×
0345 22 22 990

SOLID WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS BLOG

7 Ways to Bring Patterns into Your Kitchen

Posted by admin on February 26, 2018 at 4:47 pm. Filed under: General

Freshen your kitchen up with a patterned design this spring, which adds extra visual texture and lifts a space up. Many of the options listed below are easy to add to your cooking area and require little effort to fit. There is something for every budget when you are upgrading your kitchen, so the work can be completed without costing the earth.


Tiles

One of the best things about tiles is that they work really well in both small spaces and larger areas. A vibrant tiled splashback might only cover a portion of the wall above your hobs, but it will make a surprisingly big difference to the atmosphere and add an interesting central focus point. This is also true for tiling an entire wall, but this is a more extravagant way to create this look because the extra tiles will cost more. Moroccan themes are on-trend right now and patterned tiles are a strong part of this look. Read our blog to achieving a Moroccan kitchen for more inspiration.

Using different layouts for tiles can also create a distinctive patterned look. Metro or subway tiles are usually laid horizontally with a half-brick overlap – like a brick wall – but you could choose to mix this up by laying them vertically, changing the amount of overlap or laying them in a chevron-shaped ‘herringbone’ style, which looks fantastic in a range of kitchen settings. Hexagonal, square or geometric tiles are also worth considering if you would like something a bit unusual.


Worktops

Often a worktop is used as a base for a kitchen design, and more vivid or patterned elements are chosen to contrast with a kitchen’s prep space. Choose the right worktop and you will be able to enjoy the natural patterns from a wooden, stone or metal surface. For a truly striking surface, check out our zebrano worktops, which are available in standard, deluxe and full-stave options and have an extraordinary striped pattern that resembles a zebra’s coat. Order a sample to experience this material’s unique natural appeal.

We also stock a wide range of laminate worktops which echo patterns found in real wood, stone or metal. Cypress cinnamon and coco bolo are two to compare if you want an inexpensive, characterful wood effect worktop, while our Winter Carnival granite, and white marble surfaces offer realistic representations of natural stone.

A patterned floor makes a statement in this kitchen with dark blue cabinetry and bright white walls.

Credit: Glamour

Flooring

Flooring also provides a brilliant opportunity to include patterns and extra textuality. Wooden floorboards suit all styles because there are many different types available – varying woods, finishes and patinas all add distinctive character to your floor. Another option is to use the floor as the centrepiece of your new kitchen design – like in the kitchen shown here. The cabinetry is painted in a restrained navy blue while the tiled walls are glossy white, and the floor ties these two colours together in an eye-catching pattern.

If a whole new floor is out of the question, consider opting for a patterned rug. Even small, inexpensive rugs can lift a room and offer a noticeable contrast to your current scheme. Rugs come in every conceivable style, price and colour, making them especially handy if you fancy refreshing your kitchen fairly regularly.

Neutral grey cabinets and a white worktop contrast with a vivid wallpaper with natural themes.

Credit: Pinterest

Wallpaper

Whilst wallpapers are unsuitable for use as a splashback, but they can still take centre stage in your kitchen. Wallpapers come in so many different styles that you can create a unique finish and either match or contrast your appliances, cabinetry, worktops or accessories. In this kitchen, the neutral tones of the grey cabinets and thin, gloss white worktop are completely overshadowed by a lucid, unmissable blue-green wallpaper with natural images. The gingham checked blind adds further contrast and visual drama.

Five brightly coloured patterned lampshades

Credit: Bluebell Gray

Lighting

Well-chosen lampshades work twice as hard as other patterned items because they look great when the light is turned off, and then project beautiful designs throughout the room when it gets dark and the light is turned on. Lampshades can be hung low enough to sit in your eyeline, making them an integral part of a kitchen design. Again, a range of styles and themes are available, and all budgets are catered for too – and they are easy and low-cost to change should you wish to refresh your look.

