A
Dream Kitchen That Works
As
kitchens get smaller and cooking time gets shorter, snazzy modular kitchens
with high-tech gadgets are becoming a craze. But designing a perfect Indian
kitchen can be quite a challenge.
Squeaky
clean modern kitchens, beaming at us from magazines and television
advertisements in all their straight-lined, shiny splendour, do make us drool.
But in reality, for most of us, the word kitchen conjures up images of turmeric
stains, dal on the wall and myriad other disasters. Don’t fret. With new
materials and technology, you can now create your dream kitchen without
worrying about permanent stains and cracks.
The Basics
“The kitchen should be functional, easy to use and ergonomically designed,” says Sanjeev Wadhwa, India country manager for Fisher & Paykel Kitchen Appliances. The ‘U’ shape is the most optimal layout. Also important is the work triangle, or the distance between the hob, refrigerator and sink — the three most used areas. Ideally, the distance between the three should be 4-9 feet.
Choose the Mod Cons Carefully
Though steel remains a reliable material for sinks, new-age quartz sinks available in a multitude of colours are also relatively stainand scratch-proof. The electric chimney is a necessity in open kitchens — go for the self-cleaning models if you can. For the hob, the gas stove is an Indian favourite as it provides high heat, but even induction and electric hobs now have high-heat variants. Getting induction-ready utensils is also easy. If you can, build in your refrigerator and microwave oven as it gives the kitchen a much neater look.For the cabinet interiors, get rust-proof racks that can store all your pots, pans, woks, cookers, ladles and spoons. Foldable racks can help you increase storage space.
Keep it Functional & Attractive
Be careful while choosing the material for the floor, counter top, cabinets and the walls behind the counter. Make sure it is resistant to scratches, stains and heat.For the floor, you have a plethora of choices — from natural stone to hard wood. But for Indian kitchens, manmade tiles are the best as they are heat-resistant and easy to clean. For the counter top, granite is still a good option, but engineered stone — which has a high density of hardy quartz — is a great substitute.In today’s pea-sized apartment kitchens, cabinets are the key and so is their look. There are numerous materials available — from wood to lacquer and glass finish. However, laminates still work best and, happily, the newer versions do not chip easily. To jazz up your kitchen, use snazzy waterproof removable wallpapers in geometric or floral patterns.
The Fun Part
The days of brown cabinets and black granite counters are over. Opt for light colours for a pretty summery look. For the various surfaces, choose 2-3 complementary or contrasting colours. For lighting, the humble tubelight is not the sole option anymore. Get an elegant wrought iron or a modern glass, crystal and steel chandelier. You can also opt for concealed LED lights and counter lights. Get a dimmer installed — bright for cooking and mood lighting for entertaining.
The Basics
“The kitchen should be functional, easy to use and ergonomically designed,” says Sanjeev Wadhwa, India country manager for Fisher & Paykel Kitchen Appliances. The ‘U’ shape is the most optimal layout. Also important is the work triangle, or the distance between the hob, refrigerator and sink — the three most used areas. Ideally, the distance between the three should be 4-9 feet.
Choose the Mod Cons Carefully
Though steel remains a reliable material for sinks, new-age quartz sinks available in a multitude of colours are also relatively stainand scratch-proof. The electric chimney is a necessity in open kitchens — go for the self-cleaning models if you can. For the hob, the gas stove is an Indian favourite as it provides high heat, but even induction and electric hobs now have high-heat variants. Getting induction-ready utensils is also easy. If you can, build in your refrigerator and microwave oven as it gives the kitchen a much neater look.For the cabinet interiors, get rust-proof racks that can store all your pots, pans, woks, cookers, ladles and spoons. Foldable racks can help you increase storage space.
