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Decorex KZN: Kitchens – the home’s hippest space

Staying in is the new going out. With the dining room on the endangered list and the separate lounge de rigueur, the kitchen is now the favourite hang-out room.

‘Hats off to Jamie Oliver’, says Melanie Robinson, director of Decorex KZN. ‘His relaxed culinary approach inspired hobby chefs to return to the kitchen. The hub of the home is now the in-place to entertain and be entertained.’

With the kitchen more exposed, often in the middle of a living area rather than hidden away in the back of the house, people are spending more time and money on the look of the kitchen.

Decorex KZN, hosted in association with Hirsch’s Kitchen and Bathroom Faire at the International Convention Centre from 21 to 25 March takes a new look at the home’s hippest space. Clever design solutions and brainy kitchen systems turn chore to delight at Exotic Kitchens and Furniture, Franke Kitchens, The Kitchen Studio, LG Electronics and Defy. See the latest appliances at DK Gas Appliances and Hirsch’s Homestore.

The South African market tends to follow international kitchen trends, particularly Italian. ‘Because of their mobile nature, Italian kitchens are modular and can be manipulated to fit any space; easy to install and customise. Italian kitchen manufacturers also take the lead in eco-friendly design, using materials that are recyclable, renewable and less toxic.’

The current emphasis is on designing kitchens around the personality of the people intending to use it. Factors to consider include whether the kitchen is for a couple, a single person or a family, how often they cook, the level of cooking ability or degree of interest.

Integrated appliances, especially appliance drawers such as drawer dishwashers, fridges and warming ovens, go a long way to make better use of space. Hobs have been developed to provide more cooking surface and are semi-flush with the work top. They are positioned in the middle of the central island with the extraction system above.

The all stainless steel look is passe. ‘Treat the kitchen as a furnished room’, recommends Melanie. ‘Combat the clinical look by cherry picking ideas from different trends and blending it to create a personalised space. Add a rustic table to a sleek kitchen, and mix modern glossy surfaces with earthy materials.

Another prevalent trend is the wider use of colours for contrast and accent. ‘Colour is the essential ingredient in the living kitchen, whether it’s spicy cinnamon, deep berry or dusty green’ says Anne Roselt, Plascon colour manager.

Although all-white kitchens are all the rage, this high-activity space calls for energetic colour accents. A feature wall in an engaging colour is a good way to anchor an otherwise neutral space. ‘Because the kitchen is a place to be creative with different flavours, it makes sense to design a space you want to spend time in, a space to stimulate all your senses. Paint colour is the quickest and most affordable way to do this,’ reckons Anne.

The desire for colour in the kitchen also extends to appliances - luscious cherry-red mixers and retro-chic fridges in bursts of happy orange. Even waffle makers now come in periwinkle, persimmon and cobalt.

‘The kitchen is a place to give in to your decorating wiles, says Anne. ‘Display your favourite things like beautiful tea towels and collection of tea pots. Even something as simple as a grouping of wooden spoons in an interesting container will imbue the space with a lived-in feel.’

Kitchen trends and tips

An industrial strength extractor fan is a must. Watch those noise levels interfering with all the chatting and chopping. Dishwashers also go hush. Tip: Defy’s Dishmaid Super Silent is low in water consumption, energy usage and sound.

Go for natural timber to relieve the acres of all-white. Hand-painted kitchens in Devon Cream or Irish White are great. Even the butt of the hinge is painted. Tip: Go for a hand-made look in antique blue or dusty red industrial steel girders, like the roof of an old Karoo farm shed.

The pantry is in vogue again, hiding the clutter. Open shelves sport collectables and objets d’art. Tip: Be smart. Opt for free standing appliances rather than built-in. It saves hassle when something goes wrong or you want to update.

No fluorescent or track lighting is in sight. Bring in the bling with chandeliers and vintage lighting. Everything is on a dimmer and separate switches – under counter, ceiling and task lighting. Tip: Lighten the feel with moody table lamps and standing lamps.

Glass tiles are in; ceramic tiles are out. Tip: Coloured glass with sand blasted patterns make great splash backs and is easy to clean.

Go for Caeser stone and other scratchproof man-made surfaces or even glass as countertops. Tip: Create the villa-style look with old marble butcher block surfaces in white and grey. Allow it to stain naturally with citrus juices and wine.

Must-have kitchen gadgets: No kitchen is worth its salt without a deli-style electric meat slicer to get the Parma ham paper thin. A double door fridge with ice dispenser, or separate ice machine fitting snugly under the counter is obligatory. While fully automatic espresso makers are on everyone’s wish-list, the classic Italian stove-top percolator also makes a comeback.

What’s cooking at Decorex KZN

Celebrate the hub of the home with Decorex and Hirsch’s Kitchen and Bathroom Faire, featuring state-of-the-art kitchens and all the essential ingredients for the modern cook, as well as the opportunity to get rejuvenated with all the latest bathroom trends, including bathroom finishes, designer tapware and therapeutic showers.

The show sparkles with a sense of glamour and a theme ‘Embellishing Space’, marking the return of beautiful interiors.

Meet friends at the Champagne Bar brought to you by The Property Magazine, where the mood is indulgent, the sparkling wine flows and the chandeliers add a stylish sense of occasion. Rub shoulders with home fashionistas, colouristas and decor passionates while lounging on über-chic furniture by Cherry World. The contemporary flooring by Africa Range perfectly matches the mellow vibe.

Visit Sanlam Dream Rooms, where top interior decorators, lifestyle stores and fabric houses will be showcasing beautiful interiors in an exclusive setting. At the Fabric Theatre visitors can view St Leger & Viney’s latest collection.

Get intimate with colour at the Plascon Virtual Showroom, an interactive stand designed by the Switch Design Group, where visitors have the opportunity to mix and match colours by using hi-tech software and light-projection.

Join Talk Show on 23 March for a morning dedicated to décor and green design, featuring Les Aupiais of Elle Decoration; Kirsten Goss, world-renowned jewelry designer; Hugh Fraser, the traveling architect; Jan Blok, award winning landscaper; Grant Webster, Fahrenheit Design. 23 March. R350 ticket includes presentations by key-note speakers, breakfast and entrance to the exhibition. Part of the proceeds benefits the Save the Children Fund. Booking for this is essential. Visit www.decorex.co.za

Show information: When: 21 – 25 March

Venue: International Convention Centre, Durban.Times: 21 March -10 am to 6 pm; 22 - 24 March 10 am to 9 pm; 25 March - 10 am to 6 pm www.decorex.co.za