"KITCHEN"

Stone: LUNDHS Blue® - silk surface.Situated on a small island outside the coast of southern Norway, the owners of this lovely summerhouse have moved the kitchen outside. The well planned combination of wood and Lundhs Blue stone is in total harmony with the natural surroundings.

Stone: LUNDHS Emerald® - silk/leather surface.Norwegian farmer and florist, Helga Bonden, has renovated her family kitchen. Blending contemporary materials and a modern colour palette into the 100-year old farmhouse with care, the end result is absolutely beautiful.

Tool & Gauge Kitchen is a café and shared kitchen facility located within the new Frome Business Park in Somerset. The team at Interaction has designed a contemporary social space where people can eat, drink and connect, with a modern monochrome design that respects the building’s industrial history. It was important that the flooring offered a practical surface with plenty of character and a sense of intrigue.

To coincide with the launch of Morrison’s ‘M Kitchen’ range, a state-of-the-art Taste Kitchen has been constructed at the supermarket’s headquarters in Bradford. An existing kitchen was fully refurbished to create the facility which is used to trial food products for the new range.

application area: commercialuse type: extraction of cooking gases from kitchenproject scope: line brick extraction shaft to prevent grease build-upadded value: 25-year guarantee on liner, minimal downtime, easily fitted due to flexible materialBackgroundThis Hospital in Portsmouth has a busy commercial kitchen supplying restaurants and residents. Increasing reports of fumes from the greased-up brick extraction ducts have been a concern.A survey of the riser and plantroom was carried out to determine the most suitable solution. VentilFle-25 RKV for kitchen extracts was the preferred option due to the reduced access to the 30-meter brick riser.Statement of workThe shaft had been in use without a kitchen extract liner for the extraction of kitchen gases. This was a concern due to grease build-up, which can result in unpleasant odours within the building.VentilFlex-25 kitchen extract lining system was the chosen alternative lining method, with its jointless design, excellent heat resistance and fire rating, and crucially, an installation method that only required access at the top and the bottom of the riser.

Stainless steel worktops can often be thought of a ‘modern’ or that they are only suitable in contemporary kitchens. Actually, stainless steel worktops are very much suited to all styles and ages of kitchens and buildings as can be seen in this example.

A keen cooks kitchen with a large island and the finest Gaggenau ovens form an integral part of this design. The stunning kitchen also incorporated a fabulous dining and living area, which created a wonderfully atmospheric central space.

Bespoke kitchen designer, Connaught Kitchens has chosen a GEC Anderson made to measure stainless steel worktop for display in its newly renovated showroom in London.Connaught Kitchens, situated in Porchester Place near Hyde Park has 22 years experience in designing bespoke kitchens for end users as well as designers, architects and developers. Driven by an acute attention to detail and an emphasis on providing a quality service from conception to completion, this privately owned company produces beautiful, yet practical kitchens. Design Director and Founder of Connaught Kitchens, Phillip Ozorio said, the installation of the stainless steel worktop formed part of our recent showroom makeover. We wanted to showcase an eclectic mix of kitchen finishes and stainless steel was a material we felt important to feature.

A distinctly different appearance was created by kitchen designers Turner and Foye. A total of three stainless steel worktops were included - all with the rivet edge detail requested by their client.Series A sink A34 was integrated within one of the islands. All worktops are in EN 1.4301 grade brushed satin stainless steel.

The rich tones of the Ebony Gloss Walnut combined with the Griege similacq Gloss doors make for an elegant family living space, the added touch of the Spekva breakfast bar finishes off the design nicely. Another beautifully crafted SieMatic Kitchen designed exclusively for the client's family to enjoy with friends and family for years to come.

On this fast turnaround project we worked closely with Clarke Penman Architecture to manufacture and install polished concrete kitchen worktops and splash-backs.Concrete worktops are extremely strong and durable and designed to withstand busy family use. These were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The worktops were cut to fit various kitchen appliances and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof.Spanning over 6 metres, separate large BTX concrete panels were carefully assembled on site and fitted with brass sink and taps by our experienced team. The finished effect is a modern, industrial look that complements client’s design style and blends perfectly with the raw plastered walls and concrete floors, which together create a truly unique and highly functional kitchen.

