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2019 Trends to lookout for

February 6, 2019/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

As we all know, the kitchen truly is the heart of the home, the place where you make memories and learn skills daily, there is never one whole day you don’t use the kitchen. Fortunately, a kitchen isn’t such a hard room to style with all the lovely options and ideas out there – the options truly are endless!

When it comes to the kitchen, you want practicality but also a great look that pulls everyone’s attention as soon as they walk in the room. With styles continuously coming and going with the years, we decided it would be a great opportunity to write a guide of trends to look out for in 2019!

Whether you are building a brand-new house, renovating your current or just sprucing up the area a pop of colour is what everyone is leaning towards for 2019 – this is the year to be bright, bold and adventurous! Although having white in your kitchen is still very popular to be creating an open and clean feeling kitchen. But 2019 is going to see bits of colour popping up in white kitchens whether you incorporate this through a beautifully colour splashback or even get creative and buy some coloured cooking utensils/appliances! Paint an island or accent wall – the options go on and on.

Let’s talk about Quartz – we all dream on having a stunning Quartz piece in our homes, but this is the year to take the plunge and go for it, 2019 is all about statements and this just ticks every box. Not only is it easy on the eye but the durability is phenomenal, easy to maintain and a more affordable option opposed to granite.

Ceaserstone Quartz Benchtop in White Quartz

Being 2019 and all, we want to go the extra, modern mile and this may mean no handles is the way to go! No, seriously – say goodbye to handles because push-touch is your new best friend, if you prefer to have cut-outs, they are still very stylish and all in for this year’s trend. Or opt for indents along the base of the cabinet door to keep the indents tucked away and out of sight.

Push touch – No handles – Next Edition Kitchens

Open shelving has been around for a few years as a way to showcase your attractive dishes. We all love open shelving because of the modern, classic look it gives the room – this is among many different Kitchen designers lists for trends in 2019 and to be fair – we can’t argue otherwise, it’s a great idea to make your kitchen space to appear bigger than it is.

Open shelving

Goodbye Gloss and hello Matte! Matte is such a great aspect to include in the kitchen it just blends ever so smoothly and looks exquisite. There is a bonus here which is that matte is more forgiving with showing fingerprint markings as easily as gloss can. We also predict these will be around in the trends for many more years to come.

Soft Matte Finish on Kitchen

Wait, what? Stoves and rangehoods in….colour?? Yes, that’s right – this goes back to reason #1 as to why we are adding colourful options to the list of trends for 2019 – it is such a fun way to brighten up your style whilst adding a wonderful statement piece.

Pink Oven

Gold or copper are dashing their way into 2019 with a great deal of attention, these colours work well in most kitchens whether you have dark or light benchtops, do use these in small doses – we recommend handles or sinks/tapware!

Aurora Copper Sink and tap angled – Mercer sinks

Funky coloured/texured Splashbacks are all in for 2019, the wonderful patterns these have to choose from is absolutely tempting and would compliment a wonderful kitchen, could this be your statement piece?

Next Edition Kitchens – Splashback

Thanks for reading, let us know what you’d like to see in the next blogs!

Lights In The Kitchen Guide

December 19, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

Lights in the Kitchen can be tricky with the different types of lighting out there as an option but with the help from our designers, we can help point you into the right direction.

Every kitchen deserves its own personal complimentary aspect to highlight what a breath-taking project it is, whether you have just done a few renovations/DIY upgrades to what is current or even having a newly built kitchen – this is why lighting in the kitchen is a great opportunity to take on.

Having the kitchen complete and fresh is like you are floating on cloud 9, you come to realize all the effort, time and money gone into achieving this so why not somehow emphasize all that hard thinking and decision making, the cost of material and also the hard work gone in to getting the job done? Lighting in the kitchen is the answer and not only is it stylish – it’s also very practical.

Having a lighting plan in your kitchen can make the chef’s life an absolute breeze with the bright task lighting, for guests to socialize with a lovely calming and elegant ambient lighting, lastly, we can’t forget lighting for the well-thought-out architecture of your kitchen to really shine with accent lighting.
Together, these lighting layers will show off all your kitchen has to offer.

