP ARCHITECTS (LAMPARCHITECTS.CO.UK) Specialising in residential conversions, extensions and new builds, Laura has also appeared on TV shows including Channel 4’s Ugly House to Lovely House and BBC2’s Your Home Made Perfect. Laura also set up Siren Sister (sirensister.co.uk), which provides a platform to promote female talent in television, media and fi lm.
SIMON BENTLEY, PARTNER & ASSISTANT BUYER, LARGE ELECTRICAL, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS (JOHNLEWIS.COM) Simon’s worked all bar three years of his career in buying for John Lewis & Partners, from nursery through to more recent times in large appliances.
