Options to be considered generally fall into three areas:

Task lighting.

Best positioned under the wall units and designed to create an even spread of light, illuminating the work surface without any shadow.

General lighting.

Various types of recessed, pendant or track lighting fitted to the ceiling, the track lighting in particular will offer maximum flexibility.

Accent lighting.

This is where we can add atmosphere. This could include soft lighting into glazed cabinets, indirect lighting to wash the walls or highlight a favourite piece of art work.

The range of products available has been extended and developed in recent years, and now includes low wattage LED fitings, helping to keep energy costs down, and a vast range of track and pendant lights that can also utilise low energy lamps.

Control and flexbility are key to a successful kitchen lighting scheme and we are always searching out  new products that will help to enhance your kitchen.

This recently completed project included two separate islands in addition to a short sink run, two tall larders and some additional work surface.

This layout meant it was comfortable for two or three people to all help prepare the evening meal, whilst catching up on the day’s events over a glass or two of wine.

Are those trips between the sink, cooker and the fridge often interrupted by unexpected traffic, do the open doors get in your way ? Does the worktop space somehow disappear under a mountain of clutter ?Then you could have a floor plan possessed by problems.

The challenge faced by many is trying to adapt often inadequate space into a working environment suitable for 21st. century family living where you can entertain as well as cook.

The availability of truly bespoke cabinets together with imaginative and knowledgeable design skills will go a long way to solving most of these problems. Units don’t have to be a standard depth, or height for that matter, and shaped work surfaces can help ease congestion in narrow areas. The wide variety of appliances available today will also contribute to solving some of the problems encountered in your average English kitchen.

Our portfolio of work, assembled over the last 30 years illustrates some of the ways we have addresses these challenges with some interesting solutions.

Technology that’s been available in Europe for many years is gaining popularity here in the UK. Market leader Neff have introduced an innovative new range of ovens called AquaAssist.

Designed to help cooks prepare beautiful food that’s perfectly moist, succulent and tender these ovens add humidity to the cooking process through the use of a small water reservoir. A small pump system pushes the water through stainless steel pipes towards a heater where its turned into vapour. Residual water is then returned to the tank for disposal.

The result, food that retains its natural colour and flavour so all the nutrients and goodness end up on the plate, not in the pan.

Think of all the abuse your work tops take in the course of  a day, chopping, pounding, heat, moisture, and of course, those germs !

Well you’re spoilt for choice, and you can mix surfaces to add interest and improve function.

Hardwoods such as Oak or Beech are popular and can add a
feeling of warmth to the kitchen. Although requiring some extra care, treated
properly with Danish oil wooden tops will provide years of service, and if scratched
can usually be restored with the aid of some sandpaper.

For those looking for an almost maintenance free surface,
granite offers a wide choice of colour and pattern, unmatched beauty and
durability.

Other materials that have gained popularity over the last
few years include man made Quartz products from companies such as Caesarstone
and Silestone. Some of these new products include bacteriostatic  protection, helping control those germs !  Our local supplier www.francistatemarbleworks.co.uk
is a good starting point for research.