Interiors
1 By Katherine Sorrell
Add Colour to Your Kitchen If your kitchen is feeling bland and boring, it could simply be missing a dose of interesting colour. Whether you’re planning a major renovation or just want a quick fix, there are plenty of ways in which to introduce bolder, brighter shades.
Kitchen cupboards and appliances Bring in a blast of colour with glossy, flat-fronted modern units that can be found in a range of punchy shades. Alternatively, the more traditional painted kitchen can be commissioned in any paint colour under the sun, from palest pastel to deepest black. If this seems like overkill, a great way to create extra interest without going over the top is to specify a coloured island unit, combined with plain cupboards elsewhere. For those replacing free-standing appliances, you may wish to look out for examples in less usual colours – ice cream-coloured retro fridges, for example, or an Aga in a jewel-bright enamel. This look is not for the faint-hearted, of course, and is best teamed with neutrals in other areas of the room so as not to become oppressive or overwhelming.
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Worktops and splashbacks Teamed with understated kitchen cupboards, a bright worktop or splashback adds a strip of colour through the room and can give a welcome lift. Sleek toughened glass can be painted on the back in any colour imaginable – some showrooms offer a standard range of shades, but others will, at an extra cost, provide a colour-matching service. Another option is to go for a dramatic shade of natural stone. While most are relatively subtle, some do come in quite strong colours, such as green, red/brown or chocolate. Then there are stone composites (often called quartz), man-made solid surfaces (such as Corian), and laminates (generally the least expensive option), all of which also offer a range of interesting shades among their naturalistic imitations of stone and wood. Walls and floors When faced with a boring kitchen there’s no doubt that one of the simplest ways to add some oomph is to paint a wall or two in a strong, appealing colour.
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