Kitchen notebook Steal, style and shop the latest trends

When aesthetics and functionality merge, your kitchen will star!

Updating or renovating your kitchen is like navigating choppy waters – do you take the safe but staid route or risk choices that may date quickly? As always, there is a happy medium, but you’ll need patience and lots of research so you get all the details just right. Feel free to borrow any of these ideas.

TREAT YOUR ISLAND and yourself to a wine chiller. As it’s likely to star in entertaining, locate it close to the action on the dining side of your space. It’s the ultimate in luxury. PS, luscious and lovely, think thick for your benchtop profile.

DIAL UP THE IMPACT Opt for blue-black base cabinets as these will lend gravitas to your scheme and ground it. Pair these with muted grey-blue upper units. For harmony, choose a grey-veined marble to de„ly marry the two.

OVER THE TOP

Design an overmantel and an architectural frame to house your range or hob. Here, not only is it a focal point, albeit low key due to colour choice, it also conceals the extractor fan — a more aractive solution.

SKYLIGHTS WILL BATHE YOUR KITCHEN IN NATURAL LIGHT BACKLESS STOOLS KEEP SIGHTLINES INTO THE KITCHEN CLEAR INCORPORATE NARROW CUPBOARDS NEXT TO YOUR COOKER FOR SPICES AND OILS PEEK A BOO! DISCREET SLOTS IN YOUR ISLAND ALLOW FOR EASY ACCESS TO KETTLES AND THE LIKE