From a brand new style of engineered stone to a combined induction and gas cooktop, there are plenty of inspiring new products in the kitchen space this winter.
Smartstone Ibrido: When it comes to engineered stone surfaces, there’s a new kid on the block in the shape of the new Smartstone Ibrido collection. With concerns around the amount of silica present in engineered stone (notably, there’s a potential risk to tradies’ health upon installation), this range is Australia’s first low-silica surface collection and it also happens to be made from 56 per cent recycled materials. The range comes in seven fabulous marble inspired shades and is available in jumbo sized slabs (3200 x 1600mm).
Smartstone Ibrido Super WhiteSmartstone Ibrido Grafite Grigio
Bosch: In a coup for Bosch, it has been awarded the ‘Most Trusted Brand’ in the ovens and dishwasher categories of the Reader’s Digest Annual Trusted Brands Awards. The awards, currently in their 23rd year, are voted by Australian consumers, and celebrate the brands that Australians trust the most.
“Brand trust is incredibly important to us here at Bosch. We have a strong focus on quality that aligns with our German heritage. As our brand revolves around precision engineering and exceptional quality, our customers can purchase Bosch products with absolute peace of mind knowing that we are continually on a quest for technical perfection, while making life in the kitchen easier and more enjoyable,” says Jessica Deuscher, marketing manager of Bosch.
Bosch ovens
Bosch integrated dishwasher
Ilve INDD94 Induction Cooktop with Integrated Downdraft: For lovers of seamless kitchen design, the latest from Ilve will make you swoon. With decades of experience in manufacturing range hoods, paired with innovative induction cooktop technology, this neat design fuses cooking with ventilation.
The design features an integrated open and closing flap that, when in use, allows for optimum efficiency and when closed, it prevents odours from escaping and stops objects entering the ventilation cavity. The flap’s outer surface is made from the same toughened glass as the cooking surface, making it easy to clean. All liquids, including grease and condensation, are collected in an internal catchment tray complete with a drain valve. $4999.
Smeg cookware collection: Inspired by the curves of the Italian brand’s iconic FAB28 fridge and small appliance collection, Smeg has launched its first cookware range. Comprised of eight designs, the collection comes in three colours (black, red and cream) and includes saucepans, frying pans, a braising pan and a wok. The practical, dishwasher friendly collection is compatible with gas and induction and is suitable for oven cooking too. From $179.
Smeg saucepans
Smeg frypans
Electrolux Explore cooking range: The latest from Electrolux, this range features a stylish series of ovens, freestanding cookers, warming drawers, and cooktops. A highlight of the range is the UltimateTaste 900 Hybrid Induction with Gas Burner Cooktop (EHH957BE) combination. That design lets you enjoy the speed and precision of induction cooking with the performance of gas for the best of both worlds. Clever!
UltimateTaste 900 Hybrid Induction with Gas Burner Cooktop (EHH957BE) combination
LG Signature Kitchen Suite: Just launched at Milan Design Week/Salone del Mobile, LG has introduced the Signature Kitchen Suite of high-end built-in solutions. The range integrates into existing kitchens and combine innovative designs with premium technology designed to ‘reimagine the cooking experience,’ according to the brand.
Smeg appliance latest: In other news for Smeg, the brand unveiled a host of new designs and innovations at this year’s Eurocucina in Milan. Pairing the brand’s signature Italian style with the latest technology, some highlights include fresh colour ways in the brand’s range of ovens and range hoods as well as new integrated wine cellar options.
This new Smeg oven colour is not for the faint hearted!
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I am so excited to finally share my new kitchen with you today! Seeing these beautiful pictures makes the last two months of mess and chaos seem more than worth while!
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home and in this house, it really is. Not just because everyone hangs out in this room, but because it really is in the middle of our home. And the light here is the best in the house. It used to drive me nuts that people gravitated towards this room because of the light when it was unrenovated, as we had much nicer spaces to entertain in like the living room! Now I am no longer embarrassed of my kitchen, I am happy for people to congregate in here and admire it whenever they want!
