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SOLID WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS BLOG

Inspirational Kitchens

Posted by admin on April 25, 2019 at 3:05 pm. Filed under: Products

Nowadays there are so many kitchen styles to choose from it can make achieving your perfect design tricky. These inspirational kitchens are here to spark your imagination, so continue reading to find ideas to implement yourself.

The combination of full-height cabinetry with curved worktops and cabinets make this beautiful kitchen both stylish and functional. Featuring Farrow & Ball’s Lime White, this kitchen is light and airy.

Cream coloured cabinets paired with mid to dark toned worktops and handles work in harmony to create a well-balanced traditional style kitchen.

The peninsula is a prominent feature in this kitchen and the cabinets, which have been left unpainted to expose the natural wood, are allowed to take centre stage.

This one wall kitchen has been designed in a traditional style. It features full stave oak worktops, cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White and a ceramic Belfast sink.

With the sink and hob installed in this island, the focus of this kitchen is central. The minimalist colour scheme and contemporary style make this design highly modern.

Blue is the colour of choice in this kitchen. The exposed brickwork and solid wood flooring help to create a traditional feel in this welcoming cooking space.

The combination of dark and light colours creates a striking contrast resulting in a contemporary feel that is accentuated by the use of stainless-steel appliances.

The seating area on this island allows for a social space. Perfect for preparing meals, entertaining or dining – this kitchen has it all.

Another kitchen with blue cabinet frontals, this time organised into a U-shape. The undermount stainless steel sink and Shaker doors are just two features that give this kitchen a contemporary feel.

The full wall pale green splashback not only looks great in this kitchen but also serves to protect the wall from splashes and stains – as well as giving this kitchen a modern touch.

G-shaped kitchens, like this one, optimise worktop and storage space. Here, the peninsula has been turned into a seating area to add space for dining.

This is a fine example of a farmhouse kitchen. Everything from the choice of wood to the stools is traditional, giving this kitchen an authentic and welcoming feel.

This kitchen has both dark worktops and flooring. However, the use of pale blue walls lightens the room. Solid wood floating shelves give extra storage space and add to the contemporary appeal.

Dark worktops combined with light cabinets and walls to deliver a well-balanced colour palette in this L-shaped kitchen.

Which of these kitchens most inspire you? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for regular updates and ideas or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on kitchens, trends, offers, and more.

 

Kitchen Trends for Summer 2019

Posted by admin on April 23, 2019 at 2:59 pm. Filed under: General

In the world of kitchen design, styles change from season to season. With that in mind, we take a look at four of the most anticipated kitchen trends for summer 2019.


Warm Metallic Accents

Metallics have been popular for a while and adding them to your kitchen this summer is a great way to update your home. Brass or copper fixtures can be added to kitchens easily – for example, door handles can be replaced to give your cabinets a fresh feel. Warm metallics in a kitchen with a neutral colour palette will stand out and catch the eye. The warm coloured metals complement the hot summers that are just around the corner.

Pull-Out Storage

Every kitchen, large or small, can benefit from smart storage. Utilising pull out storage, such as wicker storage baskets, instead of shelves helps to achieve a timeless appeal. They give you plenty of space and can be tucked away when you are not using them. The ones that we supply are available in widths to suit either 500mm or 600mm wide cabinets. These are perfect because they remind us of wicker patio furniture and long summer days.

Statement Splashbacks

Splashbacks are becoming increasingly popular now that there are many more exciting patterns being introduced to the market. Splashbacks that make a big impact in terms of colour, pattern and textural contrast will be on trend this summer. In particular, those with a shiny surface or that have the effect of stone, such as stainless steel and marble effect will be big. Splashbacks are the perfect backdrop for introducing colour and can set the overall tone for your kitchens trends.

Stone Islands

Often referred to as the heart of a kitchen, islands have to exemplify form and functionality. Natural stone surfaces definitely have plenty of style, but they can be prohibitively expensive. Laminate worktops are a great way to recreate the look of solid stone for less. We offer stone, quartz, granite and marble effect varieties to suit any kitchen.

Which of these kitchen trends for summer 2019 are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for even more great inspiration or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and information about new products, special offers and competitions.

