A kitchen is just a kitchen, right? Well, yes and no. Obviously there is a practical, formulaic element to creating the perfect cook space – in order for it to be a fully working kitchen, you will always need work surfaces, sinks and brassware, cabinetry, appliances... Functionality dictates this part. But the way these working parts are put together, and the aesthetics surrounding them, is where you can make your hub a reflection of your personality. After all, we’re all different, so why shouldn’t our kitchens be so? Our real-life case studies are the perfect examples. In Island Dreaming on page 24, Ellie Deal’s personal love of East Coast style firmly influenced the overall appearance of her kitchen, to stunning effect. Meanwhile, Steph and Ryan Lothian worked their whole barn redesign around their penchant for the cool and contemporary, from the streamlined kitchen to the hugely proportioned bedroom suite – see Pale & Interesting on page 36 for more insight. For Ben and Kate, it’s all about family – their kitchen is the ideal blend of style and practicality, with even a nappy changing station (accidentally) included! Flick to page 48 for Fashionably Flexible. As keen entertainers, Laura and Glyn Davies wanted a warm and welcoming social space, working with their kitchen designer to create the perfect blend that represented them so well in Mixed Materials, page 60. Of course, when it comes to couples, personalities can clash, which you would think might cause problems when deciding on an interior style. 

The impact we are all having on the environment is one of the big news stories at the moment, and for good reason. But it’s not just about fast food chains replacing plastic straws with paper
ones, or refusing to use products containing irresponsibly sourced palm oil – there’s so much more we could all be doing which would make a big difference, including opting for carefully
considered kitchen design. From sustainable materials for cabinetry and surfaces to choosing a manufacturer who recycles waste products to generate heat for their workshop, there are so many environmentally-friendly options which will help to reduce our carbon footprint at the very least. To learn more about sustainable kitchen design and how you can do your part when it comes to making responsible choices, turn to our feature Eco Chambers on page 88. As always, this issue is packed with real-life case studies, full of ideas to help you with your next project design. Each one has it’s own unique style, and each one encountered different obstacles along the way – but the results are all truly stunning. From a classically beautiful, vintage cottage kitchen in the Suffolk countryside (see Opposites Attract on page 56) to an ultra-modern design centred around a high-tech hob (Feel Good Factor on page 44) there’s something to suit every taste when it comes to style. Of course, style isn’t the only consideration when it comes to your home. Bathrooms in particular demand a heavy focus on practicality, although with today’s technologies and materials they can look pretty stunning, too. In Family Values on page 120, you’ll learn ways to future-proof your bathroom to suit both your current and future family situations. Window dressings are another area which have a clear function in addition to providing a feature. With a huge range of options, including curtains and voiles, blinds and shutters, the choices are all laid out for you in Best Dressed, page 135.

Just as variety is the spice of life, mixed materials are big news in the world of kitchens. From metal veneers like copper verdigris and pewter to concrete and stone, not to mention stunning
naturally grained timbers such as walnut and traditional oak, combining just the right mix of finishes will transform a scheme from mundane to magical. If you’re unsure where to start, our
Deputy Editor Hugh has put together a stunning guide to getting that perfect blend in Mixed Signals on page 94. In fact, all our real-life kitchens this issue are testament to just how successful a mixed material scheme can be. In Character Story, page 26, Clare and Mike Singer brought personality aplenty into their previously featureless apartment by combining American Black walnut cabinetry with sintered stone surfaces, plus backlit marble for an extra special touch. While an ultra-moden laquered finish paired with absoutely stunning porcelain surfaces and mirrored glass offer a sophisticated look for a Cardiff townhouse – read Mirror Image on page 40 to find out more. Contrasts are key to the appeal of Craig’s kitchen in Grand Central, page 52, where concrete-style downstands meet beautifully textured warm oak floors, a juxtaposition of traditional and industrial which really makes an impact. Of course, you don’t have to go the whole hog when introducing different elements. Just a hint of variety, for example introducing brass fittings and quartz surfaces, is enough to make a kitchen design really pop – A Sweet Escape on page 62 is the perfect example. Yet at the other end of the spectrum, multiple finishes have been incorporated into the kitchen featured within New Horizons, page 74,
to great effect – including 100-year-old bricks, concrete and quartz, to name but a few. 

As the editor of an ideas-filled magazine like this, I thought it would be easy to plan my own kitchen project – boy, was I wrong! I’ve been trying to settle on a cabinetry style and colour scheme for nearly a year now, and am no closer to making a decision. For me, being constantly surrounded by images of beautiful kitchens is proving more of a hinderance than a help in some ways, because there’s just too much choice right under my nose. So I was quite surprised to find out that three of the real-life case studies this issue are owned by interior professionals who, like me, are constantly inundated with inspiration yet they have been able to pin down their own personal style and inject it into their home. Reading their stories, I was impressed by their decision-making processes and will certainly take some of their advice on board when narrowing my own choices down. As a design director of an interiors company, Andrea Milward purposefully bought a ‘wreck’ and promptly knocked down most of the walls to create her own dream home, although she admits she was her own worst client – see Project Perfection on page 22. Architect Angus Eital designs extensions and conversions as part of his daily life, and freely admits he uses his family house as a metaphorical guinea pig to try out his ideas, at least to a degree. Read In the Zone on page 38 and you’ll find out his carefully planned kitchen-diner certainly passed the test. As a double whammy, Debbie Pearce works for kitchen designer Neptune, as well as running an architectural planning and design business, so she was super-qualified when it came to her own kitchen project. She could have gone all out design-wise with her background, but actually created a beautifully subtle Scandi-esque feel – turn to Gently Does It on page 70. Of course, not everyone has experience in interior design, which is why we’re here to give you the tools you need to make your home feel like, well, home.