A full stainless steel ward kitchen was provided by GEC Anderson in the Royal London Hospital, part of the Barts NHS Trust.Working with main contractor, John Sisk & Son, GEC Anderson supplied the entire kitchen, comprising sinks and worktops, stainless steel legs and supports, base cabinets and wall cabinets. Some of the units were mobile (on castors) to facilitate cleaning.

The Living Concrete team are highly experienced at working with leading designers to create bespoke furniture for beautiful spaces. That’s why Charlotte Crosland came to us to discuss the design, manufacture and installation of this stunning outdoor kitchen and entertainment space, housed in a purpose built oak building at her client’s Great Missenden home.We cast a number of items including work surfaces, kitchen cupboards with shelving and drawers, fridge enclosure, BBQ, cast in sink with copper fittings and seatWe used a unique eco concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption and the smooth Silk Mist finish was treated and sealed with Satin Stain protection to make it damage proof. Our high-performance concrete doesn’t corrode or degrade, making it a long-lasting, practical choice that will keep its good looks. It’s fireproof too – a major advantage inside the home, but equally so in an outdoor oak-built structure such as this.

OBJECTIVEFor more information about the Bushboard products, request a RIBA CPD, download an NBS specification or order samplesvisit www.bushboard.co.ukLadybarn Community Centre in Manchester recently secured funding to give their kitchen a much-needed makeover that it deserved, Team Moregeous Design stepped up to the challenge.‘I wanted people to be wowed when they walked in but equally we had to keep to a budget. We had four days to completely transform the room.’Bushboard’s laminate lets the customer go high on looks, while keeping the cost low. Their idea is that everyone deserves great design whatever the budget underpins the Bushboard ethos of smart surfaces, clever ideas.Observation‘I had saved an inspirational room shot from deVOL that I wanted torecreate but I needed to be smart to achieve the style as I was on a budget.I attended KBB 2018 as it is always inspiring and showcases cool new decors. I visited Bushboard’s stand and saw all their impressive designs but the one that caught my eye was Turin Marble from the Options range.The samples from Bushboard arrived quickly and were a decent size. The information both online and in brochures is clear and easy tounderstand.’Bushboard offer free of charge samples that will be delivered to the customers door within 72 hours. As they understand how important the decision is.Turin Marble makes a luxury statement in any kitchen. The distinctive design is printed in life-like proportion to truly echo nature.Outcome‘I couldn’t be happier with the end result, I love it. The worktop is bold and dramatic but not overwhelming. It has wowed everyone.’The Options range has stunning laminate designs truly reflectingBushboard’s ethos of bringing smart surfaces and clever ideas.‘Classic, stylish, affordable luxury.I’ve specified Bushboard before over the years and have never beendisappointed. The new range is a step ahead in terms of on-trenddesigns and style. Brilliant!’‘The range is a step ahead in terms of on-trend designs and style. Brilliant

application area: commercial kitchen extractuse type: school kitchen air extractionproject scope: line brick duct with four linersadded value: 25-year guarantee on liner, no need to fit and maintain chimney fansBackgroundVentilFlex-25 engineers were to supply and install a bespoke kitchen canopy solution for a grade 2 listed school building in Hampshire. The bespoke canopy could not be fixed to the walls or the ceiling, which was 14 meters high.The 20-metre ventilation shaft had metal supporting crossbars. This made it impossible for any rigid extraction ducting system to be installed without affecting the integrity of the structure. The client opted for a kitchen extraction system with a different approach – VentilFlex-25 RKV – a composite liner solution supplied in a flat and soft state. The bespoke-made liners are useful for ducts where access is difficult or if the duct has bends and offsets.The main challenge of this installation was to insert and inflate 4 VentilFlex-25 RKV liners simultaneously. This way the liners would fill the available duct space evenly and act as a single large liner.Statement of workThe steaming took a few hours, during which the high temperature started a chemical reaction in the composite structure which solidified the resin and gave the liners their final physical characteristics – tensile strength, high corrosion-resistance, high heat-resistance and an air-tight finish. The new VentilFlex-25 RKV liners provide an outlet for the gases coming from 3 combi ovens, 2 range ovens a fryer and a grill.

