Colourful & Cheerful Kitchens

SWAP CREAM AND WHITE FOR COLOURFUL BRIGHTS OR SOFT, SUBTLE SHADES TO TURN YOUR KITCHEN INTO EVERYONE’S HAPPY PLACE…

- Linda Clayton

POWERFUL PATTERNS

In an open-plan layout, graphic tiles help define even the smallest cooking area. ‘This kitchen is very small, but the colourful tiling makes it feel much more expansive,’ says US interior designer Leanne Ford. ‘Mixing modern with vintage helps create a look that has no time or place, and which will feel fresh for years to come.’ Rather than colourmatching the island to the tiles, Leanne went for green. ‘It plays off the blue of the tiles, but is more relaxed than precise co-ordination.

LILAC TIME

Large spaces can be difficult to conquer colour-wise. Too much can overload the senses; too little may prove bland. Try using an arresting shade on cabinets or a focal-point island, then linking in similar, softer tones throughout the rest of the space. ‘We’re seeing a move towards lilac in the kitchen,’ says Steve Tough, commercial sales director at Masterclass Kitchens. ‘Our new Wisteria shade is one step on from blush pink, and treads a careful balancing act between subtle and statement.’

CUSTOM COLOUR

The zing of brightness from the fridge freezer may be the wow factor here, but there’s another clever colour trick happening, too. ‘Custom-coloured finishes are now offered on appliances, taps and even floor tiles,’ says Dean Keyworth of Armstrong Keyworth. ‘These poured concrete tiles were custommatched to tie in with the kitchen units, range cooker and fridge freezer. Non-standard colours can cost more, but it’s worth it to achieve a beautifully balanced scheme.’

SPLASH ZONE