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Defining Style

When you think of the overall appearance of your kitchen, don't worry yourself if you like many different ranges.
Whilst some clients have a definite 'look' in mind, such as 'Country Cottage' or 'Contemporary', a beautiful room can
and often does include many different styles. A kitchen of today can be gleaming high tech, cluttered and homely,
cosy and warm, or cool and open plan. It can reflect styles of the past or look futuristic but should always reflect
your own personality.

There is no one distinct formula to obtaining a 'look' as it tends to come from a combination.

Listed below are some generalised themes, which when used properly help to create different desired effects.

Traditional

The traditional kitchen may have fine wood flooring and cabinetry, embellished with refined detailing and ornate hardware. Such items may include antique pots and pans of copper and pewter, or iron work.

The worktops are mostly of granite or another natural looking material. This gives an instant 'pedigree' to the room. Colours are brought into the kitchen that give the impression they have aged over time. Curtains such as damasks or tapestries could also be introduced to complete the effect.

Country Character

Most country kitchen style cabinets are likely to be made from real wood, specifically pine or oak, and perhaps given a distressed or aged look with a whitewash or waxing.

The ceilings could be false beamed (unless they appear naturally!) and flooring could again be in wood or clay tiles.

Open units showing cookery books are quite commonly associated with this effect and again natural materials such as brick, stucco, or wood can adorn the walls.

Where space allows, a range style cooker can really give a pleasing finish.

Contemporary

For a thoroughly contemporary style, we would advise you look to sleek, polished lines and synthetic materials. Recessed lighting is suggested and the design should use geometric lines and symmetry married with primary or neutral colouring throughout.

Whatever your decorative tastes, the colours you opt for in your kitchen should be used to enhance the overall effect, and this aspect should be considered very carefully. Obtaining a good balance of colouring is the key to a successful layout.