Food for
THOUGHT Julia Steadman, commercial director of Brandt Design, weighs up larders against walk-in pantries
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reative British interior design specialists, Brandt Design, who have an outlet in Pinner, welcomes the rise in demand for dedicated kitchen storage, as homeowners seek to optimise and refine space management in the home. Demonstrating a greater appreciation for added-value features in the ‘lifestyle kitchen’, homeowners are prompting new layouts, furniture styles and interior solutions that are pantry-inspired and provide a designated larder space for storing dry goods, long-life food, drink and, more recently, next-generation breakfast cupboards. Julia Steadman, commercial director at Brandt Design, says: “Being prepared seems to be more important than ever as the global pandemic has changed all our lives and when it comes to groceries, kitchens are now having to factor in space, which accommodates increased bulk buying and more frequent online deliveries. Added to that, improving our wellbeing
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has also become a hot topic as we all find ways to stay healthy and this is being reflected in the type of food and dietary habits that UK homeowners are exploring, such as plant-based foods, veganism, and new meat and dairy substitutes.” As the number of multi-generational households continue to rise, Brandt Design expect their customers will continue to enjoy preparing, serving and eating a greater variety of food and drink, which inevitably will fuel further attention on lifestyle-centred storage like larders and walk-in pantries. Steadman adds: “As concerns about food security comes at a time when inflation is at a 30-year high, we anticipate that grocery shopping will take up a greater share of household budgets going forwards, and so providing ample space to store large numbers of provisions in the kitchen and utility room will only increase.” Brandt Design has noted two clear food storage trends step to the fore: one, a renaissance in traditional larder storage either freestanding or built-in, and two, the convenience of a dedicated walk-in pantry space. So how do you
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choose which style is right for you, and what are the features and benefits?
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The appeal of a dedicated ‘room within a room’ to house all your foodstuffs is hard to beat, especially if you are catering for a large household. “The pantry has a rich and varied history in the home, and I am delighted to see it making a comeback with the ability to be personalised to suit the needs of today’s busy families,” Steadman says. “As with every kitchen there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution and we always recommend that you consider
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22/07/2022 16:31