Kitchens aieee!

[cruelladepoppins]

Hello all, I need help! I am getting a new kitchen because we are having an extension built, and I need to give a lot more thought to the design.

I have posted here rather than on the DIY thread because hopefully it's relevant to everyone ... you see I want to ask you about your kitchens, just as they are.

Is there anything practical about the design, appliances, finishes that you love (e.g. a feature that's a total godsend?)

Or anything you regret (e.g. it's a real white elephant, or you loved it but it's a dirt magnet, or something you wished you had?

Anybody got a clever built-in way of dealing with compost/recycling/ waste? I hate things being on show.

Also any child-friendly kitchen tips? I don't mean safety (obv. important) but something that makes it easy for children to cook/ bake. My boys are 8 and 10 now, and they have put up with our crappy tiny kitchen for that long. They have been baking using a small foldaway table but it's not ideal.

Oooh I do hope you can help! [terrified and confused emoticon]

There was a thread called the ideal mumsnet kitchen a while ago

cruella - I hope this thread takes off as I'm in a similar position! I feel lost at the idea of planning my own slightly extended kitchen and so far advice from kitchen designer was a bit limited.

My own top tips are:

Dh found a white ceramic flour container which we use for veg peelings etc, it looks ok on display. Papers are put on my old fashioned scales before going in recycling bin outside - not so unsightly and quickly whisked away when tidying up. We bought small black bins for plastics and glass recycling to go on drive next to main bin - any better solutions out there?

My pantry is invaluable but will be lost in the extension works and so I'm planning on creating a 'cold cupboard' - insulated cupboard with air brick to outside wall where I can keep veg etc.

Wipe clean table in the kitchen where ds's can cook, or get out playdough, paints etc but is still a serviceable dining table for us/guests.

Here you are. link here

Ooh, I just found it HinnyPet, its addictive, but I must get back to work!

Aah, mumsnet kitchen porn, it doesn't get much better than this...

Thanks HinnyPet, great thread (I did do a search before posting, howcome I never find the right thing? ). And thanks bosch for the tips - do come back and let me know how you get on.

So far I know:

I like everything put away (not keen on clutter display);
I want a divider between the dining area and the kitchen area;
although we live in the country I don't want a "country" kitchen - the more streamlined the better so it doen't trap dirt;
because we live in the country we have had a bit of a "small rodent" problem from time to time, so I want all my cupboards up off the ground on metal legs;
my neighbour advises me against wooden kickboards/ plinths because they have gone all yucky through mopping the floor;
I want solid splashbacks, not tiles;
need a serious double sink for washing and prepping all our garden produce.

Currently looking at Howden and B&Q (drooling over their "Cooke and Lewis" range glossy cupboard doors that are so streamlined they don't even have handles - especially in "zebrano" although that won't suit my own kitchen!)

I really want a pull-out larder cupboard.

Isn't it exciting? Off to cross-post on the other thread.