Kitchens

Livingetc's design guru Mark Garside answers your most frequently asked kitchen questions.

Small and stylish extractor fan

We are having a modern cooking station built in the middle of the kitchen and are not keen on having a large stainless steel extractor cluttering the room. We don't need anything super strong, but we do want something small and good looking that would take the edge off the cooking smells.
Extractors, like radiators, have become much more decorative in recent years, as the kitchen has become more of a living space. Take a look at DR Cooker Hoods' Elica collection, which includes some great options that mix what look like chandeliers with discreet filters to capture grease and smells. And they recirculate the air, so there's no need for ugly extractor pipes, either.

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Mixing wood in a kitchen

We're renovating our flat and want to lay oak flooring throughout the open-plan kitchen, living room and hall. We're going for an all-white kitchen with a white Corian worktop, but would like the counter dividing the living room and kitchen to be in American walnut. What are the rules when mixing woods? Would oak and American walnut go together?
I personally wouldn't mix woods in the same room without careful consideration: many people do and the result can be unsettling. There are some obvious clashes to avoid, such as the pinkness of birch against the light tan of oak, but really the issue is the differences in colour from the variations within each type of wood. It's essential to get large enough samples to match against so you can ensure the colours and tones complement each other before committing to any installation.

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How to create bespoke laminate worktops

Is it possible to copy the pattern on my Seventies coffee table to make a worktop?
Depending on the pattern, you could scan and replicate it, or a graphic designer could copy the design using a computer. Formica now has a bespoke laminate service so, for about £350, you can get a 3 x 1.3m digitally printed sheet of your design. This then needs to be laminated onto a board, with a balancing laminate on the underside to prevent bowing.

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Small kitchen designs

We're in the process of converting an annexe for a relative who will be staying with us while she's at college. The space is limited, but we'd like to install a small kitchen. Do you know of any compact but functional designs?
In the past I've suggested looking at fittings for galley kitchens on boats (try calormarineshop.co.uk). But this project asks for more of an all-in-one ensemble. Space Savers' multi-appliance units, from £449, are aimed at work staff rooms, but are worth a look. Go for neutral tones and stainless steel and you should find a good solution.

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Colourful stacking stools for a kitchen

We're looking for some colourful stacking stools for our kitchen. Can you suggest any?
For something a little different, take a look at Martino Gamper's Arnold Circus project stools, £50 each. The angular plastic form, which comes in all sorts of colours, is named after the first Victorian council estate in London's now trendy Shoreditch, and is available at designmuseumshop.com.

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Combination filter tap for the kitchen

A friend recently told me about a kitchen tap with the usual hot and cold water functions that also filters water. Do you know where I can track one down, and are they expensive to use?
Since I last wrote about this kind of combination filter tap, more companies have moved into the market, most notably Brita. Its range is probably my current favourite as it has incorporated what was missing from other systems – a very simple small coloured LED light to indicate when the filter needs to be changed (the filter cartridges are easy to replace and recyclable). Taps cost around £350 (Brushed Titanium model, £391.44) with an upkeep of around £20 per quarter in cartridges.

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On the hunt for black appliances

We are in the process of redesigning our kitchen and like the idea of the units and appliances in black, with granite worktops and lighter grey tiles. Can you suggest any companies we should look to for black 'white goods'.
Check out Atag. It has a very slick range called the Graphite Black Line of built-in equipment. Fisher & Paykel has innovative dishwasher drawers, and Siemens has black washing machines and tumble dryers. When you're picking from different suppliers, ensure the styles of the appliances have some consistency, otherwise the overall design will suffer.

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Copper sink for a utility room

I've a small utility room that I'm currently fitting out and I like the idea of using exposed copper pipes and brass fittings for the taps and towel rails. I'm not keen on having a standard ceramic or glass sink in this room, and I don't think stainless steel would go well with the copper pipes. Do you have any other suggestions?
You can get copper sinks. They're rare, and you have to be into the weathered look, but it could be just what you're after. Eclectica does a range of handmade copper sinks starting at as little as a few hundred pounds.

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Instant boiling water tap for a classic kitchen

Is there a brand of instant boiling water tap that offers a variety of finishes and styles? I need one that will suit a classic kitchen – and dispenses genuine 100°C boiling water.
Only Quooker has a patented system that delivers boiling water on tap, by way of a Thermos-type storage tank. There's a range of styles that link in with the design of standard taps from around £800. They work out cheaper than boiling a kettle, too.

