Chiltern Marble has introduced a new exclusive marble, Noir Saint Laurant; a rich dark brown to black marble with white, cream or pinkish calcite veins.

This adaptable marble is equally suitable in both modern and more traditional settings.

In the past, Brit’s have preferred to use marble for bathrooms, but these days it is becoming trendy for the kitchen.

Marble is the favoured kitchen work surface of choice for the Italians, so their kitchens present beautiful rustic finishes that age and change over the years.

The stylishness of marble is indisputable and when used as a work-surface, it adds instant fascination and fashion and it ages gracefully.

Noir Saint Laurant is the very latest in The Chiltern Marble Group’s collection of beautiful natural stone.

So if your kitchen is in need of a makeover, but you don’t want to replace the units, then a beautiful marble worktop could be the answer!

The Chiltern Group provides the complete tile and natural stone solution for architects, specifiers, developers, builders, kitchen companies and interiors designers.

For further information about the Chiltern Marble Group’s marble ranges, please visit the website.

Tel: (01234) 851469

The popularity of clean lines achieved with sleek wide white slab doors, as featured on Betta Living’s new Dallas range (shown here), is showing no sign of slowing, as this key kitchen trend finds new ways to stay ahead in the fashion stakes.

Simple yet striking styling touches and use of colour, can turn a plain white kitchen into a design statement and make it extremely en-vogue for 2011:

Wide Drawer Base Units
Apart from being practical, the wide drawer base units deliver a designer look, enhanced by sleek curved stainless steel handles.

Statement Worktops
The 30mm thin profile of the granite worktop is a current trend, rather than chunkier worktops from a couple of years ago. The overhang provides a handy bar height seating area for casual dining and is a key new styling feature for kitchens.

Sapphire Blue Glass Splashback Teamed With Oak Flooring Creates a Calming Effect
Inject colour into a white kitchen with coloured glass splashbacks. Sapphire blue creates a calming effect when teamed with this light oak wood effect flooring.

Mood Lighting – a vital ingredient in kitchen design
The room is flooded with natural light from the large roof lights but plinth lights provide additional softer lighting - ideal mood lighting for entertaining.

What’s Cooking In Kitchens - Dual Ovens & Island Hobs
The two main appliances that are in high demand right now are the induction hob, frequently being designed into a central island unit rather than along wall worktops; and additional steam ovens alongside conventional ovens, to provide a choice of cooking facilities.

A Hot And Practical Solution
Vertical radiators are a good space saving solution in the kitchen.

Betta Living’s Dallas kitchen is priced at just £2,471 for an average sized kitchen (based on a guide layout and in Betta Living’s 70% sale), with a 600mm base unit from £262.50.

Betta Living has 20 showrooms, 25 pop up stores and offers free, no obligation design consultations in customer’s homes throughout the UK, to ensure its kitchens are designed to individual, exacting needs and budget.

For more information on Betta Living’s Dallas kitchen, please visit the website.

Tel:    0800 269 945 for a free home design consultation.

Buying a kitchen is a big investment and for many people it can be a daunting prospect. Some people like to take on the entire project themselves, while others require help through the whole process.

That’s why IKEA is making the process of buying a kitchen easy for all customers, by offering a choice of services, depending on the amount of help needed!

From in-home planning, installation to delivery, IKEA offers all the services you may require, to help you achieve that kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.

Featured here is the Faktum Aktum/Tidaholm oak kitchen, £2145; plus VAT.

Planning
When it comes to planning your kitchen, you can become your own interior designer, by either planning it yourself using the free online IKEA kitchen planning tool, or with assisted planning in-store, or pay for IKEA to plan your entire kitchen in the comfort of your home.

Installation
Professional kitchen installation can save you valuable time, especially when it comes to the trickier tasks like worktops, appliances, the sink and tap or even unit installation.

You can choose one or all of the items from the installation menu, depending on how much of the work you want to do yourself.

The Ikea installation service includes, a pre-installation visit to check measurements and the accuracy of your order, certified gas and electrical service providers and your order pre-checked and consolidated prior to delivery – plus a free three year guarantee on workmanship and installation.

You will get a fully coordinated service with a personal case handler, all at the usual IKEA low-price!

Delivery
Most of IKEA products are designed and packaged in such a way that you can easily get them home in your own car; that’s why there are 15 kitchen ranges that are available to take home straight from the IKEA store if you choose.
Alternatively, IKEA can arrange for your kitchen to be delivered straight to your home.

Visit IKEA’s specialist kitchen website, for some great tips and ideas to help you through the kitchen buying process.

