The Standard

10 THE STANDARD STYLE / HOME & GARDEN / TRENDS
September 14 to 20 2014
Kitchens
Simple kitchen
with elegant
floors and
splash of
colour.
Fabulous
Noma Ndlovu
Kitchens are the soul of the home. Gone are
the days where kitchens were the domain
of maids and mothers, where you only went
to get your food refill. Things have changed,
kitchens have become the crowning glory of a
home. The old formula to create a triangular
flow - fridge, sink and stove has been replaced
by a functionality that is user-friendly and interactive.
Kitchens have evolved to showcase personality
and style. I have often pointed out that
each room of the house is important but detail
and state of a room is what sets your property
apart from the rest should you decide to sell.
A kitchen is a good selling point, the classier
and modern the kitchen is the more value it
adds to your home.
Before you decide on the theme of your
kitchen, you need to be clear on whether you
are remodelling or renovating. Remodelling
is a completely new kitchen where you are
changing not only the fixtures but the floor
plan , space , appliances and all else. Renovating
is simply updating fixtures and fittings
and without changing the floor plan or removing
walls. Your wall colour will set the tone for
your kitchen.
Kitchen Must Haves
Sinks and Faucets. Kitchens have become
trendy in the last decade. Stainless steel kitchen
sinks have a new look. New material is
now being used in the design of sinks that can
match the colour of your floors, counter tops
or appliances. Sinks can now be under mount,
top mount or apron style, just depends on your
preferences.
Countertops. There are many options
when it comes to counter tops. You can use
granite, quartz, marble, concrete, wood, stainless
steel, laminate, solid surface, recycled
glass and tiles. I love granite countertops especially
the ones that glow in the dark. If budget
is not an issue I definitely recommend granite
for your countertops. It really does add value
to your home and it wears well. It holds heat
well and has the second hardness rating after
diamonds. Choose a countertop that is durable
and easy to maintain. Local kitchen designers
have a wide range of these counters to
help make your kitchen dream come true.
Cabinets and Back Wash. You can’t go
wrong with wood. Wood can be stained to suit
your colour choices to a certain extent. Wood
gives your kitchen a more rustic feel and ages
well. Wood laminate is a cheaper alternative
but does not age well. You can get creative
with your space. It does not mean that a small
space can’t have a stunning kitchen. In fact
small kitchens are the best to design as you
are working with fewer elements. Use sliding
drawers for lower cabinets and grooved sling
drawers for spices. Work with colour tones
and accents as these will help give an illusion
of space. Dark woods on white walls or white
woods against dark walls or light walls the
end result is always a stunning kitchen. Back
wash or back splash that’s the area between
your top cabinets and the counter tops. This
area needs to stand out and flow with the design.
Sitting Area. The kitchen being the soul
of the home, a sitting area is a must. Depending
on the size of your family you might need
to remodel your kitchen if space is an issue.
However sitting area does not necessarily
have to be in the kitchen per se as these days
open plan is the in thing and the kitchen spills
into the dining area. You can choose to have
a sliding glass door to separate the two areas
just to add a bit of mystery and pizazz to your
area. Choose light sitting which is durable and
blends well with your space.
Pantry and Scullery
In larger kitchens, these are generally over
flow rooms. These need not be dreary rooms
or spaces. If you are remodelling you can add
them to your floor plan as overflow rooms or
as part of the kitchen cabinetry. The scullery
can house your dishwashing machine, washer
and dryer.
Appliances, Lighting and Flooring
There is a plethora of appliance manufacturers
who provide a range of appliances that suit
any budget. You can select your appliances to
go with your colour scheme. If yellow is your
theme go with the flow and ensure cohesiveness
in your design that wows and welcomes
people into your space. Lighting in the kitchen
should not be limited to the one bright florescent
light that we all know. Have three sources
of lighting – the bright one for you to see what
you are cooking, the dim one for dining and
the general one for normal lighting. Flooring
should be practical as well; I love Caesarstone
tiles which can also be adapted to countertops.
High gloss wood, ceramic and stone tiles
should be your options. Stick to one colour for
your flooring, not only does this add flow to
your theme; it adds value and simple elegance
to your home.
Kitchens are now classified as contemporary,
eclectic, traditional, luxury, classic,
modern, bespoke, funky, coastal, the list goes
on. However what is most important is how
you define your kitchen space. These dream
kitchens are attainable, all you need is to decide
what you what, stablish your budget,
shop around and choose a reputable Interior
designer or a Specialist Kitchen Designer who
can match your ideas to form and functionality.
The good thing is we have talented Kitchen
Designers in Zimbabwe that you can work
with to create a beautiful bespoke kitchen that
suits your needs. Till then Keep Calm and
Love your Home.
Credits – SA home Owner – August 2014.
www.Interiordec.about.com www.ramseyinteriors.com
flickr.com. www.edmondsoninteriors.co.uk
Noma Ndlovu is an Interior Designer & Property
Stylist. Feedback on unaminkosi@yahoo.
co.uk or www.facebook.com/unamihomestyle
Sliding drawers for lower cabinets to minimize clutter an excellent way to maintain an elegant
kitchen
A double under mount sink with a high pressure shower faucet.
A built in storage area for your washing machines