By Lysandra Fraser
Many people are at a loss when it comes to defining their style. I’m not afraid to admit that Alisa and I had no idea what the difference between contemporary and modern styles were. We would often get asked to define our style and we would reply with “the Alisa and Lysandra style”. Some people know what they like but are afraid of getting the terms wrong, so they struggle to be able to describe verbally what style or look they want. I believe that you don’t necessarily need to have a degree, or even have experience, to be able to put a room together, just a good eye for detail and a passion for design.
When it came to designing our kitchen and bathrooms on The Block, we were very conscious about what they would look like in comparison to the changing trends, 10-to-15 years down the track. Kitchens and bathrooms cost a lot of money to change, so I believe that if you think carefully about your choices at the very beginning, you could have a kitchen/bathroom for 10-to-15 years without the need to upgrade in 5-to-10, when most kitchens and bathrooms would seem dated.
In this post I will be focusing on the kitchen. I believe that the aim is to keep things simple. For example, sticking with a neutral colour palette, such as white, is a great way to ensure your kitchen will not need a facelift as soon as your neighbours who chose the lime green that is no longer trendy. Another aspect to consider for lengthening your kitchen’s life is cabinetry door design. Be careful not to choose a door that has beading, is too ornate or could be typically seen in ‘current’ modern kitchens. These door designs come and go and you can still get a great look with simple cabinetry that will hold its fresh look longer.
I’m a big believer in spending as much as your budget allows on good quality appliances. Selecting stainless steel or white appliances is the safest options for longevity. If you spend the money on good quality items, they too should see you through the 10-to-15 year lifespan. Also be aware when you are designing your kitchen layout to allow a suitable space for the fridge. I’ve found that people will often only allow for a single fridge space which doesn’t cater for a growing family that will need a double, and therefore it may affect resale value.
It is very important to select the right bench top for your kitchen. This can turn a plain kitchen into a classy masterpiece! It’s kind of like wearing jeans and a t-shirt and then adding that beautiful necklace to completely change the look. Selecting a marble, granite, or manmade quartz would be my recommendation as these (with the right colour choice) stand the test of time (well, our aim of 10-to-15 years anyway). Just be aware of what thickness you choose. For example, 12mm thickness is the trend at the moment, but in a couple of years’ time, may not be.
Splashbacks are another item where you can step outside the “playing it safe” zone and inject some life or personality into your kitchen. This may be a colourful glass splashback or some unique tiles.
Accessories such as bar stools, vases, fruit bowls etc., are a great way to add colour and they can all be changed every few years to give you a new look, without the massive price tag.
Choosing the correct lighting is very important in more than one sense. Firstly, it can create a ‘wow’ factor. A light feature is a great option for a focus piece that isn’t essentially attached to the kitchen, so can be changed without huge expense. Secondly, lighting trends may change, so choose wisely where you put your fixtures. Just be aware that lighting, such as LED strips under cabinetry, look great at the moment, but once again may be out of style 10-to-15 years down the track.
Alisa and I certainly don’t profess to know all the rules of interior design, as we are still very new to this industry, but I do believe that following these simple rules when designing your new kitchen will save you financially in the long term.
Lysandra Fraser is one half of The Block Sky High’s winning twins, Alisa and Lysandra. They’re guest posting at Interiors Addict for the next few weeks and look forward to sharing their next exciting move with us soon! Look out for their posts every Friday. You can follow them on Facebook or Twitter.
