There is no doubt that one of my favourite Italian kitchen brands is Pedini.  Each kitchen range, especially in their contemporary portfolio, exudes elegance and simplicity, with unique curves a Pedini speciality.

Their newest Builder, gives designers and homeowners the choice of matt or glossy lacquered with the added beauty of natural veneers.  This really allows a contemporary kitchen become earthy and suit a range of style and homes, whether your home is city slick or you want to add a contemporary touch to an older house.

One thing I have said in previous blogs is that I love the use of wood veneer in contemporary kitchens.  Shown below is Materika in knotty oak and if you scroll down to the end you will see it in darker stained veneer too.  The natural wood veneers add a different dimension to what could be an otherwise clinical kitchen.  If you love contemporary but want a softer feel to your new kitchen, veneer may be a great option for you, or a mix of both lacquered and veneer, as shown below.

Pedini Materika Shown in Combined Knotty Oak & Lacquered Finish

Pedini Materika Angled End Panel For a Slimline Look

Pedini Materika Door Profile

Pedini Materika in Dark Stained Veneer

For more information on Materika by Pedini please visit their website at www.pedini.it.  You will also find a list of worldwide dealers on their website.

Here, we look at the top handleless kitchen designs available in Ireland…..

Minimalistic, Simplistic, Streamlined.  Just some of the words you might use to describe a handleless kitchen.  Certainly, they have become increasingly popular in recent years with home-owners seeking a sophisticated and stylish living space that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home, as opposed to merely serving as a working kitchen.  With todays modern open plan living spaces, a handleless kitchen may be the perfect choice for your new kitchen. Before we go further, I want to thank Ottawa fencing company who built us wonderful fence, I highly recommend them.

Let’s look at the some of the finest handleless kitchens available to Irish home-owners (Not in any particular order.  Price ranges vary.  Contact dealers for price guide).

1. Strada, by Kitchen Stori

Strada is a high gloss handleless kitchen by Kitchen Stori.  A very flexible kitchen range, Strada can be designed with elegant curves for a softer touch or without for a streamlined contemporary kitchen design.  The Strada kitchen is an ideal way to get an expensive German or Italian look but without the high price tag.  Strada is available from dealers all over Ireland.  To find a dealer near you please go to http://www.kitchenstori.com/where-to-buy.aspx

2. Brava, by Lube

Lube are an Italian kitchen brand serving customers in over 60 countries around the world.  This particular kitchen, Brava, is a fabulous handleless kitchen available in a wide range of colours and is shown here in Verde Oliva.  The various colour options present an ideal opportunity to mix and match and add contrast to your kitchen. This set even comes with plumbing from curl curl plumbing in Manly, they will have everything installed perfectly.  Available at selected retailers throughout Ireland, you can find a full list at http://www.lubeireland.com/showrooms.htm

3.White & Wenge Handleless Kitchen, by Glenvale Group

Just one example of a fabulous handleless kitchen from Northern Ireland based Glenvale Kitchens.  This contemporary white and wenge kitchen is airy and bright, with the wenge also adding a warm and interesting contrast.  Glenvale Kitchens are based in County Armagh and have more examples of their kitchens on their website.  Go to www.glenvalegroup.co.uk for more information.

4. Artesio, by Poggenpohl

German kitchen brand Poggenpohl is seen as one of the trend setters in contemporary kitchen design.  To kitchens what Versace is to fashion, their designs are usually centred around open plan living and the theory that the kitchen is a piece of high end furniture to be enjoyed as a centre piece of the home, which is why every single item from any kitchen should be delivered by a special furniture courier that will take care of them.  This particular model, Artesio, is one of many handleless models available from Poggenpohl.  With power assisted doors and drawers along with LED lighting activated when doors and drawers are opened and the best thing is thatkey fob replacement is totally free, Artesio is a kitchen abreast with modern technology.  Poggenpohl kitchens are available through Design House in Ireland.  For more information visit www.designhousedublin.com

5. Gala, by Schuller

Schuller are a highly recognisable German kitchen brand and produce designer kitchens at affordable prices.  Shown here in Truffle Brown High Gloss, Gala is a handleless kitchen with finger rails for opening.  All Schuller kitchens are available in a large selection of colours to ensure you find the perfect colour for your new kitchen.  Schuller kitchens are available from select retailers throughout Ireland.  To find a dealer near you contact Schuller at www.schueller.de/en/kontakt.htm or search for Schuller Kitchens in your preferred search engine.