There’s something about this time of year that makes you want to gather friends and family together and raise a glass to the long, balmy evenings. Once upon a time the living room was the place for guests to congregate but those days are long gone. Instead, the kitchen is now the ultimate multipurpose place where everyone wants to be. With such a big role to play in everyday life, the design has to work exceptionally hard whilst looking simply amazing, so we’ve put together a super handy guide to both open plan and broken plan layouts. To decide which works best for your lifestyle and space, turn to Make or Break on page 75. After last year’s searingly hot summer, you could go one (albeit it rather large) step further and embrace the outdoors fully – forget barbecues, kitchens in the garden are the next big thing, with all your creature comforts, cabinetry and appliances installed al fresco. Flick to The Great Outdoors on page 84 and you’ll be re-evaluating your garden space in no time. Our real-life kitchens this issue are as stunningly impressive and informative as ever, full of clever ideas and designer advice to help with your own project planning. In Brighter Outlook on page 22, you’ll find out how a derelict Edwardian property was transformed into a modern family home that’s now so gorgeous, it’s gracing our cover this issue. Bold colour lifts a classic kitchen to new heights in Louise and Adam’s barn conversion – to learn about their renovation journey, turn to Modern Country on page 34. Someone who took summer living to the absolute extreme is Amanda Neilson, who built her own Italian escape in Puglia and kitted out the kitchen with an ingenious pocketdoor pod design – see The Simple Life on page 46 for more. Meanwhile, in Turn Up The Contrast on page 56, Peter Jenkins looked beyond the everyday for solutions when it came to his art gallery-inspired kitchen extension.

Go big or go home... Or, in the case of this month’s stunning real-life kitchens, go big AN D go home! Our theme this issue is how to best treat larger rooms – paradoxically, they can actually be more difficult to work with compared with less generous floorplans when it comes to a new kitchen. Luckily, we’ve been showered with some amazing advice from the pros-in-the-know,
which will ensure you make the best use of your space. One aspect which often features heavily in larger kitchen designs (and even in more compact ones) is the island. With endless options
available in terms of functionality, size and materials, we’ve filled our specialist feature on page 66 with masses of design inspiration and practical solutions to make yours the Centre of Attention. In our larger-than-life real kitchens, islands are a common feature as you’d probably expect, but there are so many different aspects to planning a large space which you may not have previously considered. Orley Kutner’s kitchen, A Kitchen For Life, page 24, is a truly multifunctional arena, designed for both family life and also serious entertaining – the already
impressive footprint was made to feel even bigger thanks to floor-to-ceiling glazing which leads onto the beautiful garden. In Breathing Space on page 36, Victoria and Anthony Herbert weren’t content with ‘just’ opening up three rooms to create their generous American-style kitchen – they also dug down into the basement to install a spiral wine cellar for the ultimate wow factor. Also inspired by life in the USA , it was American-sized appliances which dictated the layout of Lizzie and Matt Samuel’s monochromatic hub. To provide the floorplan they
required, they bought two flats within one building and combined them into one, resulting in a spacious dining-cooking-living area – flick to A Kitchen of Contrasts on page 48.

Let’s face it – whether you’re a Brexiteer or a Remainer, just about everyone is fed up of hearing the dreaded Brexit word, but it’s showing no sign of abating. To take your mind off it somewhat, we thought we’d throw two far less divisive B-words into the mix – Bespoke Britain. One thing the UK should be extremely proud of is its home-grown talent when it comes to cabinetmaking and joinery, not to mention the fantastic design minds in this amazing country. I was fortunate enough to host a wonderful lunch at London’s iconic Groucho Club back in February, gathering together some of the biggest powerhouses and also some less well known up-and-comers from the world of bespoke British kitchen design, in order to celebrate all that they do and what they represent. You’ll find a profile of each of my guests in an extra-special section within this issue – whether Brexit goes ahead or not, we’d like to welcome you all to Bespoke Britain – turn to page 98. Our main magazine also features some fantastic bespoke real-life kitchens. In One for Us on page 24, a property developing couple put so much of their heart and soul into renovating their chapel home, that they’re unsure they’ll ever be able to leave it. Meanwhile, in Back to Black on page 48, Jessie Hassall grew tired of her tiny kitchen and commissioned a unique new design in order to sate her desire for baking. Whatever the outcome of Brexit, we could never turn our backs on our European cousins, however – especially when it comes to kitchen design. Linda and Robert loved their post-war maisonette, with its quintessentially British Crittall windows, but it was a company founded in Scandinavia that provided the perfect industrial-style setting for their stunning new hub – flick to Bold as Brass on page 36. There’s plenty of inspiration for a monochrome kitchen scheme, whether classic or
contemporary, in our feature All Here in Black & White on page 69. 

