Meet our team of professionals on hand to answer your kitchen queries, from appliances to layouts to worktops.

OLD - STYLE TILES

I noticed a kitchen featured in Beautiful Kitchens that had a splashback made from vintage - style brick tiles, but it didnt say where they came from. Is there somewhere I can buy similar ones? bronwen rees, Cardiff
Brick - shaped tiles are the little black dress of the tile world - they look good with everything and never go out of fashion. Theyre not flashy, just functional and unpretentious in a rott - your - sleeves - up - and - get - cooking kind of way.
The most classic in style are off - white ones with bevelled edges, laid in the traditional, offset or brick bond pattern. Brick tiles look pretty in watery pastel colours, or they can be really striking in black or a strong red or navy.
For extra interest, you could opt for a crackle glaze rather than the usual gloss finish or create a more modern effect by choosing a flat, matt finish in grey or stone, and laying the tiles in a precise edge - to - edge fashion. As for stockists.

CAN I CREATE A SEAMLESS PATIO?

Id like to use the same flooring for my kitchen as my patio, so it feels like one large space. However, Ive no idea if the floor needs treating differently or what to look for.

Whenever youre buying tiles, its important to check that theyre suitable for the use you have in mind. Perhaps surprisingly - given its origins - stone flooring often isnt recommended for outdoor use. The main reason for this is the damage that frost can cause to it. However, there are stone tiles that can be used outside, such as Cathedral Limestone, a beautiful stone with softly tumbled edges from the Fired Earth range.
Youll need to seal stone tiles conectly, and re - seal them on a regular basis to protect them from staining - its also a good idea to seal grout. For the best results. Id recommend having tiles professionally installed.
Unless youre really set on having a stone floor, a porcelain replica stone is worth considering. For example. Fired Earths Giotto porcelain, shown above, is a fantastic imitation limestone and its high - fired and extremely dense, making it frost - proof and suitable for use outside. It also wont require sealing, so it will be particularly easy to install and maintain.
Depending on the look youd like to achieve, quarry tiles are another possibility. These are incredibly robust, and theyd be ideal for a more traditional setting.

FITTING A HATCH

We want to include a hatch in our new kitchen, and thought we could knock through above the base units into the front room. However, were not really sure how to go about it and how much storage space we would lose. Its not a huge room, so we want to make the best use of the space without it looking too cluttered.
In a kitchen where space is rather limited, often there is a clash between aesthetics and function, but a successful scheme is all about achieving the correct balance. One solution would be to locate the hob and oven in a corner at an angle. This will provide a generous stretch of worktop space between the sink and cooking zones, and also allow you to include a service hatch.
Incorporating a low - level shelf and feature recess near the hob will provide additional storage room for regularly used items, while a dresser - style unit with a worktop - mounted cupboard and shelf next to it will create the feel of space. Its also worth choosing integrated appliances to help the room feel less cluttered.
Colour choice makes a big difference in a smaller room - glossy granite and glass splashbacks will help reflect light, while a light neutral or pastel colour on the walls, offset against white hand - painted cabinetry, will make the room feel fresh and inviting.

SCANDINAVIAN CHIC

IS GRANITE MY ONLY OPTION?

Youre right, laminates arent suitable for undermounted sinks, as theyre only made from chipboard, meaning moisture would seep in and cause damage. One way to incorporate an undermounted sink into your kitchen, at an affordable price, is to mix and match worktops. Use granite, marble, quartz or timber for the sink run, so you overcome the problem of not being able to have an undermounted style and then use laminate for all the other worktop lengths.
However, if youre after a seamless look, try a solid surface. There are lots of different types available and its a more affordable option to achieve an undermounted sink. The advantage of pre - made solid - surfacing products is that they can work out cheaper than bespoke granite.

Bushboards Encore range is made up of a layer of solid - surface material bonded onto a 38mm chipboard core that can be installed by your kitchen fitter, as it doesnt need to be templated. While many of the colours lend themselves to a modern look, new designs include opaque chips, giving the look of natural polished stone. They are far easier to clean and maintain on a day - to - day basis, and you can get the look of an undermounted ceramic sink, too, with an integral white acrylic sink.
Apollo worktops offer all the benefits of a high - end luxury solid surface at a more purse - friendly price. There are three ranges, Magna, Slab Tech and Quicktops, that are suitable for use with an Apollo undermounted sink. All three have a seamless finish for easy cleaning, and scratches can simply be polished out.
Lastly, Maia from Sylmar has a range of solid - surface worktops, which include an undermounted sink module as part of the design, and mimic the look of stone. The worktop is made with 100 per cent acrylic and the surface is bonded to a chipboard core, so that it delivers all of the benefits of a bespoke man - made solid worktop. Maias surfaces create a seamless finish, with no unsightly joins, and any scratches can simply be sanded out. There are four different Maia undermounted sinks, all made from stainless steel. The fabrication of fitting the bowl to the worktop is carried out in a factory, so on delivery, the surface can simply be installed on top of the kitchen cabinetry. ysanne brooks help me find my perfect oven After 20 years Ive been promised a new kitchen, however, my first hurdle is my split - level double gas oven and grill. The main oven is fully programmable, which is a facility I use frequently, but despite a lot of research I cant find a replacement - if it wasnt so old Id keep it. Can you please source one for me so that I can continue with my design? Also, Id like to know if I can mount a microwave on a shelf as my husband is totally opposed to built - in appliances.
Congratulations on your new kitchen! How about taking a peek at Zanussis range of freestanding gas cookers? For example the ZCG662GXC boasts a large - capacity, multi - zone programmable gas oven with minute minder, as well as benefitting from a powerful separate gas grill and hob. For added peace of mind, the hob also has a safety cut - out system - as soon as a flame goes out, the gas is cut off, so you never need to worry. They also have the added bonus of being catalytic lined for easy cleaning. Zanussis gas cookers start from around ?499 and are available in white, black and stainless steel, as well as 55 and 60cm widths so you can make sure your new oven fits in with your kitchen design. With regards to your microwave, its fine for it to be simply placed on a sturdy shelf; however it does need to be ventilated properly so you would be unable to actually mount it. Bear in mind safety, too - if you do place it on a shelf, make sure its within easy reach to avoid spillages and accidents by over reaching.