 

Easy Clean Kitchen Ideas

Posted by admin on April 18, 2019 at 10:34 am. Filed under: General

Are you looking for a way to spend less time cleaning your kitchen? In this blog post, we discuss easy clean kitchen ideas so you can spend more time cooking and entertaining instead.


Easy Clean Worktops

There are several options to consider for an easy to clean countertop and laminate and solid wood are both good choices. Stone worktops can sometimes have indentations which can gather debris, becoming unhygienic. Laminate work surfaces, on the other hand are an extremely low-maintenance option and are not only easy to clean but also highly durable. As long as you maintain the surface with oil, solid wood worktops are quick and easy to clean too.


Easy Clean Splashbacks

Tiles are a good choice for protecting your walls however they require a lot of work as the grout can become dirty. Splashbacks are an ideal solution to this problem. They are functional and also easy to clean because they do not require grout for installation. If you have set your heart on tiles, consider the larger sized ones as they give you less grout surface to clean.


Easy Clean Flooring

It is inevitable that kitchen flooring will become dirty and with that in mind, you will need something that is easy to clean food and spills from. Carpet should be avoided but other materials such as laminate and vinyl are ideal. Our guide to kitchen flooring materials explores some popular materials and focus on their advantages and disadvantages.


Appliance Storage

Keeping appliances such as blenders, toasters and coffee machines out on the worksurfaces definitely makes it quicker to use them, however, they also gather dust, grime and oil quicker. Our top five kitchen organisation ideas has some amazing organisation inspiration for you to consider. The trick is to store them somewhere you can quickly get to them when you need them. One of the advantages of this is because your worktops are free of clutter you can clean them quickly and your kitchen will tidier when not in use.

Do you have any easy clean kitchen tips? Share them in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for even more great inspiration or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and information about new products, special offers and competitions.

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Industrial Kitchen Mood Board

Posted by admin on April 9, 2019 at 11:56 am. Filed under: General

Although solid wood kitchen cabinets look good in a traditional style kitchen, they can work well in contemporary settings too. This industrial kitchen mood board offers inspiration so that you can achieve a similar look in your own home. Let us know what you think.


Colour

Many industrial kitchens feature a dark colour scheme. These Shaker cabinet doors have been painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue but could work equally well with Studio Green or even Pitch Black. To contrast with the dark cabinet colours a lighter coloured worktop has been included – in this case, a concrete effect laminate worktop. You could also lighten up the space by introducing reflective metals such as stainless steel. The sophisticated colour scheme makes a statement and complements the industrial theme.

Visible wood does not feature much in this mood board and in fact the only place that we have introduced it is in the floating oak shelves. Again, the light colour lifts the darker shades of the cabinets.


Features

Exposed brickwork is a popular feature in industrial interior design but sometimes it is not practical or even possible to do. One alternative is to hang brick pattern wallpaper. There are many realistic options out there, such as the one by I Want Wallpaper.

The use of metal also helps to achieve an industrial feel. In this mood board we have included American copper pull handles which not only have a dark colouration but also complement the pendant lighting. The Rangemaster Glendale stainless-steel sink which, unlike the handles and the light, has a shine. This helps to reflect light back into the room, balancing the dark shades of the surrounding décor.

The concrete effect laminate worktop is a nod to the brutalist roots of industrial interior design. Concrete is an expensive material to use and is difficult to install, so a worktop that closely resembles the authentic material is a fantastic alternative.

Finally, solid oak floating shelves lend themselves perfectly to this design style and will contrast beautifully with the exposed brickwork wallpaper and the overall design of the kitchen.

Which parts of this industrial kitchen mood board would you feature in your kitchen? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for even more great inspiration or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and information about new products, special offers and competitions.

 

5 Inspirational Kitchen Wine Racks

Posted by admin on April 2, 2019 at 10:40 am. Filed under: General

Whether you enjoy the occasional glass of wine or are a connoisseur, finding a special place in your kitchen to store your bottles is a good idea. These uniquely beautiful kitchen wine racks are perfect for a wide range of kitchen styles, personal tastes and budgets, so crack open the 1947 Château Cheval Blanc, sit back and enjoy this inspiration.


Solid Oak Wine Rack Base Cabinet

Our solid oak wine rack base cabinet is made from 18mm thick solid oak panels and measures 720mm x 300mm x 570mm. It holds 20 bottles of wine in total and can be seamlessly integrated into your kitchen’s design. The classic style makes it ideal for both contemporary and traditional kitchen settings. A 150mm wine rack is also available.


