German kitchens with wood carcasses??

Cadbury76

Hi all

I've been finding this forum so useful recently as we are planning to replace our kitchen in the near future, as soon as we have identified a company we want to use! Kitchen size is approx 6m x 4m. We have never purchased or designed a new kitchen before, so feeling like it's a pretty steep learning curve, and certainly something we want to make sure we get absolutely right. The budget is approx £20 - £25k.

So far we have looked at Magnet and had a 'design' done by them. Their idea was pretty uninspiring, and basically consisted of them just replacing all our current cabinets with new stuff in the same location. We went with one of their top products. The design from an alternative Magnet designer may be totally different, so we may give them another go from a different store.

We popped into John Lewis on a whim, and like the look of the Alno matt door with a glass surface Alnostar Satina. We were a little concerned though about the quality of the hinges, etc. But, it did get us started on searching for German kitchens.

I found an independent company who do Hacker kitchens, and they've been to measure up this week - we will meet them in the next couple of weeks to discuss their design ideas.

The stumbling block for us re German kitchens, is that we would much prefer wooden (or at least 'wood-look' ) inside the cabinets. Magnet offered white or 'wood' inside, and we had no hesitation in deciding against white. I know Hacker offer white / grey, but would anyone be able to point us in the direction of a German company who can do 'wood' carcasses? We definitely like the matt with glass layer, in magnolia. Hacker code for this is AV5095.

Thanks in advance!

ryder72

As you rule German manufacturers dont do colour coordinated carcases (this is what its called in the trade) but I can think of 2 exceptions - Nolte and Ballerina).

I personally dont rate either on their price/quality ratio, but if the coordinated carcase is an important consideration for you then thats what it is.

You say you want to get magnolia matt doors. Are you sure you want this with wood decor carcases? A Magnolia matt glass door is a very contemporary look and the wood decor could work to take the contemporary edge off.

Cadbury76

Hi ryder72

thank you for your quick reply! Our main objection to white interiors is that we just felt they looked cold and cheap when you open the doors. I realise that's TOTALLY down to personal taste, but that's how we feel about it. As the interiors are only visible upon opening the doors, I don't think it will impact on the overall look. We are having solid wood worktops - we know the pros and cons but feel it's a better choice for us, and gives a warmer, more homely feel. We've had solid wood work surface with the current (inherited) kitchen for the last 6 years, and the rest of our home is quite neutral with lots of natural wood. The current kitchen has wood carcasses and doors, so I guess we are just used to looking at wood when we open the doors!

I'll look up Nolte and Ballerina today - thank you!

ryder72

But you do realise that a wood colour interior on the carcase will also mean the same colour on the exteriors. Effective you have magnolia coloured doors and wood effect carcase.

It is absolutely a matter of personal preference but just wanted to make sure you were aware of this.

Cadbury76

Hi ryder72; I'm not sure I understand ...

With Magnet, we could have either white interior or 'wood' interior, but the doors are magnolia. The interiors (ie shelves and sides) aren't visible when the doors are closed?

Apologies if I am sounding a little thick but I'm not sure I understand what you mean ....

(picture examples welcome ......)

Meepster

I think what ryder is getting at is that with the oak carcase any exposed edges (at the end of the run etc) would also have an oak finish, but Magnet use matching clad on end panels, so the only time you'd see oak is when you open the cabinet doors.

Intrigued as to which kitchen range you are talking about though, none of Magnets kitchens are described as magnolia.

You will find that the design service does vary from branch to branch though. Have seen some truly uninspiring designs done from other branches local to me. Finding a decent designer can be hit and miss I'm afraid!

ryder72

When you get a wood coloured carcase it is wood coloured inside and out. I am talking about the carcase as its visible on the outside ie the side of the carcase. With magnolia doors you will see a door set on a wood coloured carcase unless of course you clad the carcase with panels on all sides.

Cadbury76

Thanks for the replies!

Hi Meepster; Magnet was the first place we went, and we got a quote for the Astral Creme (with handles). Then we discovered the matt glass finish at John Lewis, hence the preference for that. Magnet just don't do anything like it.

Thank you both for clarifying the 'carcase' query! I totally understand now! We will only have one exposed end panel in the entire kitchen (excluding the island), which we plan on covering using a continuation of the solid wood work surface - we saw this idea at Magnet and really like it. We will cover any side panels in the island like this as well

You both clearly have lots and lots of experience with this ... can I ask if you think we are being realistic with a £20-£25k budget (fitted). It's flexible but really don't want to hit £30k. Appliances needed are 2x single ovens (I like the NEFF slide & hide), an induction hob (not sure what brand yet, but something mid-high end), dishwasher, extraction fan (not one of those massive metal overpowering things!).

Thank you for your input

Meepster

Cadbury76 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies!

Hi Meepster; Magnet was the first place we went, and we got a quote for the Astral Creme (with handles). Then we discovered the matt glass finish at John Lewis, hence the preference for that. Magnet just don't do anything like it.

Magnet's range of kitchens can be a little limited at times, which seriously does my head in!

Cadbury76 wrote: »

You both clearly have lots and lots of experience with this ... can I ask if you think we are being realistic with a £20-£25k budget (fitted). It's flexible but really don't want to hit £30k. Appliances needed are 2x single ovens (I like the NEFF slide & hide), an induction hob (not sure what brand yet, but something mid-high end), dishwasher, extraction fan (not one of those massive metal overpowering things!).

Thank you for your input

That all depends on how big the kitchen is I guess. £20-25k can buy a LOT of kitchen from one place, but not so much from another. Hacker is the lower end of the German market so would expect it to be a lot cheaper than JL.

Going back to the wood effect carcase though, you do know it will scratch a LOT easier than a white carcase will, don't you?

leveller2911

Meepster wrote: »

Going back to the wood effect carcase though, you do know it will scratch a LOT easier than a white carcase will, don't you?

Is that right Meepster?.

When I buy in 10'x5' sheets of melamine face MDF for carcases etc ,apart from colour/wood effect theres no difference between the melamine facings.

Do you mean wood veneered boards? which would definately be easier to damage.

Meepster

leveller2911 wrote: »

Is that right Meepster?.

When I buy in 10'x5' sheets of melamine face MDF for carcases etc ,apart from colour/wood effect theres no difference between the melamine facings.

Do you mean wood veneered boards? which would definately be easier to damage.

I know it sounds weird, but I've noticed the wood effect MFC shows signs of scratching a lot quicker than white. Not sure if it is down to the wood effect being ever-so-slightly textured or not, but certain materials can take their toll (especially tins and earthenware crockery).