A fabulous and elegant way to expand your kitchen storage space, this high quality range of ceiling racks is also surprisingly good value and if you purchase it from kitchen storage specialists My Kitchen Store, you also find a 20% discount on the RRP this January.
Available in stainless steel, classic pine and dark stained wood, these solid and professional units may well look familiar to you, given that they have featured on that most compelling of cookery series, Masterchef.
The natural wooden ceiling racks come in round, square and rectangular options, secured to the ceiling and suspended from chain links, each with a set of stainless steel finished hooks.
The chrome range of pan racks feature wall racks and a single hanging bar as well as the magnificent oval rack shown below, ideal for suspending over a kitchen island unit.
With the current 20% discount you can pick up a single bar rack from as little as £44.90 - so if you want to improve your storage options and add a touch of master chef magic, these Hahn designed racks are just the trick.
Tags: ceiling racks, kitchen storage, masterchef, pand stands
Glass splashbacks have been one of 2009’s most popular new styles of decor for the kitchen - and for 2010, the options have taken a step forward with the advent of new digital glass printing techniques. The latest styles include stunning 4 colour floral designs, typified by those shown in the patterned glass splashback section on kitchenkitten.co.uk
From the beautiful, simple single lily on a pewter grey background to the fabulously translucent purple tulips on sleek back, all of these designs are elegant and stylish. The designs can all be matched by standard glass panels to run along the worktops to create a total colour theme.
All of the panels come in a standard 600mm x 750mm size, but can also be made, we are told, in other sizes - and in a new development, Kitchen Kitten can have a panel manufactured to your own design or using your own high resoltuion photography.
Coming soon will be a range of glass tiles in a similar vein - watch this space!
Tags: floral splashbacks, glass splashbacks, kitchen decor, kitchen DIY
If there were ever a product that ideally suited the title of this blog, then this is it! A hot product it certainly is - because this mirror fronted radiator really does combine beautiful design with practical application.
Often an eyesore in an otherwise beautifully decorated room, the humble radiator has been completely transformed here by the use of it’s refelctive glass front. A real mirror, apart from offering you the chance to check out your look before answering the door, the unit adds a sense of space and light to any room.
The unit comes in three standard sizes, 1500×280mm, 800mm x 420mm and 1500mm x 420mm and takes standard valve fittings.
Available at cool price too from www.mykitchenstore.co.uk and www.topdiy.co.uk, both retailing from £342. Get them while they’re hot!!
Tags: bathroom radiators, kitchen heating, mirror fronted radiators, mirror radiator, mirrored radiators
The use of glass splashbacks as a splash of excitement and interest in the kitchen continues apace with the introduction of two new patterned styles.
LATEST: See the latest range of floral splashbacks by clicking here
The ‘Neon’ is probably best described as a stunning swhirly line pattern that makes a dramatic statement - use it either as a splashback behind the hob or create a fabulous wall of glass above your work surfaces by using multiple panels in sequence. Featured in B&Q’s Cooke & Lewis kitchen catalogue, the Neon comes in white line on black or the reverse of black line on a white glass background.
The splashback measures 600mm x 750mm and is priced from £95, available from a number of online and offline kitchen and DIY stores, including The Kitchen Biz, which has a competively priced £5 delivery charge and a 4/5 day delivery time.
Another new and sought after style is the equally stunning floral splashback, Shown here in with black flowers on a white background, this 600mm x 750mm splashback is a also available in the reverse options of black on white. Again, you can choose just to add a practical focal point behind the hob, or perhaps to think about creating more of a theme by using the splashbacks in 
panels above the worktop.
Splashbacks are easy to fit - you’ll find more information about that on our guidelines post by scrolling down, just a few pointers to remember and the use of an appropriate mirror glue and sealant.
And beauty aside, glass splashbacks are a practical way to protect your kicthen walls from the everday mess that can be created by food prepararyion and cooking - smooth even and expansive areas of glass, they are easily wiped cleaned and don’t have the lines of grout that can easily spoil the overall look like tiles.
So now’s the time to add that touch of style - with a beautiful glass splashback.
Tags: black and white splashbacks, floral glass splashbacks, glass splashbacks, kitchen DIY
Whether you are buying just a simple plain splashback to go behind your hob or opting for a spectacular wall of glass to fit around you entire work area, you will want to be sure you measure and fit to the best level possible.
The process is relatively straightforward, but there are a few tips and tricks you should be aware of.
Measuring
Maximum Lengths: Large areas of wall can be covered by single panels of glass, but for ease of handling and to reduce the risk of breakages, we recommend that no glass panel is any longer than 2 metres. So if you have a run of wall that is longer, then the panels should be separated into multiple lengths to make up the total. The distance between pieces need only be 2mm (see info below for further information re expansions gaps), which means the wall will still appear smooth and virtually seamless.