WM12 wine rack by Buoyant Wine Storage

This stylish cable wine storage system is incredibly minimalist and so is suitable for a contemporary kitchen. The chrome plated brass, stainless steel and black walnut which it has been constructed from, give it a sophisticated feel. This allows it to perfectly complement black American walnut, wenge or black oak worktops. With a 12 bottle capacity, this wine rack is also available in a 96 bottle version.


Live Edge Walnut Wine Rack by Raws Custom Shop

This live edge wine rack by Raws Custom Shop has also been made from solid walnut but has a much more rustic style. It has been hand made from Ohio walnut slab and black metal wire for holding wine bottles and glasses. You can easily see how this feature would work particularly well in a farmhouse kitchen.


Industrial Pipe Wine Rack by Case Concepts 2000

Case Concepts 2000 reclaim materials from barns, mills and farmhouses to create quirky items such as this industrial pipe wine rack. Suitable for a kitchen with an industrial feel, this industrial pipe wine rack holds three bottles in cleverly constructed from iron piping.


Wine-Stem Rack by Crate and Barrel

This wine-stem rack by Crate and Barrel is wall mounted for a space-saving solution. Made from acacia wood, the straightforward, farmhouse design would look perfect paired with iroko worktops. It can comfortably hold six bottles of wine as well as six stem glasses which hang underneath.

Which of these kitchen wine racks would you display your wine in? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for regular updates and ideas or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on kitchens, trends, offers, and more.

 

Mother’s Day Gifts for Chefs

Posted by admin on March 28, 2019 at 10:42 am. Filed under: General

As it is Mothering Sunday we thought we would dedicate this blog post to the culinary enthusiastic mothers. We have scoured the internet for the best Mother’s Day gifts for chefs. Suitable for every budget, these gift ideas are sure to please.


ProCook Damascus X100 Knife Set

Every serious chef needs a set of high-quality knives, but these are no ordinary chopping implements. Crafted from Japanese Damascus stainless steel, ProCook Damascus knives are as beautiful as they are durable. This eight-piece knife set costs £579 and contains paring, utility, santoku, bread, carving and two chef’s knives. The handles are made from fibreglass soaked in epoxy resin and the blades themselves are constructed from 67 layers of Japanese steel – widely regarded as the best steel in the world.

Solid Wood Chopping Boards

To go with these ultra-sharp knives, why not buy your mum a chopping board. We supply a range of different timbers but for luxury, you cannot beat a wenge chopping board. Available for £40, no other timber is as dark or hard-wearing. What is more is the exotic colour and beautiful grain make it an ideal accessory for high-end kitchens and serious chefs.

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

KitchenAid stand mixers, like the ones featured on the Great British Bake Off, are ideal gifts for any occasion, not just Mother’s Day. They are also available in a spectrum of colours to match any style of kitchen or personality. Small 3.3L versions are available but if your mum does batch baking, a 6.9L heavy duty stand mixer is a must.

Solid Oak Spice Rack

From exotic curries to traditional puddings, a spice rack comes in handy from any type of meal. The solid oak spice rack that we offer will fit perfectly into any kitchen and will keep your worktops clear of pots of herbs and spices. Measuring 400mm x 400mm x 70mm, there is plenty of space for your favourite flavours.

Freestanding Wine Conditioning Unit

If your mum is a connoisseur of wine and if money is no object, consider this freestanding wine conditioning unit with flexi-frame and sommelier set. Store your wine in separate temperature zones and present your favourites with perfect LED lighting. The UV filters and tinted glass front make sure the wine is optimally protected whilst the sommelier set lets you enjoy it to its full potential – possibly hosting your very own wine night.

Which of these Mother’s Day gifts for chefs would you buy for your mum? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for regular updates and ideas or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on kitchens, trends, offers, and more.

 

The Psychology of Red Kitchens

Posted by admin on March 26, 2019 at 1:38 pm. Filed under: Products

Choosing the correct colour scheme can affect the overall design of a kitchen as well as how you feel in it – but why and how? In the first of a series of posts, we explore the psychology of red kitchens.