Ambient lighting:
This is like no other lighting that can come from such a pure, organic source that is free: the sunshine! Early mornings usually greet you with a slap in the face of sunshine (a good slap in the face) this is always enough to fill each room everyday apart from when the sun says goodbye for the day and the darkness creeps in.
The right ceiling lighting can be utilized to give off just the right amount of illumination needed. The specific types of artificial ambient kitchen lighting include (but are not limited to) chandeliers, pendant lights, recessed lighting and flush mounts.

While ambient lighting is used to make it easier for you to navigate throughout the kitchen, it often leaves shadows in areas that require more focus. With the help of task lighting, work surfaces and cabinetry are properly illuminated so you can safely prepare meals, read recipes, and easily spot ingredients on a shelf.

What is Accent lighting?
Accent lighting focuses light on a particular area of the room or an object. It is often used to highlight art or other important displays. Common types of accent lights include wall sconces, floodlights, recessed lights, torchère lamps, or track lighting. The brighter light from the accent lamp creates a statement to any room.

We recommend puck lights to really emphasize nicely those glass front cabinets, much like in a china cabinet or your end cabinets.

– Toe-kick lights to gain attention on flooring that have some sort of texture or design. They are also very helpful to those who like a midnight snack but don’t want bright overhead lighting waking them up.
– A table lamp on the bench-top adds a lovely glow to give that illusion to soften the hard surfaces of a kitchen. This looks great in the more quieter areas of your kitchen, keeping it away from the prep stations and kitchen sink.

Task lighting:
Task lighting is exactly what it sounds like: lighting to help you accomplish the tasks you set out to do in your kitchen. Whether it’s preparing meals, washing dishes, paying bills, or helping kids with homework, all of these jobs would be difficult to complete with poor lighting. Task lighting sources include:
– Recessed or “can” lights – We strongly advise placing one over the sink, one for every four feet of bench-top space (at a minimum but is not limited too), and also over the island, if not using pendant lights.
– Pendant lights over the kitchen island serves three purposes, they allow the practicality to be at a high level for task lighting, they make a perfect design statement, and also they compliment areas that need to be distinctive (your smaller spaces) without going over the top.
– Under-cabinet lighting, in the form of compact fluorescent lights, is another great option for task lighting in the food preparation areas.

When I asked our Kitchen Designer her input on how important lighting is, she gave us an awesome explanation: “Lighting completely changes the look & feel of a space. It is one of those design elements which often goes unnoticed when it is good but is glaringly obvious when done poorly! When choosing the correct lighting it is really important to consider the space is used – where in the kitchen will you be working the most? Will shadows be created if lighting is positioned behind you?

Strip lighting is a great option for under upper cupboards whilst LED down-lights are the best option for overhead lighting. Don’t forget about pendant lights & wall sconces which will add key lighting to high use areas- not to mention adding style & interest to the overall kitchen design.”

Common kitchen task lighting options include:

– Strip Lights: Versatile and great for illuminating a cabinets interior, especially low cabinets that hardly receive any ambient lighting. LED strip lights are also used under the cabinet to fully illuminate counter spaces.

– Puck Lights: Round and oval, puck lights are great mood lights and can be used to illuminate countertops in the form of a scallop, spot or pool of light.
If your kitchen is particularly well-designed the right placement of accent lights can be really complimentary and help really highlight your favorite elements.

Common kitchens accent lights will include:
– Dimmers: Having a dimmer switch allows you to progressively transition between the levels of lighting which would range depending on the different tasks in the kitchen. This option is energy efficient and very versatile.

– Motion Sensors: This option can come across as very intriguing and a great idea for the pantry and smaller areas, how many times have you turned on a pantry light and forgotten about it? This option is very versatile and stylish at that.

All-in-all, the kitchen is the magnet for socializing, cooking, and entertainment; all activities that thrive with a generous level of lighting to accommodate each activity. By following the guidelines of light layering, finding the right fixtures and controlling them properly, your kitchen is sure to always wow you and your guests.

High Quality Material Is The Best Way To Go

December 12, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

Do you want to invest in a new kitchen or update your current kitchen that will stand the test of time and keep looking brand spanking new? In our blog today, we are going to go through why using high quality material is the best way to go – this ensures optimal, long lasting performance with style.

Have you ever stepped foot in your friends or families house and felt immediately mesmerized? Chances are that it had something to do with the detail and style of the area. Details are so very important and really tie the knot with your styles and will make any room look and feel captivating, specifically, in the kitchen it is one of the most crucial rooms in the house to really hit the nail on the head in terms of design and quality.

