• No matter how big or small the space is in which you are working with, lighting should always be considered during the planning stages of a kitchen, rather than being an afterthought. Think about how the kitchen is going to be used, whether it will be an entertaining space, as well as a functional area and choose lighting accordingly.

• Even in a compact kitchen you can save money and help the environment. The low wattage of LED products means that energy consumption is reduced by an average of 91% resulting in far less electricity costs, compared to halogen bulbs. Furthermore, the lifespan of an LED light is twenty times greater and UV or IR rays are not produced.

• Lighting can help to improve a kitchen’s functionality, especially when you only have a small amount of space available to you. Make your compact kitchen as practical as possible by including plenty of task lighting. This can be in the form of under-cabinet lighting, which will illuminate work-surfaces during food preparation.

• Often the best things come in small packages, so why not use lighting to further enhance the overall appearance of your compact kitchen design. Ambient lighting is key, especially for smaller kitchens that are often part of an open plan living space. Include subtle in-cabinet, shelf and over-cabinet lighting to create an atmosphere suited to dinner parties or romantic evenings in.

• Make sure that the kitchen lighting you use complements the cabinets in place. Select the correct lighting temperature in accordance to your kitchen design. If you have adopted a more traditional style, then a warm light will work perfectly, or if you have chosen a contemporary, high gloss finish, a cool white will be far better suited.

As Sensio state above, always plan your lighting during the kitchen planning stage. Even if you are retro fitting lighting into an existing kitchen, plan it out and choose the right lighting for the space and kitchen style. There is no reason to have to live with a gloomy dull kitchen.

For more information on Sensio and their lighting options, you can visit their website at www.sensio.co.uk. You can also ask your kitchen designer to recommend and plan your kitchen lighting for you. After all, it is a key part of the kitchen planning process.

Stone Surfaces Ltd, serving customers in all 32 counties of Ireland, are offering two fantastic deals on Granite Worktops this January.

So if you are in the market for new granite worktops for your new or existing kitchen, then make sure you call Stone Surfaces Ltd for a free estimate (contact details at end of page).  Stone Surfaces Ltd offer a full service including templating, manufacturing and installation.  So here are the two exceptional offers:

Offer One:

Offer Two:

To contact Stone Surfaces Ltd about these special offers on granite worktops, you can call them on 043-6671365.  Alternatively, you can fax your worktop or kitchen plan to 043-6671636 or email them at info@stonesurfaces.ie.

Pure Kitchens, Derry – Agents for Pronorm Kitchens

Pure Kitchens, the kitchen specialist based in Derry City, have announced they are now showcasing the German kitchen brand Pronorm Kitchens in their stunning showroom.  MD of Pure Kitchens, Keith McGrory, says the Pronorm brand fits perfectly within the Pure Kitchens portfolio and offers their customers a contemporary range alongside their very own bespoke kitchens.

“The Pronorm brand, along with its reputation for quality and trend setting designs, was the perfect choice for us.  We welcome enquiries from all 32 counties in Ireland, providing a unique showroom experience and in-home visits, says McGrory.”

Pronorm Kitchens have built a reputation as being one of the best German kitchen brands on the market.  Typical German design and quality ensures a kitchen that will stand the test of time.

To contact Pure Kitchens and speak to them about a Pronorm kitchen for your home, visit their profile page here: Pure Kitchens

Alternatively, you can call them at 028 71260124 from Northern Ireland or 048 71260124 from the Republic.  You can also email them at purekitchensireland@hotmail.com

Ease of cooking, energy efficiency and safety are all things that come to mind when choosing a hob for your kitchen.  That’s why more and more homeowners are choosing an induction hob over traditional gas and electric.

Gorenje, the Slovenian kitchen appliance manufacturer, see the importance of adding more choice to their portfolio of innovative induction hobs and so have introduced three new ranges to their collection, including a panoramic and a five zone model.

The latest additions to Gorenje’s induction hob range are a five zone model, a four zone panoramic hob and a four zone 60 cm wide model. They feature a chic black glass design, with easy to use touch control, residual heat indicators and safety hob locks for peace of mind. The new panoramic and five zone hobs also offer several innovative functions such as Boil Control to prevent pans boiling over, and StopGo to temporarily pause the cooking process.

