Kitcheners Ebook

Essential Kitchen Ideas Book “Every tip you need to know before buying a new kitchen”

The serious kitchen book if you’re serious about kitchens Living without a kitchen for even a matter of days is a nightmare which is why this Essential Kitchen Ideas book will help protect you from getting burnt when buying a new kitchen. Kitcheners has a proven track record of designing tailor made kitchens where we work together step by step and the customer knows exactly what to expect and when to expect it. Now everyone, not just our customers, can benefit from our vast knowledge base. So whether you cook for a living like Iain ‘ Huey’ Hewitson, or you simply love to cook, this book will ensure you create a kitchen that is the scene of beautiful meals for many years to come.

“Don’t get burnt by your new kitchen” Huey

This priceless book covers Design Tips Colour & Lighting Products & Components Quality Timelines Warranties Safety Payment Company Backgrounds Meeting Expectations Installation Avoiding Pitfalls and so much more

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Kitchen Design - what do you want, what do you need and what can you afford? Before you commence, you’ve hopefully done your research. Bought magazines, spoken to friends and experts and maybe even done some research online. Then you will have some idea about the style of kitchen you want, as well as what special features you desire. You must also decide what existing appliances you wish to keep plus whether or not you’ll have enough space for all your cooking utensils and essential appliances?

Kitcheners Kitchens - plan non contractual

Consider the following... KIM ANDERSON -

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23/07/2007

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• Do you have use for a breakfast bar instead of a dining table? • Try to maximise your bench space. • Do you need to separate your waste with a recycling bin system? • Does the kitchen merge into other spaces? Perhaps you can merge the style of the kitchen with that of adjoining rooms. • Do you have enough lighting? • Avoid finishes that are prone to dirty marks and fingerprints. • The main components that add up to make your new kitchen are the cabinets, benchtops, appliances, splashbacks and all the tradespeople to make it happen. So consider these when creating a budget.

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• You will need a plumber and an electrician to connect your appliances. • You may need a tiler for the splashbacks. • The finishes in your kitchen will greatly affect your budget; EG, choosing stone or laminate benchtops. • Some companies will allow you to deal with your own tradespeople which could save you some money. • Keep it simple, you can always add to it later. The more detailed the kitchen the bigger the price tag. • Does the company provide a full design service by qualified designers? Just some of the invaluable questions you must consider before going down any path!

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Designing The Space A kitchen designer will help you design your ideal space however it may help if you have some idea of what type of doors, handles, shelves, flooring, lighting and benchtops you desire.

Colours, tone and light will affect your moods and the way you enjoy a space. Before designing your new kitchen, remember some of the following: • Ask to see large samples of benchtops, doors and paint colours. Colours will often be bolder when applied on a larger scale. When painting, it’s advised that you test with a sample pot. • If using dark colours in small spaces use a lighter tone, otherwise it will make the space appear smaller. Light, cool and neutral colours create a sense of space as they make walls appear to recede. • Think about the direction of the room. Use dark warm colours for south facing rooms and cool colours for north facing rooms. • If you want the walls & ceilings to match, tint the ceiling paint only 50% of the wall paint. This is because the ceiling receives less light and will otherwise appear darker than then walls.

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A hint of this and a dash of that... • Matt paint hides bumps and ruts so is most suitable for rough surfaces. However, gloss and satin can be more practical in the kitchen. • Try to stick to more neutral themes and colours as fashion trends change rapidly; you don’t want your kitchen to look outdated in one year. You can always change your accessories and the paint colour easier than changing the cabinetry and bench. • Keep wall cabinets away from windows - natural light is important. • A kitchen should have good lighting, especially in working areas. Halogen down lights are best for work spaces. • You can illuminate the bench space more by adding lights underneath the overhead wall cabinetry. • Ask if your kitchen company provides lighting options designed especially for the kitchen.

You can have warmth and style

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Products and Components It’s all about availability, quality and guarantee Choose a company like Kitcheners, where we complement our designs by only associating with the world’s most loved suppliers including Bosch, Blum, Corian® and Caesarstone®. What follows is construction of the highest standards with the most resistant materials, guaranteeing that your beautiful new kitchen will be the scene of splendid meals for years to come.

