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Design Dilemma
emmelinewe

Houzz Live Chat - Designing a Dream Kitchen, 1 pm, 15 July 2016

Emmeline Westin
7 years ago

Welcome to our very first Houzz Ireland Q&A!

During Live Chats Houzzers are able to interact with some of our best professionals regarding a specific interiors topic.

As we know you love your kitchens, we have invited kitchen specialists Hans Schweinitz of Hausmann Kitchens, David of Noel Dempsey Design, and Colm McLaughlin of Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms. They’ll be here on Friday at 1pm, answering questions on all things kitchen related! Whether you’re wondering how to optimise your kitchen layout, what type of worktop material to go for, or which colour scheme works best in your space, these pros are here to help.

Throughout this chat, we'll be asking our pros questions that have been posted beforehand but we encourage all Houzzers to ask away and take part in the discussion as it runs.

This is how it will work: I will post questions as comments to this thread. Each question will have a question number, for example ‘Q1)”. To answer a question, the pros will use the corresponding label, for example ‘A1)’.

The Live Chat will start Friday the 15th July at 1pm and will run for 30-45 minutes. Feel free to post your questions now and we'll answer them in the chat! Remember to bookmark this thread as the questions and answers will be posted in this discussion.

Keep the questions coming!


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Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Hi everyone thanks for all the great questions.

    A1) @Sharond127 From our experience. They
    are porous in nature, so naturally they are warm. In comparison to a timber
    floor, they have the same heat ratings. It’s a structured floor finish as opposed
    to a slab finish. And they are also very durable – they don’t mark easily and
    don’t chip.

    • Comments (80)

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hi all! A2) @isitemich : With a sink in the island you are faced with the possibility of having dirty pots and pans sitting in the middle of your worktop straight after cooking. This is the main reason people decide to put their sink against a wall and a hob on the island. With a hob on the island you can use a number of different extraction methods.

      1. Ceiling mounted: These can hang from the ceiling or be flush mounted - we prefer the latter for it's streamlined look.

      2. Downdraft: The common ones are the ones that raise up when in use. We have mixed reports on their effectiveness so we really don't use them anymore.

      3. The newest one which we have tried and tested - and love! - is the Bora extractor/hob unit. It have the extractor built into the middle of the hob which works brilliantly. Our number one choice for island extraction.

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q3: Next up is a very reasonable question that I’m sure we’ve all considered brought to you by @kcincam and answered by Dillons Kitchens: I love the idea of an open plan kitchen but am worried that odours will travel through the house. Do you have any design tips to eliminate this possibility?

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hi @timshel3 ; Polished concrete looks great in a contemporary space. For warmth and texture use some wood on the wall or a large rug in the living area. Less is more with polished concrete!

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q4: Live question from @timshel3! This one is open for any pro to answer:

      We would like to put a polished concrete floor in our open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room. What are your views on polished concrete as a floor material in kitchens?

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Thanks @Noel Dempsey Design for answering @timshel3 so swiftly!

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Q5: If you've ever struggled to choose between different splashbacks, here's a great query from @Sarah McGuire for @Hausmann Kitchens

      I have a long kitchen with high ceilings and am not sure what type of tile to use for my splashback. Should I keep it white, hand painted only behind the cooker and sink? What shape of tile, and how should I cover the wall with tiles? Thanks for your advice.

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hi @mariadoody ; Silestone Lagoon can look very grey in certain rooms. Do you have a lot of natural light? Silestone 'Ibiza' looks more like real marble or Caesar Stone 'Calacatta Nuvo' is stunning, big grey veins like marble.

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      @Homeowners, if you have any questions feel free to ask!

    • PRO
      Hausmann Kitchens
      7 years ago

      A Q5 Sarah, I would need to see a photo of the space; sorry..

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q6: Right now we will delve into worktop materials with questions from @ndelaney and @Dara Cooke, which Noel Dempsey Design will answer: Are quartz and granite worktops worth the expense? What are lower cost alternatives?

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Does another pro have any advice for Q5) @Sarah McGuire:

      Hi. I am stuck. I have a long kitchen with high ceilings and need a back splash. Not sure on type of tile. Should I keep it white? hand painted only behind the cooker and sink? shape of tile? how should I cover the wall with the tiles? full coverage up to top of hood? partial coverage, etc. Would appreciate any advice/ suggestions. Thank you.