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Do you know where I can buy a decent-sized kitchen bin with a recycling compartment?

We've been searching for a decent-sized kitchen bin that you can sort recycled rubbish into. Nothing we've seen so far caters for normal family life.
Not everyone wants a giant bin in the kitchen so, if you have enough space, it may be worth considering additional pull-out bins that can be fitted into your kitchen cabinets (most companies have extra fittings you can purchase for this). As for a well-designed recycling bin, I'm still to see the ultimate version. Simplehuman's Deluxe Rectangular Recycler, £117.44, is probably the best of the current bunch.

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Any idea where I can find a wall-hung wine rack with holes for the neck of bottles?

Over the years, I've kept clippings of items I've liked in Livingetc. In the September 2007 issue, there's a wall-hung wine rack with holes for where the necks of the bottles are inserted. Have you any idea where I can buy it? The one in your feature came from Italy, and I've had no luck on the internet.
Le Chien Et Moi in Nottingham has just what you're after. The racks are made from vintage French oak and available in 4 sizes.

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I want to find a Seventies-style clock for my kitchen

I want to find a Seventies-style clock for my kitchen. I have my heart set on one where the date and time flip over like an old departure board. I've been looking on eBay for a while now, and not seen anything I like. Do you have any suggestions as to where I could look next?
You're in luck. Habitat has an amazing office-type model called Flap City Clock, which costs £99. It's perfect for an organised start to the New Year!

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Slim seating for a kitchen-diner

I'm looking for a slim sofa (no more than 50cm deep) for my kitchen-diner. I've spent months searching for one with no luck. I'm now considering buying a garden bench and painting it so it doesn't clash with the oak floor. Do you think this will work, or is there a slim sofa that's eluded me?
I'm sure slim sofas don't exist (maybe there's an untapped niche there?). Your garden bench idea is probably the way to go, but why not have it upholstered or get padded loose covers made for extra comfort?

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Wooden door knobs to match kitchen worktops

We have an iroko worktop in our kitchen, and have been trying to find wooden door knobs in a matching dark wood, but without success. Do you know whether there are any available?
People often use off-the-shelf pine or oak handles and stain them to suit, but I know this isn't always the best solution. The professional approach would be to have some handles fabricated by a local wood turner. There are many around, both hobby and professional, and usually they produce staircase spindles. Visit yell.com for local listings. If you have some worktop offcuts, use them and you'll have a perfect match.

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Components for concealed extractor hood surrounds

I've seen concealed extractor hood surrounds in kitchen showrooms, but does anyone supply the components for making them? They look as if they're made of MDF or fibreglass mouldings, then painted, and don't look 'fake' at all.
They are bespoke, so it's a case of cheating the look of a solid structure. You'd start by building a timber frame then covering it with plywood or plasterboard, which can then be plastered or tiled to blend in with your walls. A cheaper alternative is a painted mdf structure, but it's harder to make it look convincing.

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Blue enamel kitchen range

We're looking for a blue enamel range to finish our perfect kitchen. We found an Aga in this colour, but the style is wrong. Do you have any suggestions for a more modern-looking one?
If you're after a sleek style in the same price range as an Aga, then you need to look at the Lacanche ranges, from £2,999, favoured by celebrity chefs at home. Choose from a number of fittings, and an incredible range of colour finishes, to create a truly personal style.

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Feature splashback using wallpaper

We are having a new kitchen fitted and want to create a feature splashback using a layer of glass over the top of some striking wallpaper. It needs to be hard-wearing, to prevent damage to the wallpaper from heat, steam and water. Is it possible to do this?
Yes, it's entirely possible, and makes a fun change from all the back-painted glass we see. Use low- iron glass, such as Optiwhite, and have it toughened. It's more expensive than normal glass, roughly £70 per sq m, but it will ensure the colours of the covered and uncovered wallpaper don't vary. Seal exposed edges with a small bead of clear silicone.