Upgrading the kitchen is currently the most popular home improvement and the organisers of The Kitchen & Bathroom Show, at the Harrogate International Centre from 5th to 7th November, have come up with some great top tips to help you create that dream kitchen.

Also if you’re looking to extend, improve, enhance or even build your own home, then pay a visit to the co-located Homebuilding & Renovating Show with over 200 exhibitors.
Tickets to The Kitchen and Bathroom Show give entry to both Shows.

Create a Personal Storyboard
Start by imagining yourself in the kitchen and think about the way you like to cook, entertain or spend time with friends and family. Cut out pictures of kitchens that inspire you, collect samples and build up a storyboard of styles, appliances, colours and materials. Add an outline plan of your kitchen with dimensions and positions of windows and doors. Now you’re ready to speak to the experts.

Get Advice from the Experts
Take your storyboard to one or two kitchen design experts – most good kitchen companies offer this service; the best ones ask you lots of questions about your home, lifestyle and tastes, to build up a clear picture of what you are looking for.

Then Visit The Kitchen & Bathroom Show and book a one-to-one consultation at The Kitchen & Bathroom Design Experience, an individual design, advice and information centre with experts from The Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom Specialists Association.

Consider the Golden Triangle
The golden triangle connects the three main work areas – the sink, cooker and fridge and the principle of the ideal ‘work triangle’ is that these appliances are no more than 2.7 metres from one another. The space between should be kept clear of obstructions and cabinets so that you have no restriction of movement when you’re cooking.

Working the Surfaces
Choosing the right work surfaces is an all important decision, as they often define the ‘look’ of a kitchen. And remember you can never have enough!

Creating the Mood with Lighting
Separate your lighting into zones to meet the needs of the different areas in your kitchen. Bright lights should be focused directly over your work triangle with the option of softer lighting over the dining and/or relaxation area.

Your dream kitchen should reflect your personality and lifestyle and meet your future needs. Having a bespoke kitchen isn’t always a more expensive option so do consider the individual kitchen design companies that can’t be found on the High Street.

If you’re looking for the latest innovations and inspirational designs, then a visit to the UK’s only dedicated Kitchen & Bathroom Show, at the Harrogate International Centre from 5th to 7th November is a must.

Tickets to The Kitchen & Bathroom Show are £5 in advance and £8 on the day (children under 16 go free).

For more information please visit the show website.
Tel: (0844) 5811306.

Cargo Granite is offering a free template and fitting service from February 1st – 28th, on all orders of semi-precious stones over 3 m² within a 150-mile radius of London.

February is famously known as the month of romance…and how better to demonstrate your undying love than investing in something that lasts a lifetime?

Cargo Granite, a leading UK supplier, fabricator and installer of granite, quartz and natural stone, has a gorgeous selection of semi-precious stones to create unique kitchen work surfaces of lasting beauty.

The glamorous collection is sourced from the highest quality semi-precious stones such as: Carnelian, Wild Agate, Labradorite, Petrified Wood and some of the most sought after quartz - Rose quartz, smoky quartz and Amethyst.

Each with its own unique colouring and depth, these dazzling stones create hand made worktops that glimmer; making them a gem of a gift for Valentine’s.

Featured here is Amethyst:
The colour purple represents wealth, royalty and sophistication and Amethyst stones have long been used as a power stone; said to possess a calming and healing energy.

With vibrant hues that subtly change from pale lilac to deep purple, the sparkling Amethyst work surface from Cargo Granite is the way forward this February. Prices from £1995 per square metre + VAT.

The beauty and strength of the stones combined with their natural properties, means their use is almost limitless, making them perfect for use in the bathroom, kitchen and throughout the home.

Who needs an eternity ring when rooms can dazzle with hundreds of semi-precious jewels…!

For further information please visit the Cargo Granite website.

Tel: (01234) 853439

It’s difficult not to be captivated by the charm and charisma of a Dorchester kitchen from Kit Stone Interiors.

With its distressed finish, the delightful cream, antique style kitchen featured here, incorporates an abundance of exceptional storage and display options, especially with the addition of a solid wood kitchen island, which is ideal for breaking up larger spaces.

Dorchester presents an authentic country cottage feel, with a soft simple design and English charm, which has become the keystone of Kit Stone kitchens:

• The generously sized island unit creates additional storage, with two drawers, on soft close runners, two spacious cupboards, a wine rack and book shelf, perfect for storing recipe books.

• The ample workspace and display areas, ensure that budding chefs need not be hampered for lack of preparation space.

• The granite topped chopping block, also comes with in-built drawer and shelf and provides an easy update for a freestanding kitchen, without quite enough floor space to accommodate an island.

• Soft lighting and traditional appliances add to the enchanting appeal of this timeless classic.