Ruth Ferguson, Gorenje’s Marketing Manager, says: “Induction is rapidly becoming the most sought after hob type, and consumers are looking for a variety of sizes and configurations so they can pick the right one for their kitchen. Gorenje’s new induction hobs come in a selection of arrangements to ensure that the consumer can find the ideal one for their needs, whilst offering elegant, seamless design and thoughtful functionality.”

Key features and benefits of the IT1141AC Panoramic induction hob:

• Four zone induction hob with ergonomic panoramic design for easy access to pots and pans
• Stylish black glass finish with chamfered edge
• Two 21cm zones offer up to 3.7 kW each, and two 18cm zones offer up to 3kW each
• BoilControl helps prevent pans from boiling over
• PowerBoost function further enhances the performance of the hob, delivering additional time savings
• StopGo function allows the consumer to temporarily suspend the cooking process when unexpectedly interrupted. One touch of the StopGo key freezes all settings, temporarily switching off all active heating zones until reactivated by the StopGo key
• StayWarm function allows the consumer to keep their food warm at an optimum temperature
• Residual heat indicators illuminate to show which zones are still radiating heat, ensuring even greater safety
• Safety control lock for peace of mind, particularly around children
• Timer function for easy use
• Comes with Gorenje’s free five year parts and labour guarantee
• Dimensions: H x W x D: 43 x 1070 x 410 mm
• The IT1141AC retails for approximately £799

For more information about Gorenje’s new induction hobs call Gorenje on 020 8247 3980, or visit the website at www.gorenje.co.uk.

]]> http://www.kitchenindex.ie/blog/index.php/2011/10/panoramic-induction-hob-for-a-sleek-look/feed/ 0 http://www.kitchenindex.ie/blog/index.php/2011/09/a-fridge-with-apps-samsung-fridge-will-keep-you-connected/ http://www.kitchenindex.ie/blog/index.php/2011/09/a-fridge-with-apps-samsung-fridge-will-keep-you-connected/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:32:35 +0000 Kitchen Index http://www.kitchenindex.ie/blog/?p=1436 We all know that technology is playing an increasing important part in our lives.  Our homes are full of gadgets that help keep us connected with friends, family and the outside world at large.  We have even seen technology play a part in modern kitchen design through such things as smart lighting, touch technology in kitchen appliances, touch sensitive doors and drawers and even remote control cooker hoods.

But the smart people at Samsung have gone one step further.  They have introduced a refrigerator to the US market with a built in LCD screen that features some pretty cool apps.

How would you like to keep updated with your families activities, comings and goings?  This Samsung fridge has an app for that with built in Google Calender.  Or maybe you would like to leave a note for a family member.  That’s not a problem.  How about showing off some photographs you took.  You could show friends your holiday snaps and family photos from your Picasa library, mobile phone or SD card.  You can even make sure your plans for a weekend barbecue will not be a total washout with the Weather Bug app.  Maybe the coolest app of all and most relevant to the kitchen is the Epicurious app that allows you to access hundreds of recipes to try out, which also means you will never run out of dinner ideas.  Oh yea, you can even Tweet from it!

With all that technology you would be forgiven for forgetting about the features of the actual refrigerator itself.  Well it seems like Samsung haven’t.  Apart from looking great, this fridge offers large capacity and a FlexiZone counter height drawer that gives four separate temperature settings, to meet your ever-changing needs; Meat/Fish, Cold Drinks, Deli/Snacks, and Wine/Party Dishes. Plus, the customizable Smart Divider allows easy, personalized organization within the drawer.

Other features include the Twin Cooling Plus System that separates airflow from the refrigerator and the freezer to help keep food fresher for longer, superior ice production and storage and LED lighting that gives better light inside the refrigerator while also making it more energy efficient.

The new GIC63140 AX can accommodate six standard place settings, providing the perfect capacity for smaller households or those who are pushed for space but still desire the practicality and efficiency provided by a dishwasher. With ‘A’ ratings for energy class, washing and drying, and a low water consumption of eight litres, the GIC63140 AX offers the eco efficiency Gorenje is famed for.

