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SOLID WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS BLOG

Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Fridge

Posted by admin on May 29, 2018 at 11:20 am. Filed under: General

Refrigerators have a single purpose, but – as they are often the largest appliance in a kitchen – it is important to consider your options carefully to ensure the choice you make suits your aesthetic as well as your storage needs. There are many variations and styles available, and a few factors to consider when choosing your perfect kitchen fridge. To help you make the right selection, we have compiled a list of important aspects to think about when choosing your fridge or fridge-freezer.


Layout and Size

There are a number of different layouts available, whether you want fridge-freezer or prefer to keep the two separate. When opting for a fridge-freezer, think about which will get more use – the fridge or the freezer? If you use the use the fridge section of your refrigerator more than the freezer, an appliance with the fridge at the bottom may be less convenient for you.

When you have thought about the layout requirements you have and the available space in your kitchen, you will need to think about size. Kitchen fridges are available in many different sizes, from under-counter options to full-height, double-width American-style units. You will need to think about the number of people in your home and the size and volume you will require for chilled items to help decide which size of fridge is best for you.


Are Different Sections Needed?

Modern kitchen fridges are often equipped with specially designed compartments for different types of food. Varying crisper drawer sizes are available, so this is something to consider if you eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Wine racks provide dedicated storage for bottles and cans but, if you have sufficient space, you may decide to integrate a separate drinks fridge into your kitchen. The cook space shown in this photo has one included on the island, along with a wine rack for keeping bottles at room temperature.

Samsung Family Hub 550L smart fridge

Credit: Samsung

Functionality

When you have decided on the layout that works best for your home and have ensured that there is sufficient storage to meet your needs, you may wish to consider the other functions that many modern refrigerators offer. You might consider a model with an ice or water dispenser, either plumbed into the mains water supply or needs to be topped up manually. You can even get wifi-enabled smart versions that can tell you what is in the fridge and when the food will expire – whilst being connected to music or streaming services.

Style

Of course, making sure your kitchen fridge meets all your needs in a practical sense is important – but it is important to think about how your choice will look in your kitchen. A vintage-looking model from a company such as Smeg or Swan will perfectly complement a modern-retro look, whilst you may want to consider a gloss black or stainless-steel finish for a contemporary kitchen. Fridges are even available with eye-catching designs, colours and glass doors if you are after something rather different. However, a more traditional kitchen style may call for an integrated model that is disguised as a large cabinet, allowing it to blend in.

There are a few aspects to consider when choosing your next fridge or fridge-freezer. Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments section below, and keep up to date with our latest blogs by following our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Official Launch of Action Oak at Chelsea Flower Show

Posted by admin on May 24, 2018 at 10:59 am. Filed under: General
Looking up into the canopy of an oak tree

Credit : Action Oak

Oak is absolutely vital to us – we construct many of our products, including our solid wood cabinets and oak worktops, out of this beautiful, hardy timber – which is why we are so keen to protect it. Action Oak, which has officially been launched at the Chelsea Flower Show, is a government campaign to safeguard the UK’s oak trees from pests, diseases and other threats.

The scheme aims to create a detailed picture of the health of the country’s oak tree population, which currently stands at 121 million. This will allow scientists to gain knowledge of how to preserve these trees for future generations.

Action Oak is fronted by Defra, landowners, charities and other environmental organisations, which include the National Trust, Forestry Commission and the royal Duchy of Cornwall estate. With a target of raising £15 million, the campaign is part of the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan and builds on the £37 million already invested.

Chelsea Flower Show is celebrating by featuring a stand dedicated to Action Oak, run by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). A 3D scan of Dame Judi Dench’s favourite oak tree will also be displayed. Elsewhere, famous pottery maker Emma Bridgewater has created a bespoke mug, with some of the profits going towards Action Oak research.

Lord Gardiner, Defra’s Biosecurity Minister, has said that protecting trees and plants is a priority for the current Government, which hopes to be able to leave the environment in a better state that it found it.

The Duchy of Cornwall’s head forester added that oak provides a number of benefits to the population and environment, and everything possible must be done to protect the trees for future generations.

Do you think more should be done to protect our country’s oak trees? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below, or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Save 10% On Everything at Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets for a Limited Time!