When creating the plans for your project, it is super important to create a truly efficient and functional outcome. The kitchen is the heart of the home – if you are second guessing whether or not to go that extra mile and spend the extra money to ensure you are receiving the best quality products, take our word and just do it! You will not regret the finished products and after all, we spend almost every day in the kitchen, so it is really a great investment and not only that – it also can add significant value to your home.

Any kitchen is going to look absolutely breath taking and just exquisite on it first days, but the tell-tale sign of a really great quality Kitchen is how it holds up, how everything ages and how it feels when you are using it on the daily basis. This is why choosing colours can come to a great, feel-good final and quick choice and happens fairly early in the planning stages, but it is what’s “behind the scenes” you could say, that is the more wandered upon stage of the project that determines the long-lasting and practicality. If or perhaps when the time comes to sell your home, the quality feeling of your kitchen cabinetry could be just the thing to push that potential buyer over the finish line.

With our wonderful suppliers and knowledge our professional Team have gathered over the years, this makes selecting only the best quality for your kitchen, easy. We have more affordable ranges which have very similar qualities and have been proven to stand the test of time also – of course the general wear and tear and how you use the area really has impact on the test of time but seeing as we care just as much as you do for your kitchen, we have provided how to best maintain your darker kitchen cabinetry but this way is also suited for your light, bright and vibrant colours too which you can check out here: Dark and Light cabinetry care blog.

Like our suppliers (Blum, Hettich, Hafele – just to name a few), we understand how important this project is to you, it really is the heart of the home. In our opinion, it should be designed and built to provide a long lasting, efficient, stylish kitchen which requires little maintenance (and by little, I mean your general cleaning and not having to replace things here and there.) This understanding lies behind all the kitchen fittings and accessories we incorporate in the kitchens we design, build and install.

The build quality is crucial, as is the smoothness of the materials which really revolves around doors and drawers and how the function whilst opening and closing them. By choosing the slightly more costly materials it really does ensure the capability these materials have to stand the test of time.

We want to spice up the kitchen or nail the new build once and have it look like a brand new kitchen every day, the key to achievement this is certainly quality material and maintenance.

Here at Next Edition Kitchens, we make sure you walk away with the knowledge on the correct way to maintain your benches and cabinetry, we stock local, great quality materials to suit each and every project at an affordable cost! how can that be? too good to be true? our answer is simple – we care about the future generation of design which we are 100% passionate about, all of our designers are constantly testing materials, researching pros and cons and also just staying up to date with product knowledge.

Being able to provide customers with the project of their dream at a great cost is such a heart warming feeling and it is the reason we do what we do (and a bit of help from our wonderful accounts department who loves to fairly negotiate as well gives us a great kick-start on unbeatable costs!)

Enquire on sales@nexteditionkitchens.com or call our office on 09-430 3074 to get an estimate now!

Bathroom Vanities (History included)

November 12, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into the bathroom? to us, the vanity is a key focal point of the bathroom.

When you enter a well design bathroom the vanity usually is the eye saw area your eyes dash to but it is also very essential for storage means. Investing in a upgraded vanity with a professional will leave you stress free and ~~liking~~ LOVING the bathroom even more.

At Next Edition Kitchens, we incorporate all aspects to your style and also always consider the space we work with to present an exquisite design that will leave you speechless.

When it comes to bathroom vanities, to us – it means more than just designing a stock standard bathroom, it is a room in the house that you use frequently, sometimes briefly and other times for a nice and peaceful time to relax and wash up – we aren’t just designing your bathroom, we are designing your very own bathroom sanctuary! practically to us is also very important so whatever your style or requirements may be, we can certainly do it all.

Sprucing up the bathroom vanity really can uplift the room and make it seem like a new bathroom, however – you need to consider the following when planning:

Sizing – One of the most important (and probably obvious) aspects is of course, the dimensions. The correct sizes are crucial, you don’t want something that is too big and overcrowds the space. In contrast you don’t want something that is too small for the space.
Storage – Storage in your bathroom is also very important, really evaluate how much storage you need in the bathroom along with the style of it, when you come to us to help you with this then all your storage ideas are easily achievable as we are fully custom and love getting creative.
Style – Super important to make sure you are still matching the current style of your bathroom a beautiful coat of paint on the cabinetry and a stunning stone bench top would look great in any style of room. The options are totally endless.
Accessorize – If you feel like you are needing just that one more thing to bring everything together, buy a nice scented candle or even a plant – a bigger mirror can create the illusion of having a bigger room also!

