HAWK K&B


2019 Kitchen Trends

Tag: kitchen

2019 Kitchen Trends

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

DARK COLOURS

The all white kitchen is becoming a thing of the past with people wanting to put their own personal stamp on their kitchens. Not only are dark coloured kitchens increasing but also matte black fixtures and hardware are growing in popularity. This client opted for matte black handles to add a contrasting industrial edge to their traditional Shaker style kitchens.

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Image via Quooker

Following this trend, tap manufacturers are also having to re-think their offering. Quooker are the most recent brand to have also tapped into this trend and released a black version of its fusion tap earlier this month.

TWO TONE KITCHENS

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Image via Hawk K&B

Continuing from last year we are still designing lots of kitchens with two different cabinet colours. Not only two different colours but also different textures and finishes too such as wood effect cabinets next to gloss painted cabinets as seen here.

CLEVER & CLEAN STORAGE

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Images via Masterclass

As our kitchens become ever more the heart of the home, a place where we eat, cook, entertain and spend a lot of time, the storage needs also increase. It is for this reason that people are seeking kitchens with maximised clever storage solutions.

Masterclass have a variety of kitchen storage solutions for even the smallest of kitchens. From their signature corner pantry that makes the most of awkward corner spaces to pull out larders available in a range of widths and heights to suit many different spaces and lifestyles.

OPEN SHELVING

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Images via Hawk K&B

As well as more integrated storage, more open storage such as open shelving is also becoming more popular, giving the kitchen a more personalised, lived in feel in keeping with the rest of the home. It also opens up the kitchen, as lots of wall cabinets can often make a kitchen feel enclosed.

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Image via Masterclass

Similarly we are also seeing an increase in open freestanding units such as the Neptune Potboard or the Masterclass open ended island ‘Chef’s table’ both shown above.

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Image via Siemens

SMART STREAMLINED APPLIANCES

We will continue to see integrated appliances become more streamlined and seamless but also more smart too. Induction hobs continue to be popular and now come alongside downdraft extractors that are set into the worktop behind the hob, hidden from view, emerging only when needed.

Appliances from Siemens (and later this year, Neff), can also now be voice controlled through Amazon Alexa with their Home Connect function, allowing you to send recipes to your oven and coffee requests to your coffee machine with the appliances alerting you when the task is complete.

Mixing Materials In The Kitchen

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

When choosing a new kitchen, people usually have one cabinet colour and one type of worktop in mind; however you don’t have to have a uniform or matching look throughout your kitchen. We have been mixing cabinet colours in our kitchens for a while, often with islands in a different colour, allowing it to become the focal point of the space, and now we are beginning to mix materials too.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Using different worktops for different zones in the kitchen is not only practical but also adds interest to the space visually. Wood has always been a brilliantly warm and tactile material for kitchen worktops, however it’s just not practical with heat and moisture. Above we mixed worktop materials and used a Silestone quartz by the sink and cooker with wood for the breakfast bar. The juxtaposing result looks stunning and also adds texture to the space.

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Image via Franke

Stainless steel is also another material that has entered the kitchen worktop market recently, with Franke launching theirs later this year. This is supremely practical in a kitchen as for one thing, it’s stainless, so no tea, coffee or red wine marks and it’s great with hot or cold temperatures as well as being antibacterial. Being the worktop choice of chefs, people’s immediate thoughts on stainless steel worktops are that they are the preserve of clinical kitchens however just looking above, the Franke stainless steel worktop adds a brilliant contrasting texture against the natural wood.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Mixing materials on cabinets is another way to introduce contrast and texture to your kitchen as well as zoning the space. In contemporary kitchens, mix wood effect laminate doors with solid colour doors and in a traditional setting mix painted cabinets with natural wood such as this walnut island and mantle we did above.

Gone are the days when it was a standard fit throughout – now it’s about thinking what you are doing and when you are doing it so that we can then work out what you need in a particular zone and design a kitchen that works for you.

Neptune Suffolk Spring Update

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

This spring sees an update to Neptune’s Suffolk Kitchen. It has now been pared back even more so it’s minimal the whole way through – as Shaker designs should be.

Ticking boxes for both form and function, changes have been made on every level, right down to the finest details. Below are our three favourite elements of the updated Suffolk:

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Images via Neptune

Larder Concepts

Suffolk is the only Neptune collection with a double-door larder and due to their growing appeal, it now has some more larder-style cabinets. Perfect if you’re looking for something slightly smaller, the countertop bi-fold unit can pair with a drawer base to create a deconstructed larder. The full-height piece can then be used either as a mini pantry or a broom cupboard.

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Images via Neptune

Drawer Details

In Suffolk, any cabinet with a drawer will come empty but with a new collection of drawer accessories and inserts, you can organise your drawers perfectly. Oak storage boxes can be configured to feature spice inserts or a wet store for sponges, while tan leather and black rods will protect drawer bases from pan scuffs.

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Image via Neptune

Freestanding Island

The latest kitchen island from Neptune is freestanding and combines both storage and seating space. It can be configured to be as small or as large as your space can take, topped with your choice of work surface, and painted to match or contrast with your core cabinetry.

If you like the look of the new Neptune Suffolk kitchen, pop into one of our showrooms for a discussion.

BUYING A BESPOKE BRITISH MADE KITCHEN

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

Bespoke is a word used frequently in the world of luxury design. Bespoke design is fundamentally about creating a product that is precise to a client’s brief or specification. When you have a vision of what you would like your kitchen to look like, your vision is what you expect; a design that is truly individual.

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At Hawk K&B we not only deal with luxury kitchen brands but we also offer our own bespoke, British handmade kitchens, meaning we can design exactly to your specification. Choosing Hawk K&B to design a bespoke kitchen for your home allows you to have a kitchen that perfectly fits the space and works within the interior. It also enables us to create a truly unique kitchen that is absolutely seamless and stunning without compromising on the layout.

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Offering various styles to suit every taste, for homes both large and small; our kitchens are built to last a lifetime. Whether you choose one of our contemporary handle-less kitchens or a timeless wooden shaker style, what we think is important is that each element within a space is looked at individually and considered carefully to meet your needs. This is part of our approach and we spend time understanding our client’s lifestyles and delivering the details that makes their kitchen unique.

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All of our bespoke kitchens are handmade by skilled British carpenters from their workshops in the heart of the Peak District, something we are very proud of. The fact our kitchens are made in Britain signifies their quality and timelessness. Every frame, shelf and door is hand crafted right down to the traditional joints that connect everything together and stabilise the wood.

We value the work and craftsmanship that goes into our designs, from the workshops in the Peak District where craftsmen hand craft the individual pieces, to our fitters who still use traditional techniques to ensure everything fits like a glove.

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Our bespoke service also extends beyond kitchens, meaning we can create furniture for anywhere in your home. From sideboards for the hallway and built-in shelving for the living room, to wardrobes for the bedroom and beyond; we can create something to fill any space to the millimetre. The perfect made-to-measure piece.

When it comes to designing beautiful bespoke kitchens for homes around Hertfordshire, going above and beyond comes as standard for us and is one of the many reasons that customers choose to come to Hawk K&B.

Larder Love

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

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!

Integrating an AGA into Your Kitchen

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk
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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.