Kitchen Makeover, Home Insurance, House Improvement, Property Care
House Hub: Top-End Makeovers
Porsche Kitchen Design – Domestic Improvements: Hub of the House
Kitchen Makeovers
There’s an array of ultimate kitchen creations on the market. From swanky lighting to self-closing cupboards, there are gadgets and gizmos to suit all. The kitchen is not only the place to cook up tasty treats, it’s the hub of the home. But what gives a kitchen a cutting edge? And where can you buy a top-of-the-range design that will add some serious value to the price of your house?
There’s an array of ultimate kitchen creations on the market. From swanky lighting to self-closing cupboards, there are gadgets and gizmos to suit all. And whilst enjoying the pleasures of your new kitchen, you can feel satisfied that it’s also a clever investment. The words “improve, don’t move” have never been more relevant. But remember, if you do decide to ‘sink’ your savings into a top-end dream kitchen, make sure your new investment is covered by your home insurance.
A Porsche new kitchen
One of the most luxury choices is Poggenpohl‘s new kitchen, designed by Porsche Design. It has a jaw-dropping £35,000 price tag, and has been created specifically with men in mind, combining aluminium frames with flush doors and drawers in smooth glass or textured wood.
Top-end Features include touch sensitive adjustable lighting and sensor keys instead of buttons to operate all integrated appliances. Drawers and cupboards will even close automatically – guaranteed to impress friends at a dinner party! Like the legendary car, this kitchen really is a status symbol.
Boldly go…
For a slightly lower budget, but an equally swish design, The Zebrano by Evitavonni is leading the way in kitchen trends for 2009. Tristan de la Haye from the design specialists says, “Bold tiles and printed wallpapers are creating a fresh and edgy aesthetic in the kitchen this year. In addition, wood grains breathe life into a space adding colour, pattern and an interesting texture.”
Keep it simple
For the ultimate in kitchen minimalism, Andy Bradbury of Bradbury’s in Exeter says ditch the handles. Push-touch release catches are big news, as are handles hidden in concealed grooves on the edges of drawers and doors.
As the Premier ALNO Dealer, Andy says, “Handle-less kitchens in glossy finishes are becoming increasingly popular. The clean lines of the design are very appealing and because there’s no handle, the kitchen is less likely to date.”
Alternatively, if you don’t want to go the whole hog and rip out a perfectly functional kitchen, why not just update it? For an immediate and modern new look, without the hassle of a complete overhaul, replace worktops with granite, add glass splash backs, replace flooring or change door fronts. Finance you dream kitchen with a cheap loan If a designer kitchen appeals, but the accompanying price tag does not, you may be able to help you find an affordable loan.
House Hub: Top kitchen trends
Black and white
A simple and stylish black-and-white colour scheme will give your kitchen an instant boost. For the monochrome look, team glossy white units with black tiles and work surfaces for a grown up, sophisticated kitchen.
On the up
Combining units that vary in height and composition is a popular trend. Selecting these at the optimum height for your chosen task is not only practical but looks ultra modern, too.
Retro
The seventies vibe is increasingly popular with stripy, wood-effect drawer fronts and lots of white – just leave the formica behind!
Architectural Design
Interior Designs
Dolder Grand, Lake Zurich, Switzerland
Design: Foster + Partners with Itten + Brechbühl
interior photograph © Nigel Young
Dolder Grand Hotel
Future Hotel, Germany
Design: Laboratory for Visionary Architecture
interior photo from architect
Future Hotel architecture
Andel’s Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Design: Jestico + Whiles
interior photo from architect
Andel’s Hotel Prague
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