Keep it Functional & Attractive
Be careful while choosing the material for the floor, counter top, cabinets and the walls behind the counter. Make sure it is resistant to scratches, stains and heat.For the floor, you have a plethora of choices — from natural stone to hard wood. But for Indian kitchens, manmade tiles are the best as they are heat-resistant and easy to clean. For the counter top, granite is still a good option, but engineered stone — which has a high density of hardy quartz — is a great substitute.In today’s pea-sized apartment kitchens, cabinets are the key and so is their look. There are numerous materials available — from wood to lacquer and glass finish. However, laminates still work best and, happily, the newer versions do not chip easily. To jazz up your kitchen, use snazzy waterproof removable wallpapers in geometric or floral patterns.
The Fun Part
The days of brown cabinets and black granite counters are over. Opt for light colours for a pretty summery look. For the various surfaces, choose 2-3 complementary or contrasting colours. For lighting, the humble tubelight is not the sole option anymore. Get an elegant wrought iron or a modern glass, crystal and steel chandelier. You can also opt for concealed LED lights and counter lights. Get a dimmer installed — bright for cooking and mood lighting for entertaining.
Radhika
P Nair ET120908
INNOVATIONS
IN DESIGN
In these fast-paced times, a kitchen must not only be functionally designed but also equipped with cutting-edge gadgets. Here are some unique kitchen design & cookery concepts to make cooking easy & more fun:
The Dynamic Kitchen:Entertain &
Live it Up
Game for a party? Manufactured by Glenvale Kitchens in Northern Ireland, this unique everyday kitchen can in no time transform into a multifunctional place of drinks and eats for all. You can cutomise it at the time of purchase to create a stunning backdrop for any occasion.
Game for a party? Manufactured by Glenvale Kitchens in Northern Ireland, this unique everyday kitchen can in no time transform into a multifunctional place of drinks and eats for all. You can cutomise it at the time of purchase to create a stunning backdrop for any occasion.
The Small Type: Clever Compact
Kitchen
Measuring only 1 sq m when closed, this compact kitchen serves up as a table, fridge, oven, sink and storage space, and is ideal for small apartments. The design is not only practical, but also looks amazing. It could be complemented by a simple set of chairs in order to create a cozy work area. The product was showcased at the DMY International Design Festival Berlin 2010.
Measuring only 1 sq m when closed, this compact kitchen serves up as a table, fridge, oven, sink and storage space, and is ideal for small apartments. The design is not only practical, but also looks amazing. It could be complemented by a simple set of chairs in order to create a cozy work area. The product was showcased at the DMY International Design Festival Berlin 2010.
The Lift: A Foldable Kitchen Concept
This one features different sliding (up and down) modules containing all the necessary tools a kitchen must have. While you are not working or cooking, you can close the sliding units together and create different kinds of sideboards. It can be well-positioned in a one-bedroom apartment, in a loft, in an open kitchen or living room area.
This one features different sliding (up and down) modules containing all the necessary tools a kitchen must have. While you are not working or cooking, you can close the sliding units together and create different kinds of sideboards. It can be well-positioned in a one-bedroom apartment, in a loft, in an open kitchen or living room area.
TurboChef Oven: Cooking in a Jiffy
This double oven cooks food at speeds that will surprise any seasoned cook — a 12-lb turkey can be ready in 42 minutes or a deep-dish pizza in 6.5 minutes. It features a new air-speed tech that cooks up to 15 times faster than a regular oven. But speed comes for a hefty price: $7,500.
This double oven cooks food at speeds that will surprise any seasoned cook — a 12-lb turkey can be ready in 42 minutes or a deep-dish pizza in 6.5 minutes. It features a new air-speed tech that cooks up to 15 times faster than a regular oven. But speed comes for a hefty price: $7,500.
Ingressure:Chef-Approved Cooking
Looking for Masterchef-quality food at home? The Ingressure is just for you. It accurately measures the ingredients of your soup, sauce or stew, and intuitively tells you how much salt, pepper or spice to put. It uses advanced sensors and comes with multiple attachments to suit your needs.
Looking for Masterchef-quality food at home? The Ingressure is just for you. It accurately measures the ingredients of your soup, sauce or stew, and intuitively tells you how much salt, pepper or spice to put. It uses advanced sensors and comes with multiple attachments to suit your needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment