Have you ever wondered how to buy a designer kitchen? How to; decide which company to use, recognize good/bad design, how to budget to suit your situation, get the lowdown on the latest appliances/innovations, guide you through the minefield of kitchen installation and create a kitchen that ticks all the boxes on your wish list and looks fabulous. Use our 46 years of kitchen design experience to help you to buy the kitchen of your dreams without making expensive mistakes. Let’s make your whole kitchen design experience a great experience and have some fun along the way! Any questions or anything we can do to help contact Robin or Josh: Robin@holtskde.com Josh@holtskde.uk Websites: holtskde.uk
Blimey you're good! I'm in the process of getting a new kitchen designed and the company I'm using don't seem to know about these. At least now i can do a bit of research for them! I'm watching all your other videos and you make such good sense! Love it!! Thank you.
Hi Thank you for that. Appreciated. We have just done another video about the possible danger of quartz. Spolier alert, its not dangerous for you . ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hICR5BGef_c.html
Reminiscent of asbestos in that it was a safe product until it was broken up / damaged and the fibres and dust were let loose and inhaled. Assuming Australia don’t trust the industry to do the right things and protect people so outright ban brought in. Also, is there a potential risk in the disposal of old worktops? People ripping out a kitchen with a sledge hammer for example. (Easier to break up a big worktop into smaller pieces for disposal) Agree that it sounds like it’s safe to have in the kitchen on a day to day basis and people shouldn’t be panicking however if it’s mistreated it is dangerous.
Hi. Spot on, very similar to Asbestos. We still come across asbestos when we are fitting kitchens and we have to call in the experts to remove it. I don't think that removing Quartz, even if you break it up, will cause damage. I am told that it is consistant exposure that causes the problem. However, it would still make sense to mask up.
Hi, love the videos they are very informative. If its not to much trouble could you please share your opinion on mixing cabinet width sizes ? I.e 600mm and 450mm door fronts. I have an open plan living kitchen with an L shaped kitchen and island, on the wall behind the island is 4 tall cabinets and 2 base cabinets plus corner with wall cabs above. On the other wall is a window, with either 5 x 600 base units (600 bin, 1200 sink, 600 DW, 600 tall cabinet on the end (island 2480) or option 2 - 450 bin then 900mm sink base unit, 600 DW, 450 base, 600 Tall cabinet (island 2780). Personally I am not keen on the 1200 sink base or 600 bin. Your comments would be much appreciated.
Gosh, not easy to advise without more information. However, as a rule of thumb there are usually more advantages to the larger modules of equal size. Having doors the same size helps with the uniformity of the design and generally makes the kitchen feel bigger, especially if there are handles on the doors. The other advantage is that filling a space with 1 x 1200 unit as opposed to a 400 and an 800 is cheaper but if you don’t like the wider units go with your gut as it’s your kitchen after all
Hi, l am confused about laminate worktops. The fabricated laminate, is this something like Corian which is a brand name. I think this type of worktop would help with my budget. Kine Regards Sue
Hello, thanks for getting in touch. There are many brand names for laminates and, as discussed in the video, there are various qualities. The brand name that many people still refer to for a laminate top would be "Formica". Prominant in the 70's Corian is a completely different product and would be far more expensive.
Unfortunately, no. Most kitchen cupboards are about 720 mm high and ovens are 600mm high. This leaves 120mm which is not enough to for a self venting hob. Sorry
A Canadian RU-vidr said; first consider what you like about your kitchen. In my case, with a tiny kitchen (unextended 1930s semi-detached), the best thing about my current (1980's) kitchen, is hinges that allow all the doors, base and wall, to fold all the way back. In fact that is the reason i have left it so long before considering replacing anything. I wasnt sure i could get that feature in new cabinets. My 1980's base cabinets are 790mm high and the standard seems to be 720mm. Can I get 790mm anywhere? In a tiny kitchen, that space is precious.