6. Largo-FG/Largo L-G/Avance-LG, by Leicht

This stunning kitchen by Leicht serves as a divider between kitchen and living space whilst drawing them both together.  The open shelving acts as storage within the kitchen and as living room furniture on the living room side.  This kitchen really does have the WOW factor with the high quality German manufacturing to go with it.  Available through a small number of carefully selected retailers in Ireland.  For a list of those retailers go to the Leicht website at Leicht Dealers Ireland

7. Remo, by Second Nature Kitchen Collection

Remo, shown here in gloss Dove Grey, is a contemporary handleless kitchen by UK kitchen brand Second Nature.  Available with various curved doors and end panels, this kitchen is extremely flexible when it comes to having your dream kitchen designed.  Also available in white, beige and alabaster, Remo can be designed with curves or as a linear streamlined kitchen.  Available throughout Ireland, you will find a list of Northern Ireland based dealers at www.sncollection.co.uk/showrooms/ireland.html or by searching for Second Nature Kitchens Ireland in your search engine.

8. Steel Blue High Gloss, by Hacker

This Steel Blue handleless kitchen by German brand Hacker exudes coolness and style.  Coupled with dark veneer, this acrylic kitchen is again a great kitchen for open plan living but can easily be designed into any space.  Sections of open shelving with blue led lights add to the ambience of this kitchen.  Hacker are a well know brand throughout Europe and are available through selected retailers.  A quick Google search will help you find retailers throughout Ireland or alternatively take a look at the Hacker website at www.haecker-kuechen.de

9. Proline, by Pronorm

Proline, a handleless kitchen by German brand Pronorm, is a highly versatile kitchen available in various styles.  This design, shown in high gloss white, is designed with wonderful soft flowing curves while the black transparent glass cabinets overhead create a beautiful contrast.  To see more of this kitchen and the rest of the Pronorm kitchen range, visit their website at www.pronorm.de.  You will also be able to request a list of dealers in Ireland.  Alternatively, do a Google search for Pronorm Kitchens Ireland.

10. Living, by Warrendorf (Formally Miele Kuchen)

Warrendorf Kitchen are a German kitchen brand formally known as Miele Kuchen.  The very name Miele is synonymous with quality and design, and the Warrendorf Kitchens are no different.  This fantastic design, Living, is shown here in Sweet Gum Tree Veneer and Matt White is bound to create a show-stopping focal point in any home.  Slim contour end panels and subtle lighting finish off this elegant kitchen.  Available in Ireland exclusively from Arena Kitchens in Dublin.  You can see more on their website at http://www.arenakitchens.com/index.htm

The 10 kitchens above are a flavour of the wonderful handleless kitchens available in Ireland.  This is our selection and while not exhaustive I hope it guides you in your quest for a show-stopping kitchen for your home.  Please feel free to leave any comments or ask us any questions about the above kitchens.  Find here the best house cleaning maid company.

Although it is a kitchen from their showroom and not one they fitted in one of their clients homes, it still shows what can be done with a bit of imagination and flair.  Tierney Kitchens have been clever in the use of paint colours to turn this kitchen into a real eye catcher.

The kitchen itself is an inframe kitchen with the cabinet doors inset into the frame.  This bespoke style of kitchen gives off a quality hand made feel and lends itself perfectly to the old charm country look.

In order to create a freestanding kitchen, Tierney’s have used chunky square legs on the base cabinets and omitted the plinths or kickboards.  The oak plate rack separating the glass cabinets is also a key focal point in the kitchen design and being slightly stepped back it creates a break in the face of the cabinets and cornice.

