Advice Needed for kitchen with the 'wow' factor

bigg2001

Hi all - I have a feeling I will be posting on here lots for help in the future as there are so many people who seem to know what they are doing with kitchens.

I have just had a design from Howdens for the Burford White and I am distinctly underwhelmed - I asked for the 'wow' factor and it just looks average! I am putting on black granite (either star galaxy or cosmos) and want an undermounted sink, flexihose tap, extra wide induction hob with neff designer hood in black glass, integrated dishwasher, american fridge freezer with pull-out larder units and an island with an overhang to have bar stools underneath

Would handles make a big difference to the overall imapct of the kitchen?? And if so what suggestions does anyone have? The design they have done has d-shaped stainless steel ones that are about half the length of the cupboards.

What flooring would anyone suggest - matching granite floor tiles or oak? I am having dining table and sofa in kitchen too so concerned tiles would be too cold / stark?

And should I have something under the island rather than just cupboards? Wine cooler, wine rack, bookshelf (for all 'yummy mummy' cookbooks!!!! Got to create the impression somehow??!!)

Would plinth lights make it funkier?? Downlighters under wall units?

Finally, have I gone for the wrong kitchen if I want the 'wow' factor - both my husband and I like the gloss kitchens (glendevon) but concerned it will date and make house harder to sell (altho this will not be an issue for a few years yet) If totally honest, love black gloss one but do not have the nerve so white is our compromise already!

Sorry to ask so many questions but my head is spinning!! I had such high expectations and am so disappointed - perhaps due to reading so many kitchen magazines for last 4 months before getting Howdens in to design it!

Any help and advice would be so gratefully received - so many of you seem to know so much and we are 'kitchen virgins!':eek:

Thanks in advance xx

Meepster

To be honest, you'll never get a "wow" factor feel from a design by Howdens. They are trade kitchen sales, certainly not the best trained and very few of them have any real "design" experience, they put boxes into rooms, to put it bluntly.

It would certainly help if you went to see an independant kitchen designer, they will have countless ideas and will be able to suggest options for all the areas you have mentioned. (and it doesn't stop you then going back to Howdens and getting the actual units from them, although at the end of the day, you get what you pay for...)

bigg2001

Maybe you're right but have seen pictures of kitchens people have done on here and they definately have the 'wow' factor and they were from Howdens.

Any other thoughts out there??

Meepster

They may be Howdens kitchens, but that doesn't mean that Howdens designed them.

The best way to get a proper "wow" factor is to have more of an input into the design. Tell them your ideas, your wants and wishes and make sure they incorporate them into the design.

Any chance you could post a copy of the plan somewhere? I could have a look at it for you and maybe come up with more suggestions...

bigg2001

Just reread my reply and don't mean to sound arsey if that's how I came across - just time and money is precious! And had such high hopes for my kitchen!!

Not sure my budget stretches to a designer kitchen - unfortunately!! May have a look around at some specialists when on holiday at end of month tho - get them out to design and see if they have any other suggestions

Meepster

I never suggested BUYING from an independent, merely get a design done by them. At least they will be able to discuss lighting options, floor coverings, colour schemes etc etc.

When you have the design and look you want, just toddle back to Howdens...

SuzieSue

Try large square chrome handles if you want a modern look - they made a huge difference to my kitchen.

bigg2001

Can't post it as can't scan it in and i am computer illiterate! - will try to describe - essentially they have designed an l-shape kitchen with:

first wall - 3330mm wide which has double oven in tower unit, followed by 500m floor and wall unit, then a 3drawer unit with extra wide induction hob and extractor above, then a 1000mm corner unit with 500mm and 600mm wall units above.

Second wall - 4045mm wide with integrated dishwasher, sink, 3 drawer unit, then 3 x 500 & 600mm cupboards - have also put 800 and 600mm wall units but may get rid of these as plenty of cupboard space (separate utility)

Island is approx 800mm wide and 1800mm long with overhang on top

American fridge freezer on separate wall with 300mm pull-out larder units on either side and 1000mm bridgng unit.

I can't see what else they can do as they have ticked most of the boxes and fitted in what I gave them - unless we do some of what I have said - change kitchen units, lighting, flooring, drawers not cupboards, handles etc - just not sure whether that'll do it!!

Is there anything glaringly obvious?? I may have no hair left at this rate as I pull it out when stressed or tense??!!!

Also on the sunject of buying from independent - don't want to waste too many people's time especially if I want perfection!! Which may not be achievable without building a new house!!

sillywilly

A friend of mine has just had a Howdens kitchen installed and I am completely underwhelmed by it in general.

Personally I would go for an Ikea kitchen - they just seem more contemporary, a long guarantee and more ingenious storage solutions. Their design tool is very easy to use yourself.

I suggest spending a couple of hours playing around with their CAD software and having a look at their ranges. HTH

Innys

bigg2001 wrote: »

Can't post it as can't scan it in and i am computer illiterate! - will try to describe - essentially they have designed an l-shape kitchen with:

first wall - 3330mm wide which has double oven in tower unit, followed by 500m floor and wall unit, then a 3drawer unit with extra wide induction hob and extractor above, then a 1000mm corner unit with 500mm and 600mm wall units above.

Second wall - 4045mm wide with integrated dishwasher, sink, 3 drawer unit, then 3 x 500 & 600mm cupboards - have also put 800 and 600mm wall units but may get rid of these as plenty of cupboard space (separate utility)

Island is approx 800mm wide and 1800mm long with overhang on top

American fridge freezer on separate wall with 300mm pull-out larder units on either side and 1000mm bridgng unit.

I can't see what else they can do as they have ticked most of the boxes and fitted in what I gave them - unless we do some of what I have said - change kitchen units, lighting, flooring, drawers not cupboards, handles etc - just not sure whether that'll do it!!

Is there anything glaringly obvious?? I may have no hair left at this rate as I pull it out when stressed or tense??!!!

Also on the sunject of buying from independent - don't want to waste too many people's time especially if I want perfection!! Which may not be achievable without building a new house!!

Ermm.........two questions:

Where's the window likely to be?; and
How easy will it be to get from the sink to the fridge to the cooker to the sink? I ask this because the island may get in the way which will be an issue.

Innys

I've found the IKEA design software to be pretty useless as their units are not the standard 500/1000mm wide. Only any good if you're definitely going to buy their units.