Essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Magazine - April 2019

In this issue

It probably goes without saying, but two things which definitely go hand-in-hand are cooking and eating, and the same can be said for kitchens and dining areas. While separate dining rooms might work for more formal affairs, the trend for kitchen-diners is currently more popular than ever, so this issue we’ve focussed on how to include seating areas into the kitchen layout without encroaching on the workspace or upsetting the aesthetic. Whether built-in banquette dining takes your fancy or freestanding benches have the greater appeal, you’ll find all you need to know in our feature Sitting Pretty on page 93. Every single one of our real-life case studies this issue has embraced the idea of a shared cooking/eating space, yet in very different ways. In Colour Contrast on page 24, MG’s beautiful kitchen is a vibrant space during the day, thanks to her bold cabinetry and colourful choice of dining furniture, yet an intimate setting by night. In contrast, flick to Light Entertainment on page 36 and you’ll see how a more muted palette and a multifunctional island combine to create a welcoming kitchen all year round. The Dittmer family have gone one step further when creating their open-plan space by incorporating a living area too, as well as informal island dining and a family-sized table set-up – find out how they did it in Detailed Transformation on page 48. With no less than two cabinetry styles working together side-by-side, it makes sense that Paul and Silvana would want to bring a plethora of dining options into the mix, including a stunning high-backed banquette which helps to set off their scheme perfectly – see A Tale of Two Kitchens on page 60. Finally, in A Kitchen Revival, Beth and Paul Thurston loved their old cabinetry so much that they revamped and reused it within their new kitchen design, alongside a new walnut-topped island which provides stylish informal breakfast seating.