somanydecisions!
|
Tim, this is a fantastic site,
although, I should be sleeping.
I have a few questions for you though…
Firstly, our kitchen has two sash
windows and the bottom of the window (above the sill), I think would be slightly below the worksurface. How lame would it look
to have base units down that wall and have a continuous splashback in front of the windows?? Have you seen any kitchens like
that? Any suggestions? Would a particular splashback look better? What about size of splashback?
Secondly, have you
heard of Ttura? It’s a recycled glass/resin worktop? It seems quite cool and I like the idea of using recycled products, but
I’m not sure about it’s durability and whether it’s low maintance?
Am I right that you favour quartz? I do like
the fact that it’s reflective and that it’s non-porous (i.e. low maintence) and the fact that it seems quite durable… But
I also like wood, but am afraid of the 3-4 times oiling (doubtful that I’d actually do that- two young kids keep me tired 
And it seems that laminate, good quality ones with a straight edge is nearly as pricey as the others!?
It’s
such a mindfield!!
Thank you in advance and will be checking out your links… there are so many things to think
about!
|
somanydecisions!
|
did i ask too many questions??
|
timfoley
|
Not at all, I just bide my time waiting for others to sometimes express an opinion before throwing
my own hat in the ring.
To offer my opinion on your questions, a splashback in this configuration can look good and
would act effectively in serving as a barrier against water ingress. Providing you don’t exceed a certain height and my limit
here would be no more than 150mm, your design will stiill remain aesthetically pleasing. Not only have I seen kitchens such as
this, I have also fitted them. Take a look at the kitchen here
http://www.kitchensfitted.co.uk/news/To … Donald.php
Ttura looks a good surface but at £400 per
linear metre it is expensive and I am a fan of quartz but only due to the research I have undertaken on the opinion of those
fabricators who work closely with it both here and in the States where it has been an established surface of choice for many
years. I am a great believer in bowing to a better judgement than my own in determining the value of a product and who better
to ask than those who work with different surfaces day in and day out.
I will carry out my own investigations into
Ttura and will report back on the properties of the surface in comparison to what is already available to the buyer.
As
for wood I have to say that I am not the greatest supporter of it as a work surface but as a fan of contemporary design I am
perhaps being unfair to those of a traditional favour. Wood requires regular maintenance and is less durable and resilient
than solid surfaces but I do accept that in a traditional design there is, for many, no substitute.
Laminate is the most
popular surface because it is far more affordable than solid surfaces and as with any product, proper maintenance will extend
it’s longevity.
Quality of a laminate surface is crucial and choosing the right brand will ensure you obtain good value
for your money. I will e-mail my suggestions to you.
Thank you for your kind words of praise and I hope the answers
have been of some use in your decision making,
|
somanydecisions!
|
Sorry if I was being impatient! But it was definitely worth the wait! That’s so funny, I did see those pictures before
and I didn’t even notice that the splashback went over the window!! I guess goes to show that it doens’t look bad at all!!
It’s a relief, as I thought it was seriously going to limit my kitchen design!
I hear what you are saying about Ttura,
but am looking forward to your findings. I’ve been trying to further research the material, but as someone who has little to
nil experience around worktops, it’s very easy to get ‘talked over’. And really, I had no idea actual prices for worktops
to compare, as i’ve been quoted a variety of prices (depending on what’s incl. installation, cut outs, etc. so thanks for
being so straight forward)
I’m looking forward to your email and thank you A LOT!!
We are in the middle of
trying to find a kitchen, without having actually lived in the space- plus, we’re knocking down a wall, so it’s very
difficult to imagine the space when we’re there… but am definitely finding your website essential reading, esp. the forum
where i can read about other people’s experiences, opinions and mistakes so that I can hopefully avoid the same ones myself!
And I love that I can follow an old thread from their first query to their, usually, successful end result!
|