History (the interesting stuff!)

The original bathroom vanities is pretty much zero resemblance to what the term probably makes you think of today. In fact, until just a little over a hundred years ago, the bathroom as a whole didn’t really exist. The very first “bathroom vanities” were really washstands (just a wooden stool really!) These small wooden tables sat somewhere in your bedroom, equipped with a pitcher full of water and a bowl to wash your face and hands first thing in the morning.

It didn’t come into effect until the Victorian era that bathrooms became separate rooms and started to resemble what we would think of as a modern bathroom. It’s also when we started to really jump aboard the indoor plumbing era. At this stage, “bathroom vanities” evolved into fitted wall mounted sinks. Back the, the bathroom was nowhere near as practical as they are today and they where all super standard compared to all the different styles/designs out there.

Did you know, for many years the bathroom was viewed as an extension of the bedroom rather than it’s own private space? and as indoor plumbing improved, console vanities evolved into more functional, more particular bathroom vanities. These were often based on the design of furniture – dressing tables, chests, or cabinets.

Over the years these vanities have gradually became more simplified yet still gripping the practicality at the same time, we love this! there are so many designs out there in which you can totally alter to make it your own style – we are taken back in time with all the older vanities and it amazes us on how far we have evolved the meaning and style/s of vanities, best thing about this is that we are always going to change and evolve different, new styles, colour schemes, practicality etc ,. We are just so excited to see the unfold as the years continue to flow on.

I hope you have found this interesting, i would love to know your thoughts on this – what vanity style is your favorite?

Refresh that rental

September 26, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

Are you currently in a cosy rental but the idea of a new kitchen excites you? We all know with rentals we are quite limited with what we can and can’t do, this can be a bit of an itch we NEED to scratch – especially after going through all the possible ideas for design and what our dream kitchen would be when we win lotto. Good news is; I have the perfect guide to achieving the feel of a new kitchen without overstepping our limitations.

This first step is a bit of a questionable one until you read the reasoning as to why I have added this in, start sprucing up the room by adding a plain, medium sized mirror in the kitchen it does in fact achieve all sorts of visual positivity. It’s an unexpected element in the kitchen so it instantly makes a statement. If you have a window, it’ll help spread the light around. If you don’t have a window, it’ll be even more vital for reflecting what light you do have in the room.

Create a temporary splashback in the kitchen, a lot of times rental kitchens don’t have any sort of splashback as they are just done to be as basic as can be whilst focusing on that practicality but whose to say you can’t spice it up a bit? You may need to run this past your landlord, but you can achieve this by using a small cut of a detailed/patterned wallpaper in which you can buy from your local paint shops (& even hardware stores if they stock wallpaper!) super easy yet super fun way of adding a dash of your style, temporally.

Do you have old, raggedy flooring that you just want to take a jack hammer to get rid of the awful eye sight? Use a rug – you can get as creative as you like with all these different sorts of rugs out there and you can use any size to cover how ever much you like (bonus with this is you can take this rug with you if you decide to move or even change it up when desired with another rug! Winning)

Boring cabinets? Colour not quite up your alley or isn’t quite linking in with your other colour scheme going on in the rest of the house? Try getting some contact paper, temp wall paper or even vinyl to give your cabinetry a new beginning – just be sure that you can remove whichever product you use without damaging the underneath and, some may need consent from the landlord.

As we all know and have seen how amazing open shelving looks in the kitchen you may not quite have that in a rental, unfortunately there is no real way to have proper floating shelves without getting consent and spending some money to achieve that BUT I can help you fake this look in a more easier, affordable way and this involves taking the doors off your cabinetry where you desire to have open shelving. Of course, this will look a bit different to open shelving, but it is a pretty close idea in comparison and it keeps the area looking more open and modern (just be sure to store those doors safely away and easy to put back on if needed.)

Add a magnetic knife block or a utensil wall holder, these are easy to install and can be taken off when you no longer need that – this looks edgy and keeps storage under control.

