Kitchen layout

[Legend83]

Not sure how many are still following my build thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... so I thought I would start a separate kitchen thread.

Style is subjective so I'm really looking for layout suggestions, but here are two mock-ups we have received:





A bit modern for my liking.

This one on the other hand is my firm favorite (although wife thinks we won't be able to afford it:







This is the general layout plan as it currently stands with my terrible Paint job to include dining table (orange) and sofa (green):



Reflecting on, it I think it is an ungainly and cluttered layout (furniture wise anyway) and a PHer on my build thread questioned the empty spaces it creates either side of the island.

Any thoughts / suggestions / comments?

[Legend83]

tomsugden said:

I like your second option, but I wouldn't mix up cream, blue and white units.

Yeah, I think the designer did that just to give examples of some of the unit colours available - I think we will play it safe with Antique White and use the range cooker and tiling to give some offsetting colour.

[Legend83]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply, apologies for slow response I have been on the road the last couple of days.

singlecoil said:

Yes

How deep (front to rear) is the island, are there units on both sides?

In all honesty I don't have dimensions to hand yet but the intention is to have units on both sides.

singlecoil said:

On the first option, no comment bar don't let them run the end panel on the tall unit to the right of the cooker unit all the way to the ground, it can be cut to finish in line with the bottom of the units. If left as in the picture it will interfere with cleaning and possibly feet.

Yes, I had spotted this already but knew you would say that!

singlecoil said:

On the second option, in your other thread you say it is hand made, it won't actually be hand made, they are probably calling it that if the machines are fed by hand.

Yes agreed.

singlecoil said:

There's a lot of fussy detail, and lots of double units with narrow doors which means that, especially for the wall units either side of the range, you will be reaching round one of the doors. The open unit will be a dust trap. Do you really want framed units? Costs more and loses storage space.

I see what you mean about the double units - they would be much better just a single door similar to the first option. Re: the open unit - my wife likes it and has promised to keep it clean....

Re: framed units - I understand the concern here. We like the look, but will discuss the practicalities.

singlecoil said:

Are the legs at the front adjustable in any way? If not, is your floor dead flat?

Not sure, good point, but I would hope the floor will be dead flat as it will be newly installed.

Any comments on layout within the large rectangular room we will be creating? Do you think the kitchen is in the right place?

[Legend83]

Neil - YVM said:

I quite like both designs.

The first although modern in layout will be softened by the use of painted shaker doors, the mix of painted and timber will work well also.
I knew S.coil would mention the End panels, and agree regarding the tall unit mid run.

This is OH's least favorite of all designs we have seen so far so I fully expect it to be vetoed despite the possibilities you raise...

Neil - YVM said:

The second is maybe 'prettier' . Again I would prefer a single colour.
Also agree, the inframe looks nice, but reduces the access to the cupboards, makes cleaning harder and adds considerably to the cost.
Lastly with a very tradional design, I'm not sure a wine cooler really fits in with the aesthetics ?

Tough call on the wine cooler - on the one hand we really want one but on the other I tend to agree with you!

[Legend83]

RevHappy said:

First design could do with another oven housing and put the ovens side by side no the optimal height as you have the space. Second design remove range cooker and prevent back ache, see first design comment.

Don't more companies have extended visable sides available than just sticking in a panel?

Agreed on the oven housings for first design BUT we are more keen on the range cooker concept - we are only early 30s and back trouble has not set in just yet!

[Legend83]

dmsims said:

Pan drawers ?

In option 1 they are in the other side of the island.

In option 2 I am not 100% sure but could feasibly be the two larger pull out drawers second from the right.

[Legend83]

RevHappy said:

Kids and pets are also not great with range cookers, you really need to love the concept and ideally have had one before so you know what your in for.

What is your experience?

[Legend83]

Harry Flashman said:

I think that when we have kids, I shall take a similar approach that my parents did.

If the little monsters get through being watched whilst I'm cooking and manage to burn themselves, they'll learn not to do it again.

We are fairly lucky in that our two are pretty good when it comes to stuff like not running across the road, touching hot things, playing in the kitchen when cooking is going on etc.

Thanks for all the responses to date. Two things to mention:

1. We are off to Howdens on Thursday to assess the bargain basement end of kitchen design - we like their Tewkesbury units and potentially could complement these with more expensive laminate worktops and appliances.