As a highly energetic colour, red is closely associated with passion. Its warmth is emotive and is often used to express both love and peril. Due to its association with danger as well as food sources (a link to our hunter gather days), red has a dramatic effect on the human psyche, causing changes in metabolism, respiration rate, appetite and blood pressure.

Obviously, there are many shades of red, from rich maroon to vibrant scarlet and some, such as crimson or cinnabar, have subtle additions of blue or yellow. These different hues accentuate specific emotive responses and alter the feeling of a kitchen when used.

Eating Room Red by Farrow & Ball is a prime example of how red can be transformed when different colours are added to produce an alternative shade. It is a rich burgundy and has an air of restrained sophistication due to the deep pigmentation which reduces its energy – a fact that is apparent when you compare it to true red.


How to Use Red Effectively in a Kitchen

Using red in a kitchen is a great way to create a bold look – perfect if you want to make a statement. For those wanting a subtler design, including red in moderation can be done easily with accessories or small appliances. In this kitchen, attention is drawn to the red island which is balanced against a more neutral background.

Pair red cabinet doors and a pale solid maple worktop for a striking look. Using different coloured base and wall cabinets is a great way to ensure that the red does not overpower the room, particularly in smaller spaces.

Key Considerations


  • •Instil feelings of passion, love, warmth and excitement
  • •Easy to use in moderation for a subtler look
  • •Pair with neutral colours
  • •Consider using red accents

Would you consider having a red kitchen? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for regular updates and ideas or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on kitchens, trends, offers, and more.

 

Our 5 Most Popular Farrow & Ball Colours

Posted by admin on March 22, 2019 at 9:20 am. Filed under: General

Are you planning on painting your kitchen or deciding on which colour would look best on your cabinet doors? There are so many popular Farrow & Ball colours to choose from that the decision can be overwhelming. To help you out we have compiled a list of our five most in-demand Farrow & Ball neutrals.


All White – The Purest Choice

As the name suggests, All White is pure white and has no other hues resulting in a mellow contemporary neutral. The lack of cool or warm pigments makes All White well balanced allowing it to be combined with any colour and can be used in both contemporary and traditional kitchens.

New White – The Freshest Choice

Particularly effective in a country kitchen design, New White contains additional warmer pigments and so has a creamier hue when compared to All White. This freshness helps to warm up any kitchen and softly illuminates the room. New White is also versatile and its appearance changes depending on the colours it is paired with – looking creamier when combined with purer colours and fresher when used with more vibrant colours.

White Tie – The Warmest

White Tie is a yellow based neutral that offers warmth. It also has a slight black pigment which subdues its freshness and adds a richness to the shade. With that in mind, it works particularly well darker neutrals like Farrow & Balls Matchstick or String, both of which have earthy hues.

Elephant’s Breath – The Darkest Choice

The darkest of our most popular Farrow & Ball colours, the distinctively named Elephants Breath is ideal for adding warmth to a modern kitchen. A mid-grey enriched with magenta, this neutral takes on a subtle lilac hue under certain light conditions and when combined with sultry browns, such as London Clay, an intense contemporary design can be achieved.

Hardwick White – The Versatile Choice

You would be forgiven if you thought that Hardwick White does not look very white, in fact, Farrow & Ball themselves describe it as a traditional grey. To bring out the white, combine it with deep shades such as Off Black or Tanner’s Brown. Whatever you decide, Hardwick White is incredibly versatile and can be used effectively in contemporary and traditional settings alike.

As one of the country’s favourite paint producers, Farrow & Ball are experts in creating high quality and evocative colours. For this reason, we have chosen them as our exclusive paint partner. If you are in the process of choosing a colour for your cabinet doors but are looking for something different from these choices, we offer a fully bespoke service that allows you to select any colour from the Farrow & Ball range. Contact us for more details or visit your local showroom for even more great inspiration.


Which of these popular Farrow & Ball colours would you choose to implement in your kitchen? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for regular updates and ideas or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on kitchens, trends, offers, and more.

 

Planning a New Kitchen with Martin Boyd

Posted by admin on March 19, 2019 at 2:05 pm. Filed under: General

Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms is a monthly magazine full of inspiration and expert guidance for the three most integral rooms of your home. In February’s issue, they had an article about planning a new kitchen, which featured our very own Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets showroom manager, Martin Boyd. Based in Glasgow, Martin has 18 years of industry experience which made him an ideal candidate for this article. Continue reading this blog post to discover more about his project.


