HAWK K&B


Creating Hygge in Your Bathroom

Creating Hygge in Your Bathroom

Hygge: A quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh), the defining characteristic of Danish culture, is the latest living trend to enter our homes. For bathrooms specifically, the market is already seeing designs leaning toward this trend, with home-spa bathrooms and a focus on nature and wellness growing in popularity.

With much of our everyday spent in our homes, Hygge is centered on the warmth of the home so is particularly prominent as the evenings draw in towards the winter months. Although loosely translated as cosiness, hygge encompasses much more than that. It is about slowing down and appreciating the everyday moments.

Tombolo-hygge-bathroom
Image via Victoria & Albert

One of the rare moments when we are alone is usually in the bathroom. Although a quick shower is usually favoured in today’s busy lifestyle, taking the time to run a warm bath and relax with a book or a glass of wine will give you a greater sense of wellbeing. Choosing a bath that is both deep and comfortable, such as the Victoria & Albert Vetrella, along with the Tombolo bath rack, will give you all the more reason to take that time for yourself.

However if bathing isn’t for you, ensure you go for a walk-in shower with a large rainshower head for the most natural  water flow, as if you were simply standing in a warm downpour. There are now many shower options available for you to create your own personal tailor-made spa experience. We recommend GROHE’s F-digital Deluxe, complete with lighting, sound and steam, to stimulate all your senses and transform your bathroom into a space of hygge for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

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Images via Hawk K&B

Texture is vital for achieving hygge. Opt for a beautifully soft bath mat and thick fluffy towels with a focus on comfort. Enveloping yourself in a super soft robe or towel after a hot bath or shower is what hygge is all about. Or for the ultimate in comfort, install underfloor heating.

hygge-bathroom-lighting
Image via Hawk K&B

One of the key principles of hygge is lighting. Low, warm lighting is best, creating a calming ambience so light plenty of flickering candles and keep harsh lighting to a minimum. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in your bathroom, light a fire for the perfect natural warm light.

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Images via Hawk K&B

You can also bring added hygge into your bathroom through natural colours and materials such as wood and marble. Above, the natural wood cladding and wooden vanity unit, paired with low level lighting create the perfect cosy cloakroom. However where using natural materials is awkward such as in a shower room, opt for wood-effect or stone-effect tiles which will produce the same look and feel but with much better practicality.

Similarly, hygge is about simplicity so using the same tile across walls and floors, as we have done above, will create a simple yet elegant bathroom interior. A frameless shower screen or door will also add to the seamless appearance of the space.

Overall, the bathroom is the perfect space to introduce hygge to your home. With natural lighting, materials, colours and warmth, it is easy to achieve that cosiness and contentment that hygge is about. Just take the time to relax and immerse yourself in it.

Dine With Us During St Albans Food & Drink Festival

The St Albans Food & Drink Festival returns later this month to showcase the fantastic range of food and drink available throughout St Albans and to celebrate everything foodie.

As a result of the ever growing trend for cooking and entertaining at home, no dining experience is without a first class kitchen to create fabulous food and of course the skills to do so. Therefore as part of St Albans Food & Drink Festival, Hawk K&B will be hosting a live cooking demonstration in our new St Albans Showroom.

St Albans Showroom

The new kitchen and bathroom showroom on London Road features both contemporary kitchens from German manufacturer Rotpunkt alongside our own brand of classic solid wood kitchens. All kitchen displays have been fitted with top of the range appliances from Siemens and Neff, making it the perfect space for a live cookery demonstration.

All food will be created by Siemens Home Economist, Dawn Elsom, who will be utilising the beautiful kitchen displays within the showroom to prepare and cook dishes throughout the day for guests to taste and try.

Using the very latest intelligent and innovative Siemens appliances, Dawn will be demonstrating how to use steam within your cooking, when using the Siemens Steam Oven, to elevate your dishes to the next level. She will also be using the various integrated ovens and induction hob to cook a variety of different recipes from canapes to cakes, showing how versatile and efficient the ovens really are and demonstrating how to get the most out of your kitchen and cooking appliances.

The drop in event is open to anyone to get some handy cooking tips or just simply watch a talented chef at work whilst tucking into all the treats on offer in the gorgeous kitchen setting of our new showroom.

Join us on Saturday 7th October, 11am – 3pm at Hawk K&B, 70 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1NG.

More info can be found on the Facebook event page

Neptune Autumn Winter 2017

Last week we attended the launch of Neptune’s AW17 collection and although outside was bright and sunny, once inside we were transported into a cosy, warming environment filled with deep colours and rich metallics reminiscent of winter woodland tones.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Teal was the colour of the moment, bringing drama to a space but also a sense of calm. Paired with warming tones in, aptly named, ‘fox’ and ‘chestnut’ immediately evoking images of crackling open fires. The overall feel is very British heritage and could be seen and felt through all of Neptune’s Autumn Winter additions.

