GLASS CABINET DOORS

Recently we have seen a significant trend towards the ‘less is more’ approach to our lifestyles. With more and more of us cleaning out our homes and taking Marie Kondo’s challenge to create an environment that is paired back, it leaves us more space to be intentional with our design.

Glass cabinets are a current and predicted kitchen trend for 2020. They are a beautiful way to display our simplified and essential kitchen items or for a more curated and styled look to your kitchen you can display collectibles, pretty dishes and glassware.

Glass cabinets also provide an opportunity to break up sections of cabinetry and give light to the space whilst giving the overall design functionality, interest and style.

Laminex Style Quiz

A question we often ask our clients is what style would you like to emulate in your cabinetry design and more often than not it is a difficult question for them to answer. Is it a Hamptons look you are after or do you love the look and feel of Industrial spaces? We are often drawn to differing aspects of design styles so trying to narrow down your selections to fit a set of criteria simply may not work in a lot of cases.

Laminex have a great online quiz that you can do in a matter of minutes that helps to define your style. A series of images and questions form the quiz and after completing your answers it will give you a general style and four iterations of that style with differing colour palettes and features.

The questions are fun and cover topics such as which car you would most like to drive and what you might like to eat and you might find the results surprising!

You can take the quiz here - https://www.laminex.com.au/get-inspired/take-the-quiz

Dekton for Kitchens and Bathrooms

When it comes to choosing a material for your benchtops and splashbacks there are many beautiful options to choose from. On this weeks blog we are looking at the Dekton by Consentino range and taking a closer look at what makes their product unique and worth considering for your project.

The following video is a quick look at the composition and manufacturing process used to create this porcelain slab - https://youtu.be/vuilamdV5-M

What are the Advantages of choosing Dekton Ultracompact Services?

-          Large Format slabs up to 3200X1440mm
-          Different thicknesses – 0.8cm, 1.2cm, 2.0cm or 3.0cm – the differing thicknesses are used for different applications for example the 0.8cm thickness is used for splashbacks and the thicker is used for bench tops.

-          Highly UV resistant
-          Scratch Resistant
-          Resistant to stains
-          Maximum resistance to heat and fire
-          Resistant to abrasion
-          Resistance to freezing and thawing
-          Lower water absorption
-          Dimensional stability
-          Fireproof material
-          Superior Mechanical Resistance

If you are looking for a product that is aesthetically beautiful as well as fuss free with regard to cleaning and maintenance then this may well be the finish you have been looking for. Visit our showroom to see the sample range and click on the following link for more information  - https://www.dekton.com.au/what-is-dekton/

MTR Custom Wardrobes

Those of us who watched Carrie Bradshaw delight in the gift of a custom wardrobe will not forget looking at the scene longingly and imaging ourselves with a perfectly organised oasis of clothes and accessories. At MTR we love creating custom joinery that is as beautiful as it is practical and working with our clients to achieve their ultimate organisational heaven.

The process of designing custom joinery is a very personal one and as such we need to be mindful of what is going to need to be accommodated in the space. Do you like the idea of displaying items like shoes and handbags or would you prefer a more minimal look with closed doors? Do you have a jewellery collection that you would like to display? Custom draw inserts can be created to showcase your personal items with the added benefit of keeping everything organised and easily accessible.

So - what are some of the things you should consider including in your design? The following article has some tips on what to include - https://stylemasterhomes.com.au/fashion-meets-function-5-tips-fabulous-walk-robe/

Induction Cooking Versus Gas Cooking

One of the most exciting parts of designing your new kitchen is often the inclusion of brand-new appliances and the opportunity to include these as part of the overall look and feel of your design. You have the choice of a gas cooktop, electric cooktop or an induction cooktop and whilst it is often purely a personal preference, it can sometimes be a necessity to choose induction as opposed to gas to give the clients their choice of finishes and materials. There are industry standards and requirements for the use of reconstituted stone as it is combustible if not correctly installed.

Following is a simple reference as to the legal requirements for each type –

Electric Cooktops

Induction Cooktops - For both electric and induction cooktops it is a requirement to have a minimum 50mm gap from the back edge of the cooktop to stone splashback.

Gas Cooktops - For gas cooktops it is a requirement for a minimum 200mm gap from the periphery of the gas burner to the stone splashback in accordance with AS/NZS 5601 Gas Installations

Given these requirements you may need to change either your choice of appliance or benchtop and splashback material. So - what is the difference and what is best for you and your family?

The following article outlines the differences and highlights the pro’s and con’s of each choice –

https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/induction-or-gas-cooking-lets-compare-the-two-stsetivw-vs~40975262

Keep in mind the look and feel of your design concept when weighing up the decision as well as the potential to match other appliances in your space. For some more inspiration visit our industry partner Kleenmaid and take a look at their enviable selection of quality options - https://www.kleenmaid-appliances.com.au/

Laminex Neutrals – Reimagining Neutrals via Organic Colourways

Laminex have expanded their neutral colour palette to include new shades that have been inspired by interior designers’ strong use of tonal colourways in their designs.

