The splashback can be a difficult area of the kitchen to make a decision on. It's serves a very good purpose both aesthetically & practically & it also sits directly in your eye line, so it's important to consider all of your options. One of the most common materials to use on the splashback is toughened glass. It's very affordable & can be painted in any colour you choose to ensure the perfect match or contrast to your kitchen. It can be clear, or it can even be printed with cool patterns & textures or even mirrored for a slightly more glamorous touch. So yes, glass looks grea ..read more

The industrial style remains popular in 2019 & it's a great way to add some interest to your kitchen. By using various materials, textures & metallics there are so many ways to add just a simple touch, or a boat load of industrial style to your home. So today I wanted to share with you just 3 simple ways that you can bring those cool factory vibes into your new kitchen. For the ultimate industrial kitchen Mix your textures. Channel the factories of the north west & think stone, brick, wood & metal, it's 100% OK to use them all in one room if you want that raw & heavily indu ..read more

From a designers point of view, islands are one of the most requested features among my clients. Even if the client knows they can't fit one in, they still always inform me that they thought about it & they even considered extending the house; or even moving just for the prospect of having an island. I've been been forced (against my designers will) to design a kitchen or two with islands in smaller rooms that leave barley any circulation (walking) space (more on this later). I measured an island out in the showroom once during a meeting & I advised the client they would have to walk ..read more

Today's post is going to give you low down on worktop materials. I find that a lot of people can feel confused about which material is best for them, how much they could spend & what can be achieved. The worktop is an important part of any kitchen & how you use your space can be crucial to what materials you use. The guide below should help to give you a starting point of what may suit your project, but always ask your designer for more information; as they will be able to recommend suitable products based on your budget, design & lifestyle. AFFORDABLE Laminates Laminates often g ..read more

Today we're talking all about worktop space, one of the most requested features amongst my clients! Although it's all dependant on the overall size of the kitchen, there is nothing worse than not having enough space to prep food, plate up or keep your small appliances. So today I'm giving you 5 super space gaining tips to make sure you can get the maximum worktop space in your new kitchen. Minimise tall units The first & most obvious trick is to lower as many units as possible. I know you probably love the idea of built in ovens, pantries & tall pull out larders but for every tall unit ..read more

I've dealt with such a wide variety of kitchens over my career & it's not unusual to plan a huge open plan kitchen in a new build, for the next client to request an small L-shape kitchen in a terrace. It's the beauty & the diversity of the property market that we have here in the UK & I love that every project comes with it's own challenges. It keeps my day interesting & keeps my mind working too. However, no matter the shape or budget for the kitchen, if you have a smaller space to work with don't think your kitchen has to feel cramped & difficult. These are some of my fav ..read more

With the 1st quarter of the year (somehow) gone, all of the new products in the KBB industry have now been released & are ready to purchase; & Design by Helium has welcomed on board some wonderful new additions for 2019. Furniture Our ,Baystone in-frame shaker (below) has also had an overhaul & has had a tonne of new beautiful features added to the range. Some of the new additions include, moulded plinths new larder doors, new built in oak accessories such as chopping boards & serving trays, new dresser units & beautiful slab drawer fronts to add a contemporary twist. We h ..read more

Having a new kitchen installed is such an exciting feeling. You may get carried away looking at your beautiful designs & triple checking your samples but before you can enjoy your new space it's likely you'll be without a working kitchen anywhere from a few days to a few weeks; depending on the size of the project & the work that needs to be undertaken. Not having a working kitchen can make life seem stressful, unorganised & just plain difficult; especially if there are a few little mouths to feed too. So there are a few things I'll always advise my clients to do before a kitchen r ..read more

Today we're doing something a little different. We're getting up close & personal with Francesca, the founder & designer at Design by Helium to learn a little more about the woman behind the brand & what it's really like to be a kitchen designer. What made you choose kitchen design as a career? I actually didn't. I originally set out for a career as an interior designer. On my hunt for work experience, I was lucky enough to be given a part time admin job at a local kitchen showroom. Part time turned into full time & they saw some flair in me & trained me up as a designer ..read more

After 10 fabulous years in the industry, I can safely say I've learnt a thing or two. I've designed hundreds of projects & met thousands of clients; which means I've also been asked millions of questions. Some reoccurring, some quite odd & some totally out of the blue. In this time I've also learnt a lot about the way people shop for kitchens, & some of the mistakes they make a long the way. So today, please allow me, your industry expert, to give you, my top 5 tips for shopping for your new kitchen! Above: Cosdon - Our German Hybrid Kitchen. Find out more by clicking the image. P ..read more