I just can't choose a kitchen style- running out of time!

[Lily15]

We are renovating and extending a 50's bungalow. Our kitchen/diner is the next step but I just keep going round in circles about the design. I love the white gloss streamlined look with white tops and feel this would work better overall in this style home. But I always wanted a modern take on a country kitchen (white wood cabinets, chrome cup handles) All I know for certain is we are having a range master Toledo xt and niveus karndean flooring! Help! I have no idea what to go for (DH not fussed) There isn't room for an island (it's L shaped with the sink sitting in the bay of the bottom of the L) thanks looking forward to inspiration!!

[betterwhenthesunshines]

I was like this! I think white gloss and white tops will be too much, and the different types of white may not go together. Painted wood, white tops, chrome handles would be a fresh, clean take on the country kitchen.

[bootsycollins]

Wickes have an excellent white gloss kitchen, no handles, easy to clean, looks fantastic. My friend has a white with pale grey detail, you could get modern take on the country look with this by accessorising or going for white gloss with wooden work tops. I actually prefer the laminate wood work tops for durability and practicality and their much cheaper too. I love the chrome cup handles but imagine having to clean the sticky marks off grrr. My friend with the white gloss Wickes kitchen has a beautiful white ceramic sink, it's not a Belfast, like a normal sink but prettier. Deep drawers for plates, pans etc and a line of high horizontal upwards opening cupboards for glasses etc but they have traditional style shape and size cupboards too. Wickes sent a kitchen planner round too I remember, defo worth a look.

[bootsycollins]

• white with pale grey detail work top

[Lily15]

Decisions!! Thank you for replying its great to get other people's ideas xx

[betterwhenthesunshines]

If you want a wood worktop without the upkeep, I would recommend you look at the Getalit range of laminate worktops. They have a higher heat resistance than most and good textures.

[TomArchersSausage]

Or a cream gloss kitchen. Modern but softer looking.

[Joycey29]

High gloss cream is softer, I am having it in ours.

[TomArchersSausage]

Snap Joycey!

[FishfingersAreOK]

I was like this too - and I just sat one evening with a load of kitchen brochures, interior design magazines and a glass of wine. I went through and just solely with instinct (and wine) ripped out the pictures that had made me think that is lovely. Then I found my theme/look based on what came up the most. Yes there were some stunning bright red kitchens or sleek minimalist. But my heart/preference came out with the painted wood/shaker style in off white.

Which is what I have, with black granite worktops and smoked oak floor. Tis lovely. And even now I do occasionally have the odd lustful look at gloss/handle-less designs. But I can admire them - I know they were not want I ultimately wanted and am happy with my choice

[MarianForrester]

Are you committed to the Rangemaster Toledo?

[FishfingersAreOK]

Though also take into consideration what existing "stuff" you need to fit into the space. I had a dresser/dining table and chairs already so had to make sure that would "go". Was slightly restrictive - but not overly so. Just bare it in mind. If you have an ultra modern table should that be the starting point of where your design goes. If it is a beloved antique family heirloom that would take a great deal of skill (if possible at all) to work/look right in a stark, minimalist space then that takes that design off the mood board.

[FishfingersAreOK]

And try not to stress - I know it is difficult - but remember having your own design of kitchen is supposed to be a good thing! Tis fun!

[MarianForrester]

Other than that, cream gloss sounds like a good compromise. Sounds lovely. I have a cream old fashioned sort of kitchen with a walnut worktop on an island. It's a lot less high maintenance Thani feared and looks soo nice

[annalouiseh]

You should have a look at a white matt handlessles streamlined look for the modern.
will deliver a softer look and the matt doors go with all white worktops also

[Lily15]

No not committed to the Toledo- yet! I hadn't ever considered cream tbh. Everything is going to be new- no heirloom dining table or anything so it really is a blank canvas!

[MarianForrester]

It's just that I have the Toledo and it is a nightmare.

There are vents down the back that bits of food fall down.

The oven door swings shut; not very handy when trying to put things in/get them out. Dd and I have partnership whe baking, one to hold door open!

And the grill is rubbish too.

It does look really good in my kitchen tho.

Don't want to crush your plans, but I wish I'd known this.

[Lily15]

Oh no that's not good at all! Think ill be rethinking the Toledo now! Do you think all range masters have these sorts of problems? Maybe range master isn't the way to go...

[noddyholder]

Matt is a lot nicer and with plain white tops looks amazing. I think 1 50s bungalow you should steer as clear of country style as possible as it won't look right IMO of course!

[VestaCurry]

Agree with Noddy, plus a mixture of finishes breaks the whole think up, making it easier on the eye.
The one time when I had the luxury of choosing a new kitchen, I took the same approach as Fishfingers.

[MarianForrester]

I don't know, sorry- but easy to check some if you can view them??

I was so excited to get this fancy cooker

But now feel like evil cooker dream crusher

[wendybird77]

What are you going for in the rest of the house? I'd be tempted to go with a modern look to suit the age of the house. If you have quite traditional furniture though I'd go country kitchen. I love a country kitchen and am putting a painted shaker myself, but I live in a country cottage! If I lived in a 50's modern house I'd love to do it up in an updated modern style. I think a matt handle-less would be lovely. Have a look on houzz.com for pictures and inspiration to get a sense of what you would like to achieve.

[Sillybillypoopoomummy]

get thee to ikea - they do fab, white gloss units and wooden worktop combo which looks fab. It has modernity/lightness coupled with an element of warmth from the wood :-) Guaranteed for 25 years too! however, get accessories ie handles etc from somewhere else so it doesn't look like a showroom! We have a wooden floor too. We agonised for ages over the wooden tops as thought they would be really high maintainence/we would be neurotic about them but actually I just oiled them loads at the beginning and they still look great after 3 years.

[Lily15]

I'm being totally naive here is Matt the same as gloss without the shine? The same materials etc

[Lily15]

Wood tops are so tempting but im so worried about them gettig stained! I spend all my time on houzz already!

[betterwhenthesunshines]

Marian have you checked your range is level? It sounds as though it might be slightly tilted backwards or sideways and that could be why the door is swinging shut?