The already comprehensive whites and mid tone neutrals are joined by a carefully curated selection of beautiful muted greens, warmer mid-tone neutrals and deep, saturated colours. These new decors are still neutrals, in the sense that they’re not exuberantly colourful, and can be used to set up a space and support hero elements. However, with an enhanced sense of depth and personality, they can be used as heroes in their own right, to define the aesthetic character of an interior.

Here are some examples of how these colours are being utilised to bring a fresh look to interiors –

You can read more about the inspiration behind the range here - https://www.laminex.com.au/get-inspired/blog/redefining-neutrals

Innovative Ideas for Bathrooms

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Side Mounted Taps

One of the emerging bathroom trends for 2019 is side mounted taps. Breaking with tradition this innovative way of placing tapware is as controversial as it is interesting. Usually reserved for small and confined bathrooms as a space saver, could this be the latest and greatest way of individualising your space?

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Coloured Basins

Milan based Ceramica Cielo has a range of elegantly shaped, coloured basins with a contemporary colour selection The designers have created a palette of beautiful new colours not typically seen in bathrooms, mainly warm autumn shades of brown, yellow and white with a hint of grey. The collection has a minimalist vibe and features “the world’s thinnest ceramic”.

Closer to home Nood Co has a fantastic range of concrete sinks in an array of gorgeous colours that will add interest and colour to your bathroom design. Currently the sinks come in a range of shapes and the ‘Oval Pill” is shown above.

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Coloured Subway Tiles

Reinvented and providing a timeless solution subway tiles in soft pastel colourways will add energy to a wet area without overwhelming it. Handmade varieties have an organic look that offers a charming break from the uniformity of porcelain styles. Glass subway tiles will bounce light around a small bathroom and make the space feel roomier.

Kitchen Design Trends for 2019

Interior design trends are forever changing and interpreted in many different ways according to people’s individual spaces and requirements. It is always interesting to look at the projected trends and see how they are influencing our current projects.

Here is a list of kitchen trends for 2019 that Elle Décor has published and you can read more about them here - https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/g23693937/kitchen-trends-2019/

1. Clever, concealed storage
2.  Pewter and Gunmetal Hardware
3.  Open shelving
4.  Vintage Vibe
5. Coloured Upholstery
6. Use of Wood
7.   Coloured Cabinetry
8.   Contrasting Textures
9.   Raw Materials
10.  Integrated Appliances
11.   Pendant Light Fixtures
12.  Digital Technology
13.  Hunter Green
14.  Tall Backsplashes

Perhaps this article will provide some inspiration for your project!

Blum Zoneplanner

One of the most important aspects of kitchen design is to ensure that the space you are creating works for you and your family and compliments the way in which you live and utilise the space. Blum products are synonymous with quality, practicality and functionality and a look through their website will inspire new ideas and solutions you may not have considered for your space.

Their website also has a handy Zoneplanner that allows you to choose a layout that is similar to your design and concept. You can then build in all of the storage options available in the Blum range including drawers and inserts. Every aspect of the kitchens function has been carefully considered and is then adjustable for your personal preferences. If you love baking you can adjust your storage size to accommodate extra tins and trays or add specialised storage for oils, sauces and spices. By simply adjusting the space requirement in any given area you will easily be able to establish what is needed and how it will look.

Follow the link below and give it a try!

http://zpa.blum.com/au/en/#/

New Caesarstone Product – Primordia 4043

Caesarstone has just released a new colour to their stone range and it has a strong industrial feel with a mix of colours to give it interest and depth whilst still providing a relatively neutral backdrop for kitchen and bathroom design. The following video is an interesting look at the concept for the stone and its manufacturing process.

Organic. Industrial.

Unique imperfections accentuate Primordia's industrial look. It’s cool grey complexion echoes the character of concrete. Across its light grey base, soft mineral splotches range in off-whites and greys, combined with darker veils of grey and brown to reflect the oxidised rusts found in nature. Additional traces of faint yellow and washed green, give the surface more body completing this authentic effect.

Primordia's organic appearance reflects topological strata; alluvial layers in stone created over aeons. The material combines these natural aspects with a rough finish, celebrating the beauty of patina and texture while reinventing the kitchen as a beautiful cooking space outfitted with chef-quality appliances and sophisticated accents.

Primordia's visual details evoke the emotion of real stone, suited to benchtops, splashbacks and bathroom interiors. As a grand island, its neutral palette is versatile, blending with other materials such as concrete and dark oak flooring. In lofty spaces, heavier elements such as compressed grey felt, corrugated steel or industrial hardware in brushed or stainless metal complement the surface. Raw terracotta tile adds an organic accent, while brighter shots of colour reveal surprising contrasts.

Check out “Primordia - Crafted For You (1:12)” from Caesarstone Australia at
https://vimeo.com/331148022