Sophisticated Shaker Kitchens

Classic, timeless and so elegant, the Shaker style kitchen has been a go to for decades but for a short time went out of style with high gloss, handless ranges taking centre stage. However in the last year or so we have seen a peak in shaker popularity with our customers looking for a more classic kitchen with contemporary detailing such as quartz worktops and ironmongery in golds and rose gold.

Depending on your individual style and house look and feel we can adapt the shaker kitchen to match your lifestyle perfectly, whether that’s a country style kitchen with classic details like Corbels underneath open shelving to a more contemporary feel with matt black handles. One of the best things about all these finishes are they are changeable, so if in 5 years you decide rose gold is no longer your thing simply change the handles and accessories.

We offer a vast range of styles and colours in our Shaker doors to accommodate all budgets and individual tastes. Pop in to see us today to create your dream kitchen or contact us via the link below.

Moodboard Fun!

If you are starting to think about designing your new kitchen it can feel like a very daunting and at times overwhelming task that can often put people off for years, but there are a few key things you can start to do that can make your experience a whole lot less stressful and enjoyable!

Your Wish List

We always start by asking our customers how the space needs to work for them, their needs and how they operate in the kitchen. Some of you absolutely love nothing more than cooking everyday, baking and having large family gatherings others simply want to hear the ping of a microwave and the speed of a boiling water tap, talking through these factors are vital to getting the design of your kitchen working for you. With that in mind between you and your family start jotting down your ‘wish list’, what are the things you couldn’t live without and what are the things that you would dream of having in your kitchen? This could be anything from an under cabinet dog bed (yes we can do this for your furry friend!) to quartz worktops.

Moodboarding

Traditional moodboarding comprises of a physical board of ideas comprising of an overall interiors theme, this could include fabric, flooring and paint samples along with inspirational imagery that you may of seen in a magazine or online. This is a really fun way of getting your creative ideas flowing, you could do several to see which theme you are gravitating towards the most. Even better get the children to do their own for a fun summer activity and see who’s you all love the best or take elements from a few.

Pinterest

Oh Pinterest how we love you but how you play with our minds! Pinterest is the easiest, quickest and simplest way to create an online moodboard of all your favourite looks and likes. But beware with pinterest that your head can be turned easily, one minute you see a beautiful shaker style white kitchen the next a charcoal grey handless that equally fills your designer heart with joy, both completely opposite both you love, so which to choose? We have this a lot with customers who just find the choice overwhelming, our advice? Stop pinning so much! Go back to your first love, which scheme do you time and time keep going back to? This is the one you will most likely be able to live with in the long term. We love Pinterest and its really helpful when customers come in with their online boards but just vigilant of getting into a Pinterest rabbit hole!

So when It comes to moodboarding, the first rule is to have fun! Go with all the crazy ideas your heart desires at first, colours, styles, fabrics or it may just start with a beautiful bar stool you just have to have and we can go from there. Then pop into the showroom here at IDEAS and we can help you consolidate all your wild kitchen fantasies into the beautiful and bespoke kitchen of your dreams. Contact us today to book your appointment and start your new kitchen journey.

It's all about the Pantry

In the last year or so the we have had more and more requests for built in pantry or larder units on our customers kitchen Wishlist’s and we love them! They add another layer of interest to a kitchen and can include beautiful details both inside and out. They can either be built into an existing tall housing bank that includes your ovens/fridges etc or as a stand a lone centre piece in your kitchen space. Traditionally a pantry unit will accommodate beautiful solid oak side store units, which are useful for things such as spices/preserves or cereals and then inside a series of drawers and shelving units to house any other household food essentials. However, we are frequently being asked to re-think the traditional pantry to house a drinks station to include an integrated coffee machine, hot water tap or how about a cocktail pantry?! We have a few key considerations to think about if you are planning a built-in pantry:

· What appliances do you use in your kitchen the most that you would like to hide such as toasters, kettles etc, these can all be popped away in a cleverly designed pantry

· Would you make use of a spice racks and drawers?

· Solid worktop or wood inside? If you are wanting to use your pantry as a drinks station you will most probably need to have a solid worktop such as Quartz, if it is purely for food you will be fine with wood shelving, inserts and worktop

· Will you want little hands to be able to help themselves to snacks or will you want everything out of reach?

· Is there any integrated appliances you would love to have within the pantry, a microwave? Coffee machine? Hot water tap & small sink?

Our Trip To The PWS HQ

Last week Helen, Paul and Hope visited one of our kitchen door distributors PWS at their headquarters in Durham, to check out lots of beautiful new kitchen ranges as well as some old favorites. We also got to take a sneak peak of their brand new state of the art paint factory where many of your kitchens would of been sprayed!

PWS have a natural flair for thinking outside the box when it comes to design and the way they display their collection, it is really inspiring to see and gives us plenty of ideas for our own showroom displays. All in all we had a fantastic time and learnt so much about all the new ranges, we are feeling inspired and ready to tell you all about how we can help you design your ideal kitchen.