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In kitchens it was in the details with black, bronze and leather handles transforming not only the cabinets themselves but the entire room. The new Barlow range of hardware features a simple handle in a black bronze finish, something we have seen creeping into hardware across both kitchens and bathrooms this year. The matt texture means that it will age gracefully and creates a beautiful contrast with oak and painted finished.

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Image via Neptune

The Dylan handle however is a favourite of mine. The addition of this leather toggle handle on dark kitchen cabinetry creates a striking appearance that allows the tan hues to shine, not to mention the texture it brings to the room, a texture and colour that will change and age gently over time.

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Image via Hawk K&B

For bathrooms, Neptune has introduced a brand new range of vanity units, completely different to their existing range but complimentary and just as beautiful. The Edinburgh unit comes in a natural oak with louvered doors and a marble top offering a characterful mix of textures and finishes to your bathroom space. Coming in three sizes, including an open shelf version, the Edinburgh will be a unique addition to any bathroom, small or large.

To compliment the new and existing bathroom collections, Neptune have also introduced the Bamburgh range of accessories. From simple towel rings to taps each has form and function in equal measure.

We are looking forward to introducing these elements into our upcoming kitchen and bathroom designs for next season.

Larder Love

In recent years, larders have become more popular and are seen as an integral part of a kitchen design. With the kitchen now the heart of the home more than ever before and people focussing on home cooking and entertaining, it needs to be a space that inspires and works around you and your cooking habits.

Larders were originally a way of extending the shelf life of food by placing it on a cooler north facing wall and ventilating it top and bottom. However, when refrigerators became more available in the 60’s wall units became the place to put your cans and dried goods. But things have now changed and as people spend more time cooking, the larder has become the ultimate storage solution that keeps all ingredients on hand and at the right temperature.

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Image via Hawk K&B

A well designed larder allows for everything to have a place and be accessible at all times. Nowadays it’s not unusual to have large quantities of different herbs, spices, oils etc. that often get lost at the back of cupboards. However with racks on the back of doors, adjustable deep shelves, internal accessories for storage, generous tall doors allowing plenty of access and a clear view of what you have, a larder is the perfect solution.

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Image via Hawk K&B

It is also no longer something reserved for traditional kitchens. Today contemporary kitchens are perfectly designed to cater for a larder, hidden behind sleek full height units.

Putting thought into your food storage system is important when planning your kitchen design. Having your larder next to your fridge is often a good choice, meaning that all of your food storage is in one area of the kitchen which works not only for practicality, increasing the effectiveness of the kitchen work triangle, but will also create a seamless appearance. With everything all on one wall, the remaining kitchen space is freed up from wall units, allowing a more streamlined, less cluttered and overall more contemporary look and feel.

Ultimately a kitchen should be designed around you and the way you cook but there is no denying that a well-stocked larder is an inspiration to cook!

Outdoor Kitchens

Now that summer is starting to creep up on us, the scent of barbecues has been filling the warm evening air as people begin to move their cooking and dining outdoors.

As a result of the ever growing trend for entertaining at home and wining and dining our guests, we are also seeing a trend towards bringing interior elements outside, essentially extending the living, and ultimately the entertaining space, into the garden. This new found penchant for outdoor living spaces also extends to the kitchen with outdoor kitchens and bars becoming ever popular. Once the preserve of the super-rich, outdoor kitchens are now considered a little added luxury extension to the living spaces of homeowners.

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Image via Archi Expo

As outdoor entertaining has increased, so has the range and extent of outdoor cooking equipment as people begin to experiment with outdoor cooking, going beyond sausages and burgers and buying smokers and outdoor ovens for slow cooking. Last year saw sales of the designer Big Green Egg ceramic charcoal cooker rocket.

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Image via Consetino

Also with advances in surface technology, worktops are no longer an issue, with Dekton demonstrating high resistance to UV rays, low water absorption and great colour stability in outdoor kitchens. It was even chosen as the worktop for the outdoor kitchen at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

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Image via Rightmove

The range of outdoor kitchen equipment is vastly increasing, from a simple built in gas barbecue to fully working kitchens with with integrated grills, ovens, sinks and fridges. At the very top end of the market, outdoor entertaining areas are now becoming standard with the recently completed Beau House Brummel Penthouse in St James offering an outdoor kitchen, bar with wine chiller, fridge and barbecue alongside a dining area, living area with outdoor fire and TV all complete with underfloor heating.

However, further down the scale, the new modestly priced Olympic Park Chobham Manor maisonettes also come with outdoor sinks, work surfaces and electric sockets. Even John Lewis have said last month that they are ‘selling 47 per cent more garden furniture than this time last year and 79 per cent more barbecues’, proving that the trend for alfresco eating and entertaining is increasing across all areas of the market.

