Appliance science

While a kitchen should always look good, it is also the room where a lot of the essential work gets doneto run your home. From creating and cooking to cleaning up afterwards, the right appliances are vital to success. Peter Nolan, director of sales at Callerton Kitchens, explains more in this article.

How do I choose the right essential appliances?

When creating a new kitchen, a good kitchen designer will take into account how you use this important space – for example, how it connects to other rooms, as well as how often you use it for cooking and entertaining.

Within that, it is important for the designer to understand how you use your oven, hob, fridge and dishwasher. Armed with this information they can ensure that you get the right appliances to support your needs.

Increasingly, incorporating smart technology is a consideration for kitchen appliances. Using smart tech can simplify the cooking process as well as making it more efficient. If we can combine that with a functional kitchen appliance that fits your aesthetic, then it’s a win-win scenario.

What other kitchen technologies should I be aware of?

If aesthetics is a priority, then think about Neff Collection ovens which provide client choice when it comes to the trims and handles which can blend in with your kitchen design. Their ‘’slide and hide’ oven doors provide an ability to save space and enhance your cooking experience.

They also are a great example of how smart technology can enhance the cooking process, as well as being able tolink to their Home Connect app for control from afar and system updates.

Another name to look for is Bora, who have revolutionised extraction with hob cooking. Their approach eliminates the need for the normal cooker hood, enabling you to place the hob almost anywhere in the kitchen. From a design perspective this gives us much more freedom and flexibility.

We hold regular cooking demonstrations with experts from Bora, Neff and Siemens to help our clients understand the science, the functions of their appliances and to get the most from their cooking.

Read more about our partners here.

What about other kitchen appliances like wine cabinets and coffee machines?

Kitchen wine cabinets can absolutely add a touch of elegance and style to any luxury kitchen.First and foremost, wine cabinets offer more precise temperature control for your wine, essential for preserving quality and taste. So,it’s ready to enjoy at a moment’s notice.

Coffee machines have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, meaning it’s never been easier to perfect your favourite coffee at home – a great way to start each day!

At Callerton Kitchens, we offer the same level of expert advice for these additional appliances as we do for ovens and dishwashers.

How do I know if an appliance is right for our kitchen?

Somecustomers have a fixed idea of what they want before talking to Callerton Kitchens, but usually most clients need our help and guidance. In our showrooms, almost all of the appliances on display are working models. This means that we can demonstrate almost any function or requirement.

We can utilise our knowledge to cook a healthy and tasteful dish to demonstrate how easy the appliance is to use. This is a great way for us to involve the client, get them using the appliance and give them complete confidence that they are making the right choice. It also helps break down that barrier of concern that they won’t know how to use an appliance when it is fitted as part of a new kitchen – they’ve already had their hands on it.

Where can I find out more information?

You can find inspiration for your kitchen here. Or contact us for a friendly chat.

Shortlisted for two more kitchen design awards

We’re incredibly proud and excited to announce that Callerton Kitchens has made the shortlist for not one but two of our industry’s most prestigious awards!

The KBB Review Retail & Design Awards features Callerton Kitchens twice in its nominations. This kind of recognition from our peers proves that, when it comes to kitchen design and installation, we are right up there with the best of the best.

This builds on our recent success, when our director of sales Peter Nolan won the Kitchen Designer of the Year (up to £25,000) category at the Kbsa Designer Awards just a couple of months ago. Peter is up for a second award, with KBB shortlisting him for Kitchen Designer of the Year: project cost up to £30,000. Take a look at the amazing work he did on the kitchen here.

This is a highly competitive category and only four designers made the final cut. Peter will be flying the flag for Newcastle, along with his peers from Norfolk, Cornwall and Scotland.

They say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but we’re also shortlisted for the Retailer of the Year, probably the most coveted award in our industry! This is the equivalent in our industry of winning the Oscar for Best Picture, so the competition is incredibly fierce. The shortlist represents the very top tier of kitchen design, so we’re proud to have made it this far and to be in such esteemed company.

Again, there are only four shortlisted entrants: Callerton Kitchens, Laings Kitchens, Cooks & Company, and Kitchens by JS Geddes – we know the latter well because they are also a retailer for Callerton Furniture, our sister company.

The KBB Review Retail & Design Awards celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year, so the ceremony is going to be special. We’ll be attending a black tie dinner on 4^th March at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole when the winners will be announced – so wish us luck!

