Who needs a butler’s pantry? What is the use of another (very tiny) kitchen right next to a perfectly functional larger one? It seems that everyone desires a butler’s pantry these days. What is the appeal? Do they really perform a function that is impossible in the main kitchen? Clients with a variety of budgets […]
Splashbacks are aptly named. As clean as you may be during cooking, your splashback will get grubby. Oil splashes, condensation, washing up splashes and fatty residue unable to be drawn into your extractor fan will all end up on your kitchen walls. Making a careful splashback selection can reduce the evidence of this grime during […]
How do you ensure your new kitchen looks good and increases kitchen storage? Whatever your needs, there is a storage solution to make your new kitchen a dream.
From the cheapest to the priciest, all kitchen benchtop materials have their pros and cons. Our handy guide gives you all the information you need about durability, cleaning and price to make the best choice for your new kitchen. CHOICE has taken the time to study each benchtop material and provide an evaluation. We make […]
You walked into the kitchen showroom and your natural instincts kicked in. You told yourself you wouldn’t do it, but you did. The worst thing to do in a kitchen showroom is to walk through without opening doors and drawers and without talking to the showroom staff. Is it really any better than looking at […]
Domestic lighting, including kitchen lighting, can be the difference between a beautiful, healthful home and a house that feels more like an office than a place where people want to live. Light is practical as well as mood altering – for better or worse. Getting lighting right requires research and planning. Don’t make the mistake […]
“But they look exactly the same!” I hear you say. Yes, they do! These kitchens may look the same but their prices are very different. The number of cabinets is the same. The cabinet doors are the same. The cabinets are all the same size. They have all been constructed to the same high standard. […]
Many renovators find themselves a little stuck when it comes to deciding what to spend on a new kitchen. Kitchen companies find it hard to design a kitchen for you if you are unclear on the budget they are to work within and renovators find it hard to come up with a budget in the first […]
Recent survey shows a new kitchen could provide a healthier lifestyle. Can good kitchen design really make a difference? Let's see how.
What features add a sense of luxury in a kitchen? We can all point to a kitchen that has wow factor and a sense of luxury, but what are the individual components that contribute to the overall effect? The list below offers key areas where careful thought and the right choices can add real value […]
It is possible for even the most high quality kitchen cabinets to end up looking cheap and nasty. Without proper care and attention, beginning at the design stage, it is a steep and slippery slope from kitchen magic to kitchen tragic. Some of these points relate to easy updates that can be made to your existing […]
Classic style kitchens don’t have surprises – that is the point! …or is it? Before we get to the surprises, let’s look deeper into classic style kitchens to make sure we are on the same page. Classic kitchens are designed to never go out of style. Classic colours, profiles, decoration and materials are combined to […]
‘Industrial’ generally brings to mind a combination of the Brutalist raw concrete of 1960’s car parks and rusty mechanical parts. It certainly doesn’t sound warm and inviting. I’m glad to see you haven’t fled at the thought of making industrial warm and inviting. There are steps involved but it can be done and the effect […]
Why do some timber kitchens look paper-thin and others look sturdy and well built? Why do some painted kitchens look cheap and others luxurious? How do you set your kitchen apart? The difference is in how you approach the details. Bespoke components add the substance to timber or painted kitchens, without feeling like a flimsy […]
We all want a stylish kitchen – like the ones you see in the magazines – but every home cook needs certain items on hand. To hide or not to hide, that is the question! It’s all down to selection, and selection only comes naturally to some. The rest of us have to learn. We’ve […]
Many look to Europe to inform their direction in style in fashion, but what about kitchens? Is European kitchen design worth looking into for the average Australian consumer? There are definitely style notes to take from European kitchen design, however it is important that a few things about their kitchen industry are taken into consideration. […]
At Smith & Smith, we stay abreast of design trends in Europe, the UK and around the world. In performing this research, it is clear that Australia has its own specific trends. In recent years our director, John Lorych, has seen a forking of trends. A vast majority of new homes and renovations built in […]
A kitchen gets so much use it is hard to find a time when you can see it clear and uncluttered – particularly with family life or a steady stream of visitors. If you want to clean your kitchen instantly, begin at the design phase and include some of these stylish kitchen storage ideas. There […]
The kitchen renovation process can be daunting, but it is meant to help you get what you want and what you need out of your kitchen. A great kitchen is more than just a collection of appliances or a bespoke cabinetry creation that is the jewel in your home. As with any renovation, research and […]
A well designed kitchen makes the best use of the space available and provides easy access to items near their points of use. Frequently used items should be stored in the most accessible areas. Heavy equipment should be stored in lower spaces where it can be safely retrieved. The old mantra of “everything has […]
