29.10.2010
As the heart of the home, the kitchen is the hub of all family activity, and the best way to bring everyone together is a good hearty home-cooked meal.
That’s why choosing the right oven for your needs is an essential part of buying a new kitchen and nothing says ‘family kitchen’ like a range cooker.
A range cooker is a great foundation for an entire kitchen design – Aga styles look great in country kitchens and modern stainless steel range cookers are perfect in a contemporary setting.
The colour of the range cooker can be a starting point for the colour scheme for the kitchen. In Magnet’s Shelton the deeper cream of the range cooker warms and adds depth to the soft cream units. Alternatively, a contrasting colour can create instant impact and be a strong focal point for the room. For 2010 muted tones are set to be the hottest kitchen colours.
TOP TIPS FOR BUYING A RANGE COOKER
Do
- Buy if you are passionate about cooking or have a large family to feed
- Research what is the best fuel source for your cooker – gas, electric or dual
- Work out how much it will cost to run your range cooker over a year before making a purchase
- If you don’t enjoy cleaning, opt for an easy clean such as pyrolytic or catalytic oven
Don’t
- Buy a range cooker if you have a small kitchen – they are pretty large and can overpower smaller rooms. Opt for a ‘mini range cooker’ instead.
- Buy if you live alone or don’t do much cooking as you’re unlikely to make the most out of your cooker
21.10.2010
We love our kitchen gadgets, that’s why we were delighted to see this new Cabinet Mount for the Apple iPad.
This amazing device by Griffin means you can access recipes, watch videos or listen to music whilst you potter about in the kitchen. And when you’re finished with it, you can tuck it neatly away under the cabinet, out of harms way.
The arm rotates 360 degrees and moves front to back 90 degrees, which means it’s very mobile.
The device can be mounted on the front, side or under the kitchen cabinet and we hear that installation is pretty easy – and it comes with all the instructions and hardware that you might need.
It’s custom designed to ensure your iPad will stay secure, and because it’s elevated, it’s safe from the usual kitchen spillages.
We think this is a great idea and can’t wait to get our hands on one!!
14.10.2010
If you’re thinking of buying a new kitchen, you want to invest your money in something that will stand the test of time.
We all know that trends come and go (while some seem pretty timeless!) but have you ever wondered how long your kitchen appliances will last?
Of course there’s no sure fire way of knowing exactly how long each brand or model will last – as it will depend on how much they get used over the years.
However, The National Association of Home Builders (in the US) tracks exactly this sort of information.
Last year, along with the Bank of America, research was carried called the ‘Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components’.
So, what did it find? Well here’s what you can expect…
- Units: 50 years
- Kitchen worktop (natural stone): Lifetime
- Worktop (marble): 20 years
- Dishwasher: 9 years
- Disposer, Food Waste: 12 years
- Tap: 15 years
- Microwave Oven: 9 years
- Electric range: 13 years
- Gas range: 15 years
- Refrigerator: 13 years
Of course these are only averages so there’s no need to panic if your fridge is 12 years old!!
06.10.2010
I’m sure you’ll have been tuning into ITV This Morning to check out the lovely curvaceous Crème Lineaire kitchen.
So you may have noticed the beautiful worktops that compliment the range perfectly. Well, not only are they stylish but they are environmentally friendly!
The durable ECO worktops that This Morning selected are partly made from recycled consumer waste such as mirror, porcelain sinks, baths and tiles, and from industrial waste such as ash from power plants and stone scrap from quarries and workshops.
These products are bound together using an eco-friendly resin made from corn oil to create beautiful composite kitchen worktops. They come in 10 different colours and styles.
So, if you’re thinking about some new surfaces then definitely check out the latest eco-friendly trend!
01.10.2010
One of the latest colour trends has walked straight off the catwalk and into the kitchen. Fashion’s hottest colour for Autumn/Winter, camel, has hit interiors in the form of Magnet’s Urban Café range.
The Urban Café is as contemporary as it gets, with high gloss doors and a distinctive camel finish. Combined with Urban Crème it creates even more drama and impact.
The kitchen also features a complimentary ‘Coco Bola’ laminate worktop, which completes the overall warm effect, along with stainless steel plinths and matt nickel handles.
Alison Coleman, marketing manager at Magnet, said: “Magnet prides itself at being at the forefront of kitchen design and innovation. The trends team are always up to speed with the hottest new looks. Warm with sophisticated neutral tones, Magnet’s Urban Café range is certainly on trend.”