Its stylish black and stainless steel design perfectly complements other products in Gorenje’s Pure design line, allowing the consumer to build up an eye-catching and aspirational horizontal or vertical line of matching appliances for a chic, seamless aesthetic, while also looking equally striking if installed alone.

Key features and benefits of the GIC63140 AX built-in compact dishwasher:

* Part of the Pure design line – black with stainless steel
* ‘A’ ratings for energy, washing and drying
* Accommodates six standard place settings
* Features five wash programmes: Intensive, Super, Eco, Quick, Rinse and drying
* Temperature choices from 40 to 70°C
* Automatic water-softener dispenser for better washing performance
* Features Gorenje’s AquaStop for peace of mind
* Delayed start option of up to nine hours
* Water consumption: eight litres
* Noise level: 49 dB(A)
* Free two-year parts and labour guarantee
* The GIC63140 AX retails for approximately £1,095
* Dimensions: H x W x D: 450 x 560 x 560mm

Ruth Ferguson, Gorenje’s Marketing Manager, says: “Gorenje’s GIC63140 AX compact dishwasher is an attractive new extension of the popular Pure range, and the perfect choice for those who lack the room for a full-sized model but don’t wish to compromise on style and functionality. It can be used to create a modern, seamless appearance that is highly desirable, while boasting energy and time-saving benefits that will make the consumer wonder how they ever managed without it!”

For further information about Gorenje’s GIC63140 AX compact dishwasher, please call Gorenje on 0208 247 3980 or visit the website at www.gorenje.co.uk

Quietness, extraction rate and efficiency are three of the main things that people look for in a cooker hood.  With that in mind, ATAG, the Dutch company famous for its professional standard built-in kitchen appliances for those who are passionate about cooking, presents its new generation of cooker hoods, which ensure optimal air quality in the kitchen alongside quiet, efficient extraction.

The new hoods feature ATAG’s latest version of its unique Air Logic HR® System, which uses specially designed filters to absorb more than 85 per cent of all the grease in the cooking vapours, therefore performing better than conventional hoods.

The Air Logic HR® filters are recessed into the cooker hood, creating a ‘cloud zone’ between the filters and the edges. This ensures cooking vapours and smells are effectively captured and extracted. A further feature of the filters is that their design enables extraction across the whole surface, rather than directly under the motor.

ATAG’s new range of hoods includes 12 different models of chimney and island hoods, with a stylish stainless steel finish. Selected models, such as the ES1292MAM, are also available in ATAG’s popular Graphite Black, offering plenty of choice for the discerning consumer, and allowing them to choose the ideal finish for their design scheme.

Key features and benefits of the ATAG ES1292MAM island chimney hood:

* Sophisticated Graphite Black shade, also available in stylish stainless steel
* Powerful 749m³ maximum extraction capacity (per hour)
* Exclusive German-made motor, specified for ATAG, offers a super quiet noise level of just 57dB on position three
* ATAG’s improved Air Logic HR® System ensures optimal air quality
* Electronic touch-sensitive keys for easy operation
* Three settings and an intense setting for all extraction needs
* Automatic ten minute over-run to exhaust cooking odours and lingering smells
* Clean Air function contributes to clean air in the home, even when not cooking
* Indicator when grease or carbon filters are saturated to ensure kitchen stays clean and fresh
* Six robust stainless steel filter cassettes, dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
* Three 20w lights for easy visibility
* Recirculation available with additional modification kit
* Suitable for connection to an external motor for even quieter operation
* Dimensions: H x W x D: 830 – 1150 x 1150 x 700mm
* The ES1292MAM retails for approximately £1679

Bill Miller, ATAG’s Sales and Marketing Director, says: “Good extraction is vital in the modern kitchen, particularly with the increase in entertaining at home and experimenting with different styles of cooking, and ATAG’s new range of hoods feature superior technology to ensure a clean, fresh kitchen. The improved Air Logic HR® System maintains optimal air quality, with quiet extraction that won’t drown out the conversation.”

