Gadget ideas for new kitchen/snug extension?

[Daggerpie]

We've recently secured planning planning permission on a 6500 x 3500 rear extension and builders will be starting in a few weeks.

We know roughly how we want it laid out but are both pretty clueless when it comes to modern gadgets/tech etc..I'm a massive music fan so wouldn't mind a decent music set-up (maybe decent ceiling speakers?!) but am more of an old skool vinyl/CD/cassette man!! I've heard of SONOS along with a few others but haven't got a clue how they work, is this an option worth doing?

Also, any other gadget related ideas, it's going to be a very modern open plan kitchen/snug area so be good to have a few "features". As the build is starting in a few weeks, be good to come up with a plan so I can get things planned out (electrics/powerpoints/switches etc) with the sparkies and also start buying some kit!

Few pics of size & layout:


Magnet kitchens impression of completed area (altho the extension will have pitched roof with 2 velux, NOT flat ceiling like in drawings)



Roof pitch of extension (basically the second half of room)


Any gadget ideas, even if it's just an LED light recommendation very much apprieciated as the only idea we've come up with is a TV on corner wall, just to the left of the Bi-folds. Also, we'd like 3 or 4 hanging lights all level over the breakfast bar (as per pic) but is this possible as will be a pitch/sloping roof (as NOT per pic). We would have a velux either side also.

Cheers

Edited by Daggerpie on Monday 5th June 17:35

[Daggerpie]

Bump, come on gents help me out here??

[Daggerpie]

Magic, this is exactly the sort of input I need, never heard of those B&O A9's but look and no doubt sound amazing.

I meant to say, the large wall space behind the sofa (will also be having long rad behind the sofa) will probably have a large art piece/canvas but "maybe" have a small TV up in the corner next to the Bi-folds. A pull down screen would have been a great idea tho but will maybe leave that sort of thing to another room.

Keep the coming plz chaps..

[Daggerpie]

mcg_ said:

oh meant to say, out kitchen is magnet, can't fault it at the moment.

Got all the appliances from AO and they were very good. I ordered the wrong microwave and they changed it straight away. I got money back as found bits cheaper elsewhere. The hob they delivered had imperfections, again changed it straight away.

Not sure what discount you've got, but on all my kitchen cupboards/worktop stuff I had 75 or 80% off........that was cost though (know someone who used to work their!)

Excellent thats good to know, Magnet Trade have already beaten the "normal" Magnets best price so will probably go with them. We're going with their Integra Fusion kitchen and buying the worktops separately. We've used AO before for washing machine & spin dryer, great Co so will def use them again for the applicance's. Thanks for the heads up.

[Daggerpie]

Awesome feedback gents, already lots of food for thought and some great tips!

Great idea about those Quooker Boiling water taps, trouble is we're out in the country and it's a hard water area, i've heard you can get lots of problems with limescale and them blocking up. Also being out in the country means we're not on mains gas (Big kerosene gas tank hidden out back instead) so we would need to have electric hob. Induction hob great idea though..thanks

Regarding the tunes, I'm not bothered about it playing in other rooms in the house, literally just daytime background music with enough balls to bang it out for parties etc. Someone mentioned Bluesound earlier, along with rigging it up to TV/YouTube, would this be more suitable and would Sonos be overkill? (I'm more old skool so clueless about downloads etc..)

[Daggerpie]

Excellent stuff guys, keep them coming!

Harry, I really like the fact you've gone for a mix of both Wood and Granite(?) worktops. We're still in 2 minds what to go for, Missus wants a black granite but I love the warm look of solid wood worktops (altho I understand they're a b'stard to maintain & keep clean).

Been reading up the B&O A9 "satellite dish/tripod speaker" and seems an awesome bit of kit, be just the job for in the corner and I understand you can get custom covers for them as well. Slightly on the pricey side but you only live once hey. Will get a demo booked in and see. Still like the idea of ceiling speakers to have a better spread of sound mind..

[Daggerpie]

Honestly, I am totally clueless with all these new music streaming pod download things, I'm still on CD & vinyl.

As a total novice, what is the best system to download tunes (onto iPad?) then somehow (Wi-Fi.?) bang across to decent speakers?

[Daggerpie]

Nice one, which Magnet kitchen did you go for, any finished pics? Thanks

[Daggerpie]

Greendubber said:

We were upgraded to gloss whute Integra Fusion

In all honesty, don't use Magnet.

We're getting the Integra Fusion as well so thats good to know.

Then I just read the next bit! (having said that, will be using our own fitters for the kitchen)

[Daggerpie]

morrisk1 said:

I think everything's been covered already but we had ours finished at the end of last year..

-
- used Kitchen & Bathroom radio for Bluetooth radio and celling speakers, think he's on PH? Although have a Google Home now and tend to use that more

Edited by morrisk1 on Wednesday 14th June 18:48

Brilliant, many thanks for that. How very bizarre, that model in their marketing pics with the blue and white dresses is actually a good friend of mine! (Claire Guest) and will no doubt be round when the house is finished!!