They say the key to success is in the planning, and this is absolutely spot on when it comes to creating the perfect kitchen. We can’t emphasise enough how beneficial it is to speak to kitchen
specialists, visit showrooms and get the best design service you can to ensure you end up with a kitchen you’ll love for years to come. Whilst the experts will be able to deliver exactly what you need, it never hurts to go into the process with your eyes open – after all, forewarned is forearmed – so we’ve included a bumper guide to kitchen planning in this issue to give you that extra boost of confidence you need when taking the first steps towards your dream scheme. Turn to page 99 and discover how Planning Makes Perfect. Proving just how smooth a new kitchen project can be if you use a reputable company for the design and build, we’ve included no less than seven real-life case studies this issue, each one including interviews with the designers to explain how they achieved their client’s unique brief. For example, in Inside Out on page 26, you’ll find out how Blakes London brought to life Lauren and Rob’s vision for using mixed materials and incorporating elements of their South African roots. Guild Anderson faced a big hurdle when creating a bold hub for Vics and Simon Andrews in Fresh Thinking, page 42 – who knew that large spaces can pose just as many spatial design challenges as small ones? It was The Cheshire Kitchen Company who answered Rachel and Martin’s call to create a family kitchen with the ultimate wow factor – flick to Front and Centre on page 74 to discover the most stunning island design. We’ll leave you to discover the rest of these fantastically inspirational stories over a coffee (perhaps our feature on instant hot water taps and coffee machines might be apt here, see Heat of the Moment on page 126). 

It probably goes without saying, but two things which definitely go hand-in-hand are cooking and eating, and the same can be said for kitchens and dining areas. While separate dining rooms might work for more formal affairs, the trend for kitchen-diners is currently more popular than ever, so this issue we’ve focussed on how to include seating areas into the kitchen layout without encroaching on the workspace or upsetting the aesthetic. Whether built-in banquette dining takes your fancy or freestanding benches have the greater appeal, you’ll find all you need to know in our feature Sitting Pretty on page 93. Every single one of our real-life case studies this issue has embraced the idea of a shared cooking/eating space, yet in very different ways. In Colour Contrast on page 24, MG’s beautiful kitchen is a vibrant space during the day, thanks to her bold cabinetry and colourful choice of dining furniture, yet an intimate setting by night. In contrast, flick to Light Entertainment on page 36 and you’ll see how a more muted palette and a multifunctional island combine to create a welcoming kitchen all year round. The Dittmer family have gone one step further when creating their open-plan space by incorporating a living area too, as well as informal island dining and a family-sized table set-up – find out how they did it in Detailed Transformation on page 48. With no less than two cabinetry styles working together side-by-side, it makes sense that Paul and Silvana would want to bring a plethora of dining options into the mix, including a stunning high-backed banquette which helps to set off their scheme perfectly – see A Tale of Two Kitchens on page 60. Finally, in A Kitchen Revival, Beth and Paul Thurston loved their old cabinetry so much that they revamped and reused it within their new kitchen design, alongside a new walnut-topped island which provides stylish informal breakfast seating.

Change can be an unsettling thing, especially when that change involves a huge renovation project where one wrong decision could have a serious impact on both your home and your bank balance. That’s why it pays to work with professional people and companies who share your vision, and who can also suggest new ideas you may never have thought of in order to make your plans go, well, to plan. With the logistics and planning work in the hands of the pros, it might even give you the confidence to be a touch bolder in your design choices. Our real-life case studies this issue have done exactly that. In Industrial Renovation on page 24, Naomi and Danny Page could have taken the tried and tested ‘pale and interesting’ route when converting their ‘ugly duckling’ barn, but instead they stuck to their design guns by opting for a dramatic matt black and brass kitchen which suits the space perfectly. Another homeowner with an urge to put her own stamp on her hub is Lucy Matthews, who went to the extreme of knocking a whole house down in order to build her dream one from scratch – find out how she started and finished this huge journey in Heart of Oak on page 38. One couple who certainly didn’t rush headlong in is Helen and Peter, who lived in their home for ten years before investing in a major overhaul of their ground floor. Working with a company they connected with made it the kitchen they’d long wished for – flick to page 50 to read All Change. One example of how things can go wrong if you’re not selective in terms of who to work with, is Worth the Wait on page 72. Jim and Jeni Davis had to switch builders a year into their project, but it all turned out well in the end. Of course, it’s not all about the huge decisions – some of the smaller ones can have a real impact on the finished result.

New year is often a time for fresh starts. For some, that might mean making the decision to move house in order to get the perfect property. But what if you already love where you live, and just need a little more kitchen space? That’s where extensions come in. From conservatories and orangeries to side returns and wraparounds, there’s sure to be an option that suits your favoured floorplan in our feature Room to Grow on page 69. Our real-life case studies this issue are the perfect examples of how a bit of clever planning can overcome any spacial hurdles. In A Tall Order on page 20, Julia and Mark Reeves combined mezzanine walkways with the most striking open-plan entertaining area, with a stunning Tom Howley kitchen at the forefront. Meanwhile, Robert and Claire had a few quirky characteristics to contend with, including a warren of servant quarters which all had to be opened up to allow for this characterful Chiselwood kitchen – flick to page 32 to read Modern Manor. Proving you don’t have to extend by much to make a massive difference, in Bold Move on page 48 you can find out how Lily and Col Pickard added a side return extension to their home. It may ‘only’ have added two metres to the space, but the finished result looks larger than life. If you’re looking to overhaul your lifestyle as well as your décor this new year, you’ll love our feature on the ultimate health-boosting appliances. From steam cookers which preserve nutrients to bacteria-killing washing machines to anti-allergy vacuum cleaners, you can discover a healthier you in Lean Cuisine on page 80. Following a busy festive season we all need time to relax and unwind and, for the ultimate in pampering luxury, why not invest in a traditional roll-top or modern freestanding bath (see Bathing Beauties on page 94) before slipping under clean, crisp sheets in a fresh bedroom scheme perfect for an invigorating night’s sleep – turn to page 118 to read Fresh Starts for some cool décor inspiration.

‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry... With this in mind, I’m sure I’m not alone in frantically trying to make sure my home is guest-ready from top to bottom – clearing clutter, refreshing the spare bedroom (read: junk room) and stocking the fridge in preparation for the revolving door of family and friends popping in for some festive cheer. Of course, with kitchens these days being THE place for people to congregate all year round, it pays to plan lots of entertaining options into your new project from the start. Whether your floor plan is on a grand scale or more bijou, find out how to pack in plenty of host-friendly aspects in Social Life on page 69. Proving that any kitchen can be turned into an entertaining arena, each of our real-life kitchens this issue features simple yet effective ideas to inspire you on your ultimate renovation journey. In The Perfect Vision on page 26, Alexandra and Jason Eton created what they call an ‘everything room’ – perfect for cooking, entertaining, relaxing and working yet beautifully stylish, too. Meanwhile, Rachel and Nick Ayerst were unable to turn their galley kitchen into the vast space they wished for, so instead they opted for a broken-plan layout and added an orangerie – turn to Great Lengths on page 36 to find out more. Also drawing on an extension as a means of increasing kitchen area, Ali and Paul Cunningham used theirs to meet their changing family’s needs, ensuring no clutter could be collected by settling on clean, streamlined cabinetry and hardwearing worktops. Flip to page 48 to read Fresh Look. Of course, it’s all well and good creating a stunning open-plan hub, but what about all the cooking smells and steam that come with dishing up delicious festive fayre? Don’t despair – we have that covered in our guide to extractors, The Art of Extraction on page 79.

Some styles waft in and out of fashion, popping back up on the interior radar every few years like clockwork. Others, however, are such classics they will always be popular and simply evolve to meet today’s demands. Take the Scandi scheme, for example – simple, elegant, and totally timeless, it covers a broad yet strikingly definitive spectrum. From Swedish to Nordic to Danish design, the basic ethos is pale hues, clutter-free and welcoming – the absolute ultimate in easy living. Yet each variation in the design offers something special, ensuring the look will never tire. To show the different appeal this one fabulously understated style can exude, we’ve put together
the ultimate guide to Scandi in Nordic Drama on page 85. Showcasing just how Scandi style can work in real life, flip to page 40 to read New Life and see how Sue and Ian Smith converted a derelict barn into a beautifully light and open space, incorporating kitchen, dining room and living area into one huge social hub. Also embarking upon a barn conversion but with a completely different outcome, Luke and Lydia opted for traditional cabinetry with a cream and blue-grey palette for their kitchen in Balancing Act on page 28. A complete contrast can be found in Colour Me Happy on page 54 – this couple originally wanted a classic kitchen, but just before taking the plunge they did an about turn, opting for a bright, modern offering instead. But, if brave boldness isn’t quite what you’re after, you can see how colour can also be introduced in a more subtle way yet still making an impact in On a Grand Scale, page 66. 

Once upon a time, kitchens existed simply to prepare and cook meals. They were often small, functional spaces designed purely to serve their purpose and certainly not somewhere for family
and friends to congregate – in fact, I’m sure most of us can remember our mum shouting at us to get out of her kitchen every dinner time! But, these days, they’re beoming more and more
sociable – first, it became popular to combine the kitchen with the dining room. But now, this blended living is being embraced even further by including the sitting area too, making kitchens a
fully multi-functional zone which requires careful planning and consideration to get that all important combination of aesthetics and ergonomics.
In our real-life case studies this issue, every one of our featured kitchens has welcomed a social space into the mix. In Blank Canvas on page 30, Michele’s Alice in Wonderland-esque scheme
incorporates kitchen, dining room, living area and garden for the ultimate entertaining arena.
With more of a focus on family life, in Journey to Success on page 46, Pam and Peter Eccles chose their kitchen design because it allows the children to sit at the island doing their homework whilst Pam is cooking. as well as being the perfect hub when friends come to visit. After living for too long with a conservatory that resembled a bus shelter, Pam Hines was keen to update her 200-year-old home with a new extension, and in doing so created a beautiful open-plan area to suit her love of socialising in Let Me Entertain You, page 58. If period features really appeal, turn to page 70 and you’ll be inspired by this personality-filled kitchen, dining and living area in New Old Fashioned whilst those with a smaller floorplan will be pleased to see you really can have it all, even in a Victorian terraced property – see Beautifully Balanced on page 82.

