LIVING it up
Today's kitchen is more than just a workspace for preparing food and drink. When it comes to planning a kitchen, more and more people are turning to professionals for help. You need someone who knows the technical details and, at the same time, has an eye for taste and style.
'A dream kitchen can also offer a relaxing, personal space just for you,' says Almon Au-yeung, project manager of Jia International, a high-end kitchen company.
'A kitchen is not just about the hardware. It is an important part of your home, and the colours, materials and style should be in harmony with the rest of the rooms. Look at it as your favourite furniture, where you can put your feet up.
'You need to consider aspects such as storage, kitchen appliances and cooking utensils. The easiest way to start is to review your personal habits and lifestyle. If you use a lot of herbs in your cooking, you could consider having a herb drawer built. The drawer, made of wood with a steel holder at the bottom, will keep herbs dry and fresh,' explains Au-yeung.
There are no hard and fast rules for planning a kitchen. What you need to consider first and foremost is your lifestyle: Do you put the music on when you cook? Do you like to sit down for a cup of tea while making a fruit platter for your guests? Do you prefer to steam, stir-fry or stew? How often do you entertain guests? Do you cook to relax, or eat?
German brand bulthaup, founded in 1949 in the northern foothills of the Alps, is determined make the kitchen an enjoyable part of home. Its new b3S series provides ample space for living and storage. 'Our design breaks the barrier of the traditional kitchen, making it part of your living space,' says Anita Kwok, regional manager, marketing and communications, customer service at Madison (HK), the sole local distributor of bulthaup. 'The new concept brings everything closer, while the colours are easy to match the environment of the living room.'