Brightly coloured ceramic plates with individual designs

Credit: quietclementine

Crockery and kitchenware

Jazz up mealtimes with colourful or patterned plates, like these hand-painted ones. Plenty of more subtle designs are available to gently introduce pattern into your kitchen theme, and smaller items like this can be matched or contrasted with other aspects. Show patterned crockery off by opting for shelving or our glass fronted cabinet doors.

Textiles and accessories

Just like with the crockery and kitchenware above, smaller accessories and textiles can make a huge difference for little cost. You could use anything from tea towels, cushions and throws to mugs, salt and pepper shakers or tea and coffee pots to add a zing of brightness, especially if the kitchen uses neutral tones for the walls and cabinets.

There are many inexpensive ways to add pattern to your kitchen, so freshening up the space and keeping it on trend is easy and affordable. How would you choose to add interior pattern to your kitchen?

 

Be Inspired By This Stunning Coastal Kitchen

Posted by admin on February 23, 2018 at 5:06 pm. Filed under: General

If you are dreaming of warmer weather and trips to the seaside, you might have considered a coastal kitchen design – especially as summer seems a while away! This kitchen, created by one of our customers, shows that a few touches are enough to bring a sunshine feel into your home, whatever the weather.


Paint

Painting your cabinetry in a light pastel colour like a blue or green is an easy and affordable way to add a coastal vibe to your cooking area. This kitchen is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth Blue, which channels Dorset’s gorgeous Lulworth Cove (shown below). Pastel colours are popular in both traditional and contemporary settings, and this kitchen shows how effective they can be in a more modern setting.

The full-height cabinets help to add extra height and depth, enhancing the breezy, carefree feeling of this beautiful prep space. The large surface area covered by this bright shade creates an incredibly refreshing aesthetic. This kitchen is a happy, warm space and a break from a more conservative and neutral style.

Contrasting worktop

Another aspect of this kitchen that adds to the coastal vibe are the worktops, which offer a striking and eye-catching warmth to the pastel cabinets. Our full-stave oak worktops are a fantastic choice – the wide staves and prime grade provide a truly elegant worktop that is incredibly durable and wear-resistant. With reflective properties and a lovely, almost sandy colour, you could say that the countertop represents a beach alongside the cabinets, which are painted in a shade inspired by the sea.


An open-plan kitchen diner with garden views and pale blue cabinets
Wooden accessories complement the solid oak worktops
Oak is used throughout this coastally-inspired kitchen and brings warmth to the cooking and dining space

Holiday cottage touches

There are a few discrete touches in this kitchen that make it feel like a luxurious holiday retreat. The open-plan kitchen/diner design is laid out so that the oak dining table faces the full-height patio doors and out onto the manicured garden. These photos show that the garden is a suntrap and this setup makes the most of the features of the property whilst flooding the are with light. The dining area flows onto the patio outside and makes the space more inviting.

Meanwhile, the statement solid wood wine rack is huge and resembles the type of furnishing one might expect in a luxury holiday cottage. The kitchen is finished off with bright accessories to squeeze summer in wherever possible.


How to achieve a coastal kitchen

Besides the options above, there are a few affordable ways to create a seaside feel. Iridescent tiles offer a stunning shimmer effect, and they work just as well in a small space – like a splashback – and larger areas. Alternatively, a navy and white colour scheme is a timeless and popular theme for yachts, and the look can be enhanced by some nautical-inspired accessories, such as these quaint salt and pepper shakers or plates with subtle anchor motifs.

Another easy way to invite the seaside into your kitchen is to use thick stripes on blinds or bar stools, to replicate deck chairs and sun canopies. If these two options are prohibitively expensive, striped cushions and tea towels will subtly infer a nautical theme.

A coastal theme is fantastic all year round and will make your kitchen feel light and airy. This kitchen shows that achieving this style can be affordable and easy. What would you choose to include in your coastal kitchen?

 

Is a Statement Ceiling Right For Your Kitchen?

Posted by admin on February 19, 2018 at 12:35 pm. Filed under: General

If you are planning to update your kitchen, you will have probably considered changing furniture or cabinets, painting the walls or hanging a few pictures up – the latter is especially good for those on a budget. You may not have thought about updating your ceiling – as your kitchen’s fifth wall, this is a fantastic way to make an impact. Out with the Artex, in with a statement ceiling!

