This month we’ve been admiring some beautiful kitchens, all with different points of interest… From a elegant minimalist architect-designed kitchen featuring HI MACS® surfaces to the warm colouring of a new Schmidt kitchen, also some new tiles from Saracen Stone.

The owners of this kitchen wanted it to be as hygienic as possible, and working with architects Material Works, decided to specify Ivory White HI-MACS work surfaces. With ease of cleaning and maintenance a priority, HI-MACS® is non-porous, easy to clean and as sections are joined together seamlessly there’s no possibility of germs hanging around. Martin Saxby, Country Manager, LG Hausys Europe, is keen to talk about that aspect of the material, which is composed of minerals, acrylic and natural pigments, is shaped using a thermoforming process and has limitless colours – some of which have an element of translucence. ‘The current health situation reminds us that hygiene is of vital importance and HI-MACS®, thanks to it’s inherent resistance to dirt, viruses, bacteria and various chemical agents is the perfect material for wall covering and cladding, furniture and kitchen and bathroom surfaces where cleanliness and hygiene really count’.

A long view of the Material Works Stoke Newington kitchen, which features a polished concrete floor and joists and window seat in natural oak. The concept of the kitchen was to transform the dark, too-small kitchen that was there, creating a bright and open space suitable for the needs of a growing family. Bespoke cabinetry is by  BDB Furniture

Work surfaces and the splashback are all in HI MACS® in Ivory White S029. Light floods into the newly created space, thanks to the glazed side return roof and glazed door into the garden. Great planning – fitting in a dining table and an island into what was originally a dark and cramped space. All photography, Gautier Houba

A view from the outside in … a very different ‘side return’ from normal, the extra-wide door adds the right balance to the scheme, and we admire the square window with deep window seat, as well as the combination of materials, all within that natural/neutral palette. Structural Engineer, Foster Structures

It’s very inspirational to see new colours coming in, and this is an interesting one, it’s L’Épicerie Collection in Coral by Schmidt, it comes in various colours, a large number of cabinet and drawer formats, as well as crate-style drawers,  Grillage wire mesh sliding panel door fronts, and plenty of open shelf and pull-out combinations. For more details on the possibilities available, click here.

One of the creative wine-storage options from L’Épicerie , the armoire is split into sections using diagonals to enable bottles to be stacked and separated safely.

More details from L’Épicerie  with a combination of open shelves and pull-outs providing  useful storage space for ingredients – everything can be seen at once and smaller items can be neatly stored in the drawers.

The L’Épicerie crate-style drawers in more detail – the practicality of being able to see what’s in there is great for keeping an eye on what’s in stock, and of course they are perfect for fruit and vegetables.  Work surfaces are Alabama laminate and Nero Assoluto ceramic surfaces, cabinet doors are in micron lacquer, in 26 colours.

Ca’Pietra has been working with the National Trust to create a new tile collaboration, inspired by all the properties, gardens and landscapes that are in the care of the National Trust. The range is extensive, with ten separate collections including classic and modern designs for walls and floors. Each design has the roots of it’s inspiration within decorative details found in NT properties. We wanted to show you just a couple of ideas to whet your appetite for your next interior project. These are Brewhouse Porcelain Parquet tiles, suitable for both indoors and outdoors, and for walls and floors. Inspired by the Brewhouse at Moseley Old Hall in Staffordshire.

We love the contemporary influence of these hexagonal Woodland Glade Porcelain Melange Green tiles, suitable for walls and floors, indoors and out. There’s also a plain white décor tile to add to the mix! This design is new, and was inspired by the foliage found in the Winkworth Arboretum

This spectacular kitchen was purchased as an ex-showroom display model, from Used Kitchen Exchange . The company acts on behalf of both buyers and sellers, enabling showroom owners to sell their no-longer-needed display kitchens, and UKE also offers a dismantling service as well. Ex-display kitchens are sometimes purchased by developers, as well as anyone who is looking for a good deal on their next kitchen. There are amazing bargains to be had, needless to say, and UKE can help with every step in the process, from the initial survey and listing to a collection and delivery service and Approved Used seal of approval.

So, if you’re about to embark on a kitchen journey, consider the possibilities of buying ex-display or pre-owned, and at the same time think about the option of selling on your ‘old’ kitchen. Not only will it contribute towards the outlay on the new kitchen, it will lessen the hassle of ‘getting rid of’ the old kitchen. And there’s a green angle too, take a look here for the facts and figures. Re-using an existing kitchen saves around 500kgs of carbon, which equates roughly to a family of four being carbon-neutral for a year. And this is another view of that ex-showroom display kitchen that now looks very happy indeed in its new home!