Posted by admin on May 23, 2018 at 11:30 am. Filed under: General

Have you been considering a kitchen upgrade recently? Whether you are simply looking to freshen up your home for summer, or are planning a major kitchen redesign, now is the perfect time to buy. Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets are offering a generous 10% off everything for a limited period.

Whether you are shopping for high-quality solid wood cabinets, worktops, doors or any accessories, you can now purchase them for less.

To save, simply add the items you require to your shopping cart and then use the discount code SAVE10 in our online checkout when you buy. If you are ordering via telephone, email or in person at one of our nationwide showrooms, you can mention the code to the advisor you are talking to in order to claim your 10% off.

Complete your purchase by Wednesday 13th June 2018 to take advantage of this amazing offer. Orders will need to be placed before 23:59 to comply. Please note that delivery charges are not eligible for this saving, and this is not available in conjunction with any other promotion.

Please visit our current offers page for full terms and conditions. You can keep up to date with our latest promotions, news and blogs by following our Facebook or Twitter pages.

 

Top 3 Colours for a Wooden Kitchen Island

Posted by admin on May 21, 2018 at 4:05 pm. Filed under: General

If you have the space in your kitchen, you may want to include an island. A wooden kitchen island can provide additional space in any kitchen and our cabinets and worktops are a fantastic way to create one that is tailored to your requirements. Painting the island in a different colour to the rest of the cabinets is a great way to create a statement, so which shades should you consider to pair with neutral cabinets?

Hardwick White

Grey is currently a popular colour for kitchens and is a stylish option for the base of your island. Farrow & Ball – our chosen paint suppliers – offer a wide range of grey shades, and Hardwick White, as shown in this image, is a subtle option that will work well with a variety of colour schemes. It is perfect for both contemporary and traditional settings, and will create a timeless aesthetic in any home.

Calamine

For a fresh and flamboyant look, consider painting your island pink. Farrow & Ball’s Calamine is a light pink with hints of grey, offering a delicate option that provides sufficient colour to brighten up any kitchen. In this picture, most of the colour scheme is kept deliberately neutral to allow the floral, powdery tones of the island to take centre stage. Recreate this look with our range of cabinets and our marble laminate worktop.

Parma Grey

Parma Grey is a much bluer colour than the name suggests, and it will perfectly lift a neutral kitchen scheme. There is just enough blue in the pigment to stand out and feel fresh, whilst preventing it from becoming overwhelming. The similar tones of the wooden worktops and cabinets allow the impressive island to grab your attention in the kitchen shown here.

These three colours will transform a wooden kitchen island in different ways. Which of these would you choose? Let us know below or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

 

Have You Considered a Greige Kitchen?

Posted by admin on May 18, 2018 at 10:20 am. Filed under: General

Whether you are updating your existing kitchen or are planning a complete redesign, there are a number of different considerations to make when choosing the colour for your new look. Those wanting a neutral shade that offers warmth whilst remaining on trend may wish to consider a greige kitchen. Greige is a blend between grey and beige – offering a warm neutral that can be used to create a contemporary look whilst remaining timeless. Should you choose this colour for your home?

Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath is a fantastic shade to consider if you are looking for the perfect greige to use in your kitchen. If you would like a subtler hue, Skimming Stone provides a good, pale greige option, whilst those wanting a statement shade may find that Dove Tale (which is a darker version of Elephant’s Breath) or Charleston Grey are ideal for a bolder look. Greige is less clinical than white can be and takes the effort out of creating a warm, welcoming look.

Another benefit of this colour is that it works with almost every conceivable colour scheme. A greige kitchen could be traditional, contemporary (as shown in this kitchen), rustic, industrial or a blend of different styles, depending on what you choose to pair it with. For example, our oak worktops will better suit a kitchen that is more classically styled, whilst our marble laminate worktops would work well in a contemporary greige kitchen. The versatility of this shade ensures it works well in a variety of different styles. As a neutral shade, greige provides a fantastic backdrop for more colourful accessories and accents too.

Is a greige kitchen top of your wish-list? Tell us below, or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

 

Keeping a Cool Kitchen in Warm Weather

Posted by admin on May 15, 2018 at 10:53 am. Filed under: General

With summer approaching, you may be less likely to opt for large meals that take a lot of cooking. You will still need to create dinners, though, so a cool kitchen will certainly be a welcome relief. There are certain steps you can take to ensure your cook space remains a comfortable temperature. These tips are especially useful in compact spaces, as small kitchens heat up quicker than larger areas.

