Summer is well and truly here, so we thought we would bring you a look at a beautiful indoor-outdoor project that should get any kitchen designer thinking about how to work the link between a new kitchen and it’s adjacent outdoor space. Oh, and we’re including some new colour ideas as well for perfect summer kitchen schemes …

INDOOR-OUTDOOR KITCHEN INSPIRATION FROM THE MYERS TOUCH

The Myers Touch Kitchen Design Studio designed this kitchen space within a new extension in a detached, modern home. The space is focussed on how to create a living space that works perfectly as a kitchen, and including natural, warm materials. Neutrally-coloured laminate cabinetry is from SieMatic, paired with work surfaces from Silestone. Designer Helena Myers explains ‘We’ve found that homeowners want to engage with their outside environment as well as their interiors environment. It enhances positive emotions, drawing in the sounds, smells and visual pleasures of the garden whilst enjoying the pleasures of a beautiful, streamlined kitchen’. Photography by Miriam Sheridan, Inara Home Imagery

A VIEW OF THE GARDEN FROM INSIDE THIS MYERS TOUCH KITCHEN PROJECT

The Myers Touch studio blended SieMatic cabinetry and Silestone work surfaces for this open-to-the-garden project. The mix of subtle colours and materials merge seamlessly with the dramatic timber aspects of the extension, and whilst there is a lot of contrast and some very striking elements, it all works together to create a kitchen-garden space that is elegant and dramatic.

DAVID SALISBURY LAUNCHES A COLLECTION OF BESPOKE KITCHENS

Garden rooms, orangeries and beautiful conservatories spring to mind when we think of David Salisbury but now they’re also designing kitchens,  utility and boot rooms. It all makes perfect sense and the results are stunning. There are currently three bespoke ranges, Brompton, Windsor and Clifton. The team draw on their years of experience producing timber orangeries and garden rooms, now offering clients the opportunity to have a bespoke kitchen for their new garden room, led by Creative Director Karen Bell, who leads the design team. Partnerships include Fisher & Paykel, Miele and Everhot.

THE GREENS FROM MASTERCLASS

Green kitchen shades are undoubtedly having a moment, and genuinely do offer a calm and neutral alternative to the plethora of blacks and greys we’re still seeing. This is the Shaker Bloomsbury in Sage Green and Olive from Masterclass Kitchens, which opens up plenty of opportunity for styling with both lighter and darker shades, and the subtle colours are enhanced here by pale work surfaces. However, if green isn’t your thing, maybe consider Wisteria or Vintage Rose for a pink-themed scheme.

VELVET GREEN FROM ROTPUNKT

Green is definitely a shade that lends itself very well to a smooth matt finish, and is seen here in a brand new soft-coat lacquer, Velvet Green, on the contemporary Smala door, from Rotpunkt. The new soft-coat finish is anti-fingerprint and easy to keep clean. Matt Philips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt describes the Smala door as a modern alternative to more traditional Shaker looks, and Velvet Green addresses the latest style trends where both dark and light shades of green are top accent colours.

NEW SERIES, URBAN CRUSH FROM SILESTONE® BY COSTENTINO

The new Urban Crush series from Cosentino, inspired by the city and urban trends, has been designed to suit new urban space with it’s modern and vibrant aesthetics. The collection recreates the look of limestone and sandstone, with Brass Relish shown here. Brass Relish has the appearance of fine-grained sandstone, and teams with the design elements of modern vintage style. The series uses HybriQ+® technology, using recycled water and renewable electric energy.

BOSCA KITCHEN IN AMBER OAK BY SCHMIDT

The new Bosca kitchen from Schmidt is a distinctive door that embraces Japandi style (the combination of both Scandinavian and Japanese design). Natural timbers and grooved wood provide textural looks, warmth and interest. It’s elegant and understated, with a statement island and tall floor to ceiling cupboards. The knotted oak veneer brings the natural touch, and every kitchen has a bespoke look thanks to the number of options for both exterior and interior finishes.

BLUE HARTFORD KITCHEN BY TOM HOWLEY

This stunning space is the Blue Hartford Kitchen by Tom Howley … and it combines classic blue cabinetry for the island with paler perimeter cabinets – the official paint names are Lithadora and Thistle. Painted tiles by Ca’Pietra and a swathe of colour and pattern for this elegant, spacious kitchen that was designed for a busy family. Iconic White work surfaces by Silestone provide the contrast and add to the feeling of space and light in this kitchen, where everything is perfectly planned and within easy reach for whoever is cooking …

GREEN AND PINK KANANGA PROJECT BY WOOD WORKS

We love the cheerful complexity of this kitchen … lots of colour and pattern, but all very nicely balanced, and not overwhelming. This is the Kananga project by Wood Works Brighton, featuring their trademark birch ply cabinetry with colourful painted finishes. The island surface is in Foresso composite sheet material, which is made from wood waste. The main run of cabinetry uses Formica, and the coloured surfaces are painted ply. Wood Works also design, make and install bespoke storage and wardrobe solutions, see their bedroom  loft projects here.

SEA GREEN INSPIRATION FOR THE BATHROOM BY DECORUM TILES

We’re showing you these fabulous Arc Sea green tiles from Decorum Tiles in a bathroom setting but of course, they can look just as wonderful in a kitchen project, or indeed perhaps a hallway, utility or cloakroom. There are lots of other colour options, including Arc Satsuma, Arc Lemon, Arc Blossom and Arc Citrus – check through the range here. The Arc design is hand-stencilled, with the resulting hand-finished, textured look. Each tile measures 13cm x 13xm and they can be used in wet rooms and for fire surrounds as well as kitchen or bathroom splashbacks.

SWIVEL SPOUT MYTHOS TAP BY FRANKE

This elegant new tap is the latest addition to Franke’s premium Mythos Collection. The solid stainless steel swivel tap turns 360 degrees, has sleek and slim geometric lines and a square base, and features an L-shaped spout. Shown here in Stainless Steel, suitable for high-pressure systems, with a single lever operation. Also in Industrial Black finish and available as a Mythos Pull Out Nozzle version as well.

KEEP THAT KITCHEN GREENERY ALIVE WITH A WATERING STAKE!

Plants are very abundant in many kitchens, and often placed on high shelves or above islands – to get the full effect of trailing greenery! And yes, being a plant person myself it is often a pain to get to higher shelves to monitor the Monstera. So, enter a new favourite gadget, the Terracotta Watering Stake from Fred Aldous. It can be used on it’s own, just topped up with water, or if you’re away on holiday, it can hold an upside-down water bottle (just a normal size) to let water seep through the terracotta over a longer period.

SUMMER CLEANING WITH CARE+PROTECT

I’ve been having a blitz in the kitchen and bathrooms recently!  Since Easter and all those bank holidays we’ve had a constant stream of visitors and guests, and I’ve realised that everything needed a good clean-up. I’ve tried several different products from CARE+PROTECT and, being a bit of a clean-freak, will probably end up working my way through the entire range. The Rapid Action Descaler for Coffee Machines worked a treat, and yes, I admit, it must have been clogged inside because it’s flowing much better now! Ditto regarding the 3 in 1 Limescale Remover – Degreaser – Hygienic Cleaner for the dishwasher. I also sorted out the washing machine, and have been using the 100% Pure Essence Concentrated Laundry Perfume for the endless bedlinen washes that accumulated. All highly recommended, take a look at the whole range.