As Editor of a magazine specialising in kitchen design, you’d be forgiven for thinking I have a huge, stunning hub in my own home. In truth, my own kitchen is one of the smallest rooms of the house, and the nature of the property layout means I don’t have the option to extend or repurpose. That got me thinking – not everyone is lucky enough to have a vast floorplan to create the ideal space, yet it doesn’t mean you have to give up on your kitchen dreams. There are so many options for a minimal-sized kitchen with maximum impact, but if you’re still not convinced flick to page 77 and discover Small Wonders – thanks to our guide to making the most of more modest kitchen spaces, you’ll be reigniting your project plans in no time. Even our real-life kitchen case studies provide the perfect examples of making layouts work for you. In An Eye For Style on page 24, Abeline Geldenhuys and his wife Lucy refused to accept the decision that their kitchen wasn’t big enough for an island. Instead, they turned the island itself into a kitchen, and filled the remaining area with beautiful heirlooms and memories of previous times in Africa. Another smaller space with a stunning kitchen was created by blogger Joanne Hegarty, also known as Stylist And The Wardrobe. In Natural Selection on page 36, Joanne combined a galley-style kitchen with an open-plan dining room, creating a classic appeal with plenty of storage for her and her son that feels cosy yet ultra-organised. Meanwhile, on page 46 in Sanctuary In The City, Iain’s minimalist white handless cabinetry is enhanced by a mirrored splashback which reflects the stunning connected outdoor area to make the space feel larger and hugely
inviting. Finally, the Moseleys’ Masterclass kitchen in A Bright New Outlook on page 58 has been designed around a small, awkward space which, thanks to amazing architecture, is anything but claustrophic. While some people may not be short on space, one thing we all seem to need more of is time.

Just as in fashion, interior design trends seem to constantly rotate
and re-emerge every few years. Right now seems to be all about that
Art Deco staple, Crittall – and not just when it comes to windows, as
steel-framed room dividers and shower screens are also the thing of the
moment. In fact, you’ll see a few prime examples of these in our guide
to wet rooms, Go With The Flow, on page 94. But there are some styles
that we all retreat to time and again, whose popularity will never wane –
they simply evolve. In Country Living, we show how the traditional look
has been updated while still retaining that classic country charm – turn
to page 66 to find out more.

There are few things more uplifting than throwing the windows wide open to let in the fresh air with a cup of coffee in hand. Perhaps taking a brief stroll (or, like me, an Instagram scroll) in nature. It just seems such a shame to be cooped up in a hot kitchen slaving over dinner when you could be out enjoying the glorious summer weather while it lasts. So, it got me thinking – we all love a good BBQ, but why not go that one step further and put the entire kitchen outdoors...? Call me crazy, but once you’ve read our guide to Alfresco Living on page 96, you’ll be drawing up weatherproofing plans and wishing you could wheel your range cooker to the garden in no time.
Heading back indoors, we also have plenty of interior inspiration to whet your design appetite. Our real homes this issue offer a plethora of planning ideas – on page 24 in The Right Move we tell you about Rachael’s coach house renovation which pays homage to its history in such a sympathetic way. In Lofty Intentions, page 38, a breathtakingly large cathedral-esque space threatened to overwhelm any kitchcn layout, but the designers worked their magic to create a hub that is totally worthy of its Manhatten-style loft home. Awkward spaces continue to be a theme in Old Meets New, as Serena’s Georgian property contained a multitude of orginal features which, although stunning, made fitting a suitable kitchen somewhat difficult – but not impossible. The result? A stunning, family friendly floorplan that works with the house instead of against it – turn to page 48 to find out more. To honour her mother’s memory, Marie worked with her daughter to create a sociable kitchen that was both fresh and ergonomic, reflecting the beautiful colours of the garden – you’ll find more of their story in All Welcome on page 60.

Welcome
Kitchens. They’re the backbone of every home and, although the style debate between classic, traditional, minimalist, ultra modern or a combination thereof is a key decision, there are two things that you need from your kitchen on a more practical level: appliances that work hard yet look good, and organised storage. It goes without saying that aesthetics come high on the wish list too, but it’s what goes on behind the scenes that makes a huge difference when planning a kitchen project.
With this in mind, we have two key features this issue that may give you pause for thought at the start of your design journey. On page 80 in Inside Scoop, Hayley Gilbert gives a nod to that old Victorian mainstay – the pantry or larder. Not usually garnering much attention as a rule, they can truly be sanity savers when trying to find essential ingredients for busy family meals or mid hosting duties. With modular, scullery-style or bespoke walk-in to consider, there’s an option for any room plan.
When it comes to appliances, while there’s a permanent place in our heart for the range cooker, our Seamless Cooking feature on page 98 explains how the right bank of appliances can work for you. By banking everything from ovens and warming drawers to coffee machines and sousvide vacuum sealers, your kitchen can be breathtaking in its practicality as well as its façade.

Welcome
Beyond finding the right style of cabinetry and planning its layout, one of the biggest design decisions you will make when thinking about your new kitchen is what surface materials you use. From natural stone to composites and wood to metals and glass, there are so many options, and with many factors such as durability, appearance and maintenance to all bear in mind, the ideas might seem endless. In this bumper design-focused issue, we are honing in specifically on kitchen materials. Turn to Modern Utility on
page 89 to see how British designers are using surfaces best to create the new industrial mood. On page 99 you can consider specific solutions for all types of hardworking kitchen areas in Splashbacks & Worktops.
Our kitchen case studies in this issue feature a real array of mixed materials. Whether you fall in love with the salvaged wood and painted cabinetry of the Hornsby’s kitchen in Reclaimed Magic on page 28 or are more drawn to the seamless beauty of dark wood, cork walls and textured surfaces in Rhys Cole’s cook space in Two Into One on page 42, there are so many original ideas here to inspire you. In Into the Zone on page 56 the Piasecki family have used elegant marble to make a statement, while in Lofty Heights on page 68, Lamia Sbiti has gone for a beautiful combination of hand-poured concrete and black walnut plywood.
In other sections of the magazine we’ve also been drawn to natural and tactile materials coming through now, alongside some bling too. In bedrooms we’ve been hitching a retro ride back to the hippy era and earthy trends made new in That 70s Boho on page 170; while in bathrooms we’ve been investigating some of the new luxury and industrial finishes for shower and brassware – see Waterworks on page 141. Our bathroom and bedroom case studies in this issue couldn’t be more different one from another: In Sumptous Sophistication on page 152.
We hope you enjoy the issue!

Welcome
We so often talk about new directions in interior design but when it comes to redoing our kitchens, if there’s one thing that stays the same it’s our abiding love for good old fashioned carpentry. At the moment the collective yearning for bespoke pantries, larders, high cupboards, work benches and Shakerstyle cabinetry seems to have reached fever pitch which is why this issue we’ve dedicated a whole section particularly to the handcrafted and heritage look.
From British designers such as Martin Moore, Tim Higham and Tom Howley to Charles Yorke, Plain English and Neptune – to name just a small few – there is so much homegrown talent in kitchens, we wanted to showcase as many as we could. See our round-up in Modern Classics on page 87. Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming May issue as well, when we look at the more contemporary designs in Part Two of the series.
On the topic of homegrown craft, all of our our kitchen projects in this issue feature indigenous design. From James and Susie Harraway’s stunning Balham townhouse conversion by Blakes London – see Contemporary Elegance on page 26 – to the Greedy family’s new versatile cookspace by Masterclass Kitchens in Breathing Space on page 38, there is so much inspirational kitchen design here, you might need to sit down with a large pot of coffee to get through it all. In All Change on page 48 designer Julia Brown has designed her own dream kitchen by using accents of marble and raw concrete contrasting herringbone floors, and in Illuminating Idea on page 60, Nathalie Jouy has also achieved her kitchen of a lifetime with book-matched marble and bespoke cabinetry.
Meanwhile on page 72, we interview chef Rachel Khoo about her brand new cookspace she achieved in collaboration with deVOL.
Enjoy the issue!

Welcome
Now that the days are lighter and spring is on the horizon, it’s time for all of those slumbering house plans and ideas to come to life again as you get re-thinking
about those interior refreshes you want to do in 2018. For some, this might mean putting your energy into a stylish revamp of a bathroom or bedroom. For others, it
could mean a whole kitchen – or even whole house – refurbishment. If you’re in the latter camp, turn to page 87 to be inspired by 10 stunning kitchen trend ideas in What’s Cooking in 2018?
In Bathing Beauties on page 122 you will find the latest designs in bath tubs, while in bedrooms we are looking at how to streamline those cupboards and get your storage sorted. Read writer Victoria Hrastic’s round-up in The Order of Things on page 142.
Our kitchen projects in this issue are as informative and impressive as ever. Read how interior designer and blogger Laura Butler-Madden used marble and dramatic dark accents to bring her country cottage to life in Carriage House Kitchen on page 24. There’s also a hugely sophisticated edge to Bianca Hall’s newly revamped kitchen in East London. She took part of the first ‘Revamp, Restyle, Reveal’ instagram challenge which saw 10 talented interiors bloggers do a room each in the space of four weeks– see Chic in the City on page 38. Meanwhile, when the Thompson family found they were priced out of their desired location in Surrey they embarked on a project which saw them build their own house – and design their own kitchen themselves – see page 50 and Fresh Pastures.
And in Grand Plan (page 60), interior designer and homeowner Jayne Webster has planned a stunning kitchen conversion in her period home with plenty of space for entertaining and socialising. We were also wowed by designer Daniele Brutto’s recent project which we feature on page 72.
Here’s to brighter house planning days ahead!

Welcome
Planning a new kitchen, bathroom or bedroom will always involve a delicate balancing act between aesthetics and functionality, and this is a challenge that is always at the forefront of our minds as we think about what to feature in the magazine. So while we will always cover all the most gorgeous trends and new ideas that we see, we still have an equally pragmatic outlook and firm backbone of practicality in the mix too.
This issue is a fusion of design ideas and directions. On the one hand, you can turn to some of the most stand-out new concepts in bathrooms coming through for 2018, in Spring Ahead on page 114.
While in Moveable Feast, on page 82, we look at the versatility of a modular kitchen and how it could work for you. Technology editor Lucy Macdonald delves into how smart technology is changing the feel of our kitchens in Connected Future on page 104, and in Soft Focus on page 142, writer Victoria Rolison looks at the wide selection
of rugs and carpets to help you choose the right design for you. Of course the most beautiful projects will always manage to achieve both stunning good looks as well as a realistic design that works for its homeowners. Turn to page 24 and Mid-Century Mix to see how the Morris family have transformed their 1960s build with a contemporary kitchen that blends so well with their Crittall windows and poured concrete sink run and splashback. In Natural Order on page 38, the Dawsons have created a streamlined design for living and socialising in, and in Worth the Wait on page 50, Joanne and Stuart Ward have realised a dream of 10 years in the creation of the new family cook space.

