Amazon.co.uk Review
"A new kitchen is often the second most expensive purchase after the house itself," writes Suzanne Ardley in the introduction to
The New Kitchen Planner and it is important to plan it well. This workbook is a unique hands-on tool for doing just that. It starts by assessing your space, addressing singles, families and those with special needs separately. Ardley looks at the shape of your existing kitchen and asks how much you cook or entertain before providing useful pointers including tips on storage, surfaces, gadgets and lighting.
The second chapter provides a unique way to choose a kitchen style. The pages are cut into three sections, worktop/sink, mid- level storage and flooring, so you can flip the pages and mix and match. They include traditional colours and finishes, fitted or freestanding units and kitchen hardware. This gives the book an element of fun, but the only real difference between these flip- page kitchens is colour, rather than actual style. The other gimmick, the peel-off stickers of various units and a re-usable grid to plan space, is helpful, as are cross-references to pages on subjects including wall surfaces and kitchen materials.
The book looks at the way kitchen elements fit into different shapes, as varied as L-shape, U- shape and One-Wall Galley. Ardley shows how cabinets and appliances can be fitted most efficiently and again she cross-references to pages on food storage, selecting equipment and lighting. On a functional level, the book is helpful, addressing oven cooking and fuel, hobs, extractors and refrigerators, as well as recycling and wastage.
To complete the look there are sections on wall surfaces, lighting, flooring and how to make quick-fix changes. Also included is a directory of useful names and addresses. As planning a kitchen is potentially such a costly investment, the "gimmicks" in The New Kitchen Planner could actually end up preventing you from making some costly mistakes and provide some fun in the process--for that reason alone it may be worth acquiring a copy.--Karen Homer
Product Description
The New Kitchen Planner is a must for everyone redesigning their kitchen and for those who just want to give their kitchen a new lease of life. It guides the reader through every aspect of planning and design in an inspirational, practical and affordable way. More than 100 photographs of kitchens and kitchen equipment provide a wealth of inspiration, and the unique stickers and planning grid enable you to to put into practice efficiently the ideas you glean from the book. The special 16-page split section on kitchen styles offers numerous possibilities for planning colour matches and experimenting with different designs of cabinet, worktop and splashback, and flooring. Charts help you decide how to plan, and the unique self-adhesive stickers and kitchen grid allow you to construct an accurate layout of your plan to show to your kitchen fitter, builder, or supplier. Also included is a practical section that covers storage, appliances, equipment, and structural considerations. Quick-fix ideas for inexpensive updates are also covered. For everyone embarking on installing a new kitchen, or a kitchen remodelling, this interactive "kit" contains all you need to know to plan the perfect kitchen, guiding you to the choice that best suits your purse and your lifestyle.