Essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Magazine June 2016 Back Issue

What do you immediately think of when someone says ‘country kitchen’? If you’re picturing a pine kitchen with homemade curtains and endless cabinets, clear this thought and prepare to be surprised, because the rustic look has had a serious makeover. ‘It’s all about open-plan living with cleverly distinguished zones now,’ says Peter Humphrey, design director at Humphrey Munson. ‘So as well as the cooking and food prep zones you can add a scullery for washing-up and a pantry for storing dry goods. For me it’s really the ultimate family kitchen.’ From salvaged wood to luxury materials such as stainless steel, copper and marble, there’s such a choice of combinations on offer to give this simple Shaker style a new look. I love it because there are also so many options for putting your own spin on it. See In the Country on page 66 for more. Another kitchen style that impresses in this issue is in Grand & Grounded on page 46. When homeowners Emily and Paul Matthews were planning a new space for their Georgian era house in Windsor, the obvious thing might have been to go for a country-style kitchen but it turns out that was the last thing on their minds. Instead they went for tall white units alongside a stainless steel island, with dining in the bay window alcove and feature tiled floors. The overall look feels fresh and contemporary, but it’s still in keeping with the period feel of the property. You can’t pick the perfect kitchen without selecting what you want in terms of appliances, and one of your most important choices will be your oven. Lucy Macdonald has put on her chef ’s hat this issue to bring you all the latest technology in ovens – see Turn up the Heat on page 104. We are also shopping for the perfect dining room furniture on page 86, helping you choose the best bathroom storage on page 118 and have provided our edit of bed designs over on page 136. Enjoy the issue!