Winter's on its way!

Trees are changing colour, pumpkin picking is in full swing and coffee shops are in demand for all things spiced - hello, Autumn! It’s always been my favourite time of year and even more so now that I get to see the beautiful landscape that surrounds our showroom transform into a pretty oil painting.

So, with Autumn in full swing, it won’t be long before we welcome in winter; bring on the wooly hats and endless cups of hot chocolatey goodness. And, after chilly days, everyone craves coming home to a warm and cosy house. There’s one room in particular we know we’re probably going to spend more time in than any other - the kitchen.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again (although you probably already know), the kitchen is the heart of a home. It’s the living-space you want to feel most inviting, for family, friends and (dare I say it) festive parties!

Below are some of our favourite ideas for creating the perfect winter kitchen. Although, they work all year round too, of course!

Colours

Colours in the home often reflect personality and make a living-space YOUR living-space. Colours are your personal stamp - and, while some of us may not spend a lot of time thinking about room color, it affects us every day. Did you know room color can influence our moods and our thoughts?

When it comes to bespoke kitchen cabinetry, we are able to colour-match our customer’s favourite shade, meaning we’ve seen many trends over the years. Deep blue hues and subtle neutral tones have both been a popular choice; each timeless and elegant, complementing the classic Shaker-style.

So, what’s next?

Recently, we have been swooning over Farrow & Ball’s Incarnadine for cabinetry, as have many new customers visiting us. If you aren’t familiar with it, Incarnadine is a rich red; a bold but beautiful choice.

It’s been said that red raises a room’s energy level, and as the most intense color, it pumps the adrenaline like no other hue. In the kitchen, living room or dining room, red draws people together and stimulates conversation. Sounds ideal for all the enthusiastic (or less-enthusiastic) chefs and festive gatherings, right?

Plus, it has a cosy feel about it too, which is perfect for the much colder winter months.

Personally, I think red works all year round. And, if you don’t feel completely brave enough - why not opt for a deep red kitchen island or dresser instead?

You don’t have to worry about trends in order to have a beautiful home. Colour trends will come and go. The people who live in a home make it beautiful by choosing colors that reflect their preferences and personalities. The trick is to blend the colours you like into a pleasing combination.

Decorate with colourful accessories to create different moods in a neutral painted kitchen. Burnt orange shades are back in fashion and are perfect for adding warmth to a neutral living-space, especially in the winter season.

Textures

Adding different textures to a bespoke kitchen helps make the space feel even more comfortable and inviting, with different timbers giving out a natural warmth within the room. Many customers add interest and personality to their kitchen by choosing different metals, woods, glass and stone and mixing them seamlessly to achieve a sophisticated look. The juxtaposition of nature-inspired textures and subtle metallics creates a sense of depth and luxury - just what you want to come home to on a cold wintery evening.

Tiles have often been a great option for our customers considering a more textured effect on their walls. Whether you opt for big designs or small mosaic styles, they certainly add something a bit more interesting to the largest spaces in your kitchen. To add a sense of homeliness, I’d suggest picking tiles with a touch of colour that match accessories and tie themes together.

Cooking

There’s nothing quite like the smells of autumnal and winter cooking - stews, soups, breads, roasts, casseroles…hungry yet?

Here at Collins Bespoke, we really do love sleek integrated appliances, and so do our customers. But, sometimes exceptions MUST be made. Whilst some Shaker kitchens really suit modern ovens, others absolutely lend themselves to a range cooker. Sometimes, our customers come to us already owning an AGA and tend to opt for a secondary oven to use in the summer months too.

An AGA/range cooker really is the epitope of winter cooking. Plus, they add so much character to your living-space.

Boiling Hot Water Tap

We’ve previously spoken about the practicality and efficiency of boiling hot water taps - favouring the fantastic Quooker both in our showroom and in the homes of many of our customers. From cups of tea and hot chocolate helping to warm up little hands, to filling hot bottles for bed time - when it comes to warming up quickly, the Quooker is going to be your best friend through the colder months!

And, a perk for the summer - the new Quooker Cube can produce fizzy sparkling water too!

And, away from the kitchen?

Boot room. Boot room Boot room.

If you have the space, boot rooms are the perfect welcome home from work, winter walks and muddy rainy dog walkies. Our bespoke boot rooms are designed and custom-made to suit our customers lifestyle - whatever the weather!