This time we’re bringing you further new ideas for kitchens, as well as a little bit of inspo for bathrooms, and some practical suggestions for this year’s outdoor entertaining…

Ah, well yes it’s true, not many of us are going to create such a dramatic industrial-loft-style kitchen with mezzanine bedroom! However, it’s still a neat and streamlined kitchen layout with open shelves and mid-height cabinets that would work in most spaces. This is the Rock Solid kitchen by Keller Kitchens, it’s structured lacquer in Graphite – just one of nine colours. This is the MASTER Collection, in melamine, synthetic high gloss and matt, satin, textured and high-gloss lacquer, with colour-matched plinths and carcasses.

Just look at the length of this island … it’s an impressive four metres+ in length, and transforms this kitchen into a practical space where every inch is useable. It’s the Ontario marble-effect quartz surface, 30mm thick with a double bevel profile, by Konigstone.  Kitchen by Kitchens Bespoke

Photography by Jack Beard 

As much as we like an injection of colour, the greys and blacks and dark neutrals are still being rolled out. (And of course, Pantone lead the charge with Ultimate Gray  as one of their two colours of the year for 2021). One of the new designs from Pronorm is a Platinum Grey ultra matt finish, teamed up with Matt Black, glass-framed doors and dramatic marble-style splashbacks, work-surfaces and side/end panels. See more designs, colours and ideas at Pronorm

This dramatic kitchen was designed by Toby Lister, owner and designer at Somax Kitchens in Lancashire, featuring Cambia and Lano (for the timber style cabinetry) by Rational . Toby likes the curved elements of this design, feeling that they work perfectly for the space. ‘The curves on the bank of tall cabinets with the break front around the ovens are mirrored by the curves and break front around the sink area. The curved island is reflected in the ceiling detail and makes the kitchen work well as a whole. The large expanse of smoked mirror behind the sink also reflects the room so you see everyone even when working at the sink!’

The bank of three appliances (single ovens and combination microwave, all by Neff) look stylish, integrated into Anthracite Mountain Larch cabinetry. Toby adds ‘We’ve had amazing feedback from our clients regarding this project. The way they now use their entire home has been transformed. It brings the family together now, and having such a flexible space means they can all be in the one room no matter what each of them is doing…..and the parties are great!!’

We’re having a look at some bathroom ideas this month. The last year of lockdown has meant that many of us are taking a very close look at the state of our bathrooms and kitchens and likely to be planning updates and improvements! So the launch of five new colours to their Natural Stone range, Sensa by Cosentino ® piqued our interest. There are five soft, monochrome quartzite and granite colours. This bathroom features Vancouver – Brazilian quartzite with a white background and varied veining. Sensa incorporates Senguard NK protection, providing resistant against aggressive substances, scratch resistance and easy maintenance.

Blush, one of the new colours in the Original Fitted range from Utopia is a fabulous shade for bathrooms – subtle and soothing, whilst adding a feeling of warmth and comfort. Fitted furniture is a hugely practical choice for bathrooms – especially for one that is used by the whole family. Create storage space to make the most of every inch of wall space, allowing the room to be easily cleaned and look tidy and organised too. Shown here, doors in Blush, work tops in Glacier Grey, Sanitaryware, Quantum Round, Brassware, Salino and Floor Tiles, Honeyed Elm. All from Utopia.

So many of us have ramped up our ‘outdoor entertaining’ efforts this year, down to huddling around a firepit draped in blankets in November (yep, that was me!) to re-designing and updating our patios and back gardens. Needless to say, proper outdoor cooking facilities are hugely important. Take a look at the 76cm Outdoor Gas Grill Cart from Sub-Zero Wolf. This is an investment piece, most definitely, but you won’t ever need to trail around a garden centre again looking at outdoor grills! It has three individual burners, including a rotisserie system and two grill burners. Halogen lights, storage facilities and shelves make sure that outdoor cooking and prep is easy and convenient.

Another once-in-a-lifetime outdoor cooking purchase is the Heat & Grill from Chesney’s … it’s a year-round product, combining a wood-burner with integral log store shelf and a spacious grill surface with a domed lid. The design technology means that you won’t be surrounding your neighbours with unwanted smoke but you will be providing your family with a cosy heated outdoor space.

If your outdoor entertaining space is still at the planning stage, take a look at the range of outdoor porcelain tiles from Tile Mountain. These are Hardblue White Porcelain Outdoor Slabs from Tile Mountain, with plain and décor tiles available. And if you’re new to outdoor DIY, there’s plenty of helpful advice and installation information available from Tile Mountain here.

It’s a bit last-minute but if you fancy a bit of exterior Easter décor, take some inspiration from Wayfair and create a welcoming Easter doorstep – and somewhere to hide the eggs prior to the Easter egg hunt too!