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Image via Berkeley

Seen as a way of extending the living space, outdoor spaces are also getting zoned into dedicated living, dining and cooking areas. Above you can see each area has been sectioned off, including a cover over the dining and cooking areas, as if they were rooms in themselves.

small-outdoor-kitchen
Image via Inspired Garden Design

Even in the smallest homes and gardens, extending out like this is a great way of increasing the usable footprint of your living space and can make the best use of the space through outdoor kitchen cupboard storage.

As this trend continues we can see more outdoor kitchens, with appliances and finishes that match their indoor counterparts and we’re eagerly awaiting our first outdoor kitchen design!

Choosing a Kitchen Worktop

Kitchen worktops are one of the key elements that will bring your new kitchen together. Choosing the correct colour, material and finish can be a hard decision to make and whatever you choose needs to fit into your lifestyle and the way you use your kitchen.

Durability and low maintenance are often high up on the list of must haves for a kitchen worktop but style also needs to be considered. Here at Hawk K&B there are various worktop styles that we use to provide a solution to meet these expectations.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Our most popular choice of worktop is Silestone. Made of 94% natural quartz, it is extremely hard and resilient, making it excellent for kitchen worktops. The non-porous surface means it’s highly resistant to kitchen spills and stains and won’t allow any bacteria to grow.

The addition of small amounts of glass allows Silestone to come in more than 90 different colours and with three different textured finishes; it gives a refined and polished look to any new kitchen.

kitchen-worktops
Image via Hawk K&B

You can also cover not only worktops but also floors, walls or the front or downstand of your worktop with absolutely no joins, creating a beautifully seamless appearance. The addition of built in integrity sinks this year has added even more appeal to those wanting complete continuity in their kitchen.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Another material that is widely appreciated in kitchen worktops is granite. This natural rock is cut in its natural state and then polished for use in the home, making every piece unique. Being such a strong material also means it is able to resist temperature changes and is difficult to scratch, however it isn’t completely maintenance free and requires careful cleaning to keep it in pristine condition.

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Image sourced via Hawk K&B

One of the latest worktop surfaces is Dekton. A sophisticated blend of the raw materials used in glass, porcelain and quartz surface production makes it a unique material that has endless potential for kitchen surfaces, not just worktops but outdoor surfaces too. Due to its construction, Dekton comes with all the properties we all want and need in a kitchen worktop. Among many other benefits, it’s highly scratch resistant, withstands high temperatures without burning, scorching or cracking (meaning hot pots can be placed directly onto it) and it’s completely stain proof.

Again coming in many colours and finishes, if offers lots of potential for mixing textures as we have done in the kitchen above to create a dynamic and striking space.

Green for 2017 – Pantone Colour of the Year

The announcement in December of ‘Greenery’ as the Pantone colour of the year for 2017 is a strong departure from the soft and calming hues of ‘Rose Quartz’ and ‘Serenity’ seen in 2016.

However ‘Greenery’ brings an alternative relaxation, the type induced by the calmness of nature, light green grass and sunlit leaves, adding an optimistic touch to the natural relaxing quality of green.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Such a fresh and vibrant colour is perfect for kitchens as there are so many different surfaces to inject colour onto. Walls, splashbacks, cabinetry and doors are great places to go green. Here the client chose a green glass splashback to make a bold statement in this kitchen.

Combined with neutral colours, the green becomes an accent colour, adding subtle drama without dominating the space. When used as the main hue throughout the scheme, it is best not to introduce too many other colours to ensure the most elegant and timeless execution.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Greenery is perfect for prints too and we have seen jungle prints in a mix of green florals and foliage flooding interiors over the past few seasons. In this project above, the greenery from the feature wall is accented on the walls throughout this kitchen and as described as ‘natures neutral’ by Pantone, it’s a shade that can be paired with neutrals, brights, deeper shades, pastels and metallics – all of which can be seen above to create a beautiful vibrant space.

When executed properly green can enhance the core whites and earth tones in your design. A touch of Greenery in wall colour beautifully accents the core neutrals.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Don’t forget to include natural green elements too. Incorporate fresh floral sprays, vegetables, leafy arrangements and ferns in your kitchen and bath designs. Even subtle injections of green through crockery, table linen or towels will instantly invigorate the space.

Image via Hawk K&B
Image via Hawk K&B

Pantone also notes that “Greenery is nature’s neutral.” It’s a lively hue that can’t help but channel exploration, innovation, health and more, making it a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room for the New Year.

Standout Entertaining Spaces

For many, the most important part of the festive period is the entertaining. From a lavish family Christmas dinner to canapes and cocktails with friends, the kitchen becomes the focus. Creating the correct atmosphere in your home will make your guests feel immediately welcome and with the right space to do so, you can put on a party that everyone will enjoy, including you, the host.