This is an overused phrase, but it really is a huge honour to be recognised with companies like these, it puts us in the premier league of kitchen design.

This is the culmination of a lot of hard work behind the scenes that our clients never see. For example, we’ve invested in new systems and our own people, which has enabled us to become even more focused and efficient in our processes. This all stems from a customer-centric ethos, meaning that the end result is a best-in-class product and service for our clients.

The fundamentals to deliver the dream kitchen for every customer have long been in place at Callerton Kitchens. Being shortlisted for these national awards is recognition of that hard work and hopefully we’ll be celebrating next month when we bring the awards home for the North East!

We’re also very proud that Peter and the rest of the team are getting the recognition they deserve. We repeatedly get told by clients of how a member of our team went the extra mile, gave more of their time to really understand the customer’s needs, and were generally lovely!

If you want your next kitchen to come from our brilliant team and award-winning independent business, then get in touch.

Is the big January kitchen sale a trick?

The January sales can be a brilliant time to grab a bargain; and in the current climate, who doesn’t love saving a few quid?

However, not all sales are equal – and we’re not just talking about the percentage of discount you’re getting. For many years, some retailers have been using a sales trick to reel in unwary buyers. It’s not a con – in fact it’s perfectly legal – but in our eyes, it is certainly not best practice. Most of you will know what we’re talking about, it’s the old pump n dump; put a higher than usual mark-up on a sofa or a bathroom suite for a few months, then reduce the price in January and advertise it as a special offer.

It’s a form of retail psychology – scientific studies have proven that if we see a product advertised at a lower price, for a limited time, we are more likely to rush into a decision to buy it. Put simply, smart deals make us feel smarter. Of course, sometimes a discounted kitchen really is a good deal, but all too often a January sales kitchen will end up costing you the same amount as it would if you bought it at any other time of the year.

Honest pricing

We’ve been providing kitchens to clients across Newcastle, the North East and beyond for more than 40 years, and we’ve seen a lot of companies employ this tactic. As a family-owned, independent business, we have succeeded because of our reputation for honesty and integrity. We’ve built a reputation for being fair and delivering incredible value for money.

For this reason, our kitchens are the same price all year round and we are very proud to stand behind this. Here are the three main reasons why we stick to our guns and are so passionate about this issue:

1. Only fools rush in

There’s an old saying which is very apt here: marry in haste, repent at leisure! The same is true when making huge decisions that will impact your enjoyment of your home for years or even decades to come.

Some companies artificially inflate their prices in autumn to be able to offer a sale price as a tool to push you into making a snap decision. We cannot emphasise this enough: TAKE YOUR TIME!! Your kitchen is the heart of the home, and it has to be right for you. Our key priority remains ensuring that your kitchen is designed and created for your needs, which is why we win awards for kitchen design!

2. Design is critical

Our kitchen designers take the time to understand how you want your kitchen to look and how you need it to work. Every kitchen space is unique, and our design teams work to configure the kitchen to make the best possible use of that spare for you. If you are buying during a January sale, you’re not taking the time to think through all the options and can end up with critical elements in the wrong places.

In addition, most of the “big shed” kitchen companies simply can’t offer that level of service as they are using cookie-cutter designs – this is why you’ll sometimes find fillers at the end of cupboards and drawers. A good independent provider like Callerton Kitchens can ensure you optimise all of that space.

3. Hidden costs

Last but not least, a lot of these sale prices do not include the additional costs of a kitchen such as delivery and installation. What looks like a deceptively good deal can end up being a lot more expensive than you think – and this can cause real stress if you’ve already stretched your budget as far as it will go.

At Callerton Kitchens we’re always up front about all the costs. Full transparency means you know the true price of the kitchen and are an informed buyer. Put simply, you’re going into this contract with your eyes open.

Talk to us

If you want a kitchen that will be genuine value for money, long-lasting and at honest pricing, talk to us. Call into our showrooms in Newcastle or Berwick and have a chat – one thing you can be sure of is, we won’t try and pressure you into a quick decision.

Unique Kitchen Features: Hidden doors

What makes a kitchen unique? It is often the little touches that make it personal to you both in terms of how it looks, but equally important is how it suits your practical needs. One popular feature is hidden drawers and doors, ranging from a secret cupboard to an entire pantry! But you can also use kitchen space to discretely hide other items like power outlets, bins and even small appliances. And even rooms!

