LAVAZZA DESEA COFFEE MACHINE

These best buys score on functionality and aesthetics, says SAM WYLIE-HARRIS

THEY’RE a hub of home life, so kitchens need to be as functional and practical as they are stylish. Whether yours has an island with a worktop large enough to accommodate Saturday Kitchen, or there’s literally just enough space for a stool and makeshift breakfast bar, the right kit will ensure it ticks all the right boxes.

These smart kitchen kit buys will bring out your best table manners...

1

RUSSELL HOBBS K65 ANNIVERSARY KETTLE IN STAINLESS STEEL, right

£59.99, Argos, or Copper Stainless Steel, £64.99, Currys

THE shut-off kettle wasn’t a thing until 1955, when Russell Hobbs shaped the way we brewed our tea and coffee forever. Now, the original K-series is celebrating its 65th anniversary and coming to the boil with the K65 anniversary edition. Available now in a classic brushed stainless-steel design, the copper version will launch in March.

2

ARGOS HOME 3 LITRE CAST IRON SHALLOW CASSEROLE DISH

£45, Argos

THE beauty of this cream casserole dish is not only is it a chic addition to your hob with its cast iron finish, but it can multi-task and turn out soups, casseroles, curries, pasta sauces and even scrambled eggs.

3

SAGE SJB615 JUICER, BLENDER AND BLUICER, STAINLESS STEEL

£299.95, John Lewis

A BLOW-the-budget blender means you can blend and juice those soft strawbs, bananas and peaches, and then get to work on crunchy apples and cranberries. And here’s the fun bit, with the extra wide chute, there’s no need to chop anything beforehand, and the bowl/blade system has the power to crush and chop ice, as well as froth those creamy smoothies.

4

JOSEPH JOSEPH DUO 4-PIECE CHOPPING BOARD SET WITH STAND

£34.99, Robert Dyas

BOARD-ERING on brilliant, this slim, non-slip stand with four designated boards to slice and dice has the capacity to take the sharpest blade, and can be popped in the dishwasher once you’ve seasoned that stewing steak.

5

SAINSBURY’S HOME NORDIC SPRINGS TABLETOP KITCHENWARE RANGE –

Ceramic Milk Jug, £3; Spot Reactive Glaze Dinner Plate, £4.25; Pestle & Mortar, £18.50; Cast Iron Casserole Dish, flavours with smokeless technology means no lasting whiff after the last BBQ skewer has been scoffed.

8

£149 (was £199), Lavazza

THE latest model in the Lavazza library of modish coffee machines, make like a barista with five pre-programmed milky modes and personalised coffee experience at the touch of a button. The Desea is also the quietest A Modo Mio system to date.