Devon


<p>It&#8217;s a terrible thing, kitchen envy, and I should know, as I only have to hear the words &#8216;Quooker Tap&#8217; or &#8216;hidden pantry&#8217; and I turn Breakfast Room Green, the colour I&#8217;ll be painting my kitchen when I can finally afford to give it a makeover.</p>



<p>In the meantime, it doesn&#8217;t hurt to dream and I know only exactly the place to do it, with help from the very knowledgeable Maz, co-owner along with Lee, Paul and Jo of the family-run <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Dekor Kitchens (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.dekorkitchens.co.uk" target="_blank">Dekor Kitchens</a> in Exeter. Lee and Paul design top-of-the-range German and English kitchens, including Leicht, Brigitte and Alno kitted out with quality brands, including Neff and Miele. </p>



<p>I&#8217;ll let Maz catch you up on the latest tips and trends, while I just go stroke that carbon-grey Neolith worktop. Take it away, Maz.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PEAK SLEEK</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EINtLbwXYAA8tJ_-720x480.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-24708" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EINtLbwXYAA8tJ_-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EINtLbwXYAA8tJ_-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EINtLbwXYAA8tJ_-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EINtLbwXYAA8tJ_-787x525.jpeg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EINtLbwXYAA8tJ_.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Sleek and simple is in. The gleaming antidote to piles of admin, USB cables and random kitchenware, is a clean domain created by large doors, soft-close drawers and uncluttered worktops, and if they have powder-coated handles in the same colour, so much the better. Colourwise, the trend is for white or darker tones, in matt so you&#8217;re not constantly wiping away fingerprints.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEXT GEN TAPS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="442" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/zip-3-720x442.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-24692" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/zip-3-720x442.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/zip-3-300x184.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/zip-3-768x472.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/zip-3-855x525.jpg 855w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/zip-3.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Love the Quooker tap with it&#8217;s instant boiling water and zero waiting time for your morning cuppa? Say hello to the Quooker Cube which delivers hot and cold water from the mains, plus chilled and sparkling (water not fizz, though let&#8217;s hope that&#8217;s next, eh.) all with a flick of the wrist.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ISLAND LIFE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/pic3-980x654-1-720x480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-24700" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/pic3-980x654-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/pic3-980x654-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/pic3-980x654-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/pic3-980x654-1-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/pic3-980x654-1.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Gone are the days when the kitchen is just for cooking, now a kitchen has to pivot from a WFH or kids homework space, to a place to gather round on a Friday night with your mates. Islands and peninsulas still reign supreme, with stool seating, and bar-style tops which can segue from day to party-night. And a central hob means the cook won&#8217;t miss the goss when the guests arrive. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CLEVER HOB TECH</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="405" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/csm_BORA_Classic_2_Vorschaubild_Effekfilm_603be382fb-720x405.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-24698" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/csm_BORA_Classic_2_Vorschaubild_Effekfilm_603be382fb-720x405.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/csm_BORA_Classic_2_Vorschaubild_Effekfilm_603be382fb-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/csm_BORA_Classic_2_Vorschaubild_Effekfilm_603be382fb-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/csm_BORA_Classic_2_Vorschaubild_Effekfilm_603be382fb-900x507.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/csm_BORA_Classic_2_Vorschaubild_Effekfilm_603be382fb.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>The problem with island hobs is where to put the extractor fan? Bora&#8217;s integrated extractor hob is a neat solution: a circular extractor in the centre of the induction rings, which turns on as soon as the steam starts to rise and cleverly (and fairly quietly) draws unwanted smells and vapours downwards and away. It doesn&#8217;t even need to be connected to outdoors. Magic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">(ALMOST) INDESTRUCTABLE WORKTOPS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/dekton-kitchen-radium-720x480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-24693" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/dekton-kitchen-radium-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/dekton-kitchen-radium-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/dekton-kitchen-radium-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/dekton-kitchen-radium-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/dekton-kitchen-radium.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Quartz, granite, wood, Corian &#8211; there are pros and cons with every worktop but the new kit on the block is <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Neolith (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.dekorkitchens.co.uk/ranges/worktops/" target="_blank">Neolith</a>. Super-heated and ultra-compressed to produce a very durable stone, this mix of ceramic-porcelain mix won&#8217;t scorch if you place a hot pan on it, doesn&#8217;t get marked by sharp knives and comes in a fashionable range of colours and finishes, including carbon grey and textured concrete. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SECRET STORAGE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EgLU_eZXkAA7pi2-1-720x480.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-24739" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EgLU_eZXkAA7pi2-1-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EgLU_eZXkAA7pi2-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EgLU_eZXkAA7pi2-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EgLU_eZXkAA7pi2-1-787x525.jpeg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EgLU_eZXkAA7pi2-1.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Since lockdown, &#8216;pantry&#8217; is the word on every stockpiler&#8217;s lips. What looks like a wall is actually a passage door. Give it a push and it opens to reveal external floor-to-ceiling shelves, a hidden laundry, with shelves, worktops and drawers and your white goods, if you have the space. Every scullery maid&#8217;s dream.</p>



<p>Fed up of burning yourself on the oven door? Check out Neff&#8217;s slide and hide doors which open, then slide away neatly under the oven. Or how about pocket doors, which use the same trick to create an accessible breakfast area, with your coffee machine, sockets and bits and bobs, then all your bumf can all be hidden away behind closed doors when you&#8217;re finished. Neat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PARTY PLACES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EL7A1i5XUAAWpm8-720x480.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-24741" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EL7A1i5XUAAWpm8-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EL7A1i5XUAAWpm8-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EL7A1i5XUAAWpm8-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EL7A1i5XUAAWpm8-787x525.jpeg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/EL7A1i5XUAAWpm8.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Love an impromptu kitchen party? Go for strip lighting under cabinets and worktops as instant mood lighting for late nights. Popular colours are soft white and cool white, though if you like to ramp up the disco feel, you might fancy colour change with your own remote.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MODERN TRAD</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="707" height="500" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/Eevx2c2WAAIfSjk-707x500.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-24707" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/Eevx2c2WAAIfSjk-707x500.jpeg 707w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/Eevx2c2WAAIfSjk-300x212.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/Eevx2c2WAAIfSjk-768x543.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/Eevx2c2WAAIfSjk-743x525.jpeg 743w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/09/Eevx2c2WAAIfSjk.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 707px) 100vw, 707px" /></figure>



<p>Contemporary finishes are still the most popular, but for people who prefer traditional, the trend is for teaming up the classic Shaker look with contemporary accessories and gadgetry, including slip-mats, soft-close drawers, hidden storage and automatic lighting. The best of both worlds.</p>



<p><strong>Want to hear more, more, more? Give Dekor a call or pop in for a visit at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Dekor Kitchens (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.dekorkitchens.co.uk" target="_blank">Dekor Kitchens</a>, 3 The Venture Centre, Yeoford Way, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8LP Tel: 01392 824888</strong></p>



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Kitchen confidential: 8 trends to know

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