2. We have applied for a NMA to have a side access door in the kitchen because we think we will regret just having the bi-folds / french doors as the only way to access the back - main issues would be dealing with the bins weekly, plus the need for a cat-flap.

[Legend83]

Wozy68 said:

OP, do you mind I ask what the general cost was for the different designs, and does the prices include install. Not trying to pry but more from a proffesional point of view. If you prefer not too, no probs. It was just an interest.

Personally. I absolutly hate kitchen designs where a S/steel chimney extractor has wall cabinets virtually butting up to it. (I'd assume this isnt a bespoke kitchen company?) Sometimes it can't be helped, but generally I feel its a design no no, there are far better options, and if they have to be like that, its better to keep some distance from the extractor to the cabinets.

Wozy - apologies I never did answer your question. The quote for the first option was around £19k including appliance but not fitting. The second option is still a moving target but is likely to be in the region of £20k.

Re: the chimney hood - would it be better to make it a 600mm one rather than the 1000mm one that is currently included to give that gap?

[Legend83]

Howdens design:







The problem I have is I much prefer the design with a butler sink as in the first render we had below BUT our worktops are laminate which is a big no no with butler and belfast sinks. Might have to consider stone on the wall worktop run to accommodate sink and keep wood laminate for island:

[Legend83]

silverous said:

Apologies in advance if I've missed it in the above, but have you considered integrated bins? We have them but they are under a work area which is a pain - as I'm chopping up food the missus is emptying dysons and stuff into it which isn't great ! They are a very nice way of concealing bins....

Hi, good question.

The run along the wall goes (from left to right):

70/30 FF
Larder
Under counter freezer
Pan / Cutlery drawers
Range
Pan / Cutlery drawers
Integrated bins
Sink
Dishwasher
Larder
Broom / Ironing Board cupboard

I think in terms of kitchen working it flows quite well.

[Legend83]

singlecoil said:

I missed that question until someone quoted it. Keep the wide hood, and make the wall units a bit narrower. 100mm less on the wall units would give you a 50mm gap each side, could make the wall units narrower still at the cost of less storage sapce.

SC - thanks for the comments. Agree with your point on cutting back the panels on the plinth to achieve a more streamlined look. Re: extractor - the problem is the Howden's units are standard size I think so might be easier just to buy a 900mm extractor instead (and actually that size extractor seems to give us more choice).

[Legend83]

Neil - YVM said:

This kitchen could easily be £20k.

An induction range will be £1.5- £4k alone, plus all the other appliances, if using quality brands, then £5k +
Assuming it will have a stone worktop of some type, the will be another £4-7K
Units - inframe, with some bespoke units, will be £5-8K.
plus installation, electrics, flooring, wall tiling.

Agreed!

I'll happily post the detailed quotes when I receive them.

[Legend83]

Wozy68 said:

Thanks for the info

At those prices I'd look for a small bespoke local company and see what they would charge you and the spec of their furniture. That seems quite a lot for not massive amoounts of kitchen.

The first two quotes were from suppliers who probably already match that description....

Wozy68 said:

Ref the chimney. I'd have at least 200M either side of a chimney hood before wall cabinets, or it looks to 'hemmed in' IMO.

200M?! I wish my kitchen was that big....

[Legend83]

Ok so here is a question.

The more I have read recently about solid wood worktops and the use of Sadolin and Osmo to water-seal them, the more I am thinking I would prefer to go this route over laminate (gives us the option of the Butler sink for one thing).

We plan to have Karndean for the kitchen floor in an oak-effect as this will permeate from the hall through into the kitchen.

So what is colour etiquette here? Should one look to match the shade of worktop to the floor as closely as possible or have one lighter / darker than the other?

[Legend83]

Harry Flashman said:

- any comments about having the sink in the island, rather than on the main worktop (we are building up the floor anyway, so hopefully the plumbing should be OK)?

This was a big debate in our household but the end conclusion was we would rather have neither sink or hob on the island because:

- we didn't want dirty dishes inevitable piling up around a space ear-marked for food preparation and socialising

- we didn't want hot oil and sauces spitting at people as they sat at the bar.

Yes, it unfortunately means chef or washer-upper has their back turned to the rest of the room, but so be it.