• Check that there are warrantees on kitchen components & products. These will vary depending on the product. • What type of board does the company use in their cabinetry? It should be moisture resistant and above medium density. The denser the board, the less chance there is of screws coming loose in later years. • Be aware of how the cabinets are put together. Cabinets should be screwed together. Some manufacturers only use staples which do not provide suitable rigidity or strength. • If possible, check the bare cabinets without doors and benchtops to check for rigidity and sturdiness. The cabinets should have solid backs, sides and bases.

• Check what type of drawer system the company uses. Metal lasts much longer than plastic or particle board drawers. • Keep in mind that gloss laminate benchtops scratch easily. There are alternatives such as textured laminates which are one of the most durable benchtops available today. • Gadgets like Lazy Susans do not use space efficiently. • Adjustable legs are important in kitchens to keep the cabinetry off the ground, and can be levelled out on uneven floors or adjusted for changing benchtop heights.

A quality kitchen won’t have a use-by-date

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Safety Smart design to ensure that food isn’t the only thing that could burn

• Placing cook tops near windows is a fire hazard and should be avoided. • Electric cook tops should indicate POWER ON. • Flame failure features should be considered for gas cook tops. • Make sure there is sufficient set down space for hot pots and pans near microwaves, ovens and stoves. • Keep cook tops at least 300mm from tall items to keep heat away from other surfaces and to give space for pot handles.

• A fire extinguisher and first aid kit should be stored in the kitchen. • Slippery floors can be dangerous. Ask if your designer has any suggestions for safe flooring materials. • Cabinets to the ceiling can be dangerous. Consider this when designing the cabinets. • Try to avoid sharp edges and corners on benches to prevent injuries.

Keep the whole family safe and secure

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Installation Don’t undo great design with shoddy workmanship When it comes to the building of your new kitchen, ensure you have a team of specialists in each relevant field. • The measurements should be checked a minimum of 2 times. • Do they do site surveys or site checks before manufacture? • If you wanted to make any changes to your kitchen plans, when is it possible to do this? • Make sure your installers are licensed and make sure that you have their contact numbers. • Before the old kitchen, is removed empty it. • Leave any tiling and painting until the kitchen is installed.

The team you’ll need on board Designer Site checker Installers Electrician Plumber Tiler

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Payment Your recipe to financial security

Before you commence any work, you should have a firm budget in which to keep to. Naturally your budget will depend on the features, fixtures and finishes you choose. Let the designers know your exact budget as that is the only way they can give you the best advice.

• If you don’t understand anything in your contract terms and conditions always ask for help. • You’re usually required to pay 10% deposit when you purchase a kitchen. • Ask your designer about any special offers and financial packages available. • Progress payments are often required before your order goes into production. • The balance of your kitchen may need to be paid by cash, VISA or bank cheque. • Be wary of companies who want you to pay 100% before delivery.

Make sure your kitchen doesn’t spring any ugly financial surprises

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The company What do you know about them? Will you get what you want? A new kitchen is a large investment, so you want to know you’re putting your money into something worthwhile and you want to be sure that your company can do this. • Ask the company to see customer feedback and their dates to help you get a feel of their attitude to their service and how satisfied their customers are. • How many of their customers are either repeat customers or referenced from past customers. • How long have the staff worked for the company. High staff retention’s a good sign. • Ask what it is that makes them more or less expensive than other companies.

• How long has the designer worked in the kitchen industry? You will want to be sure that they know what they’re doing. • Has the company or its staff won awards? • Are the cabinets supplied fully assembled or as a flat pack? Can you install it yourself? • If the company has its own installers, ask for their licence numbers. • If they don’t have their own installers, ask for any suggestions. • Ensure you have your designer’s mobile number. • Be cautious of companies that push for very fast delivery and payment as this can be a sign that they have cash flow problems.

“As a chef I know how important it is to have a kitchen which looks great but above all is cleverly designed and functional,” Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson said. “Kitcheners Kitchens creates custom made kitchens that make life easy when whipping up those special meals. Their well-trained staff take the time to get to know their customers and find out what they really need. They will then advise on stylish, high quality and cost effective design and finishes in any shape, size or colour that will work best for the space.”

