Island dreaming of a new kitchen

His dire warnings about the economy have affected the national psyche, which is why more of us are choosing to shun shiny gloss cabinets in favour of hand-painted wooden ones.

The reasoning is that a good quality wooden kitchen will last longer and when you tire of the colour, you can repaint and refresh it, according to York-based interior designer Tricia Douglas, who recently won the Kitchen Oscars competition sponsored by Essential Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom magazine.

“Glossy doors are okay, but they do mark and they will date. A painted kitchen is what a lot of clients are now asking for and they go for quite a clean, classical look.

“Another influence has been the property market. Before the credit crunch, people moved every few years and so they wanted a quick fix. Now they are looking at their house as a home and are investing in handmade kitchens.”

As for which colour to paint your cabinets, then neutrals and soft palettes are still popular, as is black and although Farrow and Ball is de rigeur for many, Tricia favours the Little Greene Paint Company for its eco-friendly, water-based paints.

Granite still reigns for worktops, though textured and antiqued granites are most fashionable. Marble, which can now be effectively sealed, is also an option. Built-in, stainless steel appliances are still popular and islands with integrated sinks are top of many wish lists, as are ceiling to floor units across one wall.

“For floors, then underfloor heating and either wood, stone or ceramic tiles and for windows, people really like shutters. For walls, it’s neutrals with colour coming in from accessories,” adds Tricia.

Both she and Wetherby-based Jeremy Wood, who specialises in hand-painted kitchens starting at £25,000, say that large living kitchens with zones for cooking, dining and lounging are what most people want and they are prepared to sacrifice a formal dining room to get it.

Jeremy also reveals that curved and circular cupboards and islands are most wanted and that wood kitchens are making a come back, especially in chesnut and walnut. American fridge freezers are being replaced with more energy-efficient versions from German-based Gaggenau. Big ranges are making way for built-in cookers, though Jeremy says the “lust have” is still an Aga.

• Tricia Douglas Interiors, www.triciadouglasinteriors.co.uk; Jeremy Wood Kitchens, www.jeremy woodkitchens.co.uk

TOP KITCHEN GADGETS

Luisa Maturi, of Peter Maturi kitchenware, Vicar Lane, Leeds and Victoria Shopping Centre, Harrogate, suggests:

• Kitchenaid artisan mixer from £379.99. Perfect for all your baking needs and has accessory packs for pasta making, juicing, slicing, shredding and mincing.

• Nespresso citiz £149.99 a compact and stylish coffee machine making perfect espresso, cappuccino and latte everytime.

• Imperia pasta machine £49.99 homemade pasta couldn’t be simpler or cheaper. Lots of exciting options and is so easy to use.

• Global anniversary three piece knife set £149.99, originating from the samurai sword. Global knives hold the perfect balance and make chopping easy. The anniversary set is also great value for money.

• Potato ricer £19.99, no more mashing for the perfect mashed potatoes a ricer is definitely the easier option.

• Garlic Zoom £8.50 chops your garlic in seconds.

• Microplane hand grater from £14.99, used by top chefs in every kitchen with its razor sharp edges.

GOOD DESIGN IS KEY INGREDIENT

Trying their hand at DIY design is the biggest mistake most homeowners make when planning a new kitchen, according to interior designer Tricia Douglas.

“They think they can do it all themselves but it is actually very complex and difficult to get right. It is better to run your ideas past an expert,” she says. Most kitchen companies design for you or you could pay an interior dsigner for a consultation. Ikea ofers a free design service online.

Don’t forget to consult plumbers and electricians before deciding where to place the sink and the other appliances.