In this article, Michelle Pickstock, senior design consultant at Callerton Kitchens, talks us through three ways to make these unique features work for you.

Hiding in plain sight

If you don’t want your spice racks or even the kitchen bin to be on display, then hide them away!

“We have cabinets that are manufactured to hold an integrated bin which are also easy to clean and help prevent unwanted smells wafting about when you’re preparing or enjoying food,” says Michelle. “Often these days there are more than one bin as we separate recycling and waste, maybe even compostable materials too. So, the ability to avoid these containers cluttering the kitchen is clearly in demand.”

If you like clean lines and no clutter, then hiding small appliances can also be a bonus. Larder cupboards are designed to hide away the likes of toasters, coffee makers and liquidisers – all things that often get used in the mornings then simply sit on the worktop for the rest of the day, whilst providing additional storage,” adds Michelle.

All those appliances require power outlets and sometimes they don’t fit with the overall aesthetic. “There are ways to hide these outlet such as within a draw or on the bottom of a cupboard, or even on the worktop with a worktop piece on top to add to the overall finish” she adds. “This helps protect a sleek and seamless design while still providing practicality.”

Secret drawers and doors

This design aesthetic can extend to secret doors and drawers in the kitchen. “Many of Callerton’s clients across the North-East want to maximise every space inch of space, but without compromising on the overall kitchen design,” says Michelle.“You can easily achieve this by using secret or hidden drawers and cabinet doors.”

An example that combines discretion with practicality is the corner pullout, making the most use of harder to reach areas and maximising use of storage space. “No matter how big your kitchen, most of us have wanted more space at some point,” adds Michelle. “Fitting a pull-out mechanism in a blind corner means you are effectively using the entire cupboard or cabinet space, while still having quick and easy access to the items inside.

Your own Narnia

Another big trend in kitchen design right now takes this a step further, with entire secret pantries – your own private Narnia, but with more food and fewer talking animals!

“We all know that pantries are not always the most organised of spaces, so having a door on them keeps the mess out of sight when you’ve got visitors,” says Michelle. “However, pantry doors can often stick out like sore thumbs within the overall kitchen design.

“With Callerton Kitchens, your pantry door can be designed to seamlessly fit in with the surrounding kitchen cabinets, giving you a super cool secret door while retaining the kitchen’s aesthetic.”

Find out more

Talk to us to find out more about how we can incorporate hidden doors and drawers into your kitchen design.

We’re officially the home of award-winning kitchen design!

We’re delighted and super-proud to reveal that we’ve won an industry award!

Peter Nolan, Director of Sales at Callerton Kitchens & Interiors, won the Kitchen Designer of the Year (up to £25,000) category at the Kbsa Designer Awards! This is a huge honour as the Kbsa Designer Awards are judged by our industry peers. They are truly transparent, with anonymous judging so that everyone has a fair chance of winning.

What is the Kbsa? It’s the leading trade association for independent kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and office retailers like us! Hundreds of local independent kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and home office retailers across the UK are Kbsa members, dedicated to upholding the association’s high standards of design, supply, installation and customer service. All Kbsa members follow an Approved Code of Conduct and are subject to strict monitoring to make sure you get the best professional service available. This award is from our peers and is a gold standard in the kitchen sector, so it’s a real feather in our cap.

The Winning Design

The Kbsa Kitchen Designer of the Year (upto £25k) was a hotly contested category, so how did we bring this trophy back to the North East? Let us explain:

Peter designed a multifunctional living space in the new extension of a large, family home. He designed a beautiful space to cook, dine, entertain and just chill out, in a space with predetermined electrics and water services.

“It was a substantial detached property, five-bed for a large family,” says Peter. “They had built an extension and wanted it to be a single space for cooking, dining, entertaining and living.

“It was an unusual one as the client had already had the extension built, so we had to design to fit that space. It’s more typical that we have input prior to this stage, so that the extension is built to suit the space they want. For example, the waste pipe and the electrical feed was already in place, we had to work with that as the appliance locations were already fixed. We also had to be mindful of which way everything was facing, in terms of door and window locations. This all presents its own unique design challenges – but we relish a challenge!

The contemporary kitchen is from the Callerton Contemporary range with black gold slate colours and a dark ceramic finish – then a super matte cashmere neutral colour to finish the rest of the room.