How to Budget for your kitchen

In today’s blog post we take one kitchen layout and apply it to three budgets. We get asked a lot at IDEAS what a rough quote for a kitchen at ‘X x Y’ would cost, but as explained below there are 1000’s of variables from doors, worktops and appliances to make your kitchen truly unique to you and your needs. You may just be shocked at the low starting price for many of our kitchens and we will always endeavour to price match, so if you find a quote cheaper elsewhere we will match it. Book in to speak to one of our designers today on (0115) 922 1188. So which would you choose?

One - £4,400*

This beautiful shaker style kitchen is bang on trend and is shown in one of our most affordable doors we offer the new Belsay range by PWS. It is an incredible door and at an amazing price. Pair with copper or gold handles for an extra stylish touch. This price includes:

• BELSAY door available in 4 colours (shown in Graphite)

• Glass splashback

• Laminate worktop

• Carcass’s, pelmet, cornice and plinths

• Microwave lift-up door

---

Two - £5,300*

If you are looking for a more contemporary style for your kitchen then look no further than the Glacier door which is shown in a stunning metallic blue. Sophisticated, classy and simple we just love this look. This price includes:

• Glacier door (shown in metallic blue)

• Glass splashback

• Laminate worktop

• Carcass’s, pelmet, cornice and plinths

• Microwave lift-up door

---

Three - £7,000*

Looking for something really bespoke? How about this Broadoak paint to order door? Choose from over 25 stunning colours or mix and match two colours for a unique style. We would pair this door with gold handles and a gold tap for a high end finish. This price includes:

• Broadoak paint to order door (available in over 25 colours)

• Glass splashback

• Laminate worktop (upgrade to Qaurtz for a really sleek finish!)

• Carcass’s, pelmet, cornice and plinths

• Microwave lift-up door

---

* Please note all kitchens quoted above do not include fitting, appliances or handles and are based on specific kitchen measurements. Please contact us today to receive an accurate quote for your dream space!

*A basic integrated 5 piece appliance CDA package starts at £1,850 and basic 5 piece appliance NEFF package starts at £2,350

Bold and Beautiful Dark Kitchens

We may be experiencing the hottest summer for decades which is bringing us all the bright sunshine but one of the biggest trends this year is the dark and sophisticated kitchen. Think emerald green hues, midnight blues and matte black mixed with shiny metallics such as gold and copper for a sharp, bold interior look.

Be brave and design your whole kitchen in a dark hue or dip into the trend with an island or dresser in a dark colour with a lighter door elsewhere to compliment and lift the space, particularly if you have a smaller space to work with.

Another way to incorporate this trend into your space without the full commitment of a new kitchen is adding darker accessories such as tea towels, wall art or paint your walls in a deep and rich shade such as Hicks' Blue by Little Greene Paint Company for a slight nod to the trend.  

Below we have picked a few of our favourite kitchens that encompass this trend and can all be designed around your space from our showroom in Attenborough Village. What would you design? 

Second Nature Urban Heritage Porter in Matt Graphite 

Second Nature Fitzroy in Corpse Green

Interior Design For Your Home - Part Three

In the final part of our Interior design for your home blog series we look at a personal favourite of ours – the Cotemporary Classic Kitchen. This style of Kitchen is becoming more and more sought after with it’s sleek overall look mixed with the beautiful detailing of a traditional styled kitchen, perfect for any family home.

Many types of interiors play well with this design but one which works particularly well is ‘Luxe modern’, combining strong metals such as brass with marble, herringbone flooring and bold wall colours like emerald green and dark blues.

We offer many kitchens to suit this style such as the ‘Ellerton’ by Alchemy or the ‘Slab’ by 1909. Mix one strong colour door with a lighter base colour for a bold interior look.

Inframe Slab Kitchen by 1909

Simple, Stylish & Contemporary 

MODA CHAIR - CULT FURNITURE - £139

MARBLE PRINT - DESENIO - £15.95

BOON TABLE - MADE - £549

TESSE LIGHT - MAISON DU MONDE - £164

Interior Design For Your Home - Part Two

In the second part of our Interior design for your home blog series we select furniture and accessories for the more traditional style kitchen such as our beautiful and bespoke 1909 range.  

From sophisticated shaker style kitchens to a more intricate detailing such as scalloped edging and matching cornice these kitchens are for people who want their kitchen to be the focal point rather than hide in the background. Designed to be sturdy, practical and to become the most used and loved room in the house the traditional kitchen requires timeless furniture to suit. See our top picks below to complete your dream kitchen. 

Traditional Kitchen Styling

A BEAUTIFUL 1909 KITCHEN WILL ALWAYS HAVE DISTINCT CLASSIC DETAILING 

ROBERTS RADIO - £199

TOASTER TABLE - LOAF - £845

CHORTLER CHAIR - LOAF - £330

GLASS PENDANT - COX & COX -£75