EDITOR’S LETTER

Nothing is as I thought it would be. In my youth, particularly my 20s (when all of our style indicators are set in place), it was the 1990s and, like everyone around me at the time, I was mad for a type of Japanese-style industrial minimalism. It was a thing. The slicker the better, as I believed that good design required a generous dash of chilly austerity. And so I thought that my own kitchen style was set. But things change and my worship at the altar of minimalism started to erode as soon as I started to cook properly. All the prepping, ritual and messy alchemy that goes into conjuring slow and delicious lunches didn’t feel right on a cold, sleek workbench. I yearned for generous, colourful French cookware, and started fancying copper pans, lots of wooden spoons and good knives. Handmade platters, bistro entrée dishes and rustic Italian servers began appearing and then, when I realised I wanted to be able to see all of my beauties instead of hiding them away, I became a devotee of the open kitchen. It’s a concept that I know horrifies some, but it brings me joy to see all my colour-coded cookbooks sitting next to my egg cups and chopping boards.

The allure of the eclectic kitchen is captured on our cover this issue. And there are many more styles to inspire you in our makeover special, starting on page 105. I hope it helps you to find your kitchen groove.

PS While you’re in the mood for kitchens, dip into our extract of Neil Perry’s latest cookbook, featuring all of his favourite recipes from home and work. He says it’s his last, but we hope that’s not true…