A recent example of an outdoor kitchen, that includes a single-piece worktop with integrated sink. Stainless steel base cabinets and special lowered section to receive BBQ unit. Architect: Jonathan Freegard

Living room and kitchen form a single area in many modern homes and often feature open-plan design. People cook where they eat and eat where they live. The owners of the 150 m2 period apartment in Paris had a clear concept: Kitchen should be located close to the living room or, better still, be an integral part of it. To fulfil this wish, Dutch firm i29 interior architects designed a kitchen island that's really a piece of furniture. Unusually high MDF panels pivot easily and slide into the recess thanks to pivot/slide-in hardware HAWA Concepta 50.

The new £9.7 million Kitchen Garden Enclosure development at Cambridge’s Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, designed by Abell Nepp, features Ash & Lacy perforated panels that incorporate a complex wildlife illustration.

The kitchen is regaining its position as the centre of family life. Kitchen designers now create modern shapes and realise innovative functions. However, kitchen planners often lack practical experience with technical innovations, particularly when these innovations are from the field of electrical installation technology.Electrical installation by: CIBEK technology + trading GmbH - Bernd Klein

For Sheila Dearns, a former language teacher for 32 years, living with MS meant that as her condition progressed, she found her kitchen ill-equipped to cope with her changing needs.Sheila’s home is a bungalow in the centre of Chelmsford, where she has lived since 1996. It was when her MS began to leave her with little energy that Sheila decided to retire in 2010 and since then, she is finding it harder to ‘load bear’ and now classes herself as a full-time wheelchair user.It was when Sheila was left an inheritance from a relative that she began to consider making some practical changes to her home. The former kitchen was narrow with no accessible workspace to prepare meals. In fact, Sheila had to chop vegetables on the dining room table instead. With little energy and as a full-time wheelchair user, Sheila needed something to change in order for her to continue living independently at home.Her friend’s sister, Teresa Shaw; who owns the company Onyx Rehabilitation Ltd  that helps people with life-changing injuries, put Sheila in touch with leading designer of accessible kitchens Adam Thomas of the Adam Thomas Consultancy. It’s thanks to Adam’s input and collaboration that Freedom by Symphony have transformed the lives of so many people by empowering them with a sense of independence, enjoying accessible kitchens that are both practical to use and stylish to look at.Adam worked with kitchen retailer Blaines Interiors to create an accessible kitchen for Sheila that now works as the hub of her home. The project began by knocking down the wall between the former kitchen and living room to create one larger, open-plan space. Sheila moved out while the work was being done and the result is a fully wheelchair-friendly area with widened access to the garden, too.“Working with Blaines, we designed a fully functional and accessible kitchen,” says Adam, “which now includes I-move pull down baskets, allowing Sheila to access top shelves in wall cabinets without standing up from a seated position along with a 2.4m Rise & Fall worktop, a lovely feature that Sheila can adjust to suit her height so that she can use the worktop, sink with front access tap and hob when seated in her wheelchair. It’s a really flexible solution, as it can also be used by family and friends in the rise position. We also included a lowered dining table on hairpin legs for wheelchair access underneath, a pull and twist larder for easy access to dried ingredients, corner Le Mans storage and a combination oven, which suits Sheila’s style of cooking.”Sheila and Adam worked closely with Anthony Elsey from Blaines Interiors, who was a wonderful source of inspiration and ideas. Sheila wanted her kitchen to be calm and soothing with a brightly tiled splashback to add a statement look. “As a one-stop shop, Blaines takes clients on a seamless journey from conception to completion,” says Anthony. “This includes personalised consultation, expert advice, meticulous planning, flawless installation and the final finishing touches. Our team of designers are not only creative but also empathetic and supportive, ensuring that every client’s needs are met. They take pride in designing kitchens that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also affordable and accessible to all.”Design manager Anthony has experience in working with young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities and is fully committed to serving Freedom clients by creating fully functional and accessible kitchens. Blaines Interiors has two Freedom showrooms with four operational displays, where customers can explore and experience their designs first-hand. Their reach extends across the entire Eastern region, serving Norfolk, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.Sheila now has the hub of the home she really wanted. “I can now cook for myself and use all the facilities,” she says. “My energy also now lasts longer too, as everything is made so much simpler for me.”