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q7: Next up is a layout question from @s1neadohara which will be answered by Dillons Kitchens and bedrooms. If you’re interested in L-shaped kitchens and smart design, here’s a great case study: We are looking to move our kitchen from a galley area to an open plan space currently used as the dining area. The room is L shaped, with the kitchen in the leg of the L. Our house is terraced so the layout needs to be optimised, and we are also trying to fit a utility room in. We would like to know whether we should even try to move the kitchen. The house is 5m and the depth of room is 4m.

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A6) @ndelaneyand @Dara Cooke. In our opinion quartz worktops are the most practical choice for kitchen worktops as they are very hard wearing. Silestone and Caesar Stone are manufacturers of quartz worktops and both offer scratch and stain resistant properties. For an alternative worktop you could try a composite like Corian, however it's a similar price so there wouldn't be any cost savings.

      Solid timber worktops are a cheaper alternative but they aren't as hard wearing.

      So yes, they are worth every penny!

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A5) @Sarah McGuire: You would need to choose a line to finish the tiles from either the under side of the wall cabinets, the underside of the extractor fan or run to the ceiling. The shape of the tile will depend on the style of your kitchen. If you mean Moroccan tiles they would be a great feature at the hob and the sink.

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q8: Hausmann Kitchens will delve into flooring ideas about kitchens, particularly laminate, to answer questions from @ndelaney and @brucencat: Would you recommend laminate for kitchen floors? What laminate colour would best go with a cherry wood kitchen?


    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A7) @s1neadohara:If it was an option, I would extend
      and square off the room. To create a
      large open plan room. I would then section off an area where the existing kitchen
      is to create a utility room.

      Allowing the kitchen to run into the dining
      area, with a feature island containing integrating dining seating.

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago

      Hi @Sarah McGuire ; In this kitchen the ceilings were 2.9m and we decided a nice neutral subway tile worked best. Would this suit your kitchen area?

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q9: Next up we have a fascinating design question from @Geraldine O’Shea, for Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms. She asks, “I have a north facing kitchen which is very dark, I even have the light on in the summer. Is there any tricks to bring some more natural light into my kitchen?”


    • PRO
      Hausmann Kitchens
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A8) @ndelaney and @brucencat: I would not recommend Laminate flooring in an area where
      there is an increased risk of water spillage. However, if you should decide to
      do so make sure that the core of the boards is not MDF. As for the colour I
      would initially look at silvery greys.

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A9) @Geraldine O’Shea: I would suggest increasing
      the size of the kitchen window, this will allow a lot more natural light into
      the space.

      High gloss doors are very
      reflective, they will bounce the light around the kitchen. Mirror splashbacks
      are a great way to give the illusion of extra space and also to reflect light.
      A light colour palette will also feel brighter.

    • Aileen
      7 years ago

      What is the minimum recommended clearance around an island? Looking at remodelling what is currently a large kitchen - to create a down stairs bedroom and small kitchen. The new kitchen would be narrow with presses along one wall and double doors on opposite wall would it work to put island in or would that be ridiculous in front of sliding doors?

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Q10: Open Question! From @joygardiner

      Hi there

      I got advise on this issue a couple of weeks back on the houzz forum I haven't done anything yet so I said I'd ask you guys too! I'm looking for advise on what to do with my island the design of my kitchen has changed. I want to extend it as there is the space to do so I'm thinking a walnut breakfast bar added to it? Any ideas would be appreciated for my island, stools and dining area.

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      And we just got in another question from @fahertyaileen. Pros, feel free to comment

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hi fahertyaileen The minimum we would recommend would be 1 meter but ideally 1.2 meters.

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q11: For some nitty-gritty appliance questions we turn to @aidan_damer and Dillons Kitchens: What is the best extractor option for an induction hob which is on a peninsula or on an island in an open plan kitchen area? Are down-draft extractors any good?

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      @fahertyaileen We try to allow a minimum of 1 or 1.1m on the working side of the island and ideally 1.2m or more on the back. Do you have the width of your room to hand?

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q12: Noel Dempsey Design will now answer a general question about flooring for open-plan living spaces, which are very trendy now. This question is from @HH: What is the best uniform flooring for an open plan kitchen, dining, and living room area?


    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q13: Hausmann will now answer @nedaleny’s question about kitchen tiling. Ndelaney writes, we need to replace our kitchen tiling and would like to know if you would recommend matching the tiles to those in the sunroom (larger, paler, higher-gloss) or if this is not a good option for kitchen floors (the dining area is walnut parquet)

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A11) @aidan_damer I would highly recommend to put
      you extractor fan on 5-10 minutes before you start cooking or using your oven
      and also allow it to run 5-10 minutes after you stop cooking.

