The kitchen is the heart of a home. Its a place for us to catch up with friends, cook the evening meal, hold parties and enjoy family time. This blog, powered by kitchen experts Magnet, is a forum to discuss designs, trends and anything else that happens in your kitchen.
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This week Life.com reported on the top 30 dumbest inventions and we were not surprised to see that the External Turkey Roaster, 1966, made the list!
Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since then and our modern ovens are fitted with some pretty advanced technology.
Take the Hotpoint Openspace, for example. This new appliance has revolutionised kitchen design as it offers 30% more space than a typical single oven. It even comes with a dividing shelf so it can be used like a double oven.
The invention of the steam oven means that our cooking has become healthier than ever before. They offer a number of benefits including the retention of vitamins and minerals in food while cooking.
One of the hottest kitchen trends for this year is for a ‘bank’ of ovens. Rather than choose a double oven, it looks much more contemporary to install two single ovens adjacent to one another. Many manufacturers are catching on and are now designing their appliances with this in mind, and making sure that the control panels line up horizontally.
Pyroletic (self cleaning) ovens are also growing in popularity, such as the AEG B57415, which is one of Magnet’s most popular self cleaning single ovens.
Cash conscious Brits are turning back the clock according to new research into the nation’s eating habits, it was revealed today.
Traditional favourites are returning to the table as we try and save money on our weekly shopping. Even the legendary money-saving dish of the 1970s, Bubble and Squeak, is making a comeback as we spend more time in the kitchen than ever before!
A nationwide study by Magnet found that a massive 70% of us now cook dinner four times a week or more at home, and almost a quarter of all Brits prepare real home-cooked food in their kitchen every night of the week! We’re completely turning our backs on take-away meals.
The survey also found that more than two-thirds of us admit that we now regularly eat leftovers. Mostly young professionals aged between 25 – 35 – are behind the movement who refuse to waste leftovers from our dinner plates and instead recycle them into new meals the following day – just like their parents did back in the Seventies.
If you’ve never tried bubble and squeak, check out this great recipe by Anthony Worrall Thompson.
Designing a kitchen for the first time can be a daunting task, so here’s some advice on the best place to start…
The ‘Work Triangle’ is one of the basic rules of kitchen design and was developed back in the 1950s by the University of Illinois.
The triangle connects the three main work areas: the sink, cooker and fridge, as you can see in the Magnet’s Linton kitchen below.
The principle behind the ‘Work Triangle’ is that you should keep these kitchen appliances no more than 2.7 metres of one another. You should also make sure that the space between is kept clear of obstructions and cabinets. Then, when you’re cooking you’ll have no restrictions of movement around the kitchen.
Of course, in modern homes and the introduction of open plan living, conversions and home extensions, it’s not always possible to stick to the rule, so it’s OK to bend it. For example, many modern apartments have one-wall kitchens where it’s impossible to create a triangle. If this is the case in your home, add a table or island unit to use an anchor point.
It is also important to make sure that household traffic does not flow through the triangle, as this will increase the risk of food and drinks getting knocked over or spilt.
The red area in this kitchen represents the ‘Work Triangle’
The farmhouse kitchen is a warm and inviting place for the whole family and is a look that is relatively easy to achieve.
Timber units such as oak are ideal for creating a farmhouse kitchen, as seen in Magnet’s Rustic Oak and Buxton ranges. Using authentic appliances and accessories can really enhance so choose chunky knob handles or chunky wood worktops.
No Farmhouse kitchen is complete without a range cooker. Avoid stainless steel and instead choose a neutral colour such as regal blue or cranberry with a matt finish.
A heavy ceramic sink, known as a Butler sink, is perfect for country kitchen and if you have a lot of space a double sink is not only practical, but looks great too.
Maximise storage with a tall larder units which a great for dry goods and crockery.
Finally, a herb garden is a welcome addition to any kitchen, but work particularly well in the farmhouse kitchen to create a welcoming aroma.
Big Brother has always been very bold with its interior design. The TV phenomenon has been at the forefront of using space and design to affect the mood of the contestants for years.
Interestingly, in Celebrity Big Brother this year we have seen the usage of a stainless steel kitchen. This stark and clinical looking kitchen presents a very cold and unwelcoming environment for the contestants.
Stainless steel appliances are a great way to inject a contemporary feel to a kitchen, however a full, stainless steel kitchen hasn’t been on trend for a few years now.
Is it possible that CBB’s use of stainless steel in this fashion is a deliberate move to remind contestants that they are living within a controlled environment, and therefore preventing them from getting too comfortable?
