WIN Clothes from EAST FASHION A little bit of razzle dazzle

A167May 2005 Online: www.nemagazine.co.uk5HOT FACTS ABOUT THENATION’S COOKING HABITSA survey on kitchens has revealed that ourcookery habits are influenced by where we live.● In general 41 per cent of people find cookingtherapeutic and relaxing, while 80 per cent of us areinspired to cook for special occasions.● Only four per cent of us pass off caterers’food as our own.● 30 per cent of newlyweds suffer nerves whencooking for in-laws causing them to have accidents orruin the food.● Most common mishaps are forgetting to turnthe oven on, and leaving food unattended andfinding that family pets have eaten it.THE North-East was the area where mostcooks loved listening to music as theycooked, while 40 per cent said singinghelps their creativity in the kitchen.CREATE A CELEBRITY-STYLE KITCHENRebecca Tanqueray, author of 101 Ideas:Kitchens, gives her tips on how to create acontemporary kitchen.● Opt for clean-lined units and keep themsimple, no fussy handles.● Use glass and stainless steel whereveryou can. Frosted glass can also work wellas a unit front.● Choose a chunky worktop – slate, concrete,recycled plastic.● A floating island unit in an open plankitchen is ultra-fashionable.● Hide everything behind closed doors,uncluttered surfaces are key.● Keep walls plain, or if you want pattern,opt for textured plaster finish or a retro1970s wallpaper.● Floors should be sleek and unfussy, smoothstone, wide floorboards, or a sweep of colouredrubber.● Choose a streamlined sink in steel orstone and dress with modern taps.101 Ideas: Kitchens by Rebecca Tanqueray(Quadrille, £14.99)Fired Earth’s Bastide kitchen furniture,above and main picture, is hand-craftedin France using traditional tongueand groove joinery. The French oakpieces are elegantly understated, witha distinctive simple design, and providea warm and welcoming focusTop right:B&Q BirchstyleShakerkitchen.500mm baseunit (includingcabinetand door)£62Left: Cremede la Cremekitchen byJohn LewisofHungerfordTOHEIGHINGTONWHINBANKROADP.W.S.INCINERATORKITCHENCREATIONTETLEYSDURHAM WAYSOUTH3MFACTORYHOLIWAYSGARAGEFILTRONICAYCLIFFEVILLAGEMc DONALDSSOUTH NORTHA1 A1JUNCTION59A167DARLINGTON