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SOLID WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS BLOG

Want to Win a KitchenAid Mixer?

Posted by admin on August 29, 2017 at 12:29 pm. Filed under: General
Win a KitchenAid Mixer!

If you want to win a KitchenAid Mixer worth £350, you have come to the right place! Whilst the Great British Bake Off has not been without controversy through its move to Channel 4, it will be back on our screens tonight and we are looking forward to seeing the culinary creations conjured up in the tent this year! To celebrate, our #BrilliantBakeOffer is back for a fourth year, giving you the chance to win a superb KitchenAid K45SS Stand Mixer.

Entry into our #BrilliantBakeOffer competition is simple – all you need to do is ‘like’ our Facebook page, ‘like’ one of the competition posts and leave a comment on the post to let us know you have entered. Make sure you complete all three steps to be in with a chance of winning the fantastic prize we have up for grabs, so you can get ready, set, and BAKE!

This fantastic competition starts today, Tuesday 29th August, and closes on Tuesday 31st October. One winner will be chosen at random from the entries collected within this period. More information and the terms and conditions can be found on our current offers page.

We always love seeing your Great British Bake Off inspired goodies, so feel free to share your culinary creations with us on Facebook and Instagram!

 

Different Ways to Style a White Wood Kitchen

Posted by admin on August 22, 2017 at 12:32 pm. Filed under: General

There are a multitude of decors for a solid wood kitchen and our bespoke cabinet options can help you pick right shade to suit your kitchen design. A white wood kitchen is a great blank canvas to start from and there are a number of different ways a white kitchen can be styled. White provides a clean slate to work from – whether you are after a fresh, modern look or a more traditional country feel; they can be dressed up or pared down to create the perfect kitchen for your home.

Country

The wood burning stove in this white wood kitchen gives it a strong country style, which is further enhanced by the natural timber used to create work surfaces and open shelving

White wood kitchens are a fantastic foundation for a country kitchen. A slightly off-white is best for more traditional designs, to help create a gently aged look. Pair with solid wood work surfaces to add warmth, and use classic features like pilasters, cornices and pelmets in the same shade gives a more traditional feel. White, or off-white cabinets in a country style kitchen work incredibly well with a variety of colours but can look just as good with a monochrome scheme as this kitchen illustrates.

Shabby Chic

The accessories used here illustrate how well white works in a shabby chic kitchen

Styled with a variety of pastel shades, a shabby chic look is a great choice for white wood kitchens. We previously wrote about shabby chic kitchens, and mentioned that neutral shades such as white and off-white are the perfect base for building up a shabby chic look. Working with a white backdrop is a great way to prevent a colourful palette from appearing too cluttered.

Modern

This modern white wood kitchen is perfectly complemented by black appliances and polished chrome cabinet hardware

Different shades will come in and out of popularity, but a white wood kitchen that features shaker frontals is perfect for clean, minimalistic modern style. White is perfect for creating a light, airy space that works incredibly well in smaller rooms. Bold lines and smooth, gloss surfaces will add to the impact of a modern kitchen in white.

How would you style a wooden kitchen with white frontals? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Practical Storage Tips For Your Pantry Cabinet

Posted by admin on August 16, 2017 at 11:50 am. Filed under: General
The owner of this pantry cabinet has decanted everything into coordinating containers for an organised, cohesive look.

Image Credit: www.thecreativityexchange.com

Utilising effective kitchen storage is one of the biggest considerations people make when planning a kitchen, but – often in older kitchens – habits that develop over time can mean that the available storage is not used to its full potential.

A pantry cabinet is a wonderful addition to any home and – whether you are fitting a new kitchen or simply looking to make the most of the space you have available – organisation is key when filling up the drawers or shelves. An inadequately arranged pantry will be difficult to clean and can lead to wasted food and money, as items may go out of date when out of sight at the back of a cabinet and unnoticed products are repurchased unnecessarily. We have compiled our top tips for ensuring the largest cabinet in your kitchen works as hard as possible to provide effective storage for you and your family.

    Decanting

  • When decanting dry goods into airtight containers, opt for square shaped storage. You may have seen lots of pictures in magazines and online of beautifully organised pantries stacked with cylindrical jars to keep items like flour, sugar, rice, pasta and cereals fresh and organised. The problem with round jars is that they will always leave gaps – and this is where square containers come in. A square or rectangular container will make the most of the space available, which is perfect if your pantry cabinet is too small to only hold a few items per shelf.
  • Clear containers are ideal as it is easy to see if items need replacing or topping up – this can help save money, as it should prevent anything that is surplus to requirements from being purchased.
  • Shelving

  • Shelves is not always the most efficient use of space as the items at the back can be forgotten about. Our Blum Space Tower has a number of drawers that slide forward allowing you to easily see the items you have. Pull-out baskets are a great option if you already have a pantry cabinet that you are looking to optimise, as they work in the same way as drawers would.
  • Our Blum Space Tower offers a vast amount of storage with practical drawers that allow you to view quickly which products are inside.
  • If you do not use pull-out baskets or drawers, ensure smaller items are at the front of the shelf with larger products at the back so it is always easy to see exactly what you have.
  • Labels

  • Using labels will allow you to see at a glance what you have and where you have it stored – this is particularly useful for products stored in baskets or bins and anything you have chosen to keep in uniform jars. Chalkboard labels are a popular option with bloggers, and they provide a practical option that can be changed easily – as well as plenty of rustic charm.
  • Labelling shelf edges can be an easy way to make sure you keep your pantry cabinet organised. Choosing a few store-cupboard staples and assigning spaces to them will mean everything has a place and it will be easier to ensure everything is put away properly.