Dorchester Kitchen Island: £1, 595.
Width: 82m; Depth: 142cm; Height: 92cm.

Dorchester Chopping Block: £495.
Width: 81cm; Depth: 55cm; Height: 86cm.

Drawing inspiration from the moods of old England, then sympathetically innovating and renewing, Kit Stone tries to create an overall feeling of comfort and authenticity. With one foot in the past and the other in the present, Kit Stone is perfectly in step with modern comfort.

For more information and to view the impressive kitchen portfolio please visit the Kit Stone website .

Tel: (01793) 735007

Cargo Granite, part of The Chiltern Marble Group, has introduced their totally unique, online work surface sales, templating and fitting service.

Contrary to popular belief, buying a granite work surface can be surprisingly inexpensive - with gorgeous surfaces available from just over £150 per metre ² .

Cargo Granite is passing on the savings (created by the lack of fancy showrooms and offices) directly to the consumer.

Real stone from Cargo Granite can be cheaper and far more durable than wood and synthetic materials.
Having a granite work surface is a real investment; in almost all cases the presence of granite anywhere in a property increases the value of a home.

Making granite even more affordable, Cargo Granite are currently offering 40% discount on all material when purchased online.

Featured here is the beautiful Chiltern Crop Surface. No 3848.

With probably the largest selection of online stone available in the UK, Cargo Granite is able to supply, cut and install , the most gorgeous stone available from anywhere in the world.

Although sourced globally, Cargo Granite products are manufactured locally; all worktops are produced bespoke, from full size slabs at the factory in Bedfordshire, using skilled and experienced stonemasons.

Cargo Granite has showrooms in Milton Keynes, Bedford and the Business Design Centre, Islington, London.

For further information visit Cargo Granite at:

Web: http://www.cargogranite.co.uk
Tel:   (01234) 845506

John Lewis of Hungerford is one of the UK’s leading kitchen retailers, providing affordable fitted kitchens with a distinctive shaker-style.

The very popular Artisan kitchen first available in 1992 featuring colourful paint finishes, has been updated to celebrate the company’s 35th anniversary, so that for the first time, the Artisan kitchen will be available in natural solid wood.

Artisan Natural is available in the premium quality oak featured here, or a rich dark walnut, providing customers with a wider choice of materials and enabling a mix of natural and painted cabinetry, to create their unique design with the same well-loved features of the original Artisan kitchen.

Jon Rosby, Managing Director explains, “This year’s trend is for a more subtle application of colour, which is easier to live with and can be achieved mixing paint, wood and other materials such as granite and stainless steel”

The Artisan Kitchen has also been given additional performance upgrades, including full extension soft close drawers and internal drawer storage systems.

A wide selection of new kitchen worktops in 12 different solid wood options and an extensive range of 20 solid granite work surfaces can be used in conjunction with the new wood to create a bespoke design.

The European oak and American walnut used for the company’s kitchens is sourced from managed forests with high renewable and sustainable standards; for every tree forested at least one tree is planted!
 
Artisan Natural is priced from £10,000 cabinetry only.

Web: http://www.john-lewis.co.uk
Tel:   (0700) 278 4726

John Lewis of Hungerford has introduced an extensive selection of new solid granite and solid wood work surfaces to their bespoke kitchen range.

The new worktops are available as part of the renowned Artisan Kitchen, or for purchase separately, to enable customers to tailor the work surface to their own specific design.

20 different types of 35mm thick granites are offered, each chosen for their extraordinary patterns and colours.

Options include: Emerald Pearl, Orissa; Blue, Kashmir, white and luxurious; Labradorite Blue, a green based granite with large attractive crystals.

Solid Granite worktops are highly durable and provide a kitchen with a contemporary and stylish look. They also provide a subtle way to introduce highlights of colour into the kitchen,with eye catching patterns such as strong red, warm orange and burgundy tones, like Golden Oak and Golden Beech.
Each of the 12 solid wood worktops is 40mm thick and options range from pale Rustic Beech to the dark and distinct Walnut; these timbers have been selected for their quality, depth of grain and resistance to stress from daily use in the kitchen.

Ecologically friendly and highly sustainable Bamboo and Rubber Wood worktops are also available.

Wood worktops are priced from £93 per linear metre.
Solid granite worktops are priced from £303.70 per square metre.

An incredible breadth of stylish design schemes can be achieved, when these worktops are combined with a John Lewis of Hungerford Artisan Kitchen painted in any Fired Earth or Artisan colour.

Visit the website for further information and stockist details:

Web: http://www.john-lewis.co.uk
Tel: (0700) 278 4726

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