Position is everything in a kitchen
Monday, 12 February 2007

Our Homes Today

Creative glass from Graphic Glass.

It’s been said that the mark of a true designer is one who instead of giving clients what the designer would like them to have, gives them exactly what they want. And Lyness Kerr from Fyfe Kitchens wholeheartedly agrees with this philosophy.   

“Kitchen design is so personal and everyone’s needs are so different, that talking about trends when considering a new kitchen isn’t very helpful.”
While it’s understandable that people give in to pressure and follow the trends of the day, it’s those very features that identify a trend, such as large rangehoods, for example, that will date the kitchen in a couple of years’ time.

“Rangehoods that are features in themselves don’t always appeal, and many designs today feature concealed versions,” says Lyness. “That’s why it’s best to choose elements because you like them, regardless of trends, and select quality features that will please the eye for many years to come. And a pleasing design will be one that genuinely reflects the lifestyles of its owners.” 

Storage is everything in a successful kitchen, says Lyness Kerr.

Lyness believes the key to a great design lies in listening carefully to the client.  “Some clients ask for strong colours in a kitchen, because they personally respond to colour and want it to stand out as a feature.  “I’ve designed a kitchen that was completely red, and another that had about seven different colours in it. While these wouldn’t appeal to everybody, the clients loved them, and that’s what’s important.”

Another client wanted a fish cooker stacked below the oven on a pullout trolley. “Rather than discourage her because it was ‘non-standard’, I ensured the kitchen met her needs. Having recently shifted to New Zealand from Japan where fish is an important part of the daily diet, she wanted the fish-cooking process to be as easy as possible. It also enabled her to have a clean, tidy kitchen with everything out of sight.”

Focusing on effective storage is far more valuable than looking at trends says Lyness. “Well thought out storage makes the whole space work, and really, in a kitchen, position is everything. Soft close drawers and European hinge technology are excellent features, with full-extension drawers holding so much and offering excellent access.”    

Lyness, who owned Lyness Kerr Design in Howick for five years, says the parameters of a kitchen designer’s role have expanded dramatically in recent years and that means successful design requires more thought, from the designer as well as the client.

“Because living areas are more open in many modern homes, a logical and visual flow between the spaces is vital. You might have a kitchen, entertainment area and service zones such as the laundry quite close together, and all visible to each other. These days we’re often asked to come up with a design for those entire areas. Achieving consistency with the cabinetry and features, for example, ensures a harmonious design throughout.”  

As designers widen their thought processes, clients need to closely analyse issues such as storage needs, how they work in a kitchen, ways to maximise space and improve flow, not only within the kitchen but out to connecting areas. 

In the initial design stage, Lyness asks clients for their kitchen wish list – those elements they may have had in a previous kitchen and want again plus innovations they wish to include in the new design.

She also asks them to list elements they definitely don’t want, then it’s her job to adapt those ideas to the available space.

“It’s a matter of finding out what exactly the clients need. For example, will in-house caterers use the space, are the owners avid chefs and does it need to accommodate a growing family? Most importantly, coming up with a great kitchen really is a team effort between designer and client and relies on good communication as well as design flair.”