Black barn door hardware from Bunnings
Bar stools from GlobeWest
This really is my dream kitchen. I’m going to blog about some of the finer details separately, but today’s post is just the first overview of what we chose, what we did and why. In terms of layout, this has not changed drastically, but we did get rid of the back door (see before pix at the end of this post) to allow the cabinetry to go right to the end of the kitchen. We were also able to move our fridge freezer into the kitchen (it’s the little things, right?!) because previously there was nowhere to fit it and it lived in the dining room!
The starting point for this room was the cabinetry from Freedom Kitchens. I always knew I wanted white shaker style doors so when I found out this was possible using their new, more affordable flatpack option, the Essential range, I was thrilled. I saw flatpack as an opportunity to make great savings, which would allow me to still have the other things I dreamed of like stone benchtops.
My good friend, TV interior designer James Treble, sketched me out a rough layout I loved over dinner one night and we were off! I then worked with Freedom Kitchens design consultant Nina Hughes to turn that sketch into a detailed plan, taking into consideration the flatpack options available. This in-home service is included for everyone buying from their flatpack range, as well as a site check to make sure nothing has slipped through the net, before your cabinets are made. This really made me feel confident. I think buying a kitchen off the shelf with no professional advice or checks would have made me worry myself sick!
The next thing I chose were the handles. Anyone who knows me or has been to my home knows I just love a brass accent! I was always going to have gold handles and I sourced these from Kethy (available through The Block Shop) after seeing similar in Julia and Sasha’s beautiful Block kitchen. It was a winning combo from the start. I didn’t look at another handle so this proved to be one of the easiest decisions!
Then benchtops: through my job, I know Caesarstone by reputation and I loved their designs. I had three samples on high rotation but I finally went for the most subtle, Noble Grey, for a few reasons. I liked the contrast of the grey with the white cabinetry, and while the Calacatta marble-look designs have been hugely popular recently, I wanted something a little different. Then I saw blogger Briar Stanley from Sunday Collector use Noble Grey in her amazing kitchen and that sealed the deal.
Of course, then I needed to decide on a complementary splashback. I absolutely love tiles but trying to choose some left me paralysed by indecision! There were just too many amazing choices. I could have opted for subways, and I am a fan, but again, I wanted something a little different. So I decide to carry the Caesarstone up the splash as well; a decision I have not regretted for one second! The splash behind the cooktop is really quite deep so it makes a real feature. When the light through the opposite window hits it, it really shows off the veins in it. I also think the streamlined look it has created has allowed me to add my other, more bling touches, without it feeling cluttered or over the top.
Speaking of bling, the gold tap is from Meir and I am so in love with it! Taps really are like jewellery in a kitchen. You can’t miss them so you might as well make a statement! Their new Tiger Bronze colour was released at just the right time a few months ago and I was lucky enough to be one of the first to get my hands on it! Would a gold sink as well prove too much? I must admit, I did really worry about my decision, but in the end, it all came together beautifully. And nobody can believe that sink came from Bunnings!
Of course, a kitchen can (and should!) look beautiful but it needs to function too! Having room for a fridge freezer was a great start! But I needed to think long and hard about the appliances, which I chose from Italian brand Ilve. I was really excited to get an integrated dishwasher from an aesthetic perspective but this one works brilliantly and even has a light inside, plus one which shines onto the floor so you know it’s on (being that it’s hidden behind a cabinet door). I just love how it seamlessly blends into the kitchen.
Choosing an oven was a lot harder than anticipated and something I’ve never done before. I eventually decided on a 90cm electric oven and having that extra space is already proving a Godsend when entertaining. I can’t wait to give it a really good workout on Christmas Day.
Then of course you have to match that with a 90cm cooktop even though I’m not sure I’ll ever use all six burners at the same time! We first wanted gas but had a delay finding out if we could get connected, which led us to opt for induction. I’m so glad we went this route because I bloody love it! I cannot believe how quick it is to heat up, it’s a dream to clean and, importantly, it’s safe, which when you have an adventurous climbing toddler around is one less thing to worry about. I’m also thrilled with our hidden rangehood which allows me to have an uninterrupted row of overhead cupboards.
