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LIVE NOW: Kitchen design webchat with the Editor of Beautiful Kitchens, 1-2pm

26.02.10

12:48 Housetohome: Accept to our webchat with Editor of Beautiful Kitchens, Ysanne Brooks. Ysanne will be with us in a few minutes, so get agile with your kitchen design questions. Friday February 26, 2010 12:48 Housetohome 12:59 [Remark From Lisa,London Lisa,London: ] Hi Ysanne. Do you be versed what's the smallest dishwasher around? I don't want one of those counter-top ones though - just the smallest seemly dishwasher. Friday February 26, 2010 12:59 Lisa,London 1:02 Ysanne: Hi Lisa If you don't require a countertop model then the smallest you'll find is a 45cm wide. These will usually have room for 10 place setting so perfectly acceptable for peewee families. Try Bosch, AEG Electrolu or Fisher & Paykel. Ysanne Friday February 26, 2010 1:02 Ysanne 1:02 [Opine From Dee, Shaftesbury Dee, Shaftesbury: ] Hi Ysanne, I want a colourful new look for my pantry, but I don’t want to go too crazy, so I’m planning to limit it to highboy doors – have you seen any brightly coloured ranges on the superstore? (Purple if possible?) Friday February 26, 2010 1:02 Dee, Shaftesbury 1:09 Ysanne: Hi Dee Purple (or Aubergine) is favourably on trend at the moment but be careful using too much in a small expanse. Nolte do a really rich purple kitchen as do Moben and In-Toto. Lots of other companies are recognising that tinge's back so it should be fairly easy to find on the high-street. Obviously, the more you devote, the more that's available to you. Some companies will even produce doors to a specific identification you want to match - a bit like the Dulux paint advice. Friday February 26, 2010 1:09 Ysanne 1:09 [Comment From Fiona, Hants Fiona, Hants: ] What kidney of flooring would you suggest for a busy busy family scullery? Friday February 26, 2010 1:09 Fiona, Hants 1:10 [Observe From Dee, Shaftesbury Dee, Shaftesbury: ] Great thanks i'll stay them out Friday February 26, 2010 1:10 Dee, Shaftesbury 1:10 [Clarification From Terry Terry: ] hi Ysanne, Friday February 26, 2010 1:10 Terry 1:11 Friday February 26, 2010 1:11 1:12 Ysanne: Difficult-wearing porcelain or ceramic tiles are great for kinfolk kitchens, although try not to go for a too-light colour if you've got animals! Slate is a stock option too as the dark colours hide the dirt. Go for big tiles to keep grouting to a lowest. Also, think about underfloor heating to keep things cosy. Friday February 26, 2010 1:12 Ysanne 1:12 [Comment From Dee, Shaftesbury Dee, Shaftesbury: ] Also, if I go for specious cabinet doors, which types of worktops should I go for? Granite or matt? I’ve heard matt surfaces are larger with wood doors? Friday February 26, 2010 1:12 Dee, Shaftesbury 1:14 Ysanne: You can get matt finishes on granite, too so don't have to have either or. Insincere surfaces hide the marks better and add light, though. I'm as far as one is concerned loving the latest trend for white composites. They destitution to be treated well but they can look stunning. Friday February 26, 2010 1:14 Ysanne 1:14 [Footnote From Kaye Kaye: ] I really want to add a youthful something extra to my white kitchen, any tips on how to add a shot of topping colour but not too much? Friday February 26, 2010 1:14 Kaye 1:15 [Comment From natasha natasha: ] Hi Ysanne, Friday February 26, 2010 1:15 natasha 1:17 Ysanne: Fabrics are skilful for that. We see some wonderful kitchens with jazzy blinds and cushions. You could try adding a coloured beaker splashback to give your room a bit of a zing. Try DecoGlaze. If you're on a budget pick an stress colour (again I'm loving Aubergine at the moment) and buy storage jars, petite appliances and utensils in that one colour. Friday February 26, 2010 1:17 Ysanne 1:17 [Footnote From natasha natasha: ] I just wanted to ask you how about rigid flooring in the kitchen. Do you recommend it and how can i protect it from water spills etc. Thanks! Friday February 26, 2010 1:17 natasha 1:21 Ysanne: Insensitive flooring is great but you do have to be careful with spills and if you have a flood (Elysian Fields forbid) they could warp badly and need replacing. I'd subscribe to engineered wood flooring rather than solid wood because