Wise Mumsnetters with style (= Noddy) gloss or matt kitchen??

[amazonianwoman]

I've decided we're definitely going modern(ish!) rather than the Plain English look for our new kitchen. Probably handleless with big pan drawers.

Is gloss passé? Should I go for matt? The colour will be kind of alabaster. Not white and not cream/ivory.

Thanks

Thankd noddy. I am going to look at Howdens and see if their units would work but I want tall wall units to the ceiling so these would need to be custom made anyway.
Have you found a house to buy?
amazonian have you tried out handleless units? I would choose whichever is easier to use- have never owned a handlless kitchen so have no idea on that score!

Pannacotta, we're having Howden's Burford grey which looks similar to the one in your link.

Smallbone are top spec not my taste but they are brilliant quality. I have no house atm we are renting and our criteria keep changing. We are trying to downsize but its difficult I am v fussy and am beginning to irritate myself! We are looking for a big apartment ideally

Porky I have seen that kitchen and it looks very nice.
Our room is an odd shape and I want to have units built to the ceiling so I'm not sure Howdens will work for us.
But I am going to get a designer round to measure up and come up with something.

Get someone to do made to measure it looks perfect when done and you can use every little space. So exciting! We did a wall of full height doors with very shallow shelves behind them only deep enough for cans and bottles mugs etc but when they were close it made the kitchen look huge.

I'll self elect myself into the posh with big house category then as I've definitely decided on matt.

Pannacotta - have you contacted Annalouiseh's DH? He said he could do bespoke floor to ceiling units for us, in any colour/style we like. I'm hoping to get his 1st quote tomorrow. I found Howden's cabinet selection quite limited last week (esp width of deep drawer units with 2 or drawers). And the "designer" was spectacularly poor on the whole customer interface front. But I'm sure they aren't all like that! I love the colour of the Burford grey, that was my first choice with them.

With howdens you do need a good carpenter to fill in the gaps.I found them very well constructed though they are rigid and factory glued but for style you can't beat made to measure.

Kuche are lovely expensive but good for ideas.

Our design experience with howdens was vv good. They came out to the house about 5 or 6 times.

Delivery, prompt but full of mistakes.

Quality of units looks v good, carpenter fitting it is a fan of howdens, he rates them highly.

We have gone for the 'MN' deep drawers, natch.

Also I found with howdens if you needed to chop up any of the units to fit they stayed solid and didn't fall apart.They are the best of the ready to go.

They do have a good reputation I agree.
And one of the local designers come highly rated so will see what he has to say but am veering towards made to measure, possibly flat fronted, matt painted doors, with handles! Like the P English detail of having tiny wooden handles painted in the same colour as the door, so they more or less disappear....
amazonian no I havent been in touch with him, must get round to that too...

I am glad about that Noddy, as chopping up is necessary!

Hmm now I have some designs & CAD pics back I'm not keen on handleless (too stark) and I don't think the design works either. Back to the drawing board

You could always post the designs on your profile pics if you wanted opinions of a load of nosey Mnetters!
I think from what you say that your house might be better served with a fairly classic style kitchen? Am I right in thinking it is 1930s or thereabouts?

What didnt work with the latest design?

Yes you're right. I think I was trying to persuade myself that a modern kitchen would work mainly because they're cheaper than the painted wood Plain English style I really love. But I don't think it's worth saving a couple of grand in the scheme of things.

The problem is I really want an island or wide peninsular, and I can't get this to work comfortably in the space we have, especially with a more traditional style (incorporating a range cooker is more tricky, but I do love ranges!)

The room is big - around 6m x 4m - and there is a wide opening to what was going to be the dining room, which is also a good size - about 5.5m x 3.5m I think. I'm trying to fit a kitchen and family area into the bigger room but there are 4 huge windows (will prob block one up), patio doors and the wide opening. 4 metres just isn't quite wide enough to have a run of units on either side with an island down the middle (around 930mm either side which is a bit cramped I think. DH and I both very tall and not very thin!). And the family area is rather cramped.

So now I'm wondering if we should just go for a U-shaped kitchen with the dining table in the kitchen and a much larger family room through the opening. If that makes sense. We'll have a separate living room and kids' room. So we are lucky to have space, I just can't get it to work well, and we've scrapped the idea of extending to make the house really work well.

Do you think a large (and the only) dining table in the kitchen would be ok? I'd have to keep the kitchen much tidier! We currently have a very small table in the existing kitchen and a separate dining room (down the hall) that we rarely use.

I'll definitely post out plans and some designs later, I'm on my phone now and just about to go to watch DS play rugby.

And thanks if you've read this far!

How odd, your dilemma is almost exactly the same as ours.
We also scrapped the extension idea (too much hassle/cost and, in our case, limited room to go out) but I also wanted an island and havent got enough space for one.
I actually prefer a high level oven - easier on the back and knees - but cant fit one in - really limited worktop space and too many window/doors too, so we are also having a range. They do look good in a classic kitchen too.

I think a large table and no island works well in a family kitchen, but you do end up prepping with your back to the room, unless you do it sitting at the table.You could get a smaller butchers trolley on wheels though?

Any reason you cant have a table for formal dining/big meals in the family room? YOu could use this table for homework, games, craft and then tidy it up for formal use. WOuld be easy enough as the rooms are connected.
I think if you are a keen (ie messy) cook (as I am and think you might be too) then its nice to have the option to eat/entertain in a room other than the kitchen. We have this arrangement and it works well.

Do pm me if you like, would be very happy to have a look at your floorplans and design options.

Thanks Pannacotta I'm glad you understand my dilemma. My indecision is really annoying me!

I'll PM you tomorrow thanks

I have also back pedalled on kitchen . Viewed 2 houses both PE and converted back!

I dont think you can go wrong with a classic PE look in muted colours and painted finish. That way you can always change the colour of the doors and handles if you fancy a new look or use bright flowers/prints to add a bit of colour.
And do pm me as and when amazonian. :)

Have you looked at harvey jones linear- Matt hand painted but modern?

Good point bb, Staverton used to post on here and has one of their kitchens, lets hope she see this thread and can come and tell you about it amazonian.

Hi Pannacotta I haven't forgotten about your kind offer to discuss my plans etc, just had a hectic couple of days!