“While the colour palette we chose is dark, which is very on trend and here to stay, there is plenty of light coming in from the bifold glass doors, so it works really well,” adds Peter.“The ceiling lighting leant itself really well to an island kitchen design, too – but we had to make sure we got the location just right.”

First of Many

We’re so proud of Peter and the team that delivered this award-winning project. It means so much to everyone especially as this is a first for Callerton Kitchens & Interiors, we’re delighted! Hopefully there are many more to come in the future.

If you want your kitchen designed by our award-winners, contact us.

Finishing touches and accessories for your kitchen

Great kitchen design isn’t just about making the best use of space or following the latest trends. The finishing touches to your kitchen can take it to a whole new level – but it takes an experienced designer with an eye for detail to pull it off.

The key components of a kitchen rightly deserve a lot of attention, from cupboards and appliances through to worktops. However, if want your kitchen to really pop, the devil is absolutely in the detail.

Francis Russell Senior Design Consultant at Callerton Kitchens, says: “Finishing touches such as handles, taps, sinks and lighting can make or break a design. Get them wrong and your kitchen can look a complete mess – whereas in the hands of a good designer, finishing touches can make it stand out for all the right reasons.We can change the entire look of a kitchen with a few accessories – and this can really give it a unique aspect, too.”

One of the biggest ways of creating a bespoke ambience is lighting. “How you use lighting can transform the mood of an entire room, such as introducing lighting within the channel handle or plinths as well as feature lighting under or in cabinetry,” adds Francis.

Key trends

As with other aspects of kitchen design, there are always some accessories that are currently right on trend. “We’re definitely seeing a move towards larger sinks as a practical aid to those who love cooking at home,” says Francis. “Matching metals are also still very fashionable, for example ensuring handles match the taps, sinks and ovens, giving a really unified look and feel.

“Warm metals are still very much in vogue, as well as darker colours like gun metal and black. They can be really striking and characterful. Increasingly people want their kitchen to say more about them and these metallics are definitely on trend in terms of helping your kitchen to make a real statement as well as longevity in styling.

“Another design trend is the contrast between darker surfaces and bronze or brass finished handles – maybe even with matching sink strainer and taps – can look fantastic.”

But it’s not just about the look of the handles – texture is also coming into play. “We have an increasing range of textures that we can incorporate into a kitchen,” adds Francis. “One of our exclusive suppliers recently introduced handles with a hammered finish so you get a wonderfully dappled effect of light and shade on them.

“They also offer a bamboo effectas well as reeded handles, again both adding a really rich texture that bring something very different to a kitchen.”

Bespoke look

For those who want a completely bespoke look, Callerton Kitchens has the in-house capability to powder coatchannel handles any colour. “This gives you the option to fully match the colour of the cupboard doors, or to use the handles to add some real contrast,” says Francis.

“You can also mix and match, such as combining bar and T-shaped handles on different doors. T-shaped handles have been a trend in the past and it is definitely coming back around right now.

“Increasingly our clientele in the North East want bespoke elements to their kitchen. Something different like hexagonal shaped handles – another way to differentiate from the classic round bar.”

Expert advice

The key to unlocking all the benefits that accessories can offer is to place yourselves in the hands of a true design expert.“These little details are so important and only a good designer will pick up on them,” says Francis.

“We work with clients who give us a very clear brief and that can often really inspire us to enhance their vision with the right accessories. On the other hand, we can also surprise and delight customers who are more function-focused with the impact of accessories.

“I love to make a mess in the showroom by bringing out all the samples and examples of handles and taps and so forth. To me it’s incredibly important for clients to feel them as well as see them up close, not just incorporated into a design. These are integral parts of the kitchen that will be there for many years, so our view is, let’s give them the time they deserve, too.”

Book an appointment

To find out more about our accessories and finishing touches, call into our Newcastle and Berwick showrooms, or contact us to book an appointment.

Where Do I Start When Buying a New Kitchen

Whether you’ve done hours of research and know exactly what you want, or your dream kitchen is still a blank canvas, a designer will help deliver it. Mandy Grimwood, showroom manager at Callerton Kitchens in Berwick, explains more.

A ‘big shed’ kitchen retailer can offer you a limited range of options and that might mean sacrificing some of your desires in order to fit their business model. If you want a kitchen that ticks all your boxes in terms of look, feel and practicality, then don’t compromise! Start your journey by talking to a local independent.

