Magnet has been getting in the festive spirit with Anna Ryder Richardson!

Last week we met with the UK media to let them in on the exciting projects that Anna’s been working on…

We set her the ultimate challenge of creating three very different kitchens, to suit very different needs, all using our brand new Savannah kitchen.  We want to show you that a great kitchen catered to your own individual style and uses can be easily achieved by adding some simple touches – and it won’t bust your budget!

Anna started by creating a Rustic Retreat that finds itself perfectly placed at the heart of a family home.  With a simple colour scheme that can be easily updated, the focus here is on practicality – using jars to make your ingredients the key accessory and rustic pots to complement the units and make them a feature in themselves.

The Oriental Zen kitchen was designed for those of you who want to leave the busy working day at the door, and relax with a quick, healthy meal in soothing surroundings.  Turquoise accessories brighten up the slate grey worktop and create a contrast with the cream units.  Vibrant colour pops can also come courtesy of plants and accessories, and can be changed with your mood thanks to the neutral paint scheme.

For a party kitchen take the Savannah and add vibrant colour.  Anna chose Mojito green accessories such as jugs, tumblers and of course plenty of limes!  Colour has even been injected into the worktop with the stunning Aubergine Gloss, and this can be mirrored with matching accessories such as fruit bowls and vases.  Just add people for the party to begin.

Anna created all three of these kitchens and we have the videos to prove that it really is as easy as it sounds to get your own personal style out of this great range.

We have all been glued to our screens, starring at the brave celebrities in the jungle over the past five days, watching them cook, clean and live in the wild – but could you do it?

Far away from the kitchen facilities we are used to, contestants are surviving by cooking animals and produce they find around the camp, on the awkward and unpredictable gas stoves and pans.

There are no steam ovens or microwaves in sight, no oven gloves or pan stands, even the smallest cooking task can become a nuisance.

So it got us thinking, what kitchen item could you not live without?

This week, top TV stylist Anna Ryder Richardson shares with us her vision of how to take design inspiration from the seasons.

‘Autumnal.’ Such a lovely word once you get your mouth round it. We only have to look around us and see the colours, textures and shapes changing as we flow from season to season for styling inspiration.

Trees and flowers generously give us a full show of colour change and seasonal fruit or vegetables are always a great way to change the look of a kitchen or to take colour inspiration from.

Every season comes with it’s own palette.  I am constantly surprised at the shades of colour we have at our fingertips and eyes, an infinite amount of colour shades, so take your blinkers off, take it all in and absorb your surroundings.

Autumn is about browns and all the glorious shades it brings such as oranges burnt and bright, new green leaves to the green leaves turning brown, deep berry reds and aubergine, one of nature’s most sensuous colours. I could go on and on.

Embrace it, look for it, and don’t be surprised! ‘Go with the flow’ has never been more apt, enjoy it while it lasts, that way you’ll be almost sorry to see the seasons change.  But when you see the next selection of colours and textures emerging, there won’t be time to reflect only to refresh. These colour changes should trickle in and out, showing colours, textures in spectacular and surprising combinations.

Then there are the things we touch every day, why shouldn’t they please our eye, create an atmosphere?  Tea towels, linen, cushions and throws can be changed with the seasons. From light, floral designs for spring/summer to rich coloured checks, stripes for the colder months.

In spring, vases and glassware can be grouped, bouncing light off each other and displaying seasonal flowers such as fresh green shoots and huge sunflowers. In winter, try smoky glass or heavy earthenware pots with dried flowers or vegetables.

During the summer months, crockery can be delicate – perhaps drawing inspiration from nature and botanical design. Meanwhile, heavy, thick bowls and plates in earthy tones are perfect for autumn, especially when side by side with rustic wooden chopping boards and fresh, green salads.

Design trends have definitely relaxed towards everything matching, now we can have individual pieces that tell a story or work together really well in a mix. It’s not about the obvious.

If you are having a dinner party then indulge your guests with seasonal layering to create an atmosphere that starts the evening off in the right mood.  Your dining table really is a place to go style and prop crazy.  More is definitely more here. You can have loads of candles, create dramatic centrepieces, or drizzle the table with rose petals or pine needles. The possibilities are truly endless!

We’ve already told you how excited we are about the new recipe book that is being published to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Mrs Beeton’s first publication.

Mrs Beeton How to Cook* is packed full of modern advice on how to source good food plus delicious recipes – you’ll be whipping up British classics in your kitchen in no time!