So, we had the bones of a great kitchen, but there were two other things I needed to achieve: replacing the dated sliding door to the laundry, with a modern take on a barn door and black hardware was the first. I wanted the door to have VJ panelling so we did this by cutting Easycraft panels (I’m in love with this product) to size and fixing them to the front of a very cheap, plain door. We then decided what the hell, why not panel the entire wall and wow, wasn’t that the best call? This wall has become a real feature of the kitchen. We also did the back of our breakfast bar in the same paneling and colour.
Art by the Print Emporium
Secondly, I wanted to tie in the dining area, which adjoins the kitchen and previously had a cork floor, much better. I did this by adding VJ wainscoting to this room and painting it in the same grey (the panelling is in Haymes Paint Chinchilla Fur and the walls are Haymes Paint Greyology 4). It has made a huge difference. Of course, having the same floor helped massively too.
The icing on the cake of all this was our new Quickstep Impressive Ultra laminate floor (more on that next week) which we have also laid in the living room, hallway and my home office. Once that went down, we were finally finished!
A few other things I’m really glad we did and are worth a mention were:
adding bulkheads for a more finished, streamlined look (and no dust or clutter accumulating on top of the overhead cupboards)
putting a power socket in the back of the pantry so I could hide the Nespresso machine and toaster away in there
making sure there was a space for the microwave under the breakfast bar out of sight, so it didn’t have to use precious benchtop space
making one of the five powerpoints (you can never have too many) a USB one (we use this every day to charge a phone or laptop and it has proven really handy)
opting for a pullout double bin under the sink so there’s no ugly bin on show or in the way (I obviously need to get out more but I really love this!).
I could rave about my new kitchen all day but I’ll focus on some other aspects in future blog posts.
Overall, I am thrilled with kitchen and that it is finished before Christmas! I’m just waiting on my blinds (Romans) and looking for the perfect new kettle! A huge thank you to our friends at Integriti Bathrooms who helped project manage this reno.
Now, we could finish this without taking a look back at the before photos!
What do you think of the transformation? If you have any questions, please write them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you.
I feel like I’ve been planning my new kitchen for months. Oh yeah, I have been! It’s been five months since we moved into our new (old) home, affectionately called the “nanna house” due to the old lady who lived here for three decades before us. We have been slowly but surely bringing her into the 21st Century but the first major job on the list was the kitchen and now the wheels are finally in motion. We are looking at an imminent demo, so any tips for surviving without a kitchen for a few weeks, will be gratefully received in the comments (thanks in advance!).
So here’s what we’re dealing with now. A very original kitchen which had a little spruce-up prior to the house going on the market. We’re talking old school solid timber cabinets installed long before soft close doors and smooth drawer runners were invented. They’re not even tall enough for most of today’s mod cons, like the Vitamix and the bigger wine glasses, for example. I haven’t unpacked more than the essentials because despite much scrubbing, you can only get that orange floral lining paper (which has become one with the cupboards) so clean. The laminate benchtop is actually in amazingly good condition and the brown oven and electric coil cooktop still work surprisingly well. But the museum piece dishwasher keeps tripping the electric and leaks every time we use it. But at least we have a working dishwasher!
We’ll be replacing those sliding dining room doors with French doors
Then there’s that random half-wall three quarters of the way down on the lefthand side. On the other side of that is, well, dead space! And the beautiful sliding door to the laundry.
The design was always going to be relatively straightforward: maximise use of space by removing the half-wall and bricking up the back door (we have two others!) and move the breakfast bar back into the kitchen as it is currently encroaching on our already-narrow dining room. Making space for a modern fridge-freezer (ours currently lives in the dining room because there’s nowhere for it!) was also pretty important!
While I had a pretty good idea what I wanted to do, when you have talented friends, you’d be mad not ask their advice, and I have several! So when interior designer James Treble (from Channel 10’s The Living Room) was at our place for brunch one day, I made him earn his food by drawing me up a quick plan! And it suddenly all clicked into place.
Poor James wasn’t actually expecting me to publish this when he scribbled it down in 5 minutes!