Two rooms with vibrantly coloured ceilings – blue and teal – contrast with neutral walls to provide an stunning impact

Credit: Peticos

Colour

Colour is not just for walls, as these two images show. Painting the ceiling can create extra depth in a room, and provides a striking contrast against neutral walls. However, getting it right needs some thought, as it can otherwise look busy or make the ceiling look lower.

In these images, all the walls are a neutral shade. The teal colour of the right-hand image is topped off by matching accessories including the two chairs and a vase. The gloss finish is reminiscent of a tranquil sea for a calming effect. The vivid blue paint applied to the ceiling of the left-hand image adds a playful, modern touch to an otherwise quite rustic and traditional setting.

A green gingham statement ceiling with matching green island and decorations.

Credit: Apartment Therapy

Pattern

Another way to inject colour into your kitchen is to use a patterned wallpaper. It may be a break from conventional design, but it can add fun and movement to a kitchen that may otherwise have kept to white and off-white tones.

In this image, the ceiling is the first thing your eyes are drawn to, even with the vivid green island and decorative plates. The kitchen is a great size already but the pattern makes it feel even more expansive and airy. The white squares in the wallpaper design add more light into the room, so this could be something to consider if you feel a solid colour could be overwhelming. A similar colour to this would be Farrow & Ball’s Yeabridge Green, if you want to recreate this attention-grabbing style.

Natural influence

A statement ceiling can also be done in a more subtle manner that better fits the property. You may wish to draw attention to it by showcasing existing architectural features, such as wooden beams. If you have authentic timber beams in your home, you might wish to leave them unpainted to maximise their impact. If you do not have beams, they can be added with reclaimed wood to recreate the style.

In this kitchen, the wooden roof beams are the centrepiece of the room. The white cabinetry and solid wood worktop allow the natural appeal of the beams comes through and they complement the worktop beautifully for a cohesive look.

A huge skylight lets a lot of light into a dining area with a solid wood table and chairs.

Credit: Pinterest

Let the light in

This dining area is eye-catching for its lack of ceiling. A skylight is a fantastic way to let light flood into your home and create an airy and welcoming space for the whole family whilst drawing the eye upwards. It will instantly imbue a more luxurious and expensive feel, and if this size is not attainable, well-placed smaller skylights will have a similar effect.

A traditional dining room with grey walls and a wooden table is offset by an ultra-modern gold chandelier-type light.

Credit: Amber Interior Design

Turn the light on

The quickest and easiest way to draw attention to your ceiling is by opting for a spectacular light fixture. Hanging lights sit right in your eyeline, so you will always be drawn to it – and the ceiling. Of course, it does not have to be as ornate and incredibly modern as this gold-coloured chandelier – there are many different lighting styles that will draw attention to it and the ceiling above.

You may not have considered treating your ceiling to an upgrade, but a statement ceiling can really transform a room – and it can be done on a budget, too. If you are planning to tackle yours, let us know what you would do below!

 

How to Update Your Kitchen With £50, £250 or £500

Posted by admin on February 12, 2018 at 12:04 pm. Filed under: General

At this time of year, you might be starting to think about updating your kitchen. It may seem expensive to make changes, but there are some things you can do to jazz up your cooking area for a relatively small amount of money. As the kitchen is the heart of the home, these simple improvements will have a big effect and help to freshen the space up before spring.

How to update your kitchen for £50

£50 might not feel like a lot of money if you want to make improvements to your kitchen, but you can make it go much further than you might expect. One of the easiest changes to make for very little money is changing the handles on your cabinets. We stock a huge range of handles, with everything from contemporary Metropolis Bow handles to period doorknobs and Edison handles. Starting from as little as £2 each, it is one of the least expensive ways to improve your kitchen.

Alternatively, £50 is enough to create a feature wall with a 2.5-litre tin of Farrow & Ball paint. A neutral kitchen will be lifted by painting just one wall, whether you choose a restrained grey such as Mole’s Breath or a brighter colour like Vardo or St. Giles Blue. This kitchen uses a colour similar to Cooking Apple Green, should you wish to take inspiration from the look shown here.