Add some plants to jazz up the positive vibes in your kitchen, plants can uplift your mind set and feel more relaxed – you can even add some herbs and spices so when your cooking up a storm you have this right at your fingertips! Super cute idea and an amazing way to spruce up your kitchen.

Don’t have a ton of space do your prep work? Consider DIYing or buying a chopping board that covers your kitchen sink or stove when you’re not using them to add extra space to work. this creates more space and you can store this easily – another advanced option is to DIY your own kitchen island with wheels! look ideas up on Pinterest as there are so many we couldn’t just choose one!

Hopefully you feel like your in the next best thing to your dream kitchen in your rental kitchen.

A brief history about the kitchen

August 31, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

Today i wanted to take everyone back to the very first kitchen and the history of how we have evolved into today’s design. Everyone knows or may have seen the bright, funky colors and basic, similar designs kitchens where a few decades ago (in my opinion, i love modern but i also love retro and original! so evolving into the styles and trends of today was and still is very exciting for me) and we’ve all seen and heard of the newer kitchen designs dated as of today, the future designs really interest me.

Get comfy, make a hot tea and be prepared to see the timeline.

THE ORIGINS – Back in ancient times and I’m talking years and years ago, our ancestors cooked on open fires that were constructed outside on the flat ground, later on they had an idea to construct something that would hold pots and pans above the heat instead of holding them, themselves. they had come up with a simple, masonry design which was put in place to hold the handles of the pots and pans etc. In this era, the food was often placed in metal cauldrons that were hanging above the fire. These cooking areas naturally caused people to gather as they were the primary source of heat, light, safety and of course, food. The smoke and soot let off from the fires were a HUGE problem until the 16th century as it would go everywhere, this is when chimneys came into the mix With a chimney, smoke was drawn up and out of the great hall, making it easier to breath and easier to create large cooking fires in fireplaces. Here’s a picture to show you exactly how it was:

12th Century Kitchen

2. THE DEVELOPMENT OF STOVES – Moving along to the year of 1735, economic trends and politics had a massive influence on the practicality and design of the kitchen, technological advancements were constant many of which came in effect to minimize the time spent on a meal and the work involved around it, in the 18th century this is where we would find this design to come into effect (still fueled by wood at this stage.) One of the earliest wood-burning kitchen stoves was the Stew Stove (or Castrol Stove) developed in 1735 by the French designer Francois Cuvilliés. An early yet famous example of a metal stove is the Franklin stove (pictured below) which came into effect in the 18th century, invented by Benjamin Franklin (thats right, the guy you see on American $100 bills) in 1742. It had a special guide in place for hot gases to escape, allowing heat to enter the room instead of going up the chimney. However, this stove was designed only for heating, not for cooking – Strange huh?! The industrial revolution encouraged new inventions, cheaper prices, and new ways of efficiency. The most common stove for heating in the industrial world for almost a century and a half was the coal-burning one. Coal stoves came in all sizes and shapes and different operating principles. Since coal burns at a much higher temperature than wood, coal stoves needed to be constructed to withstand the high heat levels.

1735 – Oven

3. THE OBERLIN STOVE – Progressing a little up the timeline to 1834, a man named Philo Stewart took it upon himself to design a compact, wood burning cast iron stove in which was named the Oberlin Stove. this was a metal stove, small enough to use for cooking. It was much more efficient than cooking in a fireplace this is because it had increased cooking temperatures and had the option to record cooking times. It actually blew up and became a major success for Philo, it could be cast into decorative shapes and forms and could easily withstand temperature swings from hot to cold. These iron stoves evolved into specialized cooking appliances with flue pipes connected to the chimney, oven holes, and installations for heating water.

1869 – Philo

4. THE MOVE TO GAS STOVES – Complaints and concerns about air pollution from the smoke excretions arose and sent a decline in coal stove purchases way down hill – Gas the became the next best thing. Because they were fueled by gas the production of the oven became lighter and even smaller! the genius British inventor James Sharp gave a big yes to the gas stove invention in 1826. By the 1920s, gas ovens were used in most domestic kitchens and was very rare to see the older ones.

