The Heart of the Home Natural grains, stone and bolder


colour choices all star in kitchens this year. Gabrielle Fagan finds out how to create a cutting-edge theme.


T


here’s no doubt kitchens are the centre of our homes, but although they’re the area we choose to spend the most time, either eating or


socialising, it seems all too few of us truely have our perfect ‘dream’ kitchen space. Around 65% of us feel our current kitchen is far from ideal, and around a quarter struggle with a cramped or awkward shaped room, while 25% bemoan a lack of work surfaces, according to the recent research produced by Wickes. Aside from the benefits of enjoying this space more - and potentially being able to cook up a storm - it could be worth reconsidering a refit on financial grounds alone, as it’s the most popular way to add value to a property, estimated by experts at around 15%. “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose a kitchen,” says Daniele Brutto of Hub Kitchens, specialists in Italian-inspired design. “Tere are so many materials, colours and finishes in the market at the moment, but what’s important is focusing on what will work for you and your space. Pick something you like, which could be a particular wall colour, a floor tile or work surface texture and work outwards from there. Keeping one element at the heart of your design will make the whole process much more straightforward.”


4 / PROPERTYMAIL


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