Looking for a less permanent way to add some colour or change the walls? Hanging pictures, paintings or photographs is a quick and inexpensive option and is incredibly easy to do. Bring the outside into your kitchen and invite some summery vibes with a print from Whistlefish. Many of the pieces are centred around a summery seaside, lush countryside or humour, and prices start from just £8.50.


How to update your kitchen for £250

For £250, you can start to make some bigger alterations to your kitchen. If you have considered changing your worktop, this is a great way to make your cook space look brand new. Whether you would like solid oak surfaces, or are eyeing up one of our many laminate worktops, we have a variety of options available. Whatever you choose, you will receive a countertop of the highest quality that will look great for years to come.

You could use our worktops and table legs to create a new dining table, or choose to buy a new one. This varnished and painted rubberwood table from Wayfair will look fantastic in both modern and traditional styles, and its white paint means it will complement any colour theme.

A rug, meanwhile, is a sure-fire way to add colour and style to a space, whether you choose to lay it in the kitchen, or in the dining or living space of an open plan design. You can choose from any number of styles and price points, but we think this one, currently on sale for £99, deserves a mention because its Moroccan style and rich colour will suit a range of themes.


How to update your kitchen for £500

A budget of £500 offers more opportunity to update, whether you wish to make a series of small changes or one large one. If you are looking to upgrade your worktop, our more exotic timbers are now within budget, and dramatic options like our wenge or zebrano worktops, which start from £310 and £290 respectively. Wenge is our darkest, densest and most opulent material, while zebrano is exotic, dramatic and eye-catching.

You may also want to change your appliances, especially if your fridge, hob or oven are looking a bit past their best now. At this price point, you will be able to replace two appliances with less expensive models, or you could instead decide that you would rather have one appliance that costs a bit more.

Alternatively, this budget means you can change up a number of things in your kitchen. In fact, you could buy all of the £50 and £250 options listed above, and have change to spare! Even with a reasonably modest spend, you could enjoy a new worktop, dining table, feature wall, rug, cabinet handles and a lovely picture too.

You do not have to spend a fortune to get a gorgeous kitchen – the changes listed here show that concentrating on smaller aspects can have a massive impact on the style and feel of your cooking area. Of course, this list is not exhaustive – you could buy vividly coloured small appliances, for instance – so if you are planning to update your space, tell us what you would choose below!

 

5 Ways to Create a Moroccan Kitchen in Your Home

Posted by admin on February 9, 2018 at 3:40 pm. Filed under: General

With warm, vibrant tones used to create a homely, traditional feel, a Moroccan kitchen style is a popular option for 2018. A simple splashback or a tiled wall can be enough to evoke this look without requiring a complete kitchen redesign, helping to lift your cooking area and inject a splash of holiday feelings. If you are looking to recreate this style in your home, here are a few inexpensive ways to achieve it.


A light-coloured wooden kitchen with Moroccan tiles and a feature wall

Credit: Pinterest

Tiles and splashbacks

Tiling a wall or using a patterned splashback is an excellent way to easily and affordably jazz up your kitchen. Moroccan tiles typically feature intricate, eye-catching patterns, and there are hundreds of different styles and colours available to suit your tastes. If you cannot decide, why not combine a few varieties in a patchwork design – one benefit of Moroccan style is that this mix-and-match style adds further character.

In the beautiful kitchen shown here, the tile design creates a focal point with striking patterns and blue tones, complemented by the light-coloured paint around the feature. Farrow & Ball’s Parma Grey or Borrowed Light offer similar colours if this is a look you would like to recreate in your home. The wooden worktop and shelves instil a traditional feel, but these tiles would work equally well in a modern kitchen.