Hello. Yes, everything you are asking for is possible. However, you won’t find what you are looking for from an off the shelf kitchen which leaves you with a custom made kitchen, likely to be German. As a guide we do this type of kitchen. They have many standard sizes of units one of which is 780mm high . If you need exactly 790 then that can be done but would be a special with a surcharge. 170 degree hinges are also available on request. The standard is usually 107 degrees. Hope this helps. The range we use is called Schuller and there are dealers all,over the country.
Hi, great video! Sorry if you explained this in the video but I am still unsure if you can have these extractor hobs in fully isolated islands, therefore there is no outer wall to feed any extraction ducts to? Would advice be to run the vent out of the bottom of the island and back into the kitchen, does this not defeat the object of removing the steam/smoke/smell out of the kitchen? We can’t really fit any other type of extractor as the island is stand alone in the middle of the kitchen and there is no ceiling room to fit an over head of any type. Many thanks in advance!
Hi. Most self venting hobs we fit are recirculatory. The recirc system is very good at removing smells and there are effective grease filters installed also. The steam just dissapates behind the unit. Although the hobs are supposed to work with just a 40mm gap behind the units I do try to increase this gap, if possible. Which, on an island is usually possible. If you don't like the idea of the steam behind the units then you can vent it out theough the plinth of the unit but this isn'r necessary.
Hi. The standard width of frame is about 80mm-90mm. There are thinner which we call "skinny shaker". These tend to look a little more contemporary. There are also thicker, broad shaker, but we shy away from these as on a 300 wide unit there is hardly any centre panel left.
I am 80 years old ... not very strong and have short arms ... reaching into a standard oven to lift a heavy pan of hot food is not easy. in the 60s I had a Frigidaire oven with a door that slid UP and out of the way ... am delighted to see this now.
Hi, thanks for getting in touch and your insight.i have to admit, even though I have been designing kitchens for over 50 years, I haven’t heard of the Frigidaire oven. I can totally understand how good design can help people with specific problems, and this oven is a perfect example of this.
I love my slide and hide oven it's at a safe level and is so easy to get into you just have to give it some thought ! No matter how you use any oven you have to be careful let's face it ovens have been around for many years now 😂😊😊😊😊
I was considering a Slide & Hide oven but decided against it - not just because of the prospect of "mess on the floor" but, more importantly, because sooner or later the door comes off the hinges and leaves you with a struggle to get it back onto them - as plenty of RU-vid videos attest. It's a great idea, but it becomes just an annoying gimmick because not enough effort went into the design and execution....
Yep I agree. When we sell one we always suggest client take out the extra guarantee, just in case. Usually this isn’t something we advise but it makes sense with the hide and slide because of the problems
Definitely not silly. Yes it takes up a bit of room under the sink but there are many other ways of gaining that space back through innovative design. Also it free’s up work top space as there is no kettle. Go for it
Hello Love the Video's. I am on a budget and can only afford a vinyl wrap kitchen. Are hey really that bad? 3D solutions (Trade Mouldings) is the company my fitter is going to use. whats your thoughts and what should i be going for instead. help much appreciated!
Ok. If you are going for a flat, not shaped, door then look for a laminate with PP edging, should be same cost as vinyl wrap but much better. If you have to go for vinyl wrap ensure you get at least a 5 year guarantee against de-lamination. If dealing with a reputable company this should be standard, but check. The other thing is to try to mitigate the likely problems. Once your kitchen is in consider where steam and water could cause problems. 2 obvious one’s are; don’t boil a kettle under a wall unit. The biggest one is always close the dishwasher door fully after opening it. If you don’t steam will come out the side of the door and damage the adjacent doors. Common sense really but not everybody is aware. Good luck.
omg this makes complete sense! I was considering slide and hide but I was torn because if the price! Now I am no longer torn - I will not be buying slide and hide oven :) Many thanks !
Greetings from Greece and thank you for this video! You saved me a ton of trouble with this information! Just out of curiosity tho, how can the combination microwave work with the metal rack shelves inside? Isn't it a hazard to microwave with any sort of metal in it?