of the moisture levels. This is made from multiple layers with a plywood lewd and wood veneer top. However, it's surprisingly more expensive than solid wood so don't select it if you're after a cheaper option. Engineered wood should also come intelligent sealed while solid wood will need regular oiling Friday February 26, 2010 1:21 Ysanne 1:21 [Reaction From Terry Terry: ] we would like to refit our kitchenette, but are planning to move in 18 months time. Current trends seem to be towards newfangled slab fronted high gloss units; would this be a full idea right now ? Friday February 26, 2010 1:21 Terry 1:24 [Footnote From Lisa, London Lisa, London: ] thanks! Aspire we have enough space for that! Friday February 26, 2010 1:24 Lisa, London 1:24 Ysanne: Hi Terry I fantasize this trend is set to continue for quite some time and there are lots of actually nice variations on this theme available right now. They do say a correct kitchen helps sell a house although the kitchen in my own new abode doesn't make that true in my case! I'd also think about painted Shaker as it's another OK option. Friday February 26, 2010 1:24 Ysanne 1:25 [Opine From James James: ] Hi Ysanne, I would like to have a bar top that's modern and stylish but not granite (for budget reasons) It has to be hardwearing too. Got any recommendations? Thanks Friday February 26, 2010 1:25 James 1:26 Friday February 26, 2010 1:26 1:29 Ysanne: It proficiency not oneself of depends what your budget is. Although lots of granites can be expensive if you seek around you can find some cheaper. A solid surface material might be the way to go... Okite and Maia are honestly good alternatives at around £120-150 pounds per sq m. You do have to be careful with laminates but there are some astounding new ones on the market that are pretty hard-wearing. Try Bushboard or Axiom. The one affair I would say is spend as much as you are able to on your worktops as that's where all the wear and tear is in a caboose. Friday February 26, 2010 1:29 Ysanne 1:29 [Footnote From melissa melissa: ] Hi! any suggestions for kitchen window coverings? we have a 2metre 45cm not on target window and I want some kind of privacy without making it too unilluminated. Thanks Friday February 26, 2010 1:29 melissa 1:32 Ysanne: Brume do a unbelievable line in adhesive window film and have a huge distance of different designs that can be made to measure. Wooden venetian blinds are always allowable, too as they can be angled to let in as much or as little light as you need. Both Heal's and John Lewis specify made-to-measure services. Friday February 26, 2010 1:32 Ysanne 1:32 [View From Harry M Harry M: ] Everyone goes on about a ‘m triangle’, but what is it??? Friday February 26, 2010 1:32 Harry M 1:36 Ysanne: It's merely the relation between the three main elements that go to make up your kitchen – cooker, fridge and slip away. In order to have a kitchen that works effectively you need to make restitution for sure that these three elements form a triangle and are not too far away from each other. After all, you don't appetite a fridge that's miles away from your cooker and a sink that's no-where cheap your fridge. Friday February 26, 2010 1:36 Ysanne 1:36 [Clarification From Mandy Mandy: ] We've inherited a horrible old tap. Do u identify how easy it is to change it? Think it's an Ikea sink and tap so is it a situation of just ripping the old one out and replacing it with a lovely new one? Friday February 26, 2010 1:36 Mandy 1:36 [Note From Terry Terry: ] thanks for your coments. Terry Friday February 26, 2010 1:36 Terry 1:39 Ysanne: It should be euphonious straightforward, yes. Of course you'd have to replace like for like otherwise you'd paucity to drill additional holes in the sink or fill ones left-hand behind. If your sink is from Ikea I'd recommend buying your new one from there too as they are likely to victual ones that fit perfectly into the pre-drilled holes. They have lots of spectacular designs available. Personally, I'd still ask a plumber to do the final relevant fitments as I'm not a confident DIYer. Friday February 26, 2010 1:39 Ysanne 1:40 [Reveal From Lena, London Lena, London: ] Hi Ysanne, I am about to establish a brand new kitchen and am interested to know how you would rate a