The process is very individual because everybody is different and has different expectations and varying degrees of knowledge,” says Mandy. “However, the starting place for everyone is, find someone with experience in kitchen design and project management. A good kitchen retailer will have experts who can guide you on making the right choices and be with you throughout the journey.

No two customers are exactly alike but there is a spectrum on which all clients fall. At one end is the person who has done extensive research and perhaps has been through this process before, so they have a clearer idea of what they want. At the other end is someone who isn’t quite sure what they want and needs expert help. You might be one of these personas or fall somewhere in between.

Well Researched

“I do see customers who have done a lot of research or googled a lot of things and has sometimes a very strong idea of the kitchen they want,” adds Mandy. “In these cases, it is down to me to incorporate those ideas into a kitchen design for them. However, sometimes we have to give alternatives and explain why we have done so. We can give someone a dream kitchen but not an impossible kitchen!

“We have to consider the layout, the aesthetics and the practicalities of a kitchen, but usually we can deliver what the customer wants. For example, right now I’m working on a kitchen that will be completely symmetrical, which is a different challenge but one we’re embracing.

Looking for Guidance

“We also do see a lot of people who are still looking for guidance or inspiration of varying degrees. Some have an idea on style or aesthetic or have specific practical requirements. Others are completely a blank canvas.

“A big part of my job is therefore showing people examples in our showroom and gauge from their responses which way they’re leaning. It’s important to take time over this stage and really delve into what the customer wants. Rather than overwhelm them or bog them down, we start with the layout and colours – the rest will fall into place organically thereafter.”

However, there is one area where every client should have a firm idea before walking into a Callerton Kitchens showroom. “It is important to be clear up front on available budget for the kitchen,” says Mandy. “As designers we can spend a lot of time creating a kitchen, but if it’s not where it needs to be in terms of budget then it’s not going to be viable for the client.”

Talk to Us

At Callerton Kitchens our ethos is to place design at the heart of creating your dream kitchen.

Please get in touch to request a brochure or book a friendly chat with Mandy or one of our other designers.

Three hot kitchen design trends for 2023

Want your new kitchen to be totally on-trend? Here are three more kitchen design concepts that are making waves in 2023.

Nowhere in your home is the combination of form and function more important than in your kitchen.

Your kitchen needs to be practical as it is often the busiest room in the home – and of course, you also want it to look its best.

Earlier this year we caught up with North East kitchen designer Michelle Pickstock for her insights into three kitchen trends that are hot this year – now she’s brought another three to the table!

Michelle is the Senior Design Consultant at Callerton Kitchens and Interiors, providing a high quality and personal service for a huge range of kitchen and interior projects. Here are her latest three top trends for kitchens this year:

1. (Not) Heavy Metal

Metallics are certainly making a statement again, ideally used as an accent element. This could be cupboard doors finished in a special lacquer to imitate stainless steel; but also worksurfaces and splashbacks that make use of real copper and brass in antique finishes for a classic and timeless look.

In fact, we’ve recently installed an antique brass splashback in our newest display at our Newcastle kitchen showroom, so call in and see it for yourselves.

2. Painted Kitchens

The timeless appeal of painted kitchens is once again coming to the fore, which is great to see.

Painted kitchen furniture has the advantages of an unlimited colour palette, meaning your imagination is the only limitation. Painted kitchens also have greater longevity as they can be repainted in years to come to give a fresh or completely different look.

Our latest new display at our Newcastle showroomcombines dark plum and pale pink hues – I think it’s beautiful!We also offer a bespoke paint colour service for our painted range.

3. Reeded Glass

Reeded glass is also making a strong comeback as an accent material in kitchen design – and if used correctly it can have a real impact on your kitchen.

One way we’ve been incorporating it into designs is as a stylish, contemporary upgrade to a glass wall cabinet or dresser.

This is definitely one you need to see with your own eyes.

Design Experts

Callerton Kitchens has been creating the perfect kitchens for clients for over 40 years and one of the reasons for our continued success is that we put design at the heart of the process.

From your first visit to our showrooms through to finishing touches to your design, our expert and talented teams are right there with you. They will transform your ideas into a kitchen that combines the best of beauty and practicality, fully deserving of its place as the heart of your home.

Please get in touch to request a brochure or book a friendly chat with Michelle or one of our other designers.

One of the most common questions when buying a new kitchen is, “how do I choose the right worktop?”. Peter Nolan, Director of Sales at Callerton Kitchens, is here to guide you through some of the most popular options.