We see you, Northern Lights; and we raise you a glow. A West Midlands glow.
Alas, the nights are drawing in. All across the land, dads are looking at their watches and showing surprise* at how dark it is already at 4 o’clock. (*as they do every year) And we can choose. We can choose to spend the winter in our dark kitchens wishing for sunshine. Or we can choose to embrace the cosy weather; to embrace it and channel our Inner Scandinavian. And to light up wintry homes with some stunning Scandi style kitchen design.
For, if there’s a nation (or group of nations) that knows how to light up a dark and dreary winter, it’s our Nordic cousins.
Whether it be with mystical lights dancing across the sky like Santa and the elves are having a rave, or just bloody great lighting, the Scandinavians are all over it. And now we, their British brethren, have embraced / borrowed / copied / stolen* this Scandi style for our kitchens. (*delete as applicable)
When you think of Scandinavia, what springs to mind?
Not the bleak Nordic Noir crime drama series, featuring a detective wearing itchy gran-knit jumpers. Not the budget flat-pack furniture stores that also sell slightly-odd meatballs. No, not even a smorgasbord of delicious Nordic meats, breads and rollmop herrings. Think of simple, clean lines. Think of minimalist kitchens brought to life with layers of muted Scandi tones and warmed up with touches of wood and playful pendant lighting design. On top of this, you add in all the very cleverest of storage solutions. Like the sound of it? So did the lovely Fernihoughs of Wall Heath when they came to us with a Pintrest-boård / Smörgåsbord of Scandi kitchen ideas; looking to create the perfect family kitchen in their extension.
Getting that sleek Scandi kitchen design
They wanted a bright showstopping kitchen that would not just look good, but become the very heart of their family home. Firstly, our design team opted for top-quality matte white cabinetry to create a simple and fresh backdrop. In order to achieve the pared-back Nordic vibe, we recommended handle-less cabinets and sleek Neff appliances with a downdraft cooker hood. Because less is more with Scandi style kitchen design. It’s all about creating a deceptively simple-looking kitchen. A Scandi kitchen that is undeniably classy and elegant.
Making it work:
But it’s not enough to make a simple kitchen. It’s got to be as beautiful to use as it is to look at. Because truly special Scandi kitchen design is a veritable smorgasbord of cleverly selected kitchen delights and accessories! It’s layer upon layer of carefully-considered task lighting and storage. It’s where top-end Scandi design ideas meet the very best of British kitchen craftsmanship. And it’s where The Gallery Fitted Kitchens really showcase our decades of kitchen design and expertise.
Our customer’s brief was to create a stunning kitchen that really worked for their family life. In order to achieve this, we had storage and practicality at front of mind.
We recommended a space tower to offer superb storage space, hidden from view. Plus a large capacity white Belfast sink to deal with the practicalities of family life without compromising on style.
Furthermore, we suggested a Quooker boiling water tap which is both practical and super-efficient. And saying goodbye to the kettle meant one less item to clutter up the beautiful Scandi kitchen vibe!
Adding that warm Scandi glow
With the fresh and simple backdrop sorted and the storage solutions done, it was time to have some fun! Time to add the warmth and glow to our Scandi kitchen design! We opted for an eye-catching solid oak countertop to add a layer of warmth and texture to the kitchen. Our experienced fitters then carried that through to the island unit. In-keeping with the Scandi vibe, we decided to add a seating area to create a family area that’s warm and inviting, whatever the weather.
Bringing the Scandi kitchen design vibe home
As ever with a beautifully crafted kitchen, it’s the finishing touches that really bring it all together. Adding in a textured rug or two and some cosy cushions is the perfect way to add Scandi kitchen accessories to complete the look. Finally, taking inspiration from the very best of Scandi kitchen ideas, we added in uber-stylish pendant lighting over the island unit. The finished result is a stylish family kitchen with a warm glow and a hint of Scandinavian playfulness.