Light Meals

Whereas winter is predominantly about heavy comfort food, summer calls for lighter, brighter meals that do not involve so much preparation. Quick dishes are fantastic, as you are not spending hours in the kitchen, while cold foods such as salads are delicious on a hot day.

Less Reliance on The Oven

Ovens produce an incredible amount of heat – more than any other appliance, and that is before you open the door to check on your food. A cool kitchen can be achieved by not using the oven extensively. Only use it when you have to; instead, use smaller appliances such as pressure cookers and microwaves, or simply cook dishes on your hob. These items expel much less heat than a conventional oven – and as an added benefit, they often use less power.

Sufficient Ventilation

Another way to keep your cook space comfortable is to make sure hot air is not stagnating. Open windows or patio doors to allow the fresh air in and to get some of the heat out – especially if you are using the oven. A fan is a good investment, and there is a DIY method to ensure the fan blows cold air across the room. Cut the bottom off one or two drinks bottles and turn them upside-down with the lid at the bottom – firmly screwed in place. Then, simply attach your bottles to the back of the fan and fill with ice cubes.

Blinds and Curtains

It might seem strange to suggest blocking out the light, but closed blinds and curtains will regulate the kitchen temperature and keep it cool. Lighter fabrics and colours will allow enough light to come through without the heat.

Cooking Outside

If you want to enjoy the heat without being in a stuffy kitchen, you could cook outside. Barbecues may be the most common option for summery weather and family gettogethers, but you can cook more than sausages and burgers. Portable hobs and burners are a viable option if you are looking to cook vegetables, rice or pasta al fresco.

There are a few different ways to keep a cool kitchen when temperatures rise. Can you think of any we have missed? If so, let us know below or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

 

Three of the Best Kitchen Paint Colours For the Summer Months

Posted by admin on May 11, 2018 at 12:46 pm. Filed under: General

Many parts of the UK recently enjoyed one of the hottest early May bank holidays on record, and the warm weather might have tempted you to give your kitchen a tropical makeover. We have highlighted three of the best kitchen paint colours to choose if you want to bring the summer into your cook space.

Tunsgate Green is one of Farrow & Ball’s palest green shades, but it is a fantastic colour if you wish to make your kitchen feel inspired by nature. This hue has a fresh feel that will transform your cooking space by bridging the gap between the indoors and outside. The colour – named after the location of one of the company’s first showrooms – is refreshing and pairs very well with All White.

Middleton Pink is a delicate, cheerful pink that will brighten any kitchen and make a space feel far more welcoming throughout the summer months. Alluding to blooming flowers ensures the shade is not an overly feminine colour, and you can pair this shade with different varieties of white to produce different styles – All White will complement traditional schemes, while Great White will better suit urban and modern environments.

Dayroom Yellow, meanwhile, is a slightly hazy colour that is fantastic at inviting a feeling of sunshine into your home. Paint your kitchen walls in this shade – as shown here in our online kitchen design tool – and it will seem as if it is flooded with light. Combine with a picture of sunflowers or a beach to ensure that your cooking area is as vibrant and summery as possible. This effect might even help brighten dark winter evenings, too.

These paint colours will imbue a feeling of summer into your cook space. Each of these shades will also complement any of our solid wood worktops, and can be easily changed when you next decide to update your kitchen. Create your dream cooking zone on our online kitchen design tool, which offers thousands of possible combinations and the ability to try out different schemes before committing.

Do you agree with our pick of the best kitchen paint colours? Let us know in the comments below, or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

 

What Is a Waterfall Island and How Can You Create One?

Posted by admin on May 8, 2018 at 10:20 am. Filed under: General

You may not have heard of this kitchen feature, but it is becoming an increasingly fashionable feature for a luxurious look. A waterfall island is where the worktop surface continues vertically down to the floor – covering the side of the island – instead of simply covering the top. Whilst looking expensive, waterfall kitchen islands can be constructed with relative ease – read on for details of how you can create your own


A stylish kitchen with a large marble waterfall island and wooden bar stools

Credit : HGTV

Should You Have a Waterfall Island?