For further information about ATAG’s new range of hoods please call ATAG on 0208 247 3993 or visit the website at www.atag.co.uk

I must admit, I probably didn’t realise the care and attention that went into the making of La Cornue cookers.  But when I received the latest issue of the La Cornue newsletter this morning and watched the video attached, I soon did.

This video shows the craftsmen hand making a La Cornue island, the custom built kitchen centerpiece customised to the customers specification.  This really is cooker luxury.  The video is in French but with English subtitles.

Watch and enjoy!

Does it make sense to plan the kitchen before starting work on a building project?

In my experience, many people having a house or extension constructed give little or no thought to a kitchen layout until the structure is in place, thinking that there is plenty of time to figure it out. This is the first big mistake you will make & can also be a very expensive one.

When plans are drafted by an architect they are drafted with the purpose of getting planning permission. Some thought will be given to the kitchen but usually only to its location in the house & not in any great detail of what can be achieved with the space.  Many people give no thought whatsoever until the electrician is looking for positions for service points, then the rush is suddenly on to come up with a kitchen layout.  Many have found to their cost at this stage that they cannot fit in items like the American fridge or range cooker with overmantle because space does not allow. In most of these cases, maybe moving a doorway a few inches or resizing a window could have made all the difference & that will now either be impossible or very expensive to alter.

I have come across cases where walls had to be knocked down & in some cases rebuilt. Also where doorways or window ope’s had to be blocked up & relocated or resized.  Add up the cost of that, blocks, mortar, labour to build it, labour to knock it down again, disposal of rubble, more blocks & mortar & more labour to build it again. Sounds dramatic? It is & makes a dramatic dent in the budget.  And that’s if it is possible to make the changes. Many new builds are leaning towards concrete upper floors which make most if not all of the ground floor walls load bearing, meaning that moving them is not an option or very expensive. Planning the layout of your kitchen with an experienced kitchen designer before a sod is turned will help you to avoid any of these nightmare scenarios & other cost overruns. Paying an architect to alter plans will be a lot more cost effective than paying a builder to make changes to the structure. Measure twice, cut once as the tradesman’s saying goes!

Other things that can have a dramatic effect on your layout are services & the positioning of them. Many people don’t realise that one of the first trades on site in a new build project is the plumber. Once the base of the house is in position the plumber is deciding where all service should be positioned. In the absence of a proper plan they will usually work from the architects plan & more often than not the position of the pipes may not suit the actual kitchen layout when it is planned. In some cases they can be moved but again its extra cost. If underfloor heating is being used it will be in position before the floor is poured making opening the floor impossible again.  This is where I have seen a lot of frustration & disappointment with kitchen layouts. Many people now want to put sinks or hobs into the island, but again I have come across cases where no thought was given to services for these. Bringing services out to an island is usually not possible if underfloor heating is in place. Again it is unnecessary extra work if it can.

On the subject of underfloor heating, I have come across so many times anger & frustration of those who left it to late to plan. In the absence of a definite kitchen plan, underfloor heating elements have often been put down under the entire floor. So now all your cabinets with foodstuffs & your floor based appliances are now sitting on top of a heater. Not a good idea for the appliance, especially the fridge. Then you wonder why the fridge burns out after a few months & is not covered under guarantee. That’s a problem that’s difficult to solve.

Where hobs are being put into an island, an extractor is also needed so consideration needs to be give to that. How are you going to secure a heavy steel & glass hood with a heavy motor from the ceiling? What extra support will be needed & how will it be vented out? What size ducting will be needed & where will it be positioned as the position of the hood will be dictated by the position of the hob? What hood options are there if the ceiling is extra high or vaulted as is often the case? This is where guesswork will let you down. Remember an experienced kitchen designer will have come across all these problems before & will best know how to get around them.

Electrical points also need to be given careful consideration. Having sockets & switches positioned correctly for appliances is important. They should to be accessible as they may need to be found easily in an emergency. They also need to be planned with safety in mind, like not having a socket or switch over a sink or hob. An electrician will need to certify his work so good planning will avoid this. Lighting is also very important in a kitchen. Lighting in cabinets, under cabinets, in plinths & even in drawers or glass wall shelves are all possible design options but need planning with regard to positioning of wiring & also for switching options. Once a structure is in place the electrician will want to prepare for first fix by chasing walls. Having extra chases added later or one done unnecessarily in the first place will cost you more & can be avoided by good planning. Positioning of the fuse board also needs careful consideration as often it can have an impact on the cabinet layout if it is badly positioned, even in a utility room.

