| Once upon a time the humble kitchen was little more | | | | one item to another. |
| than an open fire with a cauldron or pot hanging over it. | | | | This is considered the most economical kitchen design. |
| Meat would get roasted on a spit and when everyone | | | | But there are other items to consider. |
| had eaten the cooking utensils would be put away and | | | | · Do you want your kitchen to be open plan? |
| the fire would be used as a gathering place for all the | | | | · Do you want your kitchen to be used to eat |
| family and neighbours. | | | | meals? |
| As time progressed and homes became bigger the | | | | · Do you intend to socialise in your kitchen? |
| kitchen became a place separate from the main living | | | | · Do you intend to cook a lot? |
| area. The living styles of the people changed as their | | | | · Will the kitchen be used as a place for the |
| status in life changed. As the general population | | | | family to get together? |
| became wealthier and more able to afford a larger | | | | · Is the kitchen mainly for show? |
| living space and all the benefits of modern living so too | | | | · Can you afford a designer kitchen? |
| did the kitchen also evolve. | | | | The answer to all of these questions will have a direct |
| From these simple beginnings sprang the modern | | | | bearing on how your kitchen will look. |
| kitchen. Now we have all the benefits of modern | | | | The Social Factor |
| technology. Running water, electric cookers, fridge | | | | For example an open plan kitchen with clean lines and |
| freezers, microwave ovens and an assortment of | | | | a lot of chrome will appeal to those who wish to |
| utensils that range from your basic boning knife to the | | | | socialise a lot. It offers a very aesthetic feel that |
| more sophisticated blenders. | | | | shouts class and prestige. |
| But what does all of this mean to you? Well that | | | | On the other hand a kitchen that has a lot of warm |
| depends on what you want it to mean. A modern | | | | wood, cupboard space and worktop surfaces |
| kitchen can be whatever you want it to be. Let us | | | | screams practicality and suits the practical minded |
| begin with the working triangle. | | | | person who will spend a lot of time cooking, cleaning |
| The Working Triangle. | | | | and socialising with family and friends. |
| The working triangle is the area in your kitchen where | | | | Whatever type of person you are there is a kitchen |
| the main activity of cooking and cleaning takes place. | | | | style that will suit you and your family. You need to |
| The theory here is that you do not place any of your | | | | ask the right questions first. Once you have done that |
| kitchen furniture i.e. cooker, fridge, worktop and sink | | | | the answers will be easy to find. After that it is a |
| any more than two metres from each other. Ideally | | | | matter of deciding your materials and designs. |
| you should be able to form an equilateral triangle from | | | | Easy. |