“We are building a new dream house and are now at the stage of deciding upon our kitchen. The area involved is to combine kitchen, dining and lounge/family area. Given the contemporary design of the house we are keen to choose a kitchen that is sympathetic to the style and timeless. We also love to cook and entertain at home, so the functionality of the kitchen is as important as the look. Having gone through the experience of previous fitted kitchens we are concerned about the smooth running of the project given the various parties involved, please let us know how the programming will work?”
Mrs Robyn Douglas, St Andrews

Licia di Pasquale is Senior Designer at Kitchens International, Glasgow 0141 404 7744 www.kitchensinternational.co.uk and provides the following design advice:
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The kitchen is generally the hub of the household all year round, but comes into its own at Christmas whithout a doubt. Open-plan spaces where the kitchen segues into the dining/living/family space must be carefully planned so that seasonal gatherings can be fun and relaxing, while allowing the preparations to go ahead discretely and with as little visible disruption as possible.

This open-plan kitchen has three sociable areas; bar, island and nearby dining table. RWK Rialto cabinets in high gloss white lacquer with black Zodiaq work surfaces. From £15,000 at Kitchens International.

Sep Ask the designer

If you plan to update your kitchen why not consult kitchen expert Carol Cameron first for some design advice?

Question: I have recently moved in to my five-bed, five-bathroom property and although it is only three years old the kitchen is not to my taste.  The current kitchen is white, glossy and plain and although it’s a new build – I would really like some warmth and texture.  I would love to see some wood grains, or granite adding that bit extra to the large space.  Some colour would also be nice, but nothing that will date.  Any ideas you can provide for styles would be really helpful as I really don’t know what to go for!

Christina De Villeres, St Albans

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Are your needs most catered for by a cook’s kitchen or a host’s kitchen?

Cooks: Keen cooks will prioritise the functionality of their kitchens, since what’s important to them is that the space facilitates their favourite hobby.  If this sounds like you, then you should be choosing hardwearing easy-clean surfaces, both worktop and floor, with zoned areas for different purposes…

Hosts:  Hosts, on the other hand, will be more concerned with the suitability (more…)

A kitchen-diner ticks all the boxes if you want a room where you can cook, eat and gather with family and friends.

“Some dining tables have drawers, so that paraphernalia needed for meals can be kept in one place” – Paul O’Brien, Kitchens International

Callerton - Retro Chelsea Walnut & Manhattan Hi-gloss - Latte Island Unit