There are also a number of products that exist to ‘fill the gaps’ in your cabinet, from wine glass racks to bakeware organisers and everything between. Our solid oak spice rack is a fantastic way to utilise what would otherwise be wasted space on the back of the cupboard doors.

These are just a few ways to keep your pantry cabinet organised. If you have your own tips you would like to share with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch on Facebook or Twitter – alternatively, you could let us know in the comments below!

 

5 Reasons to Use Open Kitchen Shelving

Posted by admin on August 9, 2017 at 5:05 pm. Filed under: General
This shelving ensures the space between the pillar and window are still used for storage, despite their small size

The industrial kitchen trend has been incredibly popular throughout 2017, but it is not a look for those who want something subtle. Open kitchen shelving is just one of a number of ways the style can be incorporated without creating such a dramatic look, and has seen a resurgence in use of late. For many, having exposed kitchen shelves may seem like an impractical option, but it might not mean condemnation to the hours of dusting you might think (although you do need to be organised to pull it off). We have compiled our top five reasons to use open shelving in your kitchen below!

The Illusion of Space

Open kitchen shelving is fantastic for creating the appearance of additional space, making it the perfect option for a smaller room. Taller cabinets or wall cabinets can be imposing, and can make your kitchen seem smaller or more closed in – especially if you have opted for darker colours. Exposed shelves look great in an industrial kitchen for this reason, but they can work in any style of interior and are a great way to create a more spacious look and feel.

Actual Space

Working around awkward spaces in a kitchen can be tricky when trying to find the best position for cabinets, and this is where open shelving is the obvious answer. Unlike wall cabinets, shelves can be fitted to work in tight corners and around features like chimney breasts or boxed in pipework. Open kitchen shelving can also make the space used work harder. It is not uncommon to see three or four shelves where one cabinet – with perhaps two or three shelves in – could have been. Shelves are typically narrower than cabinets but as they can extend to reach places that cupboards cannot, the space is often gained back.

It’s Inexpensive

A new kitchen is an investment whether you are simply swapping the worktop or going through a complete remodel. Our shelves are a practical option that will not cost you the earth – starting at just £9.50, there are huge savings to be made when compared to our wall cabinets – however reasonably priced they may be!

This small shelf allows additional colours to be worked into this bright and cheerful kitchen.

Dinnerware in your Decor

Open kitchen shelving allows you to keep dinnerware and crockery on display that would often be hidden away in cupboards and drawers. It is a great shame to keep beautiful crockery out of sight, and shelves are a great way to incorporate them into your home design. This can be a stunning way to add a pop of colour into an otherwise neutral theme, or it can be an extension of the existing style in your kitchen. The benefit of using these items in your décor is that they can be changed easily and quickly if you feel in need of a new look.

Keeping Organised

Shelves that provide storage in a kitchen are not compatible with hoarders or the disorganised, but don’t let that put you off! Open kitchen shelving allows you to see exactly where everything belongs at a glance, and will discourage from items being put haphazardly into the back of a wall cabinet. Exposed shelves ensure that everything is within arm’s reach and prevent things from being put behind others and forgotten about. A big worry people tend to have with shelves is the amount of cleaning that will be necessary, but the key is keeping only as many items as you need so they are used frequently enough to remain dust free – great if you need to declutter!

So whilst they may need an additional wipe down every once in a while, we really love shelves in kitchens and we think that you could too. If you love your open kitchen we would love to hear from you! Get in touch on Facebook, Twitter, or let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Your Home Magazine Competition – Win £1,000 Towards a New Kitchen!

Posted by admin on August 2, 2017 at 9:16 am. Filed under: General

Want £1,000 towards your dream kitchen? In conjunction with Your Home Magazine , we are offering one lucky winner the chance to win £1,000 to spend on oak kitchen cabinets and other components for their new kitchen. Our solid oak kitchen cabinets are an attractive and practical option, providing a range of durable storage solutions suitable for use in any home.

Whatever your dream kitchen looks like, you could win £1,000 towards it in the competition we are running in conjunction with Your Home magazine

Our kitchen cabinets are available in a variety of sizes, with a variety of configurations available to suit many different kitchen layouts. Our full height cabinets are perfect as tall larder units, offering plenty of storage for busy families. Alternatively, we stock full-height options to incorporate inbuilt appliances, which are ideal if your oven needs to be at a more accessible height.

If space is at a premium, our corner cabinets can be equipped with convenient wirework that allows you to make the most of the space you have available. Alongside these and our more conventional cabinetry choices, we also have a range of drawers available, including extra-deep pan drawers that are suitable for housing even the largest pots and saucepans.

We supply cabinet doors in either a Traditional or Shaker design, and both of these options are available lacquered (for a more natural look), or painted in the colour of your choice. Our cabinet frontals can be painted in any of the shades from Farrow & Ball’s extensive library, with popular options included in our ‘bespoke pastels’ and ‘bespoke accents’ collections. Choosing a unique colour to suit your home is easy with their vast range, and is the perfect way of customising your kitchen to get the look you want.

The competition runs until the end of August and is incredibly easy to enter – all you need to do is purchase Your Home magazine, fill out your details in the correct section and cut out to send back to be in with a chance! Alternatively, you can also enter online on the Your Home Magazine website.