COLOUR & flooring

SEALED WOODEN BOARDS are a good choice for kitchens. Those with a red bias, such as Douglas fir, work beautifully with blue and green cabinets; pale or limed finishes go with most shades; while pine suits warmer shades like reds and yellows.

BRICK OR TERRACOTTA pamments have an appealing rustic appearance and can be cleaned easily. They work well with yellow cupboards but also balance cooler shades such as greens and blues.

PATTERNED TILES can lend energy to colourful kitchens. Encaustic styles have a matt finish and are warm to the touch. Designs in greys are good to team with richly coloured cabinets, especially yellow.

TILED FLOORS in natural materials are a classic choice for country kitchens and sit happily with all paint shades.

VINYL, LINOLEUM OR MARMOLEUM are lighter than stone or ceramic. Team a chequerboard design in blue with red (or red with blue), or bold black and white.