1826 – James Sharp

5. THE GRAND APPEARANCE FROM THE ELECTRIC OVEN – This oven caused quite the competition between the Gas stove and itself, this occurred in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The Copeman Electric Stove Company (based in Michigan) received the first patent for an electric stove in 1912. Copeman Electric Stove, 1912 – Mostly wood, it had two ovens, top units, automatic timer and heat control.

Copeman Electric Stove, 1912

6. MODERN KITCHEN DEVELOPMENT (Post world war #2 onwards…) – The housing and manufacturing development of post World War 2 made a huge effect on what we class as the “modern” kitchen nowadays. There was a major jump in demands for kitchen technology and equipment that inspired homeowners to rip down the walls that once hid their efficient kitchens. The kitchen was becoming quieter, cleaner, better organized and easier to work in, a sense of pride, and slowly a place to entertain family and friends. In the 1960’s and 1970’s other social changes were taking place that upgraded the style and trend of the kitchen, a renewed interest in home baking/cooking, having a dedicated space for utensils and even entertaining was suitable for having the kitchen be the heart of the home. The kitchen became a place for improving baking skills, displaying fancy (expensive) cookware and becoming the heart for social gatherings. By the 1980’s, the idea of a completely open kitchen with appliances in the open, came into the new idea of design.

1960’s – Kitchen

7. CONTEMPORARY KITCHENS – Today’s ovens have evolved into more time, health and energy efficient, our appliances are finally catching up with our fast moving lifestyles, speed ovens for instance, cuts the cooking time in half which actually saves energy used during meal preparation The kitchen doesn’t look like the kitchen, in the traditional sense. It’s now a clean space, with a full range of sleek appliances looking towards a sustainable future. Only up from here and we’re excited to see what the future brings.

2018 – Kitchen (Next Edition Kitchens)

How to clean your oven naturally

August 15, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

Today I am inspired to write this blog as my oven is in dire need of some TLC – I did some research on how important this is and the results where mind blowing, I had no idea how regularly you theoretically should be “maintaining” your oven. It seems to be one of those things that “you’ll get around to that tomorrow” and tomorrow turns into the next day, and the day after that and so on but let me remind you how important this is!

My first question I had when I opened my oven last night was “when did I even last clean this?” my answer was struggling to come to mind, it must have been a good 4 months ago (not so bad, right?!) well – WRONG! Here my next question came, how often are you supposed to clean your oven?

Once. Every. Month. HOW BIZARRE! Of all the years I have been in charge of that sort of thing, I never even realized there was actually a time period on how often you should be doing it.

Why is there a time on this? I get the hygiene side of it but what’s the actual history behind this? Simple, your oven can become less efficient at reaching temperatures and eventually may just stop working all together if burnt food/build-up is left unattended.

Crusty build up can also impact the taste of your food and, while high temperatures can kill some bacteria, it’s not a good place to be cooking food (like I said, hygiene)

So, now that I’ve got you itching to go have a look at your ovens – I also have a natural guide on how to clean your oven without even turning it on, this method is super easy and really cost efficient.

What you will need:

Baking Soda (1/2 cup)
Water (to make a paste)
Rubber Gloves (Preferably durable, non-disposable ones)
Damp dishcloth
Spray Bottle
Vinegar (White)

Instructions:

Clear out the oven

Take out all dish-racks (clean those as well) make sure everything is removed so you have access to get deep in the back of the oven to clear that build-up.

Mix the paste

In a small bowl, mix a 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Adjust the ratio of both as needed until you have a spreadable paste.

Coat the oven

Spread the paste all over the interior surfaces of your oven, steering clear of the heating elements. Use gloves for this portion, as the oven may be pretty gunky. The baking soda will turn a brownish colour as you rub it in; it also might be chunkier in some places than others, which is fine. Just try to coat the whole oven to the best of your abilities, paying extra attention to any particularly greasy areas.

Let it sit overnight

Allow the baking soda mixture to rest for at least 12 hours, or overnight.

Wipe the oven out

After 12 hours or overnight, take a damp dish cloth and wipe out as much of the dried baking soda paste as you can. Use a plastic spatula to help scrape off the paste as needed.

Spray a little bit of vinegar

Put a little vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz everywhere you still see baking soda residue in your oven. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and gently foam.

Do a final wipe down

Take your damp cloth and wipe out the remaining foamy vinegar-baking soda mixture. Repeat until all the baking soda residue is gone. Add more water or vinegar as needed while wiping to really get the oven clean and shiny.

