bulthaup, founded in 1949, is now renowned for its innovative leadership in modern kitchen design, in which unnecessary decoration of any kind is avoided; coupled with its smart installation concept, the company has become a pioneer in the industry.

bulthaup believes that kitchens are living spaces where the most beautiful have a simple, tailored design,  perfectly equipped and inviting places, which offer endless hours of enjoyment.

Their innovative bulthaup b3 system offers a new design concept that allows the kitchen elements to float, using materials carefully - as thin as possible and as thick as necessary; the overall lightness of design demonstrates how effortlessly beauty can radiate from functionality.

The entire kitchen “floats” using a multi-functional supporting frame on the wall that can bear up to one ton in weight per meter.

It is a masterpiece of stability hidden from view when fitted with panels, shelves, units and appliances; this technology also enables water, power and gas connections to be concealed; this wall solution is ideal for architects and designers, providing them with an unprecedented level of freedom in the efficient use of space.

bulthaup observed that in the majority of kitchens people need to either bend down low or stretch up high to reach certain areas, resulting in the b3 system, where all areas that are very high up or very low down, no longer exist and the space in-between is used to the full.

The bulthaup b3 concept clearly illustrates how you can create a highly personalised superb kitchen in any given space.

Visit the website for more information:

Web: http://www.bulthaup.com

It is no surprise that the kitchen has become the main family room of the home. It’s the place to be after a long day, to absorb the warm and relaxing atmosphere, or to sip an orange juice as you prepare to embark on a bright new day.

Cotteswood Of Oxfordshire are specialists in designing, making and installing kitchen furniture; their creations are inspired by classical English furniture, exclusively designed and made for each customer to meet their requirements for colour, texture and space.

The featured Cotswold Kitchen depicts a warm and inviting appeal; the cabinets are framed in character figured oak, with iron handles and Ardesie limestone worktop.

Whether freestanding or fitted, all the furniture is thoroughly practical and built to last - a process that includes making every door with mortice and tenoned frames and the drawers are dovetail jointed for extra strength.

Visit the Cotteswood website for a downloadable price guide.

Web: www.cotteswood.co.uk
Tel:  (01608) 641858 / 644620

The already popular Richmond antique oak fitted kitchen from the John Lewis Department Store is an excellent design which never dates and, depending on your choice of finish, can be made to look traditional or contemporary.

A light oak version has been introduced for 2006.

Create an elegant city kitchen using the Richmond in antique oak with glazed doors and shell handles; alternatively, add chunky T bar handles and stainless steel appliances and you have a classic kitchen in a contemporary mode.

John Lewis also provides innovative solutions for the all important storage requirements, from pull out larders to internal draw management systems.

With the help of an expert John Lewis designer, you can easily integrate these features into your kitchen plan, keeping it organised and clutter free.

The John Lewis Richmond Fitted Kitchen comes with a free five-year guarantee and prices start from £324.00 for a 600mm base unit.

John Lewis fitted kitchens and accessories are available in 23 department stores across the country.

Tel: (08456) 049 049

Cotteswood Of Oxfordshire, the makers of quality English kitchen furniture, have introduced Renaissance, a luxurious new design for the fitted kitchen.

The classical simplicity of the Renaissance, provides elegance to any setting, be it a period cottage or a contemporary apartment.

The Renaissance features innovative elements such as deep valances to the base of the cabinets and stepped Greek cornices.

This versatile design, together with individual features such as applied wall panelling, architectural canopies, plus contemporary or traditional country appliances, blend together to create either a very contemporary or a truly traditional kitchen.

Renaissance lends itself perfectly to a painted finish, however beautiful natural timbers can also be used to good effect.

For example choosing glowing black granite to contrast with the warmth of a natural maple worktop, will add a smooth sophistication to the design.

Web: www.cotteswood.co.uk
Tel:  (01608) 641858 / 644620

Bushboard, the leading manufacturer of Worktops, have re-launched their popular Omega range, including an exciting new chunkier addition, The Omega Plus.

Strong modern design and value has always been the forte of the Omega quality range of worktops, which now satisfy hygiene standards by incorporating the revolutionary Microban® Antibacterial Protection.

Omega Plus offers the first 60mm thick laminate worktop in a 4.1m length. The new block edged chunky surfaces are available in 8 colours and provide an alternative to real granite, at a fraction of the cost.

So, if you wish to make a real design statement in the kitchen, rest assured that Bushboard can provide real style with added peace of mind.

Omega Plus worktops retail at approximately £200 for 4.1 metre.
Standard Omega Worktops retail at approximately £30 per linear metre.

web: http://www.bushboard.co.uk
tel: (01933) 232 242

The new Fired Earth Original Shaker range is based on the Shaker’s belief that if something works well, it will look good.

With beautiful lines and a clean simple design, this new kitchen range is crafted from the finest materials, and works well in contemporary as well as traditional spaces.

The freestyle kitchen furniture in this range enables a creative and practical approach to kitchen design. You can create a bespoke solution for your individual needs by choosing from the pieces in the range, which are carefully designed to work together in various configurations.

You can create a fitted look, or use the range to create stylish combinations of separate pieces.

web: http://www.firedearth.com
tel: (0845) 366 0400.

Stone Age, the stone specialists, have confirmed that the demand for darker coloured worktops for fitted kitchens continues to be higher than the demand for paler ones.

Stone Age use their state of the art facilities combined with their talent for traditional craftsmanship and hand finishing to provide the worktops in the best shades to meet this demand.

Jo O’Grady, director of Stone Age, says “When choosing a material for a worktop you can’t beat natural stone for its elegance and practicality. It is almost impermeable when treated, wasy to look after and immensely hardwearing.”

Stone Age have a large range of stones in varying shades from which to make your worktop. The stones include Granite, Basalt and Limestone, as well as 15 new marbles, which have not been seen before in the UK market.

The Basalt worktop featured here casts from £381 per square metre.

web: http://www.estone.co.uk
tel: (020) 7384 9090

This elegant, curved kitchen from Italian kitchen mufacturer Aster (available from Romanys) uses the latest in interiors for practicality and ease of use combined with style and contemporary good looks.

The Time Kitchen has polished cherry wood veneered doors, and the smooth, silky feel is continued with gently curved units.

If you don’t want the wood look, or want to combine some colour with your wood, the doors are also available in 20 gloss colours and 5 metallic colours.

Inside the cupboards, the Time features the latest designs available in fitted kitchens - chrome wire and steel accessories to keep contents tidy, shelving at various heights for different storage needs, the “Magic Corner” solution. This means that all the available space in the cupboards can be used, even in the corners of this curved kitchen!

tel: (020) 8421 6324