Have I Got Space for an Island?
The most common request from customers, with regard to their new kitchen design, is for an island. Island’s have easily become the must have feature for anyone embarking on a new kitchen project - particularly with kitchen becoming the social hub and centre piece of the home.
Regardless of design style, finish or colour, islands - in today’s multifunctional kitchen spaces can fulfil many requirements. They not only provide additional storage and useful worktop space, but also, they can provide a home for additional appliances and sinks as well as breakfast bar / informal dining arrangements.
Within todays larger open plan - dining spaces, the island can be the hub of social interaction - with a breakfast bar or integrated table dining design with the island acting as the visual divide between the cooking and socialising zones.
Ideally, you need at least 1 metres space between all sides of the island and walls or furniture opposite. This might sound like a large gap; however, when a cabinet door is fully opened - particularly drop down doors of integrated dishwashers, its surprising how much space is required.
If there isn’t the space BUT you like the idea of a breakfast bar don’t panic! Homeinsites design flexibility means that there are other options we could consider. For example, a peninsular type arrangement or even a mobile island that can be wheeled out of the way - are ideas that might be possible. Homeiniste’s bespoke manufacturing service also means that curved, tapered or even extra narrow concepts can be produced to make an island in a tight or difficult space work.
What is a Shaker Kitchen
A Shaker style kitchen refers to the door and drawer front style of the furniture. In this instance, the door consists of a square edged outer frame ‘fielding’ or surrounding a flat - centre panel.
This simplistic design style was originated by the 18th century, American - religious ‘Shaker’ movement - so called because of their enthusiastic body movement whilst preaching. The Shakers believed in a pure and simplistic life style and this was reflected in their furniture.
The Shaker kitchen is very much a design classic, owing its long lasting appeal to its simplistic design which allows a designer to easily tailor a design according to personal tastes. Add traditional granite, handles and a butlers sink for the classic period or farmhouse look; OR use streamlined worktops, modern handles, sinks and appliances for ‘chic’ modernity.
The Shaker style is available to all budgets and can be used in both a ‘lay-on’ on or a bespoke ‘in-frame’ context where the doors are often manufactured the traditional way using 5 x pieces rather than as one separate item. The outer 4 piece frame secures a 5th element - the centre panel. The idea, with this method of construction is that the centre panel is allowed to move (if its a natural timber) with temperature changes.
At Homeinsite, we can design the perfect Shaker Kitchen for you - that’s in tune with both your personal tastes and budget.
What Does the Working Triangle Refer to?
The kitchen work triangle is a concept that’s used to determine the most efficient and functional kitchen layout I in relation to preparing and cooking food. It generally refers to the cooker / hob in relation to the sink and the refrigerator.
In most cases, the geometry isn’t strictly a ‘triangle’ in shape - however, it concentrates the designers mind in creating the most ergonomic kitchen with an efficient layout often taking into account other aspects - to include steam ovens, hotplates, pantry cupboards and any other major piece of cooking or food storage appliance.
At Homeinsite, we go to great lengths to ensure that all the kitchens we design embody the optimum levels of both function and form ensuring that kitchens deliver from both a visual and practical point of view.
What is a Slab Door
A slab door is quite literally a door that is a slab of material - as opposed to framed panel door (like a Shaker door design). This style of door used to be the domain of ultra modern kitchen design but more recently, we have seen this style integrated into in-frame kitchen designs. This just goes to show that anything goes and that its perfectly acceptable to combine traditional design with modern elements.
Its possible that a slab door could feature an external handle - although this isn’t common since to some extent, it defeats the reason behind the design, which is to present you with a clean fuss free surface. More often than not, a slab door features a push to open mechanism or an integrated handle design like a ‘J’ pull along the top edge of the door (and drawer).
At Homeinsite, you will see many examples of slab doored kitchens with all types of integrated handles and in many different kinds of finishes.
What is a 'Bespoke' Kitchen?
Technically, every Homeinsite project is bespoke since each and every kitchen is designed to order, working closely with you - the customer.
However, there are different degrees of ‘bespoke.’ Such an offering can tailor existing furniture ranges to suit individual needs and tastes whilst at the other end of the scale, a custom-made cabinetry service allows furniture to be made to exactly fit individual architectural proportions, requirements (for example as special kind of display cabinet OR curved furniture for a round room / property) and tastes - allowing for any natural timber or paint shade finish.
At Homeinsite, our flexibility means that we not only offer all furniture design styles, but also, we offer the levels of bespoke versatility to cater for all budgets and requirements.
Please view our ‘Kitchen’s’ Page om our website.
