….with our kitchen supplier, Howdens
For over a decade, we’ve been proud to partner with Howdens Joinery. Delighting our customers with their beautiful kitchens that are stylish yet practical. her essential
How long have you been designing kitchens?
I’ve been a Kitchen Designer at Howdens since 2003, and have been Skipton Properties’ design lead since our relationship began. My background was in interior design, which provided the base experience in order to design kitchens at Howdens.
What’s your first consideration when starting a kitchen design for Skipton Properties?
My first consideration is who might live in this home, might this home appeal to first time buyers or families? And then I start with the basics, how much storage is required? And from there, I can get creative on the flow of the kitchen, mindful of the design of the home.
“I love striking just the right balance between traditional and contemporary, using colours and textures to add that extra “oomph”!
What are your essential requirements for a well-designed kitchen?
Kitchen design should offer the perfect balance of style and function. From sound storage solutions to creative zones for food prep and cooking, you can get your culinary space humming like a well-oiled machine – no more bumping elbows in cramped corners! Whether it be clever pull outs or an island that adds informal dining opportunities on top of valuable storage, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as finding just what you need when creating some delicious meals with ease.
What are absolute no no’s in kitchen design?
We like to achieve that airy, open feel in a kitchen. I make sure to leave sufficient clearance between appliance handles and other obstructions – such as a sink or window frame – so they won’t be accidentally knocked when passing by.
What are your favourite styles at the moment?
It really depends on the project, property style and “look” being created. I love striking just the right balance between traditional and contemporary, using colours and textures to add that extra “oomph”!
Talk to us about 2023 trends.
Kitchens are becoming an oasis of lifestyle and personality, allowing you to express yourself with a range of bold colours as well as calm earth tones. The Scandi look remains fashionable, while green and tranquil blues have become the latest must-have additions to your culinary space.
View some of Karen’s favourite kitchens we’ve installed over the years….
Explore our Specifications
Our Kitchens
We have a beautiful selection of kitchen doors, handles, laminates and quartz worktops. Choose a dramatic blue kitchen or opt for softer neutral tones, the choice is yours
Our Bathrooms
Each of our bathrooms have a selection of contemporary sanitary ware, sleek bathroom fittings from brands such as Hansgrohe and complementary tiling to ensure a timeless design
Elevations
Natural stone is our signature building material, and we use it wherever we can across our developments. This is paired with natural stone heads and sills
Design
You’ll find many of our homes feature large open plan spaces, but mindful of the latest working from home requirements we have tried to include spaces for home offices where possible
The best of the rest
From staircases to the lighting in your kitchens and bathrooms, to energy saving technology, we ensure our specifications are up to date with the latest design
Little extras
We have curated a selection of little extras you can choose from to make your house a home. From quartz worktops, to additional appliances and much more
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