HOME + GARDEN The Big Three cont ...
DESIGNING A BESPOKE KITCHEN WITH
NICOLLE WHYTE
Today the modern kitchen is worlds away from being seen as a purely functional space , it is the heart of the home , where everyday life unfolds . This is the place we take our first sip of coffee , work in , socialise and prepare meals . That ’ s why designing a new kitchen is not only incredibly exciting but potentially life-changing too ; however , with so much to consider in just one room , it can be tricky to know where to start .
Here Nicolle Whyte , design director at South-London-based Shaker kitchen company , Olive & Barr , comes to the rescue , sharing her top tips on how to design the ultimate multifunctional kitchen .
Choosing a Kitchen Brand It may be that you already have a favourite kitchen brand in mind , even so , it ’ s always a good idea to shop around . Once you have undertaken initial research , consider narrowing down your choices to your top three kitchen brands . If they have a showroom , make sure to take a visit and chat with their in-house designer as this will allow you to look at the quality of the designs first-hand and get a feel for their brand ethos .
It ’ s also a good opportunity to gather as much information as you can before getting into the nitty-gritty of the design process - ask about price guidelines , timescales and new innovative designs as this will all help inform your decision . Lastly , remember that you can choose more than one company to come up with a quote and design , usually for free . So , if you can ’ t decide on a kitchen brand just yet , don ’ t worry , gathering a few quotes and designs will give you a clearer idea of what ’ s achievable and allow you to weigh up costs .
The Design Now on to the fun part - designing your dream kitchen ! It ’ s best to go to a design consultation prepared , so be sure to bring any rough drawings , mood boards and must-have lists with you , so you get the most out of the time spent together .
The first thing you should consider is appliances and positioning as this will inform the rest of your layout . If you ’ re happy with where your appliances currently sit then it ’ s best to leave them put , as this will save you on any costly plumbing and electrical fees , too .
Discuss with your kitchen designer how you like to use your kitchen ; are you a keen cook for example , or do you love to host big family gatherings ? Sharing these details is key in making sure the designer can deliver a kitchen that will fulfil your brief and more . Kitchen design is constantly evolving so don ’ t forget to ask about smart storage solutions , new materials or appliances .
Finishing Touches Before finalising your kitchen design , you will need to choose the colour of your kitchen and worktops . This can feel overwhelming , especially when cabinetry can be painted to match any colour you desire .
At Olive & Barr we offer an interior design service , which can be beneficial if you ’ re struggling to make those final decisions . Our consultant will visit your home and take you through a range of design ideas from colour schemes to lighting , tiles and more . From there , they will devise a comprehensive design plan , designing a space which reflects your personality , style and budget .
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