Kitchen confidential

By  Hasmita Amtha

Walk into any home and the chances are the hub of activity is not in the living area, or the dining room, but in the kitchen.

Keeping this in mind, when designing your kitchen consider the space you have to work with, and the essentials you will need. Often the goal in designing a kitchen is to improve the traditional work triangle, which is the path between the refrigerator, the preparation area and the cooking area. Alfredo Veiga from Sariga Designer Kitchens, points out that “the triangle idea is to have the units in relation to each area and in close proximity to one another, so as to minimise the need to ‘criss-cross’ within the kitchen all the time”.

“Proximity is king, and with well-planned working spaces comes less movement for the cook. Being in the kitchen should be a pleasurable task. Convenience, and ease of functionality always reign supreme,” adds Eyaaz Waja from Siematic.

Contemporary kitchens are being designed to create functional zones for food preparation, cooking, cleaning up and eating. Accessories and materials that complement the design and functionality of the kitchen are also taken into consideration when designing this culinary area.

According to Mark Begbie from Mark Begbie Design: “It is important that the layout is practical and not just aesthetically pleasing, therefore the fixtures and fittings need to be of sufficient quality and durable as well.”

Mark advises that “you should try not to use imported goods that have non-standard fixtures or sub-standard parts, and if you do, ensure that you can readily get serviceable supplies from the supplier, like washers and handles”.

From a design and functional perspective, preparation areas can have many purposes. Not only can you use the area to prepare your meals, but if you are limited for space, you can turn it into a nook by adding a few high stools. Philip Richards from blu_line adds: “The key is to focus on zone planning when designing your kitchen space to ensure that each task has been catered for in the space. Relational living – which says that the space must be designed in a way where the experience of each person, performing a task or not, is enhanced and not hindered – will require that the preparation and sink area are separated in order to ensure enough space for both preparing food and for cleaning the dishes.”

Over the counter

When it comes to kitchen countertops, Eyaaz explains: “With South African lifestyles and trends on close foot behind Europe, the overall design becomes less complicated, and also lighter on the eye and the space as a whole. Countertops are becoming thinner as technology improves.”

Mark adds that there is a movement towards more energy consciousness where “customers are aware, and are asking for local products, to lower carbon footprints as well as supporting local suppliers”.

One of the new, innovative and cutting-edge countertops currently on the market, is The World of Marble and Granite’s (WOMAG) Diamond Stone range, which is an engineered product that is available in high shine, and gives a clean and clinical look, making it an ideal work surface.

Another alternative that not only ensures a trendy kitchen, but one in which the owner’s consideration to the environment is greatly noted is PaperStone from Stonetech. Made from recycled paper, “this product is the world’s only 100% green architectural surface and is available in six warm, earthy tones”, says Stonetech’s marketing manager, Mariella Filippa.

In addition, Warren Franken from Cabinet Works highlights the latest trend of using sustainable wooden tops.

“Bamboo is the best way to go; it gives a kitchen an amazing feel, the top is warm unlike stone and creates that contrast needed,” explains Warren.

With all the trends and variations available, it really comes down to personal choice, and proper planning. Easylife Kitchens (ELK) offers customers a more modern look and feel for kitchen countertops. Alechia Vermaak from ELK even suggests using laminated countertops and melamine as a material, which adds great colour and a slick modern look – if that is the design you are looking for.

Ashleigh Brown from Country Style Interiors recommends using a variety of tops in a kitchen, as this “can create interest and be very attractive. By playing with two different colours of CaesarStone, for example, and adding a spot of wood where less work gets done, you can add a design element to your kitchen”.

In addition, Ashleigh highlights that there has been a continued trend towards engineered stone, which has been popular in traditionally styled kitchens, including French Provencal kitchens. “This updates a classical look, adding an exciting, eclectic twist and crisp feel.”

Insight into sinks

When it comes to sinks, “we are finding that our clients are asking for square-cornered sinks rather than the classic rounded edges”, says Bevan Turner from Larson Industries. Larson Industries stocks the Teka range, which offers a range of sink collections, each with a different configuration of bowls and their own collection design.

Jolene Conradie from Surrino points out that “a prep bowl is very handy in your kitchen, especially if you have your sink in the scullery area. A nice sit-on prep bowl could be quite a feature in the kitchen – you can find gorgeous hand painted prep bowls to complement your kitchen design”.

Tammy Krauspe from Afrigran explains that it’s somewhat difficult to add a sink to an existing kitchen. “You would have to redo plumbing and replace tops, as when you take off an old top to cut it for a new sink, it may break and most fabrication companies cannot take that risk.

Once the top is taken off, it is hard to match the colour as well, especially with a material such as granite.”

When designing your kitchen always keep in mind that you need to “channel your expenses into the finishes of your home. One has to realise that good quality finishes can only add to the value and resale of one’s home”, advises business development manager of The Sink Company, Carol Vermaak.

With all this in mind, Sergio Polita, the kitchen designer from Snaidero Cucine, says it’s simple – “it’s all about wowing the public and having a pretty good looking kitchen”.