Here's how Freedom has transformed the Troke Family's living space - Why Freedom?Freedom embraces unique features to support independent living scenarios and offers the latest kitchen trends so there’s no need to compromise on style. Key components of safety, style, storage and smart flexibility at the core of the Freedom brand, make it ideal for multi-generational living, including mobility requirements.Meet The Troke FamilyLucille Troke, is a wheelchair user who lives with her family in Aylesbury. Over the last few years, the family’s property has been renovated to enable Lucille, younger sister Josephine and her parents, Leonie and Jon the ability to use and enjoy their new kitchen.  “I look forward to using this amazing kitchen every day! My mum has always been really good at baking pastries and cakes and now I can also enjoy cooking at home”.The family’s previous kitchen had a custom-made fixed lowered worktop, which was helpful to Lucille, but it was back-ache inducing for the rest of the family. The old kitchen had outward opening oven doors which were impractical for Lucille to use.Zoe Paye of OT Healthcare, the family’s Occupational Therapist, provides support to the family and oversaw the design process for the transformation of their bungalow. She suggested Adam Thomas, accessible design consultant, of the Adam Thomas Consultancy and Tara Neil Kitchen Retailer.The Design SolutionsAs part of an early design consultation, a few essential yet practical accessible kitchen features were agreed:Integrated Slide&Hide® ovens positioned at a 90-degree angle to a lowered height fixed worktop to makes it easier, and safer, for Lucille to transfer dishes to and from the oven.A tall larder with i-move pull-down baskets and pull-out drawers, providing quick and easy access to dried food and tins.Various work surface space to make the kitchen ideal for all the family; a standard worktop with sink, a lowered height worktop, an electric rise-and-fall worktop with induction hob and sink.   Additional design features:Pull-out crockery and pan drawers, so the contents are easy to access and visible at a glance. Plenty of manoeuvring space incorporated into the layout to ensure a fit-for-purpose space to support Lucille’s mobility requirements. Le Mans pull-outs in the corner base cabinets, ideal for storing and accessing items in hard to reach corners. A waterfall edge finish to the electric rise-and-fall worktop, to avoid accidental spillages onto Lucille. Flip sockets set within the rise-and-fall work surface to allow easy reach for Lucille. Two sinks, one at a standard height near the dishwasher and the other, a prep sink set within the rise-and-fall work surface providing essential convenience for all the family. Recycling and waste bins integrated into cabinetry, accessible to the whole family.  Products featured: Freedom Urban kitchen in Indigo colourway with chrome handles. Mix of worktop materials in Quartzite and Corian in pale grey and white.Appliances: single bowl sinks, integrated hide and slide ovens, microwave and induction hob, hot tap, integrated fridge-freezer & dishwasher, feature lighting and flip sockets.The Freedom brand is designed in collaboration with the Adam Thomas Consultancy. Adam is an accessible design consultant and industry expert with over 40 years’ experience. Freedom is available from selected retail partners around the UK.

The Allsop family started planning their kitchen renovation project in September 2021 and wanted to create an inviting room featuring special touches such as glass work surfaces alongside the latest in energy-saving technology. As they had already installed underfloor heating in their home before, they knew that an electric floor heater would be the ideal heating solution due to its ease of use, sustainable technology, and low running costs. The DCM-PRO was chosen as the most efficient solution, offering rapid installation times and increased and huge savings on energy bills due to its efficiency, further enhanced after being paired with our 6iE Thermostat. This system was perfect for use with the Allsop’s new Karndean vinyl floors and is also ideal for kitchens with stone or ceramic floor tiles as its decoupling technology helps protect tiled floors from damage. The low-profile design of the DCM-PRO is also perfect for all types of refurbishment projects in rooms with fixed ceiling heights as it will have a negligible impact on floor levels.