To finish off the country look, the kitchen is fitted with solid timber worktops and wooden door knobs.  The timber worktops are a lovely contrast to the paint colours used and compliment the kitchen perfectly.

For more information on this kitchen you can contact Tierney Kitchens in any of the following ways:

• Website: www.tierneykitchens.ie
• Email: info@tierneykitchens.ie
• Profile Page: http://www.kitchenindex.ie/retail/category-1/Fitted-Kitchens-and-Bedrooms.aspx/listing-3198/Tierney-Kitchens
• Phone: 01 841 7233

When we ask homeowners what their ultimate kitchen for their home would be, we get a lot of them say that they dream of a painted kitchen.  I think many of them would agree that this ivory painted kitchen from Tierney Kitchens in Dublin would be exactly what they dream about.  Cool, crisp and elegant to boot, it definitely adds sophistication and character to this home.

There are many beautiful features to this kitchen, from the overmantle surrounding the gas hob to the curved doors which soften the edges, each adding something unique to the design.  The island unit sits perfectly within the space allowed and incorporates a seating area for casual dining.  Another simple feature of the design are the two georgian frame glass wall cabinets each side of the overmantle, perfect for showing off some stylish glassware and brightening up the run of cabinets.

The real stand out feature of the kitchen however is the overmantle.  In this style of kitchen, an overmantle adds so much character while also creating a focal point in the room.  With it’s thick shelf, decorative corbels for support and the beautifully shaped corbel effect uprights, the overmantle encases the cooking area but also ensures there is ample work space where it is most needed.  The clock over the shelf also adds that finishing touch.

To the end of the kitchen, a set of three tall units are used to house food storage and appliances.  Incorporated is a double eye level oven with a lift up door above it to hide away the microwave.  The freestanding stainless steel fridge adds a contemporary touch and also includes a wine rack above which is always a real hit with wine lovers.  Finally, a pull out larder unit creates the ideal storage space for non-perishable food items.

From a decorating point of view, the kitchen has been finished off with bright and neutral colours.  Notice the paint colour on the walls.  Even though the walls are only a few shades darker than the kitchen cabinets, it is the kitchen that stands out and not the walls.  The floor tiles are also a bright and neutral cream colour and beautifully reflect all the natural light flowing in to the kitchen.  The kitchen is then finished off with Kashmir White granite worktops and again these reflect the light really well.  Tierney Kitchens have also included granite upstands and a granite splashback which eliminated the need for any tiling of the walls behind the kitchen.

Summary of Key Features

• Kitchen Cabinets Painted Ivory
• Kashmir White Granite Worktops
• Featured Overmantle
• Island Unit With Curved Doors
• Castellated Cornice
• Georgian Frame Glass Cabinets
• Stainless Steel Appliances
• Bowl and a Half Undermount Sink

For more information on Tierney Kitchens, you can:

- Visit their website at www.tierneykitchens.ie

- View their profile http://www.kitchenindex.ie/retail/category-1/Fitted-Kitchens-and-Bedrooms.aspx/listing-3198/Tierney-Kitchens

- Call them on 01 841 7233

- Email them at info@tierneykitchens.ie

And when I saw this kitchen from Kube Kitchens in Dublin, I instantly thought this is exactly what I was talking about.  It’s subtle, yet a break from the norm.

Kube Kitchens recently fitted this stunning kitchen for a client and it goes to show that sometimes a high end look doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Called the Kube Chic Terra, this high gloss kitchen was finished off with a silver laminate worksurface that gives off a cool crisp feel while matching perfectly with the cabinet colour.  The bi-fold glass doors also add a contemporary feel and the raised breakfast bar makes it a social kitchen to be enjoyed with family and friends.

Kube offer German designer kitchens with the average kitchen costing €4,900.  You can contact them at info@kubeinteriors.ie or visit their website at www.kubekitchens.ie.  You can also visit their profile page on Kitchenindex.ie at http://www.kitchenindex.ie/retail/category-1/Fitted-Kitchens-and-Bedrooms.aspx/listing-868/Kube-Kitchens

Well this custom made TV stand by Diamond Kitchens in Dublin is another option that allows you to sit the TV on top or hang it on the wall above.

