STATEMENT APPLIANCES
Housing market slump could provoke continued growth in kitchen upgrades
W
e are entering - or may already have entered - potentially volatile times for the housing market. Some experts have been predicting that house prices in the UK could fall by 10% or more over the next year as interest rates rise to their highest point since the financial crash.
Comment by Howard Bogod Managing Director,
DR Kitchen Appliances Ltd, the exclusive UK distributor, Elica
Of course, the markets may yet settle - or the government may change course - but, at the time of writing, with leading lenders withdrawing mortgage products, there is a suggestion that those considering moving house may continue the pandemic trend, opt to stay put and undertake work to upgrade their existing properties, whether for their own comfort or to make them a more desirable purchase once the housing market rebounds.
The increase in remote or hybrid working established during the pandemic and which is being maintained understandably led to
homeowners looking closely at their home environments and whether they provided for all their needs. And with time on their hands and more time at home, many became more aware of areas that could benefit from an upgrade. In some instances this meant converting spare bedrooms into offices, strengthening the Wi-Fi signal, and making previously unused spaces work harder for the family.
But there have been implications for the kitchen sector too. A report by CNBC in the US found that kitchen and bathroom upgrades increased by 40% by June 2020 compared to a year before. It would not surprise us if such stats were mirrored in the UK, where demand for leading edge appliances like integrated extractor hobs, and quieter, more efficient and more connected appliances continues to grow. The essence now is less about functionality and more about making life in the kitchen more sophisticated, easier for cooking and socialising.
Elica taps into trend for analogue controls with launch of NIKOLATESLA UNPLUGGED extractor hob
I
nduction hobs are loved for their minimalist lines and ultra-easy to clean surfaces, but they can be harder to control with wet or greasy fingers and they lack the intuitive feel of analogue controls. Elica has resolved this dilemma with the launch of its latest extractor hob NIKOLATESLA UNPLUGGED, which brings together the elegance of the hugely successful NIKOLATESLA SWITCH and the benefits of analogue control.
NIKOLATESLA UNPLUGGED is controlled through fixed click-release knobs with analogue touch and feel which provide instantaneous and
intuitive access to all its features. All elements are incorporated into a bold-lined appearance, developed to intelligently separate the cooking zone from the control area., An elegant shock-resistant bulkhead protects the control area from every possible contact with cookware and any spillages.
The bold, textured knobs give NIKOLATESLA UNPLUGGED a professional look and provide perfect grip, even when hands are wet or greasy. Extraction of fumes is through the centrally located zone concealed by a circular glass flap. Just touch to open and activate extraction – close to turn off extraction.
NIKOLATESLA UNPLUGGED has 3 automatic cooking features: - Melting, thanks to which it is no longer necessary to stir delicate ingredients, so they don’t burn onto the bottom of the pot, Warming, that guarantees proper heat levels for slow cooking, like for sauces and creams, in addition to keeping dishes warm, and Simmering, that prevents pots boiling over.
www.elica.co.uk
22 BKU OCTOBER 2022
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