Christmas countdown
IT’S the countdown to Christmas and there’s still time to make kitchen tweaks and buy new equipment that will bring festive cheer to the heart of your home. Updating taps, lights and handles are relatively quick fixes that can lift your kitchen without the expense of a complete overhaul, but change your worktops and splashbacks too and it will look virtually brand new.
“Stylish worktops and splashbacks can instantly make an out- of- date kitchen look incredibly modern,” says B& Q’s senior kitchen buyer Chris Webb. “Choose an interesting splashback, such as a copper or patterned design, and a worktop that will look as good in 10 years as it does today. Marble- effect laminate is a timeless costeffective option.”
Worktops need to be scratch, heat and spillage- resistant says Webb, who adds that lighting can make or break a kitchen: “Try integrating LED strip lights under your cabinets and make sure you have enough downlighting for cooking.”
Laura Ashley has a new range of 6mm toughened safety glass splashbacks that won’t crack, available from Splashback. co. uk. Their “Peel, Stick & Seal” backing makes them easy to install.
New kitchen kit is always a boost, especially if it’s practical – like the Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer that can cook steaks to perfection – and even joints of meat.
Also good is small but beautifully designed equipment, such as Barista & Co’s new Core Milk Jug in copper and LSA International’s impressive selection of Champagne flutes.
HOT STUFF: Add a contemporary touch to your cooker with the Laura Ashley Mr Jones splashback in charcoal, 600x750mm, £ 175 ( 0800 978 8785; splashback. co. uk)
Barista & Co copper Core Coffee Milk Frothing Jug & Pitcher, £ 14.99 ( 01202 619 500; baristaandco. com)
Everhot 90 electric range cooker in pillarbox red, £ 6,940 ( 01453 890018; everhot. co. uk)
Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer, £ 179.99 ( ninjakitchen. co. uk)
LSA International Aurelia champagne flute, £ 48 for four ( 01932 789721; lsainternational. com)