Finishing touches
Bathroom tapware
Whether choosing three tap hole sets or the more popular single lever mixers, chrome finishes never date. Unlike many other colours chrome is and will always be a fashionable finish.
— Paul Burbridge, director of Gro Agencies
Basins
Consider who is going to be using the basin. For example, if you have men with big hands using it, a small basin will not be practical. Height and accessibility are also a consideration — for example, a semi-recessed basin is a good choice for children because it is easy to lean over and use.”
— Tina Mills, co-owner of Lavare
Amalfi Vessel Basin. Picture: lavare.com.au
Toilets
Wall-hung or floor-mount pans are the go. Having a cistern concealed in the wall is not only more attractive and easier to clean; it also helps to create space in a small bathroom or powder room.”
— Paul Burbridge
Showerheads
The double shower is the new standard in bathrooms, with clients choosing a hand-held shower for the times women do not want to get hair wet, and the rain shower for the whole water drench experience.
— Paul Burbridge
Hand-held shower and the rain shower. Picture: groagencies.com.au
Kitchen sinks
Choose a sink to reflect the style of the renovation; do not put a modern sink in an old house.
— Colleen Wiborg, store manager of The Sink Warehouse, Osborne Park
Kitchen tapware
When you are looking for tapware, start at the most expensive and work your way down to see what you are happy with. Invest a few more dollars on your tap because you want to ensure it functions well and that it doesn’t leak.
— Colleen Wiborg
Appliances
Although the stainless-steel finish has been the most popular choice among Australian homes for the past decade, we’re starting to see in our stores a gradual move away from the stainless-steel look towards appliances with sleek black finishes. Black appliances are a sleek alternative and are easy to clean and match with other kitchen appliances and decorations.
— Rick Hart, brand ambassador for Winning Appliances
Lighting
Consider three types of lighting: ambient lighting illuminates a room and creates the mood. In the kitchen and bathroom, flush-mounted downlights are perfect for creating ambient lighting. Task lighting is concentrated lighting that focuses on areas where you need effective lighting to perform tasks such as cooking or reading. This can be achieved using pendants, spotlights or under-bench lighting. Finally, accent lighting is a softer lighting that illuminates decorative features such as a display cabinet and can come in the form of pendants, wall brackets or even lighting placed around the kickboard.
— Denise Hammond, product knowledge and development specialist at Beacon Lighting
Tadao 1 Light Small Water Drop Pendant in Concrete. Picture: beaconlighting.com.au
Kitchen benchtops
Go for conservative colours for your benchtop, such as greys or creams. If you want to make a statement in your kitchen, make a statement with your splashback instead of your benchtop because it is easier to replace if you change your mind.
— Rob Thomson, owner of The Kitchen Factory Malaga
Kitchen range. Picture: kitchensanddesigns.com.au
Kitchen splashback
Consider your kitchen outlook. If it looks on to garden or pool areas, a mirrored splashback will help to open up the room and create space.
— Heath Woollams, general manager of Salt Kitchens and Bathrooms
TIP: Following the recent European kitchen expos comes an innovative new product called Egger Feelwood, which is the latest trend for cabinetry. With a range of pre-finished timber grains it looks and feels like timber with the advantage of being more durable and a fraction of the price.
— Kyle Todd, Proform Products
© The West Australian
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