Hello Greece! Great question. When using the microwave, on it's own, then you must remove the metal shelves as usually you are using the microwave above 700w. When it is in combi mode, along with the oven function, the microwave is restricted to 600w and at this level it is ok to have metal trays in the oven. Hope this helps.
I have to say, having returned occasionally to old kitchens I’ve installed. The stainless steel sinks are always the one’s that still look the best. So if your after longevity stick with stainless. Thanks for the question
There is an integrated fridge that has an ice cube dispenser in it, although it’s not the maxi size. It’s supplied by a company called Liebher. I have fit a few of these, they are quite expensive but do solve the ice cube problem. Thanks for your comment.
Just found your channel & a very informative video so I have subscribed! Are you able to share the material for your cabinets in this video and where you sourced them? I’m in 🇨🇦 yet curious if I could find something similar. Thank you 😊
Hello Canada. Thanks for watching and for your comments. Our kitchen furniture is German and is called Schuller. I have to say that virtually all the German kitchen furniture is of a high standard and very designable. I know some of them export to the States not sure about Canada though. Perhaps Google German kitchens and see what comes up.
Thanks for getting in touch. I started kitchens back in the early 70’s and I’ve had to learn many new names for things. Our business is constantly changing.
Hello, I currently have Corian worktops with an integrated Corian sink. I can highly recommend Corian worktops for their fantastic durability. Our Corian worktops were installed 28 years ago, and they still look amazing. I particularly love the seamless design. However, I would like to replace my regular tap with a Quooker tap. Can a Quooker tap be used with a Corian sink? Thank you
Thanks for getting in touch. Yes, I’ve always had some Corian in my own kitchens and I think it’s wonderful. Regarding boiling water taps. It was 2 years ago since I last asked that question and Du Ponts advice then was not to do it. It was ok if you had a Mixa sink, with a steel base but not if you had a full Corian bowl. However, advice changes , I need to know this myself so I will check again and let you know.
The arm length thing is sooo tedious, only cos more than 1 person will b using it n when parties etc are to be had everyone will b using the combo oven. Is there an alternative? Perhaps the designer of these ovens can create a door that opens then half slides down once u push it. Makes sense lol. Thanks ur awesome🌞
Thanks for this great channel- really helpful. Having recently downsized and there are now just the 2 of us, I am keen to buy a built combination oven in my new kitchen as the only oven. Bosch do a 67cm capacity oven with 20 different methods of cooking as do other manufacturers. I don't want to duplicate functions by buying a single built in oven too. Please note due to dietary requirements roast turkeys at Xmas are a thing of the past! Are these combination ovens the way forward now for a smaller household?
Yes definitely the way forward for people in your circumstances. The only thing you lose is flexibility. You have to plan your cooking a bit more. You may have 2 items that need different temperatures. Discussing this with our clients we sometimes suggest a warming drawer in addition to the combi oven. That way you can cook your chicken at 180 degrees bob it in the warmer or let it “rest” then cook your roasties at 230 degrees. Glad you like our channel!
Hi. Usually you can’t have. Drawer above the oven as it too high to see into it. If, though , you are having a custom made kitchen then the top cupboard will be made bigger so no space is lost Thanks for the comment
Just the answer I was looking for as my supplier suggested this type of ‘oven’ as my backup oven which also includes a microwave. I knew it wasn’t what I was looking for and your video just confirmed it-thank you!
Usually the laminate will.. be bonded onto chipboard or MDF. Water ingress ion is not a concern providing it has a good edge and sits in a waterproof track. Thanks for getting in touch
Thank you so much in making and sharing this great clip. We were in a dilemma of J Pull and the 1st option on this clip. We now will take the professional advice and avoid J Pull. Great stuff.
You will mean like the Neff slide and hide oven. It’s because of the nature of a microwave door. It is a lot thicker than a typical oven door so the space you would have to leave for it is too much. Maybe as technology improves it will get thinner and be able to roll,under. Thanks for the comment