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Achieving the right finish for an iroko worktop

I've had my iroko worktops for about four years but they haven't yet developed the dark patina they are supposed to, despite me oiling them. I wonder if they were oiled wrongly in the first place, as the surface looks hard and shiny (almost like varnish) rather than soft and matt. Do I need to sand them back and do you know which oil is best to use (and is safe to use near food)?
It's possible varnish was used as a quick fix, but it may just be the oil that's created a shiny surface. As a basic rule, Danish oils are satin and teak oils are shinier – you can use either on iroko. To start again, and achieve the finish you really want, firstly use Strypit paint and varnish remover to strip back the surface. Secondly, use a wood dye to tint the surface to a darker tone (test on the underside of the worktops first), and finally oil with the Danish oil to get the matt finish you're after. Rustin's has everything you'll need to do this.

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Bespoke concrete sinks and worktops

I wonder if you could advise on how best to get bespoke concrete sinks and worktops produced for a development project we are working on.
I've heard of the odd skilful builder being able to shutter-up a design, and cast it on site, but it's always going to be hit or miss finding them! There is an established company, based in Nottingham, that produces a range of very sleek pre-cast sinks and worktops, as well as providing bespoke and on-site work. Just what you're after. Visit lowinfo.com.

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Locating zinc covers for kitchen worktops

Where can I get a piece of zinc to cover one of my kitchen worktops?
Most local metal suppliers will either have zinc or be able to get it in for you (check the Yellow Pages for names). Prices vary, but expect to pay around £70 for an 8x3ft sheet. Bear in mind that zinc marks easily, and it's essential not to leave water on it, otherwise, over time, the zinc will pit and break. Zinc also has a high level of expansion, so the close proximity of hobs and fridges can cause it to have timber (usually plywood) worktops wrapped in sections so you don't get exposed edges. Ask metal suppliers for names of local fabricators who do metal folding.

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Bamboo units for the kitchen

We'd like to use bamboo units for our new kitchen, both for its sustainability and affordability, but the only ones I can find are from expensive companies who don't supply just the doors. Our kitchen is being built by a great local firm so we don't want to work with anyone else. Any ideas? Ideally we'd like them unfinished so we can stain them.

EcoImpact has a great range of panel products. Because of the block-board construction, I was concerned at first about warping, but I checked and they've had no reports of problems. Panels can be made in sizes up to 2.4m wide (minimum run, 10 panels), and 20mm thick seems to be the popular choice, which works out at around £80 per sq m.

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Painting a zinc dustbin

I have a yellow colour scheme in my kitchen – in fact I try and keep everything I buy for it this colour (odd, I know). I have a fairly large space (a converted factory), with concrete walls and floors, and I'm writing to ask about painting a zinc dustbin yellow. What paint should I use and do you think it will be unhygienic?

Years ago I knew someone who did an orange kitchen and it looked fab, so I don't think you're mad! Not sure that painting the bin is going to last though, so I looked at other options and think I've found one that's perfect. RS components does a whole selection of large coloured plastic waste bins for around £25 – the bright yellow one looks just right.

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Concrete sealant

After hacking up the cork tiles in our Victorian kitchen, we are left with a concrete floor, which has a very interesting patina. Is there any way we could seal this and make it suitable for everyday kitchen use?

Yes. You'll need to use Clear Heavy Duty Floorpaint from Leyland Paints. It's solvent-based, so it will stink, and it will need a good day to dry, so I recommend a long weekend away after a full-on Saturday morning painting session.

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Belfast sink in a new way

I'm desperate for some help. We've just bought a lovely Thirties semi in need of total renovation and I'm in the process of planning the kitchen. While scanning the internet for Belfast sinks, I came across the Rustique by Kohler. I love the way it actually sits on top of the work surface and it would be ideal for my bad back as I wouldn't have to stoop. I feel it would create a focal point in a small kitchen (we are planning an L-shape with a sink unit only on the opposite wall), but despite my enthusiasm and determination, my partner and various other people find it weird. I have gone back through all my old issues of Livingetc and can't find a single kitchen that features anything like it. Am I creating a marvellous focal point or just something pretty ugly?

New ideas often prove contentious and we're more used to seeing these types of sinks in the bathroom. I don't think you're wrong to consider it, but a kitchen should ideally be functional first. My instant reaction to the Belfast, countertop Rustique by Kohler is, nice sink, but what do you do with the washing- up? The absence of a draining board could be a problem. On the other hand, it might be just the incentive you need to wash-up and put things away immediately, rather than being tempted to leave a pile of plates to tackle later.

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