Socket Holes and other Apertures: where you have plug sockets or other wall mounted items requiring an aperture to be formed within the splashback panels, you will need to provide measurements. The way to do this is to measure from the edges of the panel to identify the location of the centre of the aperture and then provide the dimensions of the aperture itself (see the diagram below for reference), as well as details of the item you need the aperture for. So, for example for the aperture shown on the diagram below, measure to the centre of where the aperture needs to be from the nearest vertical edge of the splashback, (dimension a), the nearest horizontal edge of the splashback (dimension b), the dimension of the aperture itself (dimensions c and d) and then a description of the item the hole is required for (e,g double socket, pipe, single switch and so on). Apertures should be a minimum of 40mm from the edge.
Cut Outs: Where you need to have a panel shaped, for example to accommodate a cabinet corner, or to extend a splashback from the hob, you will need to provide details of the cu-out shape. There are a few rules to remember, first being that you can’t have a square cut from the corner of the splashback (it will cause the glass to fracture), but you can cut an oblong. Also, the depth of the cut out is important, if the cut-out is too deep, the glass is likely to fracture. The diagram below is an indicator, best to ask if in doubt.
Cooker Hoods: Splashbacks can be shaped to fit snugly up to your cooker hood, even if it is curved. To get the curve shaped correctly, you will need to provide the radius information from the manufacturers spec.
Expansion Gaps: Where a splashback is fitted up against another splashback panel, or any other item, you need to leave a 2mm expansion gap. This will then be filled with sealant (see fitting details below). Again, the diagram below shows a number of instances where the gaps need to accounted for in the measuring process.
And as a final comment with regard to measuring, make sure you measure it at least twice! This will reduce any errors made by simple things like not holding the tape in the right place.
Fitting
Bespoke splashbacks are fitted using mirror glue and sealant. Generally available, these are solvent free and most commonly come in clear and white. We have a dual glue and sealant option on our website.
To adhere the splashback panels to the wall, first line up the panels carefully, then apply the glue in lines down the back of the panel following the instructions on the adhesive/sealant you have chosen. You will find there is enough ‘give’ in the adhesive to make minor positional adjustments after placing the panel in position. When you are fitting adjacent panels or butting against another item, be sure to leave the 2mm expansion gap between the. You can use tile spacers or matchsticks if you wish.
Once the panels are firmly in place, carefully seal all edges with the sealant.
Once complete, to clean and polish the surfaces and get ride of any marks, use fine wire wool (we supply this for you when you order bespoke splashbacks).
Maintenance
Maintaining you splashbacks really couldn’t be easier. They are easy to wipe clean and when you need to get off any stubborn marks, use fine wire wool as mentioned above.
Tags: fitting splashbacks, glass splashbacks, kitchen DIY, splashbacks
Glass splashbacks are one of the most popular decoratively practical products to become available for your kitchen for a long time.
The glass splashback is a single (or several) panel of glass that is effectively a far more simple replacement for the traditional use of wall tiles to protect your kitchen wall from the inevitable ’splashes’ that result from cooking and food preparation.
Splashback and upstands come in either standard sizes or can be be custom made to fit your particular needs, so I thought I’d give a quick guideline to answer most of the questions that are generally asked about purchasing the right splashbacks for your kitchen.
I will concentrate here on the options available to purchase – and in a subsequent blog, how to fit and maintain them.
So first of all, when is it a splashback and when is it an upstand? Well they are really the same thing in terms of functionality - they are glass panels fitted against the wall to protect it from the splashes and general mess created from preparation of food and cooking - the two terms are simply used to distinguish between a panel that goes directly behind the hob (splashback) and a panel that fits against the wall above a work surface or other part of the kitchen (upstand). If you want to use a single term, then call it all splashback.
Do I Buy Standard Or Bespoke?
1. Standard Splashbacks and Upstands
As the term implies, standard splashbacks come in fixed size and colour variations. The splashbacks are varying widths that conform to the standard sizes of hobs and cookers, 600mm, 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm and 1100mm. Our standard glass splashbacks are 750mm in height.
Upstands (which come in matching colours so that you can create a continuous wall of glass) are in fixed lengths of 1m and heights of either 450mm or 140mm.
The colours vary from vibrant lime, fuschia, Vermeer (stunning! Zest green is shown in the pic above), to more subtle blues, browns and blacks and mid range colours between
Key Question: Can I Cut Them?
If the splashback is made of standard float glass, then technically yes. But the reality is that you will be taking a risk. You should not cut them yourself, but take them to a glazier who can also smooth and polish the edges – but beware; the glazier will not guarantee that the panel won’t fracture or that the cutting won’t weaken the glass. If you need to conform to a particular size or shape, you could save yourself some stress and possibly money by having a bespoke one made.