      This will also stop the build-up of grease
      that you will find on top of your cabinet as over the space of a year a fan
      oven will admit 2.5 litres of grease into your room.

      Also having the correct extractor fan is
      extremely important.

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A11) @aidan_damer: When looking for
      an extractor fan you should look for two thing.

      * The
      noise dB(A) (lower the better)

      * The Max Airflow (The higher the better) The
      average extractor fan is between 400-700m3/H. I would recommend getting the highest
      option available in your budget. This is also very important when in an open
      plan room. As lower airflow will not. work properly.

      It can depend on
      the brand but in general once the down draft extractor in installed correctly
      and a 150mm hole is use for the ventilation of the unit then yes they are good.

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A10. @joygardiner It'd hard to say without seeing the layout and size. If you have the space then a circular timber worktop could be added with a boxed base for support. You could seat 3 or 4 stools with a 1.1m diameter.

    • PRO
      Hausmann Kitchens
      7 years ago

      A Q13:
      Yes, I would go the route of matching the tiles you have in
      the sunroom in order to avoid having 3 different floorcoverings in this
      interconnecting area.

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago

      A12. If your kitchen cabinets are timber effect then I would be looking for a nice big plain coloured tile, 60x60cm or bigger. You could then use a large rug in the living area for warmth and texture.

      If your kitchen is a colour and not timber effect then a nice wood effect tile or laminate floor would work. The key is to keep the colour scheme simple and to minimum. One floor colour, one wall colour, one/two cabinet colours.


    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      Q14: @sineadosullivan59 asks a great question about different possibilities for wall materials, fielded to David from Noel Dempsey Design: would you recommend glass or metro tiles for wall materials, to go with white and grey silestone handless worktops?

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Q15: Last question of the day! And its open, from @Dara Cooke:

      We are struggling to pay for granite / quartz worktop for our L-shaped kitchen and island. What are our options? What are the alternatives between the lower-end laminate and the higher end quartz or granite? Many thanks.

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Traditional Painted Kitchen in Ashbourne · More Info

      A10: Here is an image of how we incorporated a wooden worktop onto an island.

    • Aileen
      7 years ago

      Thanks so much for advice to Dillon's and Noel Dempsey. I'm afraid I don't have measurements to hand but that's great tips to start with

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A14) @sineadosullivan59 For a modern handless kitchen we would use either glass or the work surface as a backsplash. When you use a metro tile there is a lot of grout lines so it can look a little busy. Plus grout can be harder to keep clean so glass is a more practical choice. In this image the glass blends into the wall colour so is not as noticeable.

    • Emmeline Westin
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Dillons Kitchens - please can you re-upload the image for A10? Thanks!

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago

      @fahertyaileen Feel free to message me on Houzz when you have the measurements and I will give you my professional opinion.

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago

      A10: Image

      Traditional Painted Kitchen in Ashbourne · More Info

    • PRO
      Hausmann Kitchens
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A 15: Hi Dara, I would look at using hardwood, perhaps Iroko, on the island and quartz or granite on the L. If your kitchen is a modern style you might go down to 20mm thickness on the L. It's a little more cost effective.

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A15) @Dara Cooke: If you can't afford a quartz or granite worktop from day one then I would recommend using a laminate worktop as a temporary solution. If you don't put tiles up as a backsplash then replacing the worktops can be relatively easy in a couple of years.

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      A10): This is an alternative option for a timber worktop on an Island.

    • Abi Nuchi
      7 years ago

      That's it everybody! Thanks so much for sitting in on our first Irish Live Chat, and a special thanks to our Pros from Hausmann Kitchens, Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms, and Noel Dempsey Design!

    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago

      Thank you all for the great questions! We are already looking forward to the next live chat! Thanks Abi!

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago

      A15: There are high grade laminate counters on the market which are marble & timber effect. These counters can be a temporary option or long term. Depending on how you would like the space to work for you.

    • PRO
      Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms
      7 years ago

      Thank you all for taking the time to join us today & for all the great questions.

      If anyone has anything further to ask fell free to contact us.

      Thanks Abi this was great fun looking forward to the next live chat.

    • aidabey
      7 years ago
      I dont know wich color of top to choose with this kitchen
      My favorite one is the grey black color, there is alot of light in the room but still not sure
    • PRO
      Noel Dempsey Design
      7 years ago

      Hi. I would look at something like a concrete look similar to Caesar Stone 'Raw Concrete'

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