Success came out of the blue

May 18 2008 Justin And Colin

ACCESSORIES

Use brighter, natural features such as vases of fresh flowers and bowls of oranges to bring up the temperature of the room while at the same time adding colour. And the great thing about using baskets of herbs or fruits to add colour is that you can eat them as well. Double bubble! Marks & Spencer have great vases from £1.50 and marble-effect glass fruit bowls from £3.50. Visit www.marksandspencer.com

DOMESTIC BLISS

This kitchen was inspired by classic Tiffany packaging, changing the mood from sink-chained housewife to Audrey Hepburn. You'll still have to peel the spuds but you'll feel like a superstar. The Mezzo Ice Blue Gloss kitchen is similar (from Alaris KBB Ltd www.alarisavenue.co.uk). Or you could revamp your kitchen with cupboard paint by International in blue haze or willow (www.internationalpaints.co.uk)

MARBLE SURFACES AND FLOORS

Quality additions make for quality rooms and here the big purchases are the marble flooring and matching work surfaces. Stone finishes are synonymous with opulence-and last a long time so this kitchen will look as good in 20 years. B&Q stock marble floor tiles from £32 per sqm and try Marlborough Marble in Glasgow for stone work surfaces (www.graniteworktopsscotland.co.uk).

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

Avoid fabric window dressings as they tend to hang on to cooking smells and steam, leading to nasty niffs and dull fabrics. Opt for wipe-clean, moisture-repellent coverings such as white timber blinds. We chose them as a low-cost alternative to white shutters. Scottish firm Homestyle have a great range of blinds made to measure then expertly fitted. (www.homestyleblinds.co.uk)

GROW TALL

Full-height cabinets equal full-height storage. Adding a few extra inches significantly increases available cupboard space. Not only will you gain extra stash zones, you'll also lose the sticky dust shelf that lurks above most wall cabinets. Your kitchen will look sleeker and the towering effect of the cabinets will help raise perceived ceiling height.

FLOOR PLAN

We opted for a double galley configuration to provide maximum work space and walk space. To add to overall interest, we hung cabinets at different heights and created a breakfast area without obscuring windows by lowering the counter surface to table height. If your planner offers only a standard single-height floor plan, push them into redesigning something more special.