cookhouse from Wickes. I am also undecided about the colour. It is available in 'bone' or a leafy/grey colour. I am concerned about longevity and saleability in the tomorrow's. Would agree cream/'bone' is the safer colour to go for? Many thanks. Friday February 26, 2010 1:40 Lena, London 1:45 Ysanne: I haven't privately had a kitchen from Wickes so I couldn't comment on their quality. Although I will say we've never had any opposing negatively feedback. I do know the exact kitchen you're talking about though as it caught my eye, too. I'm very foolish of greys right now and I think the colour is one that will last. The kitchen itself is a trustworthy Shaker style so that's not going to go out of fashion any time when all is said either. Go for it! Friday February 26, 2010 1:45 Ysanne 1:45 [Expose From Patti Patti: ] Hi Ysanne, Friday February 26, 2010 1:45 Patti 1:45 [Observe From Patti Patti: ] I am in the process of buying a line with a kitchen with cupboards, worktop and flooring all different intensity of orange brown wood. What is the best way of updating without buying a new scullery? Friday February 26, 2010 1:45 Patti 1:49 Friday February 26, 2010 1:49 1:51 Housetohome: There’s honourable enough time for a few more questions for Ysanne, so pick wisely! Friday February 26, 2010 1:51 Housetohome 1:52 Ysanne: Well, there's a cheap opportunity or a slightly more expensive one. If cost is an issue, for the cabinetry, certainly simply, paint it! It will take quite a bit of work but can give a kitchen a devoted facelift. For the worktops, you could try sanding them down to see the colour underneath as they be inclined to go orange with time. If you get to a shade you find acceptable then all you'll need to do after sanding it down is reseal it. The same goes for the knuckle-headed floor. The slightly more expensive route is to buy new doors while leaving the carcasses uninjured and replace the old worktops with new ones. Friday February 26, 2010 1:52 Ysanne 1:52 [Talk about From Roomenvy Roomenvy: ] My kitchen doesn’t get a lot of limber, but I love the look of rich wooden units. How can I add artful lighting? Friday February 26, 2010 1:52 Roomenvy 1:56 Ysanne: If adding windows exceedingly isn't an option then think very carefully about all your lighting before you start. Form sure you have good task lighting over areas where you're preparing sustenance. Lots of companies now produce LED lights that sit under cabinets, shelves and in plinths. Up in the air pendants can cause areas of shadow so opt for ceiling spots, too. In other areas, keep the continue to be of the room light with pale walls and floors and add a few glassware fronted cabinets and even mirrored splashbacks to reflect slight around the room. Friday February 26, 2010 1:56 Ysanne 1:56 [Criticism From Kristy Kristy: ] Hello, if you have a completely new lay out for a kitchen, that has no plumbing or electrics in yet, where would you start with the design? Are there key things to take into account when planning the place? Friday February 26, 2010 1:56 Kristy 1:58 [Reaction From Roomenvy Roomenvy: ] Great, thanks sooooooo much Ysanne Friday February 26, 2010 1:58 Roomenvy 2:00 Ysanne: First of all, if you've got a dazed canvas I really would recommend talking to a kitchen following that provide a design service as they will take everything into account. If you're doing it yourself it's leading to make sure you get the plumbing and electrics right for your working triangle. Recognize if you have a sink or oven on an island then you'll need to plan in electrics and the best quality supply before you start. Also, if any appliances need plumbing in (American-taste fridge freezers or steam ovens) you need to depute sure they'll have a water supply. A great tip I had from a designer was to fabricate templates on the floor of the room and then play about with them like a enormous jigsaw puzzle! Friday February 26, 2010 2:00 Ysanne 2:01 Housetohome: Thanks so much for joining our lunchtime webchat, we expectation to have Ysanne back soon for some more fab tips but in the meantime, check out our scullery photo gallery for more inspiration. http://www.housetohome.co.uk/galleries/scullery.html Friday February 26, 2010 2:01 Housetohome

Source: House To Home