And what’s even more exciting, is that we’ve teamed up with Mrs Beeton and Waterstone’s to offer one lucky winner a brand new, dream kitchen! Whether shaker style is your thing, or you prefer more of an Urban Gloss look, you’ll be able to find a range that you love.

You do have to be a Waterstone’s cardholder to enter the competition. Visit http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/pages/waterstones-card/200001512/ and find out how to enter!

*Available at Waterstone’s

We’re really excited about the new recipe book that is being published to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Mrs Beeton’s first publication.

The book is full of classic, British recipes, which have been updated for the twenty-first century kitchen.

Mrs Beeton How to Cook is packed full of modern advice on how to source good food, plus a detailed insight into ingredients and equipment.

Featuring family classics such as Leek and Potato Soup and Steak and Kidney Pudding, to dishes that will be sure to put your culinary skills to the test, such as Grilled Lobster with Parsley and Garlic Butter.

With its timeless appeal and variety of dishes, this very special recipe book belongs in every kitchen.

Mrs Beeton How to Cook will be available from Waterstone’s from 13th October!

If you haven’t already seen our news, we are delighted to announce we are sponsoring Good Food’s new daily show MY KITCHEN, which will feature celebrity chefs inviting viewers into their homes.

You can catch our logo on the 30 minute daily show over the next 10 weeks, which started this week. Have you seen it yet?

So for all you food fanatics, get watching the show and see what celebrity chefs cook when they are out of the media spotlight.

]]> http://blog.magnet.co.uk/news/magnet-sponsors-new-good-food-show-my-kitchen/feed/ 0 http://blog.magnet.co.uk/kitchen/extract-style-from-function/ http://blog.magnet.co.uk/kitchen/extract-style-from-function/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:57:09 +0000 Magnet http://blog.magnet.co.uk/?p=1051

Extractor hoods no longer just provide the function of removing steam, smells and airborne food/grease particles during cooking, they can now be one of the most stylish appliances in the kitchen.

From chimney to telescopic, integrated to canopy, there’s an extractor hood to suit any kitchen design.

Try installing built-in lights to illuminate your cooking surface like the Elica Mini Om, which also has a minimum noise level and long life charcoal filter.

If you’re after something a little more glitzy, the Elica Star (above) will guarantee that your extractor hood is a focal point in the room. With three speeds and a booster illuminated ‘Magic Wand’ this re-circulating hood is as high performance as it is visual.

Some kitchens are more suited to a subtle chimney hood, which won’t detract from the overall design and descend from directly above the hob. The EFC90245X from Electrolux has push buttons and an aluminium grease filter so it’s functional and stylish.

Integrated Hoods consist of an extractor fan mounted behind a casing that matches your kitchen units which will look great in a minimalist or contemporary setting. The false front pulls open when you need to use the hood, activating the fan.

Not only has Miss Middleton’s derriere stolen the hearts of millions,  breaking news reports that she will melt your heart in the kitchen.

Having successfully completed an intensive four-week stint at a prestigious cookery school, Pippa was described by her tutors as “an asset to any kitchen”.

Cooking up a storm of saffron scallops with spinach and sweet tomato pickle, pan fried red snapper with mashed potato as well as French beans and red pepper relish. Is it any wonder she is considered a new domestic goddess?

So ladies, now you’ve perfected your booty and styled the swish in your hair, it’s time to master the art of performing in the kitchen.

Are you celebrating the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2? Well, why leave the excitement at the cinema when you can bring the magic to your kitchen with the Harry Potter Cookbook.

Featuring over 150 recipes, this book contains every food mentioned in Harry Potter, from Pumpkin Pastries and Treacle Fudge to Mrs Weasley’s Homemade Toffee and Rock Cake.

With the holidays approaching, why not get your whisks at the ready and prepare to add a sprinkle of witchcraft and wizardry to your cooking.

For everyone from Potter fans to keen cooks, these recipes are sure to be a magical addition to any cookbook collection.

With the release of her new book ‘Notes from My Kitchen Table’ Gwyneth Paltrow has been invited to open for Liam Gallagher’s new band at the iTunes festival.

tBut.. she’ll be opening the show with a discussion about the joys of cooking! Paltrow places a lot of importance on family and being a good homemaker through cooking and creating a “life as normal as possible” for her two children and husband Chris Martin.

Paltrow likes nothing more than being in the kitchen – “My life can be so surreal sometimes – to be in the kitchen with things that are routine and mundane make me feel good.”

As we well know, the kitchen is now considered by many Brits to be the hub of the home and  we spend more waking hours in the kitchen that any other room in the house.

So everyone, start making the most of your kitchen!