We’re feeling a little more cheerful now the mornings are much lighter and there’s a bit of sunshine around too, thank goodness! The latest Crown Imperial brochure has landed, full of good ideas, and we’ve also been learning about the latest appliances from Smeg…

NEW SAPORE COLLECTION FROM CROWN IMPERIAL IN EIGHT COLOURS

The new Sapore designs from Crown Imperial are both timeless and super-contemporary – which is a good sign for designers and clients requiring long-lasting looks that won’t date and which will stay relevant. The finish is tactile matt with a silky feel. Drawers can be specified either handle-less or with TIP-ON ultimate soft close technology, with push-to-open and an effortless soft and smooth closing action. The low-key colour choice comprises Alpine, Taupe, Pebble, Pewter, Flint, Mercury, Black and Midnight Blue. Continue the theme throughout the home with Bedroom and Living furniture options too.

A NEW STORAGE SOLUTION FROM CROWN IMPERIAL

Plentiful storage is always desirable and the new Breakfast Pantry from Crown Imperial is available across the entire kitchen design collection. Options include freestanding or countertop, medium or tall wall cabinets, and bi-fold doors which can also accommodate a built-in microwave or coffee machine as well as all the usual small appliances. Shown here in Midsomer Dove Grey and Marine. Just the job for busy families with very busy kitchens …

AGED LIMESTONE TILES FROM QUORN STONE ADD A TIMELESS TOUCH

Large kitchen projects need a perfectly chosen floor to enhance and compliment the colour choices and style of the cabinetry and appliances. This project features Versailles Softly Aged Limestone Tiles from Quorn Stone. Isabel Fernandez, Quorn Stone, says ‘As a company we have a passion for natural materials in the home and hold an extensive range of enduring, classic tiles. The interior designer had a clear vision of what she wanted to achieve for this project, and we thought that a limestone would be suitable. The Versailles limestone was high on her list, especially with the addition of grey marble cabochon inserts’.

GREY MARBLE CABOCHON INSERTS BRING THE SCHEME TOGETHER

Isabel Fernandez continues, ‘The designer was keen to keep the original character of the property within the new kitchen extension, incorporating leaded windows, wood panelling and a tiled floor. Her brief was that the flooring had natural and earthy tones, and would be highly practical for her clients to look after and maintain. There was a large area to consider, over 60 square metres inside the kitchen and ground floor, as well as 80 square metres for the exterior’.

QUORN STONE’S LIMESTONE PAVERS ARE ALSO USED FOR THE EXTERIOR TERRACE

The project included a terrace which was to be tiled, with the idea that the scheme would flow throughout, so the designer specified Versailles Softly Aged Limestone Pavers, without cabochons, to create a simple, streamlined look. Quorn Stone’s Isabel Fernandez describes these limestone tiles as having a softly aged finish, with a pale wash tone with delicate fossil details and aged markings. They are suited for kitchens, ground floor rooms, hallways, boot rooms and so on, and pair perfectly with the exterior limestone pavers.

SMEG HOST AN IMMERSIVE EVENT – CASA SMEG – TO SHOWCASE THE LATEST APPLIANCES

The event allowed Smeg’s home economists and Irish chef Clodagh McKenna to provide an impressive list of Italian-inspired recipes, chosen to demonstrate the integration between design and performance for Smeg appliances. On display were a selection of the sleek Linea appliances, shown in Neptune Grey. From the left, shown above, the Built-in 60cm Linea Wine Cooler, the Linea Automatic 45cm Compact Built-in Espresso coffee machine with a warming drawer, the Linea 45cm Compact Blast Chiller and the  Linea 60cm Built in Single Oven which combines traditional, steam and microwave cooking. The Blast Chiller has cold functions for rapid chilling and freezing, and heat functions for proofing, defrosting, cooking and regenerating. It also has a touch display for intuitive use.

THE SMEG DARK INOX FQ160KD AMERICAN STYLE FRIDGE FREEZER

This is the latest Dark Inox FQ160KD American style fridge-freezer from Smeg. It has a huge 522 litre capacity, with flexible storage options. The 343 litre fridge includes a moisture drawer specifically for keeping fruit and vegetables as fresh as possible, and a dedicated fresh zone intended for the safe refrigeration of meat, fish and seafood. Half of the refrigerator compartment can be used as a multizone cooling product, acting as a freezer, refrigerator or 0 Degree compartment.

THE CLASSIC SPEEDWAVE OVEN FROM SMEG

The Classic Galileo Speedwave XL Oven combines traditional and microwave cooking together, and the Speedwave models are available in 45cm and 60cm (XL) sizes. The inverter technology can save up to 40% on cooking times. The SpeedwaveXL is a great choice for smaller kitchens, avoiding a separate oven and microwave, or it’s equally as useful in larger kitchens, where the chef requires multiple cooking opportunities.

THE OMNICHEF FROM SMEG

Bring together traditional, microwave and steam cooking all in one oven with the Omnichef collection from Smeg. The methods can be combined, used separately or built up in stages to aid home cooks produce restaurant quality meals at home. The technology provides 150 automatic recipes, and a temperature probe to monitor and regulate results. It’s available in various finishes including Pure Black Linea, Dolce Stil Novo and Neptune Grey, and in 45cm and 60cm widths.

THE EVERHOT 110+ RANGE COOKER IN BURGUNDY

If you’re considering a traditional range cooker for a new design project, take a look at the 110 in Burgundy from Everhot. It’s a classic electric storage range cooker with cast iron hot and simmer plates under two separate lids – both have separate controls. Three ovens can roast, bake and slow-cook all at the same time. There are 20 colours available, and there’s also a 110cm wide Everhot 110i version which includes a two-zone induction hob.