If the panel is in toughened float glass, then they cannot be cut.
2. Bespoke Splashback panels
Bespoke panels offer you great flexibility in having anything from a simple made to measure back panel for the hob, to creating a fabulous made to measure wall of glass. We recommend that panels be a maximum of 2m for handling, but corner cut-outs, curvature shaping and socket holes can all be accommodated to ensure the panels fit snugly under cabinets, around window sills and so on. There are some minor limitations, (you can’t for example, have an exact square cut out of the corner of panel as it will break), but apart from this, most designs will be workable.
Another major advantage of bespoke panels is that you can have virtually any colour – select from a standard RAL chart or provide a paint colour that can be matched to suit your décor.
Types of Glass – What to Choose
There are essentially three types of glass, which can come in varying thicknesses. Our splashbacks and upstands are all formed in 6mm glass, which is standard (work surfaces, window sills and so on tend to be thicker).
1. Stand 6mm float glass
Formed in extra strong glass but not toughened. This technically means the glass can still be cut, but please beware the points made above. Our standard splashbacks and upstands come in this option, but not bespoke.
2. Toughened 6mm float glass
This is one of the options we use for our bespoke splashbacks. This glass conforms to all required EN and BS standards. The difference between it and the Low Iron variation (see details below) is in colour purity and consequently, cost. Float glass has a slight natural green tinge which may show though to varying degrees in the final colour of your splashback. For pale and some mid range colours (blue for example), the green tinge will be noticeable to a small degree (and some people prefer it), whereas for dark colours and heavier mid range colours (re, pink etc) the tinge is barely noticeable. This is the lower cost option.
3. Toughened 6mm Low Iron Glass
Manufactured by Pilkington and branded Optiwhite, the glass is purer and offers a more accurate representation of colour. For paler colours and where you are specifically aiming to colour match, this may be the best option. It is a little more expensive than the float glass.
So that’s an overview of the options available.
In the next blog, information about measuring for, fitting and maintaining your splashbacks. If you have any questions in the meantime, then email enquiries@mykitchenstore.co.uk and we’ll be delighted to help!
Tags: coloured splashbacks, DIY Guides, DIY tips, glass splashbacks, kitchen DIY
Flip Down TVs have become a hugely popular product recently - conveniently positioned under your kitchen cabinets, these ingenious screens both flip down and swivel so that they are neatly stowed away when you’re not watching - and when you are watching, you can position it so that you can view it from pretty much anywhere in the kitchen.
This recent, wider screen 15″ flip down TV and DVD is being offered on The Kitchen Biz website at £90 - great value as well as the perfect way to make your time in the kitchen more entertaining.
This high quality unit is HD ready and hooks up for Freeview as well as having an integrated DVD player. Plus with the built-in CI port the unit can have access to extended Digital Services such as Top-UP TV or Setanta Sports (via suitable CAM adapter).
Installation has been made quick and easy with 6 screw attachments being all you need to position the unit in place.
With the £90 discount on the Recommended Retail Price combined with free delivery, its time to take a view on how your life in the kitchen can be improved with a touch of entertainment. What are you waiting for? Make life in the kitchen more fun, flip though to this great kitchen TV offer at www.thekitchenbiz.com!
Tags: flip down tv, kitchen entertainment, kitchen TV, kitchen tv and dvd
When it comes to DIY, the kitchen is often the place where we stop - perhaps because we believe that making changes in the kitchen is tough to do - so Hot In The Kitchen is here to help you tackle those Home Improvement tasks (and often demonstrate how much easier they are than you might think!).
What and Where to Buy
We’ll help you identify the right products to buy to help you fix those kitchen DIY problems, the latest space saving or eco friendly items, the hottest new kitchen decor products and the gadgets and appliances to make you kitchen a brighter, lighter more enjoyable place to be.
We’ll recommend stores that you can get good deals from and from time to time make you offers to stretch you budget.
How To Do It
Well also be providing DIY guides to help you carry out your own fixes and improvements. Step by step easy to follow instructions on the basic practical needs like fixing a kitchen cabinet hinge or replacing a sagging drawer runner - how to fit new replacement kitchen doors and giving your kitchen a new twist with new door handles.
The Latest Gadgetry & Kitchen Chic - For Less
There are fantastic new products being developed to make your kitchen more beautiful and more entertaining - and we’ll help you take advantage of the opportunity to indulge in some luxury for less by helping you to buy and fit these products for yourself - kitchen glass splashbacks, flip down TV, audio systems, even television units that fit into your kitchen cabinet doors
Bookmark this site -and keep an eye on us for ways to colour your life in the kitchen more beautiful!
Tags: glass splashbacks, kitchen DIY, kitchen doors, kitchen makeover, kitchen storage, kitchen units