M A I N S The interest in sleek, minamalist design ain’t going anywhere; handleless doors will still be popular throughout 2018
LIVE AND LET LIVE
Following on from the above points, Pieter notes that his clients are giving more consideration to the aesthetics of kitchen as a living – as opposed to working – area. “In some instances there is a desire to make the kitchen look less like a kitchen and more as part of the overall furniture scheme. In these instances we would propose our bulthaup b3s pocket door furniture, which enable appliances to be hidden from view completely. “We have a couple of versions of this: firstly a tall, fullheight furniture door that opens by touch and slides away to the side revealing large appliances. The second option is a unit that sits on top of another, with doors that slide away to reveal an additional worktop space for small appliances such as food mixers. These even feature sockets, an LED strip light that is activated when the door’s open, and have shelving for additional storage.”
LINE OF DUTY
With its handless kitchens having become increasingly popular, Rob thinks we’ll see this trend grow in 2018. “Sleek, clean lines and a stylish minimalism allow for an uncluttered and hygienic aesthetic, which is brilliantly suited to kitchens,” he says. “This contemporary feel has great appeal for most tastes, and means that your kitchen will still look ‘fresh’ for many years to come.”
DIRECTORY
• hobsonschoice.uk.com • kutchenhaus.co.uk • robertwelch.com • stephengraver.com • sustainablekitchens.co.uk
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FANCY FRILLS “People are going for clean lines rather than anything ornate,” notes Olga. “So we’ve been seeing fewer requests for beading on cabinetry and more for a sleek, modern look.”
BOILING POINT “Clients rarely have kettles nowadays, as we almost always suggest a boiling water tap of some description,” says Pieter. “People are time-poor in today’s hectic world, and it is this convenience of instant boiling water on tap that makes it so appealing. Not to mention the clear work surfaces that are no longer being cluttered up by a kettle!”
SUCK IT UP “We have also found that visible extractors are beginning to fall out of favour,” Pieter notes. “Clients don’t like to see a big bulky extractor hanging from the ceiling whilst they have their dinner party or are watching television on the sofa. Extraction is still very important, however – even more so nowadays with the preference for open plan-living – so we have started to specify more downdraught and ‘hidden’ extractors with every new design.”
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