Welcome to the January issue
I’ve been having a real personal decorating dilemma this month, whereby in the process of re-imagining our kitchen extension I can’t decide whether I am more on the dark or light side of the interiors debate. On the one hand, I love everything open and bright, in that sort of Scandinavian way, and I’m picturing beautiful blonde wooden floors with exposed wood cupboards and a light, perhaps blush, shade on the walls. But then, on the the other hand, I’m so drawn to dark cabinetry and dark floors and as we have already decided on Crittal-effect windows for the back of the house, this seems like the right look to go for. So when we visited Jane Rockett’s house (co-owner of Rockett St George) to photograph her kitchen and glean some tips on decorating for the festive season, I was thrown into even more of a quandary. Jane comes down on neither side of the debate, and has seamlessly mastered the art of achieving both looks at the same time. She has gone with dark walls – it was the first time I had seen the Abigail Ahern Madison Grey colour in the flesh and it really is sumptuous – along with super-smooth pale floors and lots of rustic touches, it works so beautifully. Turn to page 58 and
glimpse at how Jane gets into the festive spirit in Rock the Party. I also love this sort of high-low mixture in our other kitchen projects this issue – Laura Harper Hinton’s clean-lined space in Eclectic Mix on page 24 and Sally and Nick Rees’ traditional painted oak design which works so well in their character-filled oast house in Country Tale on page 38. Really, there is no one side or the other as it’s all about embracing both the dark and light; the challenge lies in getting the right balance.
We hope you enjoy the issue and we look forward to seeing you in 2018 for more kitchen, bathroom and bedroom planning. From myself and all the team here at ekbb we wish you the happiest of holidays.
Happy New Year!

There’s such a lovely sophisticated and glamorous mood entering the interiors and kitchens scene now, and this comes into its own at this most festive time of year. From gold and marble to brass and polished concrete, this issue has so many statement ideas and luxurious, surprising materials – just look at our cover story Sunny Side Up (page 22) to start whetting your appetite for some seriously grown-up inspiration. In Bold as Brass (page 46), the Johnstone family have added an island covered in satin brass to the middle of their Cotswolds kitchen, which matches their brass cupboard handles and marble worktops and splashbacks. Also, there are chic gold details in the dark cabinetry of the Dalton family’s new kitchen, in Pared-back Beauty (page 36), and in our shopping features In the Night Garden (page 15) and Cocktail Party (page 70), you can really get a feel for how jewel colours and touches of metallics set a celebratory mood for entertaining this season. 
How ready is your house for entertaining family, friends and guests right now? You could start with the basics by getting an organised kitchen – see Store & Order (page 74) and, if you need to upgrade your appliances in time for Christmas, technology editor Lucy Macdonald has all the tips in Gather Around (page 98). In You’re Welcome (page 115), assistant editor Emma Foale looks at everything from lighting to furniture to help plan your guest bathroom the right way. And, if you are in the market for a new bed for either yourself or visitors, there are 20 new ideas for bed shapes and frames in our Buyer’s Guide on page 134.

From a minimalist Scandi-style kitchen in Brighton with lots of pretty feminine touches, to a contemporary family design that also works as a busy West London home cookery school, what I love about every reader’s kitchen featured in this issue is that they are all so full of true personality.  The epitome of this has to be our cover story – the kitchen of fashion editor and blogger Erica Davies – which has so many layers of interesting buys and finds, it has you reaching to take notes at every turn. See True Colours over on page 24.
Speaking of colour, it seems that the designer’s fear of working with anything but greys and neutrals is finally abating this season, with so much more interesting pattern, shape and, yes, even colour returning to the fore. While we can’t imagine that avocado suites in bathrooms are coming back in just yet (or ever), there is definitely a feeling now for
more experimental surfaces, tiles and furniture than ever before.
Turn to Lucy Macdonald’s feature Statement Style on page 114. November is typically the time to batten down the hatches and snuggle down for the winter season, and one of the best ways of doing this is by firing up the log burner and layering on the extra blankets and throws. For inspiration on buying a wood-burning stove this winter see Hygge for the Home on page 100 and for getting prepared with new bedding and linens see Time to Hibernate on page 135. If this winter is also the time for you to start planning that new-build kitchen extension, there’s loads of ideas and advice in Cook up More Space on page 86.
We hope you enjoy this practical yet cosy issue!

Whether it’s bare brick, Crittal windows, exposed bulb lighting or untreated timber, there’s just no getting away from the industrial look in interior design now. Is it a look for you? Turn to Vintage Vibes on page 98 and decide. I love it but, when it comes to my own kitchen refurbishment, I am wary to do anything that might date fast or that I might covet now yet go off of in the near future. To this end I’m poring over our cover story,
Aged with Grace which features a classically designed kitchen in a listed townhouse in Bath. It is a beautiful period room with cornicing and floor-toceiling Georgian windows, and it has been fitted very sympathetically, with freestanding furniture. It has a sort of Paris pied-à-terre meets English country house feel befitting for Paula Foulser, marketing manager of Petersham Nurseries, who lives here with husband Steve and three daughters, Ella, Pia and Darcey. They also have big informal parties here and even run sporadic supper clubs, which is about as near to Instagram #kitchengoals as it gets. See page 24.
Speaking of hashtags, kitchens are incredibly popular online, and if you are new to Instagram you may be getting your head around who to follow and how to get your own home noticed. Skip over to page 109 where blogger Jess Hurrell (from Gold is a Neutral) has the inside track.

