Once tucked away at the back of the house,
kitchens now take centre stage. In the modern
home they are multi-faceted and multifunctional. The kitchen of today is no shrinking
violet.
When you are choosing your kitchen there
are many things to consider. Take your time
to think about what you want and talk to our
experts – they may have thought of things that
you haven’t.
How do you want your kitchen to
function?
A live-in chef would be nice but most of us
don’t have that luxury. We spend a lot of time
in our kitchens, from making school lunches
during the week, to cooking up a culinary storm
for family and friends at the weekend.
But we all use our kitchens differently. Some
like to sauté and socialise, with friends gathered
around the bench in hearty conversation, while
others prefer to cook uninterrupted, as they
wind down from their day.
If you like to dine and entertain al fresco, a
kitchen that opens onto your outdoor living
area is something to consider.
And if you have children, a kitchen island
could be the perfect spot for pre-schoolers to
paint pictures and roll out play dough while you
prepare dinner, and for teenagers to do their
homework.
Be practical in your thinking too. What
appliances do you already own and what do
you have your eye on for the future? You don’t
want to have to dismantle your kitchen further
down the line to accommodate that wine fridge
you have promised yourself next year.
How do you want your kitchen to
look?
In many modern homes the kitchen is central
to the both the indoor and outdoor living areas.
As such, it needs to be attractive and to blend
seamlessly with its surroundings.
Quality workmanship and attention to detail
are extremely important to Landmark Homes,
but when it comes to choosing fixtures, fittings
and finishes, we encourage you to explore your
own personal style. To get those creative juices
flowing, here are some of the latest trends:
• Sculleries and walk in pantries, including a
second sink and, perhaps, dishwasher
• Hi-gloss cabinetry and benchtops
• Marble effect benchtops – both laminate and
stone
• Eco-granite sinks in black, white and grey
• Digital images on glass splashbacks
• Grained or wood-look accent colours
• Built-in rangehoods, hidden from view
• Integrated handles or no handles (push to
open)
• Whites and neutral colours to avoid kitchens
dating
• Engineered stone tops (scratch and stain
resistant, and harder wearing than granite)
• Integrated wine fridges
Tip:
Meet with a kitchen designer in the early
stages of planning your house, before
window placement and layouts have been
locked in place.
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