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Image via Hawk K&B

An open-plan living and dining area works wonderfully for entertaining and for each of our open-plan kitchen projects we always create a space plan that will achieve the perfect balance of socialising and cooking. In the kitchen above, we designed the cooking area to face outwards towards the living area so that the client could socialise whilst cooking.

christmas-kitchen-entertaining
Image via Hawk K&B

Plenty of seating is also key, with a variety of seating options available. A spectacularly laid dining table is essential for a family Christmas dinner and in this open-plan setting, the guests and hosts can intermingle, creating the perfect social atmosphere.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Coupling your dining area alongside a cosy seating area means guests will also have somewhere to relax and recline after dinner.

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Image via Hawk K&B

An informal seating area, on an island or breakfast bar is great for evening entertaining. An island can act as a great focus in a room, particularly when laden with beautiful food and drink. People will congregate around it and any high stools will allow guests to take a seat without feeling left out. An integrated wine fridge or wine rack will also add a great touch.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Finally, lighting will create the ultimate party atmosphere. Multiple light sources are key to achieving a layered lighting effect that can be adapted to suit any mood. Above, the combination of under-cabinet lighting, an illuminated extractor and orange bar stools creates an atmosphere worthy of any top London bar.

Craftsmanship in Kitchens

neptune-craftsmanship
Image via Hawk K&B

Here at Hawk K&B, we value the work and craftsmanship that goes into our designs, from the workshops at Neptune where craftsmen hand craft the individual pieces, to our own carpenters who still use traditional techniques to ensure everything fits like a glove. It is also one of the many reasons that customers choose to come to us.

In a world which has become accustomed to throw away items, investing in quality design is now highly important with many clients wanting their kitchen to become a solid piece of the house itself, designed to last with it.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Solid wood cabinetry can guarantee you this. It is a trusted material, used in homes for centuries and above all it’s natural, versatile, insulating and tactile. It is for this reason that Neptune makes all their kitchens in solid timber, never using MDF or chipboard.

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Images via Hawk K&B & Neptune

Every frame, shelf and door is hand crafted right down to the traditional joints that connect everything together and stabilise the wood. The Neptune Henley kitchen is the perfect celebration of material and craftsmanship and showcases the intricate joinery and natural oak beautifully due to its unpainted appearance. Above you can see the curved pressed layers in the solid oak cornice and the dovetail joins on the drawers.

Showcasing their expert skills with wood in this way adds to the beauty of Neptune designs, allowing everyone to see the detail that goes into creating such beautiful pieces – something that is valued in today’s mass-produced, commercial world.

Integrating an AGA into Your Kitchen

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Image via Hawk K&B

Those who choose to integrate an AGA into their kitchen design are usually the people who have grown up with them, therefore know and appreciate their beauty and usage. However, if you are thinking of integrating an AGA into your kitchen design and are new to its benefits, take a look below at how this design icon can become the heart of your home and a beautiful addition to your kitchen.

Although 90 years old, the AGA can blend harmoniously into both classic and contemporary settings. With a variety of 12 different colours to suit any scheme, a classic AGA can be all the design statement you need in a kitchen. Surprisingly it doesn’t have to be the classic cream or black that fit with a traditional kitchen, here our client decided on purple which suits this country kitchen design perfectly.

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Image via Hawk K&B

And if your home boasts original beams or brickwork, leave them exposed to create maximum texture and country credibility.

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Image via Hawk K&B

In this more contemporary setting, the electric AGA in Pearl Ash contrasts yet complements the contemporary aesthetic. Alternatively choose a contemporary style AGA with a ceramic or gas top for an even sleeker look.

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Image via AGA

Again another benefit that means an AGA can fit into any setting is its number of fuel options; oil, natural and propane gas, or electricity. This greater flexibility is designed for modern day 21st century living, with the AGA Total Control allowing it to be turned on and off at the touch of button.

For many one of the key attributes that makes an AGA so appealing within a home is its constant radiating warmth. The family huddle around it and the kitchen is always guaranteed to be warm. However even with Total Control, you can still enjoy that indefinable ambient AGA warmth while managing the amount energy used through programming it to fit the rhythms of your daily life.

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Image via Hawk K&B

For smaller kitchens, AGA cookers also come in streamlined styles such as the City60 or a standard 3 oven style so you can integrate it into those slimmer settings.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Be it stand alone or sitting between kitchen cabinets, an AGA will always be the centrepiece to a kitchen, not only for its iconic aesthetics but also for its perfect marriage of design and superior performance and of course its unrivalled cooking abilities.

Pop into one of our showrooms to discuss integrating an AGA into your kitchen design.