Huey with Michael Kitchener

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A few more things to remember Don’t forget to... • Always ask as many questions about the company, the design and the products. The only silly questions are ones that go unasked. • Don’t be afraid of revealing your budget. It’s best to give the designers all the info so they can help you as best as possible. • Don’t feel like you need to fill up every space with cupboards. Your designer can determine your storage needs. Overfilling the walls with cupboards will only make your kitchens look cluttered. • Kitchen islands are not always a sensible idea and require at least 1 metre between it and other items. • Remember that fridges with ice machines require plumbing. • Consider wider and deeper drawers for maximised use of space.

• If you are getting Caesarstone or solid surface benchtops there is usually up to a 10 day delay between the kitchen installation and benchtop installation because it requires a template after the kitchen has been installed. • How easy is it to replace a damaged door? Is your range going to be available in the future? • Is it possible to add to your kitchen at a later date? EG, more wall units. • Many kitchen companies offer specials and discounts on their first appointments. If you are pleased with the design and understand the contract on your first appointment, you may benefit from the discounts and specials offered.

Creating your new kitchen should be an enjoyable experience. Try and get involved as much as you can to ensure you’re getting what you want. Make sure you choose a company and designer that shares your enthusiasm.

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Your Kitchen Requirements Fill in this comprehensive kitchen checklist before you commence Personal requirements Height: __________ The ideal benchtop height should be based on bent elbow to floor. Are you left or right handed? This determines the location of the sink drainer. __________________________ Any special requirement or disabilities for you or your family? ______________________________________________________

Family requirements

Other

Size: _____ adults _____ kids How many people cook in the kitchen? ____

Do you do specialist cooking? ______ What don’t you like about your existing kitchen? __________________________ __________________________________

Dining Requirements

Appliances

Number of seats _____ Breakfast bar Table Raised servery

Wall oven or under bench Cooktop Stove Fridge Freezer Hot water system Rangehood Washer/dryer Water filter Other Tap Microwave Sink - Single Bowl or Double Bowl

Other Equipment Phone/fax Radio/stereo TV/video/DVD Intercom Answering machine Computer

Cabinetry & storage Trays Tea towels Appliances Pantry Baking Chopping boards Kitchen tidy China Glassware Cutlery

Utensils Spices Liquor Saucepans Above fridge Corner access Cleaning equipment Iron & Board Other: __________________________ ________________________________

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Materials Cabinetry

Decor Requirements

Laminate Timber Timber veneer Timber look Vacuum form Polyurethane Glass Steel mesh

Door style and colour Glass doors Handles Open shelving Flooring Lighting Capping/moulding

Benchtops

Other Equipment

Engineered stones Other solid surfaces Stainless steel Granite Marble Laminate Timber

Radio/fax Radio/stereo TV/video/DVD Intercom Answering machine Computer

Splashbacks

Special Features

Tiled Glass Laminate Painted Stainless steel Stone Other solid surfaces

Entertainment Desk Wine Noticeboard Hobbies Other _______________________ _______________________

Removal of existing kitchen Plumbing, tilers, electrical etc

Installation requirements Self Installation (avoid unless experienced) Recommended installer including plumber, electrician, tiler etc

Flooring Do you need a new floor? What type of flooring do you want? What’s the surface condition under current flooring? Install new flooring before the kitchen.

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World class custom designs at down-to-earth prices. Blending quality ingredients with superior craftsmanship.

Showroom at 56 O’Riordan St Alexandria NSW 2015 Free Call 1800 826 144

PRINT & CUT OUT COUPON

Present this coupon to your Kitcheners designer & receive a:

FREE SINK AND TAP*

* In a d to an dition y cur re Kitch eners nt ’ offer! !!

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*Must mention coupon when booking appointment, or visiting showroom, to validate offer. Offer is a MADISON 200 Suprema and ABEY Tap PRM35. Products may change without notice. Offer is in addition to the existing offer at the time of purchase. Available to customers who purchase Kitcheners Kitchens cabinets & laminate benchtops to the value of $6000 or more (ex glass splashbacks, stone benchtops & trades). Offer valid while stocks last.