Planning a New Kitchen Design

For the article, Martin was tasked with planning a new kitchen design for clients Andrew and Mandy. Using his years of expertise, Martin set out to create a plan that was not only in keeping with the heritage of their house, but that also dealt with the difficult layout of the space. To achieve this, Martin aimed to maximise practicality by focusing on flow, worktop space and storage. By utilising a built-in oven and microwave integrated into full height cabinetry as well as a small peninsula, Martin was able to optimise worktop and storage space. To conserve floor space, he included curved and slimline base cabinets.

Open oak shelving and oak worktops add plenty of welcoming character to this kitchen design and is accentuated by a ceramic Belfast sink. To ensure the room does not feel too heavy, Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle has been used on the cabinet doors. This neutral colour will help to keep the space bright and airy. The final cost of this kitchen is £10,631, which includes furniture, appliances, worktops and installation.

Visit Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms website to subscribe to the magazine or buy issue 305 on back order to read Martin’s article and to discover what clients Andrew and Mandy thought of his design. You can visit our Glasgow Kitchen Showroom between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Saturday at Rosemount Business Park, Charles Street. Call 01415 527 431 to book your appointment today.

Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for even more great inspiration or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and information about new products, special offers and competitions.

 

Japandi – Exploring the Hybrid Japanese Scandinavian Design

Posted by admin on March 14, 2019 at 12:51 pm. Filed under: General
Japandi incorporates elements of Japanese and Scandinavian interior design.

Credit : eclectic trends

With modern-rusticity and traditional sophistication, an exciting and refreshing interior design movement is growing in popularity throughout the country. Japandi, also known as Japanordic, is a fusion of décors consisting of Japanese and Scandinavian designs. In this blog post, we explore how you can utilise it in your kitchen.


Japandi Design Explained

Central to the movement is the idea of simplicity, an element which is present in both Japanese and Scandinavian styles. ‘Wabi-sabi’ is a Japanese term which translates as ‘finding beauty in the imperfect’. This has then been united with the Scandinavian style trend, hygge, which aims to create a warm and comforting ambience.

Many of the colours in the Japanese palette, such as reds, blues and greens, are rich and so the pale neutral Scandinavian colours are used to create balance. Likewise, the rustic style of Nordic design is refined by Japanese elegance.

These two contrasting styles share a common principle and when unified, create a distinct design with minimalism at its heart.

Using Japanordic Design in Your Kitchen

There are four ways to introduce this hybrid design into your kitchen these are

  • Nature
  • Wood
  • Japanese and Scandinavian furniture
  • Functional accessories

Nature

One of the easiest ways to add nature to your kitchen is by introducing plants. In this example, we can see how these wall planters, which house a collection of air plants, have aspects of Scandinavian design.

Adding plants to a kitchen is one way of achieving a Japanordic style.

Credit : easy home décor

Wood

A quintessential design feature of Japandi is the combination of dark wood with pale tones. This contrast can be seen here in this example with the sleek full stave American walnut worktop atop base cabinets with frontals painted in Farrow & Ball’s All White.

Japanese and Scandinavian Furniture

To achieve this look, furniture needs to have clean lines and with that in mind Shaker doors and worktops with a square edge profile are ideal. Open space around furniture is typically Scandinavian and reinforces minimalism of Japanese design too. This example of a dining table exhibits both Nordic and Asian styles and colour palettes with pale wood combining perfectly with dark materials in a simplistically elegant design.

This Japanordic style dining table and chairs demonstrates Japanese and Scandinavian design principles.

Credit : domain

Functional Accessories

Japandi demands carefully contemplation of every item. When choosing accessories, ask yourself if it is functional. If so, is it beautiful? If either of those answers is no, consider removing or omitting it from your kitchen. This black Stelton Theo stoneware teapot is a fine example of Japanese influenced Scandinavian design.

This black Stelton Theo stoneware teapot perfectly demonstrates Japandi design.

Credit : sportique

Would you consider including Japandi influences in your kitchen? Let us know in the comments below. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for inspiration or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on kitchens, trends, offers and more.

 

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