If you would like an opulent finishing touch to your kitchen island, you might consider a waterfall effect. The extra material provides a sleek, uninterrupted finish all the way to the floor, and helps to frame the island as the focal point in a room. Therefore, employing this tactic could be of interest if you regularly entertain guests.

The clean lines of a waterfall island mean that it is best suited to contemporary and transitional kitchens Using a waterfall effect on bathroom cabinetry can also look fantastic, whilst simultaneously protecting the cabinets from water damage.

Many online examples show an island topped with a dramatic material such as solid stone or marble, but our solid wood worktops are equally suited to this look. Real stone and marble surfaces can be incredibly expensive, but our sustainably harvested timber countertops are competitively priced and will last many years with the correct maintenance. You could create a glamorous island using our oak surfaces, or go for an eye-catching, exotic centrepiece with our striking zebrano worktops.

How to Create a Waterfall Island

Creating a waterfall island will require extra lengths of worktop, as you are covering more space with the material. This does mean that this technique is more expensive, but the finished result will be sophisticated and stylish – you may decide it is worth the extra outlay.

The worktops can be joined together in several different ways. A butt joint will be the standard choice, as joining the two surfaces in this way will not require specialist tooling. However, you will not be able to create a completely seamless appearance using this method. To enjoy a sleeker, seamless waterfall island, you may need to use a 45-degree mitre joint. We recommend speaking to a professional kitchen fitter to find out the best method for you.

If you keep up to date with the required upkeep of your worktops, they will be incredibly hygienic, easy-to-clean and wear-resistant. The extra surfaces on the sides of your kitchen island will invariably need maintaining too, which is something to think about if you are considering this option.

Are you looking to create this sophisticated look in your kitchen? Tell us in the comments section below or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

 

Our Top Five Kitchen Organisation Ideas

Posted by admin on May 4, 2018 at 10:54 am. Filed under: General

Your kitchen is likely to be one of your home’s most-used rooms, so it needs to be laid out to maximise usability. We have compiled our best kitchen organisation ideas to make your cook space more coordinated and ensure you are not buying unnecessary food that you do not know you have or will go to waste.



1. Keep Items Near Where You Need Them

This tip is equally useful for both small and large kitchens. Keeping items near where they will be most used will save time and effort, so consider placing dishes and plates in a cupboard adjacent to the dishwasher, and pans and spices near the oven or hob. Whilst it may only be a few steps across the kitchen, repeated journeys to put items away will soon become an annoyance. In the picture, the cupboard on the right-hand-side of the oven is used to store pots and pans.

2. Smart Storage

Make the most of every tiny space in your kitchen. Our cabinet doors are easily strong enough to hold a rack of pan lids, spices or other useful items, which will help to keep your cooking area organised. Alternatively, you may decide to look to the walls for extra storage, especially in a small kitchen. Mount a magnetic strip to the wall to create a smart knife rack and save counter space, or hang hooks or racks to store utensils.

You may find it difficult to maximise the available space of a full-height cabinet. Our Blum Space Tower is the ultimate space-saving solution, with pull-out soft-close drawers to make finding and storing items as easy as possible.

3. Open Shelving

If you do not have enough room for new cabinets, or have an awkward corner to fill, open shelving is one of the best kitchen organisation ideas. Shelving creates more storage space for often-used items or decorative pieces that would otherwise clutter a surface. In the kitchen shown here, the existing architectural feature made corner cabinets impossible, but open shelving has allowed more space to be utilised. Read our open shelving blog to see if this option will work for you.

4. Removing Unused Items

Streamline your cabinets by getting rid of the items you have not used for a while. Forgotten items can easily and quickly clutter up your kitchen, so it is a good idea to go through your cabinets once or twice a year to see if there is anything you can live without. If you are unsure what to keep and what to give away, put your lesser used items in a box. Keep this box out of the kitchen and, if you need to go into it at any point in the next few months, the item you need may be worth saving.

5. Kitchen Trolley

An island is a fantastic way to increase preparation and storage space, but you may not have sufficient space. This kitchen trolley offers many of the benefits of an island, and is also portable. Wheel it out the way when it is not needed, and make the most of the extra space when your worktop real estate is not enough. Our trolleys are constructed from the same timber as our solid wood worktops, so are durable and beautifully built.

There are many different kitchen organisation ideas, and one of these will almost certainly work for you. Have you tried any of these solutions? Let us know below or on our Facebook and Twitter.