12.12.2011
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.
Tags: anna ryder richardson, beautiful kitchens, christmas, kitchen, magnet kitchen, one kitchen, styling, three looks, uk media
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18.05.2011
For a long time Agas have been the ultimate status symbol in any country kitchen. The oil powered cast iron cooker, which needs to be kept running 24 hours a day has kept many a family warm during winter, but can be a problem during the warm summer months.
You may have read today that Aga has launched an ‘instant Aga’ which costs a tidy sum of £10,000. This new innovation looks exactly the same as the original but uses electricity to power it and a state of the art touch-screen for control.
Named ‘The Aga Total Control’, it is believed to be the biggest innovation since in design since the Aga was first developed in 1935.
Unlike a traditional Aga, which takes up six hours to heat up to a temperature at which you can cook a meal, the Total Control is ready in just 22 minutes – a significant difference! And unlike traditional ovens, it still uses the same system of radiant heat as its predecessor.
We can’t help but feel that an electronic Aga won’t provide the same warm, fuzzy feeling that we’ve come to love over the years… Maybe we’re just old fashioned!
15.04.2011
We’re not embarrassed to admit it – we’re starting to get excited about The Royal Wedding.
So when we saw this limited edition The Royal Wedding GE GIU21XGYFKB American style refrigerator we just had to share it with our loyal readers.
This stunning design has been created in response to its Facebook followers’ suggestion that this fridge be adorned with the smiling faces of Prince William and Ms Middleton.
This range of fridge has been designed so that it can be personalized for each customer for a mere a £2,000.
We’re a fan of Kate and Wills – but we’re just not sure we’d want this fridge in our kitchen… would you??
15.03.2011
When you look at the modern, bright airy kitchens of today where we spend time with our families, it’s hard to imagine a world where kitchens were nothing more than a functional room for preparing food.
Over the past decade the way we use our kitchens has changed dramatically, and this can be seen by the changing size of kitchens over the years. According to new research published this week by Magnet, our kitchens have doubled in size from the box rooms of the 1920s to the splendiferous rooms that measure up to 121 sq ft that you see today.
We also spend more money on decorating our kitchen than any other room in the home, according to the Magnet study – an average of £19,000 including appliances and furniture, compared to £6,000 on our lounge.
Most modern kitchens now have a flat-screen TV, large dining table and chairs, CD/MP3 player and DAB radio as well as all the expected traditional kitchen fixtures like oven and hob, microwave, toaster, storage cupboards, sink and kettle.
The advent of the typical British three-bed-semi in the 1930s saw the kitchen increase in size to an average of 78 sq ft, allowing for more room in the, then, bigger sized family home. That size remained pretty constant through the 1940s and 1950s but increased again in the Swinging 1960s when the average British kitchen increased again to 95 sq ft. But it was the 1980s that the early signs of the kitchen becoming more than a cooking room first started to show.
The research also says that we now spend more hours relaxing in the kitchen every day (2 hours) than we do in the lounge (1.5 hours). We love spending time in the kitchen, relaxing with the family and we’re glad we have a lovely big kitchen to do it in.
Tags: DAB radio, Flat screen TV, kettle, kitchen, kitchen size, Magnet, magnet kitchen, microwave, MP3 Player, sink, storage, toasters
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04.02.2011
If you’re looking for a contemporary kitchen then there’s nothing more modern than a sleek handle free design.
Inspired by European minimalist trends, handle free units are becoming increasingly popular in modern kitchens and can be combined with angular lines for a clean, contemporary look.
Some kitchen cabinets feature integrated handles that give an uncluttered and seamless look. However, if you want a totally minimalist look you should choose Servo drive opening technology which provides responsive opening from a light touch as they provide a strong design led feel.
As well as giving a stunning clean looking finish, integrated and handle free units are extremely easy to clean and practical.
But whether you choose a stylish handle or you prefer handle free units, it is essential that you choose a good manufacturer to ensure that the mechanisms open and close effortlessly. Many offer great added features such as soft close drawers which are useful if you have children in the home.
Magnet’s Urban Lineaire is a sleek and streamlined kitchen that takes cutting edge kitchen design a few steps further.
12.01.2011
In recent years we’ve seen the rebirth of fashion from several decades including the 20s and 30s, even the rise and fall of the 80s-come-back.
In 2011 we’re set to do it all again, but this time it’s the 1970s that are taking the catwalks by storm – from boho style to a more sophisticated 70s look, there’s no escaping this massive trend.
This year Magnet has introduced a new retro 70s kitchen range that uses the latest on-trend greys combined with mellow mustards to create an authentic vintage look.
The Orbitz uses the latest curved wall and floor units combined with the sweeping curves of the Apollo Portland Grey worktop. The retro pattern on the unit frontals uses a subtle grey background which contrasts with the bold coloured globes. Stylish clear acrylic handles ensure this cool, retro pattern can be seen at it’s best along side the Studio White kitchen.
Orbitz units can be used an accent with a number of Magnet ranges including Urban Gloss Noir and Cubista Wenge.
HOW TO GET THE 70s LOOK:
- Search vintage shops for retro accessories such as teak bar stools
- Accessorise using crockery with bold, colourful patterns
- Chunky curved fridges in bright colours are great for recreating past eras
- Create an feature wall using hippy-inspired wallpaper
- Invest in 70s-looking appliances, such as food mixers, for an authentic feel
Tags: 70s accessories, 70s Fashion, kitchen, kitchen accessories, kitchen trends, magnet kitchen, print, retro kitchens, retro patterns
Posted in Accessories, Designs, News, Trends | No Comments »
22.03.2010
Kitchen Curves set to be the Hottest Trend for 2010
Incorporating soft curves in kitchen units creates sophisticated and contemporary feel and is set to be one of the most stylish and elegant designs this year
By using a mixture of both concave and convex curves it’s possible to create a very dramatic effect, especially in larger kitchens where the variety of curves can be used to give greater prominence.
Corner units provide a great opportunity to accentuate curves, and really show off the elegant design and the look can be emphasised by introducing curves into accessories such as extractor fans or lighting fixtures.
Curved end units offer a highly contemporary storage option, which look great and but provide an extremely practical deep internal storage space.
Due to the extensive manufacturing process, curved units are more expensive than regular kitchen units, but as seen in Magnet’s Crème Lineaire range, the final look is breathtaking:
· A mix of concave and convex create instant impact
· A combination of Zodiac Quartz Soft Mahogany worktop and natural walnut worktop provide a perfect balance
The Crème Lineaire costs £320.45 for a 600mm single base unit.
Creme Lineaire