Replace your clean oven racks

Replace the oven racks and anything else you keep in your oven, and you’re done!

Go give that oven some TLC – You’ll thank yourself later.

Most Included Trends In 2018 Designs

August 3, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

Most included trends in 2018 designs.

If you have just recently renovated or are looking into doing so, you’ll probably already know about these common trends everyone’s diving for in 2018 and we don’t blame these choices – read on to see what everyone’s hyping over!

Banquette Seating:

Believe it or not, this is an older trend which has rocketed into today’s trends and we aren’t complaining! This simple, yet practical idea has an edgy yet comfortable look and has more room for family/friends for that Sunday night roast or even a nice hot cuppa’ tea on that rainy day with your favorite book. With its space-saving design of bench seating made more sense than including a full set of table and chairs in the space of the kitchen.

Furniture historians trace the banquette, derived from the Germanic word for bench, back to 15th century France. Having seating is the kitchen was to have a concealed entry to secret passages that may have been located underneath banquettes in palaces and castles and was typically made from wood whereas nowadays they are made with cushioning and material to match your style.

Flat front Cabinetry:

We all want the simple yet elegant look but also still want to be able to open and close our cabinets and drawers, so this is where our push touch system comes into the trends of 2018 – no more catching your clothes on the edge of your handles, no more bumps and bruises on the children’s foreheads from running into the edge. Unfortunately, this design has no history behind it but take it from us that if you’re wanting a clean, seamless edge then for sure go for this!

Tile splashbacks:

While the kitchen splashback is a common aspect in many houses now, it wasn’t always this way. In fact, the modern idea of a kitchen splashback is a relatively recent invention, but where did this fantastic, practical idea originate from?

Like many common household features, the splashback can’t be traced to one single source. What we can confirm about the original splashbacks is that they came into use shortly after running water became widespread around the 1930s due to the advent of running water, kitchen innovations emerged swiftly, and the backsplash became a common kitchen sight.

Originally, backsplashes were about 4 inches high and were made of fragile materials like glass or tiles. Many were simply attached to the then-popular butler sink. When under-mount sinks rose to popularity in the 40s, splashbacks were no longer directly attached to the sink, so the only solution was mounting the backsplash directly to the wall. Over the following decade, the splashback became a popular place to demonstrate decor tastes. Around this time, the bright colors and creative patterns of the cement tile backsplash became the stylistic standard.

Even though the cement tile splashback rose to fame in the 1950s, it’s held up to the many home decor style changes over the years with ease whether it adds liveliness to a simple kitchen or accompanies a lively, colorful kitchen, the cement tile backsplash shines in just about every setting. In addition to its persistence’s, cement tile has proven to be one of the best materials for a splashback, why? Because of Its natural durability and easy clean-up is perfect for facing the splatters, stains of cooking. Over the years, production quality has only increased, so modern cement tile is likely to last even longer and hold to even more sauce stains, oil spatters, and splashes of water than its prototypes.

Mixed Metals:

This is such an elegant touch to incorporate into your designs to give the kitchen an edgy yet modern touch, there are different sorts of colors and finishes to choose from to suit your style like Matte black/white, polished chrome, brushed nickel just to name a few. There isn’t much history behind this one as it’s more so a design compliment for the finishing touches.

Multi-purpose islands:

2018 has just gone a step higher with trends and practicality has seemed to really boost up there alongside all the trends – this is a great example.

Shortly after World War II, popular home design shifted from closed floor plans to open concept spaces (sound familiar?) designed to make the work within the home more efficient and less labor-intensive. An expansive, wide-open kitchen meant that dinner could be prepared while children in the family room were in clear view. Once dinner was ready, everyone could eat in the kitchen itself rather than the dining room, making it easier for the cook to serve and manage the meal but with all the benefits an open concept floor plan presented, it came with challenges, namely a shortage of storage and counter space. Therefore, the kitchen island was born.

The kitchen island became a solution to space challenges, providing more surface area, storage potential, and a place for everyone to come together while others were cooking (plus, as we well know now, it also serves the purpose of separating the kitchen from living areas in absence of walls).

It is very popular to add in a cook top or a sink into your island now, but the options of design are endless! Come and talk to us down at Next Edition Kitchens to see what we can do for you!