The beauty of this TV stand is that it fills the wall very well, adds some stylish custom furniture to the room and helps hide away the Sky box & dvd player. Diamond Kitchens carried out this work for a homeowner in Glasnevin, Dublin 9, and it features Inframe Ivory Painted units with a solid walnut worktop.  The lattice doors in the centre allow for remote control access to the Sky box and dvd player while also adding an interesting feature.  With drawers on each side the TV stand also gives plenty of storage for things like dvds and magazines.

To see more from Diamond Kitchens visit their profile page on Kitchenindex.ie by clicking here Diamond Kitchens, Dublin

To visit their website go to www.diamondkitchens.ie

Pat O’Connell of Kitchen Plans designed this beautiful kitchen for a client in Bishopstown, Cork City. In the photograph above left, you can see the beautiful oak kitchen from the Second Nature Kitchen Collection. The particular kitchen chosen was the Eden Oak from the range, and Pat designed this really interesting cream painted island unit to break up the oak and create the wow factor.

Other features that add to the finished look are the overmantle surround that sits over the range cooker and the curved end panels that add a softness to the overall look. Overmantles are a great feature to add to a large classical or traditional kitchen because they look substantial in size and break up the long run of worktop.

The island unit that Pat designed is multi-funtional. It is an ideal place for food preparation and baking and it even has a pop-up socket set for small appliances. The sink in the island also means that tasks like washing vegetables or straining food is more convenient. The final part of the island is the seating area making it an ideal place for a cup of coffee with friends or family.

To find out more about Kitchen Plans service, contact Pat on 021 4888813 or 087 2653896.

You can also view their profile page here on Kitchenindex.ie by clicking Kitchen Plans or visit their website at www.kitchenplans.ie

High gloss kitchens are as popular as ever, with colours such as ivory, cream, black and woodgrain the most popular finishes.

That’s why I was so intrigued when I saw this Green High Gloss Painted Kitchen from Diamond Kitchens in Dublin. It’s that little bit different, but still subtle enough to suit many homeowners.

This kitchen, carried out for customer in Collins Avenue, North Dublin, is finished in high gloss paint which is very durable and easy to keep clean. The wall cabinets that sit between the tall high level cabinets are bi-fold, swinging up and out of the way to allow for full access to the cabinet.

The kitchen consists of two 150mm pull out base larders each side of the hob drawers, ideally position to keep oils, spices and tins within arms reach when cooking. The island unit gives extra work space while also accommodating the large undermount sink that sits in to the beautiful quartz worktop. It also holds the 300mm wine cooler and an open shelf cabinet to keep cook books and magazines. There is also a seating area built in to the island that allows stools to be tucked away when not in use.

Full Features of this kitchen:

• High Gloss Green Painted Finish
• Quartz Worktop
• All Soft Close Doors & Drawers
• Integrated Bin In Island
• Large Bowl Undermount Sink
• Two 150mm Pull Out Soft Close Base Larders
• Stainless Steel Appliances

To learn more about Diamond Kitchens visit their profile page by clicking here; Diamond Kitchens, Dublin or visit their website at www.diamondkitchens.ie. Don’t forget to mention Kitchenindex.ie!!

With this being a large kitchen come diner, Cormacs task was to create a kitchen that filled the room yet had interesting features and a large island to fill the floor space.? Using solid walnut and cream painted units, a bespoke in-frame kitchen was designed and manufactured and I think you will all agree that the end result is fabulous.

Below you can see a very simple canopy above the hob.? To make it a feature in the room, it is simply stepped up and out from the rest of the cabinets.

The island unit really is the focal point of the kitchen.? Because the room is big, the island needed to fill the floor space while at the same time being interesting.? Adding curved doors and a raised breakfast bar creates style and function.

For more information and contact details for Cormac Murray Kitchen Specialist, visit his profile page on kitchenindex.ie at http://www.kitchenindex.ie/retail/category-1/Fitted-Kitchens-and-Bedrooms.aspx/listing-836/Cormac-Murray-Kitchen-Specialist