KITCHEN DESIGN
Plan the position of your cooker for maximum enjoyment, efficiency and design impact
FEATURE AMELIA THORPE
THINKING BIG
Cooking is at the heart of every kitchen, so it makes sense to site your oven in pole position. Whether you choose a sleek built-in model or a substantial range cooker, it needs to be in easy reach, with awork surface close by so there’s somewhere to rest hot dishes fresh from the oven. Don’t be afraid to make the cooker the focal point of your design, even in a small kitchen, says Matthew Bates, founder of Blake & Bull. ‘Going bold with size and colour can be an effective way of transforming a kitchen into a fun and vibrant space beyond just a functional room,’ he explains. In his own kitchen, he chose a restored Aga range in a richly coloured Terracotta to contrast with blue cabinetry.
BLENDING LOOKS
If you’d like to combine classic and contemporary styles in your kitchen, you may want to opt for an overmantel, often reserved for a range cooker, teamed with modern built-in appliances. ‘Our client wanted a traditional mantel with the flexibility of eye-level ovens and a sleek induction hob,’ explains Steve Collinson, director of Ella Austin Kitchens, of the project shown here. ‘We positioned the tall oven housings apart to frame this “nook” and stepped the base cabinets forward to create more of a feature and allow for a shelf at the rear of the hob.’ Steve also tucked an extractor under the overmantel, with incorporated lighting to illuminate the hob’s cooking surface.
PERFECTLY FRAMED
‘Both functionally and aesthetically, a range cooker is best placed in a defined setting and “framed”, for instance by a chimney breast, to create a beautiful focal point and a distinct cooking zone,’ says Richard Moore, design director of Martin Moore. If your kitchen doesn’t have a chimney breast you can create a faux one by building a stud wall and adding an overmantel shelf. ‘The cooker is tucked in for a tidy look, while the space above the range provides the perfect location for a hidden extractor,’ he notes. Range cookers come in a choice of widths: typical sizes are 90, 100 and 110cm, but there are models available in widths from 60 to 150cm and even more.
STREAMLINED STYLE
A built-in oven offers a streamlined look, which can allow the cabinetry to take the limelight. This option also offers flexibility when it comes to position, as the oven can be built under ahob or at eye level. ‘Safety-wise, the oven should not be above shoulder height,’ says Karen Livesey, designer, John L
