Culinary Living
Impress your friends in the kitchen without cooking a thing!
Australia's love affair with gourmet cooking has led to an unprecedented focus on the home kitchen. And our culinary conscious consumers have design in mind when it comes to creating the place to cook a perfect meal with the freedom to entertain family and friends.
It's no surprise that kitchen fashion is fast becoming a new frontier with a growing emphasis on designer appliance brands and signature series cookware endorsed by industry leaders and celebrity chefs.
So what’s fresh in kitchen design and what are the must haves for the savvy home chef? Here are some of today’s important trends and some classic kitchen design principles that never go out of style.
The Open Kitchen Trend
The idea of integrating the kitchen area with the main living space is a trend that's not only functional for open plan living but also allows modern families to make the most of their time together.
These days we're all busy doing our own thing and the only way we can successfully share the same space is opening up our homes and breaking down the walls that once divided our kitchen, living and dining zones. Due to this demand, kitchens are becoming the centerpiece of the family home boasting more functions for multi use.
Including a study nook enables the gourmet chef to keep track of that recipe on the internet or watch over the kids while they do their homework. And adding a lounging zone nearby the kitchen area makes for a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine for cozy pre dinner conversation and still keep a watchful eye on what’s simmering on the cook top.
The Floating Island
The floating kitchen island is taking precedence in the modern kitchen design, defining the kitchen space while still integrating the food preparation areas with the living areas. Fit out your island with a sink or perhaps a cook top, so you can prepare and cook as well as socialize. Provide seating or incorporate additional cabinetry for storage at the end of the island.
The Essential Layout
Remember the most important element in your kitchen must be the layout. Ensure the kitchen is designed with the working triangle in mind. The fridge, sink and oven / cook top must be in the main preparation area and positioned at the three ends of the triangle. You should be able to move freely between these zones so the kitchen is a safe and functional place to cook. Always give special attention to the location of the refrigerator as it will be accessed by family on a regular basis and should not be in the centre of the work space.