Style trends come and go, so don’t invest in the latest look unless you love it. That said, highly-personalized or outdated style choices can limit the appeal of your property for resale.

For major renovation projects, it’s always a good idea to stick to the more neutral colors and classic styles. It will give your remodel durability and appeal to the greatest number of buyers when it comes time to sell. It will also give you flexibility to update your look in a few years without a total overhaul. Use non-permanent fixtures – like paint, furniture and accent pieces – to personalize the space and incorporate trendier choices.

Mangatapere Beauty – New Kitchen In Whangarei

May 7, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

Check out this beautiful new kitchen in Mangatapere created for Trevor and Cheryl Barfoote by Next Edition Kitchens LTD, Get in touch today with the team on (09)4303074 to get your new kitchen!

6 Popular kitchen layouts (with pictures)

April 26, 2018/in Blog /by NEK Accounts

Ever noticed how creative you can get with your layout of a kitchen? the most asked question is “What layout would suit me and my house?” well, no more wondering – we have the perfect guide (with pictures) that will make being in the kitchen a breeze with the layout suited to your space.

First we have the U-shaped kitchen – this is perfect if you have a couple of cooks in the house who enjoy cooking together, this layout is designed to create and hold a wide range or space and storage making it easier to have more than just one in the kitchen. This layout best suits the larger rooms the kitchen is located as this layout is quite spaced out. The U-shape is perfect as it offers counters and work spaces on 3 walls and there is still the option of adding an island in the middle. Essentially, the U-shaped kitchen can offer the best of both worlds. The middle of the kitchen is yours to play with – you can even include an island in the middle, this is ideal for the home owner that likes to not only spent lots of time in the kitchen making meals and baking but also sees it as a communal family room where everyone can get together.

Secondly, we have the L-shaped kitchen – this is perfect for those smaller units/flats that don’t have as much space but you still want to have as much space and storage as you possibly can, this is mainly ideal for one person cooking per time in a comfortable space. The only difference between this and the U-shaped kitchen is your pretty much losing one bench top and a few cupboards and drawers but being a smaller house with less residents this is perfectly workable. This dead end approach is great for those wanting to cook in privacy but if you don’t want the family shut out and like the idea of kids wandering through to check on dinner, the next option could be for you.

The third is the wonderful Gallery kitchen – This is a GREAT space saver and to be fair, some will argue this has slightly gone off the fashion board in the recent years with people more budging for those U & L shaped kitchen layouts because of the strict shape and closed-in feel doesn’t compliment a open plan living plan. But let me tell you the benefits, firstly, they can provide a two-walled approach to storage and facilities in a small space. Everything that a home cook needs is available on both sides but it is still a great way to save space in kitchen with minimal room to move. Secondly, the long walkway between the two work areas can open up the space on either side, allowing for a constant stream of traffic between the back yard and the dining area and a communal feel.

Number 4 Island kitchen – This design divides large kitchens into efficient, smaller working areas. The Island kitchens are by far the most popular layout because not only do they provide a host of new design options for new builds and renovations but they can actually enhance the layouts mentioned above. An island has many benefits depending on your design taste and style, it can give excellent depth and an opportunity to change this into a L-shaped kitchen but also a new meaning to a gallery kitchen as long as there is enough space to play with. Galleys are typically narrow but in a larger room, an island gives a stopping point in the middle for families to sit at. In other kitchens, like the large U-shaped kitchens, islands can be a great focal point in the middle of a large, dominating kitchen. Some kitchens that are short on space can use them for preparation while others will gain an alternative dining area.

Peninsula kitchen coming in at number 5 – This is pretty much just a U-shape kitchen but without the wall behind, this design is perfect if you are wanting to achieve an island in your layout but just don’t have the space to put it in the middle This is ideal for homes that really want an island to work on or eat but don’t really have the space to build one out in the middle of the room. There are limitations to this approach in terms of its use and accessibility, but it can be a great compromise for enhancing a small, L-shaped layout.

The comfortable kitchen for one at number 6 we have our last but not least One wall kitchen – again, these are great for those smaller living areas, this layout would work fantastic in a holiday home or even a small flat, the layout has just enough space for everything one person needs – it looks tidy and can be kept that way quite easily – it is great for those on a budget as well as you aren’t really adding much to this design as it’s a nice, simple layout.