Here's how Freedom has transformed Izzy's living space -Why Freedom?Freedom embraces unique features to support independent living scenarios and offers the latest kitchen trends so there’s no need to compromise on style. Key components of safety, style, storage and smart flexibility at the core of the Freedom brand, make it ideal for multi-generational living, including mobility requirements.Meet Izzy Izzy Hussain, is a full-time wheelchair user, who lives in Milton Keynes. Izzy’s new kitchen allows her to host friends and family with ease.  “I now have the freedom to cook what I want, when I want and this new style of kitchen allows me to be independent and spontaneous, which is really important for me.”Izzy’s previous kitchen wasn’t accessible. Izzy reverted to using a camping hot plate and an MDF worktop just so she had the ability to cook.Following Izzy’s spinal injury, Occupational Therapist Zoe Paye provided necessary support and helped oversee the design process and renovation of Izzy’s bungalow. Zoe recommended Adam Thomas, leading accessible design consultant and Tara Neil Kitchen Retailer to offer a tailored design service, including delivery and installation. Izzy’s Kitchen DesignAs part of an early design consultation, a few features were agreed:An Island on two levels with fixed height prep space and induction hob so Izzy can cook and entertain guests at the same time.A pull-out table, doubling up as a place to safely transfer dishes to the island and as additional preparation space.A pantry/tall larder with pull-out drawers providing easy and quick access to dried food and tins.Additional design features:A drinks cabinet as entertaining is a big part of Izzy’s life allowing her to host friends and family with ease. A NEFF Slide&Hide® oven, including heat proof resting shelf which Izzy wanted following good reviews on a Facebook spinal group. Essential storage such as pull down i-move baskets and pull-out pan drawers provide easy access to everyday items, helping Izzy to be independent. A push to open slimline NEFF dishwasher for ease of accessing crockery and kitchen utensils and a hot tap which eliminates the back and forth of filling up a kettle. Finally, a well-equipped utility room incorporating a sink to wash and groom her dogs as well as a handy pull-out dog treat drawer were a must-have for Izzy. Products featured: Freedom Alta Kitchen in gloss pure white with chrome handles. A statement worktop made from Quartzite in aurora pink.Appliances: sink with drainer, integrated hide and slide ovens and induction hob, hot tap, integrated fridge-freezer, slimline dishwasher, feature lighting and flip sockets.The Freedom brand is designed in collaboration with the Adam Thomas Consultancy. Adam is an accessible design consultant and industry expert with over 40 years’ experience. Freedom is available from selected retail partners around the UK.

At the Paris-Le Bourget airport, Air Culinaire Worldwide has just moved into its new kitchen. The kitchen, corridors, locker rooms, preparation rooms (hot and cold) and the storage rooms were fitted with Altro Stronghold 30 on the floor and the Altro Whiterock White on the walls.

Angel Gardens is one of Manchester’s newest, purpose built, residential developments and is located in the fashionable Northern Quarter of the city.Residents of the development enjoy a ‘clubby’ feel to their living environment with a number of exclusive facilities included within the high-rise building. As well as cinema and gym areas, the roof terrace on the 9th floor boasts not only a barbegue / bar / entertaining / dining area but also a football pitch. Included in the roof-top oasis is an outdoor kitchen, supplied and installed by GEC Anderson. Comprising of stainless steel base cabinets, a continuous stainless steel worktop with integral sink and back upstand, the kitchen is used for functions and generally to cater for requirements of visitors to this level of the building.

Four Formica® Laminates from the Formica® Collection transform a residential kitchen project with bespoke carpentry. Laminate was chosen to create kitchen doors, shelves, worktops and even an accessible spice rack and a matching dining table. All decors chosen featured a Matte58 finish offering a smooth texture that provides low-level light reflection and minimal maintenance for the owner. 

An extensive refurbishment to this family home included this beautiful open plan kitchen. The contrasts of the sterling grey, the graphite of the island and the stainless steel of the Gaggenau fridge, freezer and wine climate cabinet compliment each other very well in the light airy room.

GEC Anderson stainless steel worktops were put to good effect in this smart domestic kitchen.A curved breakfast bar forms the centre piece of the design but there are worktops to two of the perimeter walls. Extra deep edge profiles were specified and, of course, sinks are fully integrated within the worksurface.