We than had a designer from Freedom Kitchens come out to tell us what was actually possible, using the drawings as a rough guide. This was really helpful as there were plenty of things I hadn’t considered. She explained everything really well and I felt much more confident in what we were doing after that. Some plans were produced, which I was happy with, and we are now waiting for a site check and measure this Friday before we can go any further. I am dying to lock in my trades and get going! Our friends at Integriti Bathrooms (they did our beautiful bathroom reno at the old place) are coordinating the trades with me (thanks guys, I wouldn’t trust anyone else!) and this has been a huge learning curve for me too, but it was about time I learned a bit more about the process!
Initial plan from Freedom Kitchens
So, what will be be doing in here? I’m going for classic with a touch of glam!
Shaker-style cabinetry was always going to be my choice. Due to a very tight budget (we maxed out on our mortgage!), we decided to go with Freedom Kitchens’ new and very affordable flatpack option, The Essential Kitchens Range. My handyman will assemble the cabinets, even though it’s apparently a piece of cake. That stuff just isn’t mine and Damian’s forte!
As this is a longterm home, it had to be a stone benchtop. I’ve chosen Caesarstone’s Noble Grey as a nice contrast to the white cupboards while still being quite light (I had dark benchtops in my last place and hated them). I’ll be taking that up the splashbacks too. Our kitchen is flooded with natural light, the best light in the house, so I wanted to keep it all light and bright in here.
Against many people’s opinions on what will date or what is on trend, I am sticking by my decision to go with brass handles from Kethy, a gold Zip tap and even (wait for it) a gold undermount sink. Controversial!
Personally, I think brass is a classic look. Rose gold, I’d agree, may be having an extended temporary moment, but when you think about it, brass has been around in interiors for a really long time! I don’t have resale in mind as we intend to live here for at least a decade so I’m taking the opportunity to specify what I really want. This is one flatpack kitchen that is being seriously pimped!
To add a little colour, pattern and texture, I’m considering a Roman blind made from some kind of navy-based textile (you knew there’d be navy, right?) and some navy rattan stools like these from Naturally Cane.
I love this kind of look. Image: blinds-2go.co.uk
Or I might add the colour and pattern with wallpaper (away from any water or potential oily splashes, don’t worry!) and have plantation shutters instead. Lots to think about!
Appliances were a learning curve! I’ve chosen mine from Ilve and after dreaming of a freestanding cooker for a really long time, at the last minute, I decided a more streamlined built-in look would be better for our kitchen. What I knew I needed though was quality that would last and something big enough to cope with entertaining and a growing (no, that’s not an announcement!) family. I’ve gone for a 90cm oven, a 90cm induction cooktop, a concealed rangehood and an integrated dishwasher. I won’t pretend this European brand’s style credentials didn’t sway me too!
Flooring is still up in the air after a supplier let me down at the last minute (yes, this happens to media too!), but we are looking to replace the floor everywhere bar the bedrooms (which are newly carpeted) as soon as the kitchen’s finished.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you over the coming weeks!
New year, new you? More like new year, new kitchen! ILVE’s Australian managing director Jamey Colbert shares his insight on kitchen trends for this year:
1. Steam ovens
A demand for more nutritious meals saw steam cooking start to become a prominent and integral part of day-to-day life in 2016 and it looks like the trend is still running full steam ahead in 2017.
2. Streamlined design
Concealed rangehoods are all the rage as they are specifically designed to blend in with the kitchen ceiling and create a minimalistic space. Big statement-piece island hoods are out!
3. Black glass finish
The huge popularity of stainless steel appliances has always been driven by availability, but with advancements in manufacturing technology, there are many alternatives about to be launched into the marketplace in 2017. The ILVE 70cm black glass induction cooktop is definitely the most coveted appliance in my kitchen.
4. Coloured appliances
Stainless steel appliances? Yawn. Colour is the easiest (and funnest) way to make your kitchen pop. There are plenty of small and large appliances to create a unique and personalised kitchen space, from the retro designs by Smeg to the modern and funky K-Mix colour selection by Kenwood. ILVE even offers freestanding cookers in over 1,600 different custom colours! A personal favourite is my electric blue K-Mix toaster; it adds much needed colour to my largely black and white kitchen.
