Belinda Dangerfield
Qudaus Living Ltd
We have worked with this developer before on previous developments so they know we can deliver design led kitchens on budget, but they were looking for something different for their own home. The family consist of 5 – 2 adults and 3 children. Being developers, my clients were working to a budget, but they also wanted something modern and distinctive for their family home. It had to be different from the other kitchens in the development, to be a practical space for the family as well as a social and relaxing room for living.
Requirements:
- Siemens appliances (other plots were a different brand)
- Boiling Hot Tap with a prep sink
- Hidden butler pantry for small domestic appliances
- Seating on island
- Quartz worktop with waterfall return ends
- Spice Kitchen
- Space for airer
- Laundry section
- Units to cover manifold
The house is a new build and because it is part of a development, the plans had been approved, and there was no flexibility to change any of the sizes of the rooms or the exterior parameters, such as location and size of external doors and windows.
We began by creating two rooms, a family kitchen as well as a smaller spice kitchen and laundry room. The family cook a lot, it is often batch cooking and spicy, so being able to do this in a different room keeps smells and mess away from the main kitchen.
The spice kitchen is spacious, so it also contains a laundry on the opposite wall. We placed the washing machine and the dryer side by side, at eye level, making it much easier for all the family to use. As well as covering the underfloor heating manifold with reduced depth units meant there was ample space for a clothes airer.
The main kitchen is a modular modern kitchen designed with warm colours, textures and interest to create a unique look. We created three separate modules; the working wall with the sink, a run of tall units and the island. The working wall with the sink is a practical space for washing up. Because there is no view to the outside whilst washing up, we added the stunning glass splashback to add texture and depth. The open shelves above are both practical and serve to break up the design, adding interest.
The island is very much a social part of the kitchen. It has plenty of space for the family to gather, chat, and work. We positioned the hob within the island so the cook is central to what is going on and can chat to other members of the family. There is a second sink on the island. It has a hot water tap to enable drink making and food prep in this area.
The tall bank of units is built onto a dummy wall, to allow for a recessed area at one end. This was done to break up what could have been an imposing expanse of solid tall units. We opened up this space at the end, adding inserts and niches, lighting and plants, which all add texture and soften the look. The run incorporates a pantry at one end. This space hides away shelves and drawers. The shelves host small items such as toasters and spices, and the drawers store larger items.
We have used three colours to create the colour scheme, grey, and copper and navy blue, which is warm and modern. The colour scheme is further enhanced by the worktop. We chose a soft warm colour to complement, Desert Silver, rather than the more usual white veined marble with is fashionable at present The family love their kitchen and at under £25,000 this kitchen represents excellent value for money.
Project Cost: £20,400