Salvage is such a big trend in interior design for restaurants and hotels right now, and I love seeing it finding its way into our kitchens too. This is epitomised by our striking cover story this issue, which features the home of reclaimed tile enthusiasts Chris and Emma. They were so drawn to the colour, pattern and texture of the raw Spanish encaustic designs, seen while travelling around in Andalucia, that they filled pallets with 25 tonnes of tiles and founded an import company – Maitland & Poate – on their return to London. These raw materials,
along with rustic panelling and vintage furniture form the backbone of their creative cook space which now feels like a little slice of Seville on a traditional terrace in London. See A Reclaimed Masterpiece (page 22).

If there’s one word that best encapsulates this issue it would have to be the colour of our cover masthead – green. Because, from the leafy North London kitchen project that graces our front cover, to the interview with floral stylist Willow Crossley on our back page, I don’t think we’ve ever had such a nature-filled edition. Even in our appliance section,
we’ve taken it outside with an outdoors cooking and entertaining special in The Living is Easy on page 78, and our foodie interview is with Australian cook Stuart McKenzie who has mastered the art of laid-back dining at his Melbourne café South of Johnson (page 76). You’ll find further plant-filled spaces in our shopping and ‘get the look’ pages
(70, 100 and 114) and in this month’s verdant moodboard on page 15.

We’ve even struck a green-inspired yoga post on our bathroom pages and have explored the serene theme of Living Mindfully (page 88). Because it’s July, and let’s face it nobody likes to take anything too seriously in the height of holiday season, we’ve had a lot of fun looking at designing kids’ bedrooms – see Imagine That on page 108. As well as playing with colour palettes in children’s spaces, we’ve also noticed the new yen for colour that has been creeping back into kitchen design too. Assistant editor Emma Foale researches the trend for colourful kitchens and how to make it work for you in Tasteful Palette over on page 62.

Make sure to check out our three impressive kitchen renovations this issue. From the vintage-meets-contemporary cook space in Effortlessly Eclectic (page 22) to a 16th century listed house in The Manor Reborn (page 44) and the Hunter family’s From Gloomy to Glamorous update (page 34), there are lots of gorgeous ideas here to make your own.

Enjoy and Namaste.

Welcome to the July issue
Some time ago we all fell in love with the idea of a freestanding tub setting off your perfect scheme, but who knew just how far we’d go with the idea of modular furniture becoming such a design statement? The roll top bath and standalone dressing table and basin unit have now become the centrepiece in so many luxurious hotel bathrooms. Now that this look is more achievable domestically it appears it’s something we all want to do, no matter how bijou our spaces. Jonathan Carter, at Victoria + Albert Baths, says: ‘We’ve noticed that travel guides are even mentioning bathroom brands by name, and freestanding furniture in particular.’ Whether it’s baths, taps, storage, basins or even showers, it seems hotel-inspired design is gaining more traction every year. Turn to page 111 and Make a Splash to research getting the look in your bathroom, and in Yin & Yang (page 122) to see how one couple renovated their farmhouse with mid-century furniture in their en suites to achieve a beautifully lived-in hotel-like design. The trend towards the modular is definitely not just confined to the bathroom or kitchen though. In our Design Edit of new bedroom decorating ideas, assistant editor Emma Foale explores, among other things, the new penchant for dressing tables, glass wardrobes and even sideboards and other vintage vibes – turn to page 138 for more.

It’s time to throw open the windows and embrace the spirit of the new season – and what a brave new season it is. I’m loving all of the new hot and spicy colours coming through in textiles and tiles, as well as the new craze towards greening up your bathroom and kitchen spaces and putting all of your best kitchenelia on display. From dusting down your kitchen shelves and restyling your books and artwork in The Art of Display on page 72 to introducing brave new textures into your bathroom spaces in Feeling Good on page 102, there are so many directional ideas in here for planning your interiors spaces for the sunny months ahead – we hope you’re inspired! Our selection of real houses this issue feature everything from a cool revamp in a classic style apartment in Gothenburg (Swedish Escape, page 26) to a stylish freestanding design featuring vintage dressers and a refectory table in History in the Making on page 38. There’s also a clever family refurb of a tired bungalow on page 50 (In Living Colour) and a simple Shaker design anchored by some great lighting in Light Fantastic on page 60. For a great example of maximising space, light and access to the garden in what is quite a built-up area of London, tun to the Designer Kitchen profile with Cross Harris Architects on page 68. However, before you think we’ve turned our back completely on minimalism, turn to Sleek Spaces on page 92 where feature writer Lucy Macdonald talks through the how-tos of incorporating built-in appliances to your scheme. Whether you’re designing afresh or simply updating, the layout of your kitchen is key, and a lot of it down to how you plan your banks of appliances in the best configuration possible. Meanwhile as you read through this issue you might notice it has a brighter palette. That’s because we’ve had a little refresh and hope you like it! We’d love your feedback on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – come find us there if you aren’t following already...

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The Essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Magazine (EKBB) is a glossy monthly magazine, celebrating the very best in design and innovation in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Luxurious and indulgent, EKBB is also an invaluable resource and point of reference for individuals who are seriously and actively involved in an interior project.

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