5. Outdoor living
The boundaries between indoor and outdoor living will become more fused than ever before and the outdoor area, whether it be a compact balcony or a sprawling back garden, will truly be seen as an extension of the home. This means people will be investing more into quality outdoor furniture as well as stainless steel barbecues as they are resistant to humidity, salt spray and weathering, perfect for the Aussie elements. It will become popular for consumers to plan their outdoor living space in a similar way to designing their kitchen.
–With over 60 years of heritage the ILVE brand is dedicated to bringing its unique brand of Italian hand craftsmanship to the passionate home and professional cooks of Australia.
When it comes to kitchen design, the sky really is the limit in terms of cabinetry and bench top options, but the same couldn’t be said about ovens until now. As of this month, premium Italian kitchen appliance company ILVE are offering their most popular oven collections in almost 2,000 custom colours. Ah-mazing!
“We are delighted to be able to offer this new service to our customers. I know how important it is for them to have a kitchen that is completely unique, therefore we can’t wait to launch this new service,” said Daniel Bertuccio, Eurolinx marketing manager.
From zesty yellow to bold blue and everything in between, the colour choice is virtually infinite which is great news for lovers of bespoke interiors. Also, the feature will be available across three of the brand’s oven ranges – the Quadra (the brand’s bestseller), the Majestic and the Nostaglie.
Handmade and highly regarded, ILVE ovens have always been customisable in terms of size and configuration too. Plus, they offer some great features like a space-saving storage drawer for kitchen essentials.
A destined favourite for those who love daring colours, ILVE’s Majestic Freestanding Cooker warms up the kitchen with its wine hues and rich earthy tones. It’s also a dead ringer for Pantone Colour of the Year 2015 Marsala.
With tepanyaki plate, electric oven and a 90cm canopy hood, the range of freestanding ovens come in eight colours; including burgundy.
Renowned for having one of the largest and most diverse freestanding oven ranges on the market, with over 1,000 different models available, ILVE has already found the burgundy freestanding oven to be a favourite.
“These wine tones especially fit in the kitchen landscape as they are not particularly overly masculine or feminine, meaning they are versatile and cater for a broader spectrum of buyers,” explains marketing manager, Daniel Bertuccio. “As the oven is the centerpiece of the kitchen, it’s fit to dress the largest appliance in a bold, eye-catching colour.”
ILVE’s M90FDMP Freestanding Cooker retails for $11,099, with bronze fittings $11, 749, and the 90cm Majestic Series Canopy Hood retails for $4,449. For more information.
The ideal choice for the skillful chef to the first time cook, the new Piano Flush Cooktop by ILVE is all about putting safety first.
Incorporating state-of-the-art innovative technologies that prevent hazards while cooking, the gas cooktop utilises forward-thinking mechanics such as automatic re-ignition. The gas burners will make up to three attempts to re-ignite automatically in the situation of the cooktop’s flame going out. Alternatively, if the cooktop does not ignite, the protection against gas leaks (GasProtekt) intervenes.
Providing confidence when cooking with gas, the cooktop also has a sensor to detect the temperature of each burner when turned off, lighting the letter H on the relative digital display until the temperature lowers to a tepid level which allows for the burner to be cleaned.
Design wise, the Piano Flush hob includes four or five gas burners, comprising of wok, large, medium and small sizes, front sensor touch controls and cast-iron trivets. As a perfect example of ILVE’s stylish and innovative kitchen appliances, the Piano Flush Cooktop will make an impression on any home cook, due to it’s sleek design, tech-savvy features and above all, providing the latest safety features for gas cooking.
ILVE’s Piano Flush Cooktop are available in selected retailers and on display at ILVE showrooms nationally. For more information visit their website here.
After releasing their first Combination Microwave Oven in 2010, ILVE are back, this time offering a freestanding edition.
This 100cm freestanding option includes a 60cm multifunction oven paired with a 40cm combination microwave oven.
Featuring a myriad of cooking functions including convection, drop down grill, forced ventilation, automatic defrost by time and weight, and of course microwave capabilities, there is virtually nothing this combination genius fails to master in the kitchen. Triple glazed cool touch glass door and child lock continue ILVE’s dedication to safety.
The Combination Microwave Oven (Quadra PDW 100 MV Series) is available in stainless steel, gloss black or bright white and retails for $10,999.