The National Flooring Company, a Degafloor Ltd approved installer, have received another complimentary review following a kitchen refurbishment on the 23rd floor at a popular 4-star hotel in Manchester. Making the most of the quieter, New Year period, the hotel decided to upgrade their kitchen floor. Having worked at other locations for the popular hotel chain, The National Flooring Company were contacted to provide advice and following a successful proposal, were asked to complete the refurbishment. The kitchen, which is situated on the 23rd floor, required meticulous planning to ensure that works could be completed with minimal disruption to the hotel’s guests. The existing vinyl floor within the kitchen had become worn and brittle and sections were beginning to lift, causing a potential trip hazard. The vinyl floor was removed to expose the tiled finish underneath. Any loose tiles that had debonded from the floor were also removed and infilled with Degafloor Deep Fill, quick curing repair mortar.The National Flooring Company laid a scrape coat, embedded with a promesh reinforcing membrane, prior to the installation of the Degafloor Full Broadcast System (FB). The Degafloor FB system is broadcast with rounded aggregate to provide an anti-slip finish and retains this feature even in wet conditions to ensure employee safety is always maintained. As with all Degafloor systems, they are seamless and impervious, ensuring the floor will not lift, as previously experienced with the existing vinyl floor finish. Degafloor MMA resin flooring systems are fully cured within 2 hours of installation, allowing the hotel to resume normal kitchen operating procedures shortly after completion. MMA resins have a distinctive odour, but with the correct management, installations can progress with very little disruption. The National Flooring Company used the kitchen extraction system and sealed all doorways to contain and manage the odour.The project was completed to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer, Hilton MCR, who commented on how good the floor looked. “The restaurant being on the 23rd floor presented a logistical challenge.  However, after careful planning and consideration of our hotel operations, The National Flooring Company completed the installation efficiently and to a high standard.  We were impressed with the service from start to finish.”

Bioethanol fires require no chimney or flue, give off no harmful emissions and are 95% energy efficient. They are available in a large selection of designs for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and gardens. A good example is the home of Bury resident Anthony Norman, who chose an Italian kitchen and a British made bedroom from local dealer Icon, both featuring table-top bioethanol fires. Anthony and his family were convinced that they would make exciting additions to their new kitchen and master bedroom. Ebios bioethanol fires are made in Germany and distributed by DRU in the UK.

KAL is a member of the Gowan Group, a family-owned holding company, directly controlling many successful trading companies as well as significant property holdings and financial investments in public and private companies in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK.The largest appliance distributors in Ireland, KAL rely on a 30,000 square foot designer showroom for unique kitchen and domestic appliances. Their showroom at Dublin’s Citywest is one of the largest of its kind in Europe showcasing all their kitchen and consumer appliance brands.The ChallengeAfter conducting a survey of the 1,000m2 roof, it was determined that the areas of the roof, specifically the office area, were in need of repair. Some areas of the original roof build-up were starting to leak and lap joints failing due to a poor install.Following the site survey and adhesion tests, a site-specific specification was produced for the client and contractor to overview once all parties were happy with the proposals. With some complex detailing work involved, a decision was made to overlay the existing roof build with Polyroof Protec System.The SolutionPolyroof’s Protec System, a hybrid polymer liquid system with extremely fast curing and installation times, was the chosen system of use for the project. Due to its fully cold-applied application, the works could be carried out during working hours, with little disruption to the office staff below and little working time lost for the client.IPRS Limited, an experienced roofing and panel repair contractor and Polyroof Approved Contractor, were chosen to undertake the work on the project. Firstly, before any work could begin, the original waterproofing of the office roof was pressure-washed and cleaned down. Once all initial preparation was completed, the Protec System application could begin.All areas requiring priming before the main system application were primed and allowed to cure. Any joints were sealed using taping mat and Protec Resin and allowed to cure. Once this preparation had been completed the main Polyroof Protec System, chosen in light grey by the client, was applied.The first coat was allowed to cure before the final coat was applied. Due the Protec System Rapid Cure technology, the finished roof could be walked on after just 30-60 minutes after applications. This allowed for large roof areas to be made fully waterproof within a matter of hours. After the inspection was completed, the client received Polyroof’s trusted Accredited System Guarantee.Taking away the challenges of flat roofing projects.Polyroof’s reputation has been built on the high level of technical support provided to clients before, during and after every contract. We like to work closely with our clients from the very beginning of a flat roofing project right through to completion and throughout the lifespan of the roof. From our experience, this is the best way to guarantee that all aspects of the roof are finished to the superior standards that our clients expect.

AEG walked away with the large kitchen appliance brand award in recognition of the high-scoring products Which? has tested this year across a good range of categories and budgets.In particular, the brand offers a large selection of home appliances, many of which excel in our lab tests. This year, half the AEG appliances we’ve tested have earned our Best Buy seal of approval. With affordable Best Buys and reliable products, AEG is a worthy winner.