At Magnet, we believe the contestants deserve a much more luxurious kitchen like the Acadian, which is both modern but welcoming with soft white timber doors and luxurious Corian Beach glass worktops to help create a stylish retro look.
Island units are a fantastic feature for any kitchen and can be a practical and stylish addition. Whether used to split a large room, create extra preparation and storage space, or provide a stylish cooking zone, it is important to get it right.
Here are Magnet’s top 5 tips to the perfect island unit…
1) Create a focal point – Locate a central workstation on the unit, such as a sink or a hob. This will not only open up more storage in the surrounding units and create valuable workspace, but will position the unit as a key focal point of the kitchen.
2) Consider the use – If you are using the island unit to split a large space or room, try and incorporate a small dining area. Position stools along one edge for a relaxed breakfast bar, or lower one side for a more traditional dining set up. This will also enable you to socialise and cook when entertaining.
3) Choose a different design – Island units are typically rectangular. For a more unusual feature try an L-shaped design. Integrate different height units into an L-shaped island to create different working and eating zones. A curved unit gives a stylish hub within the kitchen, again great for socialising whilst cooking. An island unit is also the perfect place to mix and match. Try to combine different accent ranges and/or worktops. This is extremely on-trend and will give your kitchen a touch of personalisation.
4) Careful kitchen spacing – The key is to maintain practicality. Ideally, each main working station should be within a couple of metres of each other. Your fridge, sink and cooker make up a working triangle. These areas are vital in the cooking process and so need to be within easy reach of each other. It is important to remember when adding an island unit to an existing kitchen, ensure you have a minimum of one metre clearance surrounding it for opening cupboard and appliance doors.
5) Lighting – A striking light fitting above the unit provides a great focal point and is key for appliances such as the hob. Spotlights and track lights on the island unit itself will help set a certain tone or ambiance to the room. Pendant lights can create a perfect lighting scheme for an island unit dining area.
A new kitchen is one of the best ways to add value to the cost of your home which is more important than ever in the current climate. But don’t just take our word for it. Here on the Kitchenista, property expert Kirstie Allsop exclusively reveals her top home improvement tips….
“Getting a new kitchen is one of the top three ways to add value to your home. This is because changing a kitchen is much easier than you think.
“The perceived value of the kitchen from prospective buyers is much higher than the real cost of the kitchen. The kitchen and bathroom are the two main rooms that sell a house so anything that can be done to update these two rooms and make your home attractive to potential buyers the better.”
Channel 4 Homes also think that a new kitchen is a must for anyone looking to boost their home’s value and it can add as much as 10% in value. It’s the first thing a potential buyer will look at and it’s the room you’re likely to spend much of your time in.
For more top tips on how to add value to the cost of your home – check out the link below to the Channel 4 Homes website
Rustic homely kitchen designs are ever popular. Three out of ten kitchens sold by Magnet are traditionally styled with the Shaker Cream topping best selling lists for over 15 years.
There are a number of appliances and accessories that can help give your kitchen an instant warm and traditional feel.
BELFAST SINKS
• An extremely traditional style sink dating back centuries.
• Made of ceramic, this adds a country feel to any kitchen.
• A beautiful material that is also extremely practical.
GRANITE WORKTOPS
• Stunning natural granite is available in over 30 different colours and adds an element of country charm to your kitchen.
• Granite’s natural patterning ensures every worktop is unique.
RANGE OVENS
• With either nostalgic Victorian styling or a sleek, professional image, a range oven will add instant character to your kitchen.
• Most contain a built-in hob, at least five cooking zones and a separate grill giving a flexible choice of cooking methods.
DOOR HANDLES
• Whilst only a small detail, they really do have a large impact on the overall look of your furniture.
• Wooden knobs have distinctly rustic overtones bringing a subtle yet effective country feel to your kitchen.
• These wooden, round handles add that rustic Shaker feel to the Linton design.
Modern vs. Classic, Traditional vs. Contemporary, Gloss vs. Grooves, Stripes vs. Curves
Channel 4’s The Home Show called in Magnet to demonstrate that trying to combine opposing styles, in order to create a dream kitchen, doesn’t always have to be a battle.
A couple were looking to transform their penthouse apartment kitchen, from a relatively rundown and simple bachelor style, to create a more comfortable, traditional, yet modern look.
The Urban Gloss Crème appeared to be a mutual choice between the two. Contemporary design, warm cream shades, a gloss finish and walnut wrap-round units – a kitchen that combines sleek warmth with tradition, and style.
This week Life.com reported on the top 30 dumbest inventions and we were not surprised to see that the External Turkey Roaster, 1966, made the list!