The white dining table, chairs and furniture are offset by a grey Moroccan style rug

Credit: Wayfair

Flooring

One of the quickest and easiest ways to add a dash of Moroccan style into your home is to focus on the flooring; an often-overlooked kitchen feature. The change is often very effective and noticeable, whether it is a smart and sophisticated rug – like the one here, from Wayfair – or a completely new tiled floor. While tiling can be a bit costlier, the floor becomes a statement piece of your kitchen design. In this image, the pattern provides a contrast to the monochrome minimalism, but you may want to use the floorspace to play with fun colours and patterns.


Painted cabinets

Painting cabinet doors or replacing them for a different colour or style may feel like a small change, but it will make a big difference to the style and feel of your kitchen. Whilst not typically associated with a Moroccan look, a light, pastel colour will bring the outside in and freshen your cooking space up. If you combine painted cabinetry with the patterned tiles or flooring above, it will invigorate your kitchen with exotic, faraway vibes and provide a homely sanctuary – especially if the weather is a bit dull! For a similar look to this kitchen, choose Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth Blue on our traditional cabinet doors.

Many Moroccan-style pendant lamps hanging from a ceiling

Credit: Pixball

Lighting

Ceiling lights often hang low enough to be in your eyeline, so it is important to consider their impact when you are creating a Moroccan kitchen style. Many different styles are available, from low-cost patterned fabric lampshades to ornate glass and metal sculpted lamps that could have been plucked straight from a souk. These industrial and vintage lamps strike a balance between the two extremes – still vibrant and classic, with enough of a hint of Morocco. They are frosted so will light up your kitchen tiles or floor very nicely, but different coloured lamps are available if you want to bathe the heart of your home in red, green or blue.

Moroccan kitchen accessories and Mediterranean foods

Credit: Casablanca

Cookware, tableware and accessories

Top off the Moroccan aesthetic by picking up some themed kitchen accessories. There are a variety of options available, from the lovely utensil pot in the photo to tea towels, patterned bowls and chopping boards – and much more besides. These items can add an authentic feel by themselves, without the need for drastically changing your kitchen, or can complement other styles.

If you have taken inspiration from these ideas and have decided to choose this gorgeous style for your kitchen, we would love to see your finished look! Get in touch on Facebook and Twitter, or send us an email.

 

The Best Pancake Recipe for Kids – Big and Small Alike!

Posted by admin on February 5, 2018 at 11:04 am. Filed under: General
The Best Pancake Recipes for Kids

Credit: My Fussy Eater

Serves 8

Forget Valentine’s Day – there is only one day in February to look forward to. In 2018, pancake day is Tuesday 13th, so you still have a bit of time to perfect your batter making and flipping skills. Pancake day is a fantastic excuse to get the whole family involved, and we have found the best pancake recipe for kids and adults alike for easy mixing and tossing – although we cannot guarantee your ceiling will remain pancake-free!

This recipe, originally from BBC Good Food, is super-easy making it great if you are cooking with children. It only needs a few ingredients which are all kitchen staples, and then whichever ingredients you choose to top them with. These pancakes can be frozen too – reheat in the oven for 10-15 minutes with foil on top, or for just one minute in the microwave.

You will need:

  • 140g plain flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 200ml milk
  • 50g melted butter
  • A dash of oil or low-calorie cooking spray

How to make super-easy pancakes:

  1. First, get a mixing bowl and add in the flour and eggs. Beat the mixture with a whisk or fork until it is smooth.
  2. Slowly pour the milk in and continue to mix it all up until it is lump-free, and then add the melted butter to the mix to create the batter.
  3. Oil your pan with your oil or low-calorie cooking spray, before placing the pan on a medium heat.
  4. Using a ladle or large spoon, pour some of the pancake batter into the pan and tilt it to ensure the mixture spreads out over the entire pan.
  5. Cook the batter for about 30 seconds until golden (if you enjoy a slightly thicker pancake, this may take longer), then flip it over and cook on the other side for a similar length of time.

Now comes the fun bit – topping your pancakes! They are great because they are so versatile, whether you like traditional lemon and sugar, fruit or something a bit naughtier. What will you put on yours? Comment below!

Nutritional information (per pancake)

209kcal, 17g fat, 4g saturates, 10g carbs, 1g sugar, 0g fibre, 4g protein, 0.14g salt