A recent upgrade to ward kitchens included the provision of stainless steel worktops, basins and base cabinets, by stainless steel specialist, GEC Anderson Limited.In a phased upgrade program, the Foundation Trust approached GEC Anderson directly to agree detailing, specifications and costings for the various ward kitchens. The scope of work included bespoke worktops, sinktops, base cabinets and wall-hung wash basins.The results are professional, hygienic and durable kitchens that will stand the test of time for the Trust.

The Living Concrete team provided design consultancy and were selected to project manage the delivery of a new kitchen for a celebrity chef.The glass fibre reinforced concrete central island, table-come-workbench was manufactured using our special GRC BTX concrete, which is lighter and stronger than traditional concrete. We used our unique eco concrete mix technology with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The individual elements were precast in our workshop for assembly on site and then hand polished and treated with a specialist sealant. Large format GAP wall panels with concrete caps in Mist Rough finish completed the design.Living Concrete’s worktops and tables are extremely strong and durable and can be used indoors or outdoors. By using the best of modern technology, we have created a contemporary and elegant space that demonstrates how concrete can be both good looking and functional.

The Danish Church in London has been in existence, since 1696. Since 1952, it has occupied St Katherine’s, a neo gothic Church sited in the calm and secluded setting of London’s Regent’s Park, forming part of the Crown Estate.A recent refurbishment of the Church has been undertaken, overseen by Architects CF Møller and carried out by, main contractor, Coniston. The work included three new kitchens, communal spaces, and vicarage. GEC Anderson were employed to supply and install the three kitchens occupying two levels of the historic building. Liaising closely with the Architect, GEC Anderson were able to produce and install the required kitchen surfaces and fabrications as well as the required package of commercial kitchen appliances. Managing director of GEC Anderson, Martin Tye, commented “Space was very much a limiting factor in all three of the areas that we were involved with and so, it was a real challenge to be able to accommodate and include all of the necessary elements. Following the careful guidance of the design team, we were able to translate the requirements set out on paper into a tangible result for the client. This also involved meeting with the end user team and understanding the order of priorities.” Certain areas included high ceilings and so some tailored storage options were provided to maximise the useable space. Shelving and cabinets were included to provide the appropriate storage.

GEC Anderson stainless steel worktops were included in a recent Cornwall kitchen refurbishment, designed and installed by George Robinson Kitchens who produce hand crafted, bespoke kitchens, near Penzance. For homeowners, Mr. & Mrs. Bull, the choice of materials was pivotal to the design of their home kitchen, particularly, as their long-term plan is to use the space as a cookery school. Stainless steel was therefore a key element and was chosen not only for its visual properties and low lifetime cost but also for its ability to withstand heavy usage, to be heat resistant and to remain germ-free. From a visual perspective, the work surfaces make up a significant proportion of the colour and texture in the room. In this Georgian property in Cornwall, the materials and textures chosen make for an eclectic yet functional space. The inherent durability and unsurpassed hygienic properties of the brushed stainless steel elements from GEC Anderson will make it perform extremely well as a professional kitchen. The Tulip wood and Oak wood with its different painted finishes together with the white Silestone quartz top on the central island top provides a striking contrast to the stainless steel in one corner, giving a light and pleasant, contemporary, feel.The L-shaped brushed satin stainless steel worktop and integral sink is made to measure and benefits from being manufactured in one continuous piece thus maximising the use of space in the corner in which it is situated. Furthermore, with no joins at the sink bowl, edges and upstands, the surface remains germ free as well as being free of visual clutter and noise. One side of the L-shape includes a generously sized (500x400mm) single bowl and draining area, whilst the other, provides useful and practical work surface. A 100mm high, integral, back upstand was also specified, providing a neat, practical and watertight junction to walls.Owner Dr Matt Bull says, “My wife and I liked the toughness of the stainless steel and the fact that it can take hot and cold, doesn't stain, reflects light and provides an hygienic surface that is easy to clean. Stainless steel also gains character as it ages, where many surfaces will deteriorate, so that’s a real bonus.” He added, “We struggled to find anyone locally who could manufacture the stainless steel elements of the kitchen to a sufficiently high standard. The neatness of the welding and the configuration of the shape, drainer recess etc. were key to what GEC Anderson could offer.”GEC Anderson stainless steel worktops are supplied fully sound deadened, plastic protected