Finally the other big design issue is the overmantle (if applicable) & believe me I have seen some horror stories in kitchens here. Like for instance, timber cabinetry sitting down onto a worktop right up against a gas top range cooker. Apart from being a fire hazard, it does not allow you any room to turn the handle of a pot away from the flame. There are many ways to create an overmantle or feature look over a cooker without compromising on safety. An overmantle can take over a wall & the wider the cooker the wider the mantle.  Remember that safety is the most important factor to be considered when planning a kitchen. There may only be adults using the kitchen today but life changes & at some point children or grandchildren arrive on the scene.

So there really is a lot to think about when planning your kitchen. Engaging the services of an independent kitchen designer will be money well spent & they will save you more than their cost. They are only interested in creating the best possible layout to suit your needs, while being eye catching, functional & safe to work in. They will work with any budget & will have an extensive knowledge of all the products available to get you the best value for your money. They can also make the most of any space no matter how awkward it is. Having a definite plan in your hand when you approach a kitchen manufacturer will save you money on the price of the kitchen. Having a definite plan in your hand before building starts, will save you money & avoid any unexpected extra charges.

Either way you save!

To talk to Pat O’Connell about planning and designing your kitchen, or to arrange a free consultation, you can contact him in any of the following ways!

• Visit his profile page on Kitchenindex.ie at Kitchen Plans
• Visit his website at www.kitchenplans.ie
• Email Pat at info@kitchenplans.ie
• Call Pat direct on 087 2653896 or 021 4888813

Pronorm are well known for their contemporary kitchen designs with that typical German look.  Clean lines, functional design and high quality manufacturing have seen Pronorm grow to be one of the big players in the middle to high end kitchen market.  Pronorm have a rich history in furniture manufacturing, having begun production back in 1945.  The name Pronorm was introduced in 1972 and their kitchens can now be found all over the world.

So let’s take a look at some of the Pronorm range:

Pronorm Y-Line

The Y-line by Pronorm, shown here in white gloss, is a handle-less kitchen with sleek lines that fits beautifully with contemporary living.  What I love about this kitchen is the sense of tranquility you get from it and how it blends in rather than take over the room.  For anyone with a small or dark kitchen, consider a kitchen like the Y-line in white gloss.  It will give a more spacious feel to the room by blending in and allowing light (whether natural or artificial) to bounce off it.  The Y-line also comes with thick end panels which frame the doors and streamline the look.  This range from Pronorm is also available in vanilla, cubanit, anthracite and black.

Also in the Y-line range:

Proline 128

The Proline range, as you can see from the photo, can be fitted with handles or without.  If planning without handles, a touch opening system would be used instead of a finger rail.  Again, the main part of this kitchen is white, but the island shown is in black gloss.  The reason for showing this particular photograph of the Proline range is to highlight the open shelving design on the main kitchen run.  The beauty of this design is that it takes away that heavy kitchen look and lends itself perfectly towards an open plan living area.

Also in the Proline 128 range:

Classicline

The Classicline range from Pronorm is an extremely flexible range.  The idea is that homeowners can choose a modern or classic look for their kitchen depending on their preferred look.  The kitchen above left, is a mix of both titanium and teak, with the teak warming up what might otherwise be a cold looking kitchen.  As we have said before, mixing and matching is a key trend at the moment.  The kitchen to the right is a more classic or traditional kitchen.  The doors centre panel is v-grooved to give a country look with the vanilla colour being warm and inviting.

Also in the Classicline range:

To find out more about Pronorm kitchens, visit their website at www.pronorm.de.

To find a dealer of Pronorm kitchens on Kitchenindex.ie go to http://www.kitchenindex.ie/retail/category-1/Fitted-Kitchens-and-Bedrooms.aspx/page-1/perpage-10/county-no/brand-Pronorm