"catering services and kitchen units"

Whatever your catering needs, be it a professional kitchen or a hog roast machine at events, you’ll know that a responsive, reliable energy supply is an essential ingredient. Where mains gas isn't available, Calor LPG can deliver food cooked to perfection and this is why we're the trusted LPG supplier for names like Macdonald Hotels and Greene King.

A Somerset based kitchen designer and supplier of bespoke appliances, as well as units and islands, has called on the services of GEC Anderson for the fit-out of her own home.

Angel Gardens is one of Manchester’s newest, purpose built, residential developments and is located in the fashionable Northern Quarter of the city.Residents of the development enjoy a ‘clubby’ feel to their living environment with a number of exclusive facilities included within the high-rise building. As well as cinema and gym areas, the roof terrace on the 9th floor boasts not only a barbegue / bar / entertaining / dining area but also a football pitch. Included in the roof-top oasis is an outdoor kitchen, supplied and installed by GEC Anderson. Comprising of stainless steel base cabinets, a continuous stainless steel worktop with integral sink and back upstand, the kitchen is used for functions and generally to cater for requirements of visitors to this level of the building.

Refurbishment of a campsite services facility at a popular country park provided an unusual testing ground for part of a new stainless steel kitchen furniture range developed for the professional catering sector. But after a full season’s camping at Emberton Country Park, the double bowl sinktop from GEC Anderson’s new Decimetric® range has met all expectations and is set for a long service life.Emberton Country Park, near Milton Keynes, was developed from disused gravel workings and is today an attractive parkland setting of 200 acres. It caters for a variety of uses and includes 58 pitches for tents and touring caravans, rally fields, lake and river fishing, a conservation area, children’s play areas, a shop and washroom/toilet facilities.As part of a major refurbishment of the services block for campers in the touring field, Milton Keynes Council’s Construction Services Department refitted the washroom where campers wash their crockery and cooking utensils. After another supplier was unable to deliver a suitable sinktop within the council’s timeframe, Robert Gritton, Project Manager for Milton Keynes Council, shopped around for a cost effective alternative – and became one of the first customers to order from the Decimetric® range. “GEC Anderson was able to custom make the sinktop in a very short time, and everyone has been very pleased with it. I’m very glad that the other make was not available,” he says. “The other big advantage of the Decimetric® product is that its 100mm modular size increments permit specification of the largest possible unit to fit a space, without the premium of a true bespoke installation.”The Decimetric® sinktop is extremely durable, but requires minimal maintenance. Park Manager David MacCarter says: “It’s really solid, well made and it will never wear out. The cleaners just give it a wipe over every day: it’s easy to keep clean and it looks great.”The 1,700 x 600mm sinktop of commercial grade stainless steel has a water-retaining 40mm lipped edge at the front and sides, and an 85mm sloping upstand at the back. The bowls are 400 x 400 x 250mm and positioned 100mm apart, centrally along the length of the sinktop. Both have 38mm outlets and two 30mm diameter tapholes at 200mm centres behind each bowl. The sinktop stands on square section stainless steel legs with adjustable feet. A solid stainless steel shelf is fitted under the sinktop. The new Decimetric® range from GEC Anderson offers a flexible and comprehensive selection of sinks, surfaces, support frames, cabinets and shelving. The range was developed mainly for the professional catering market, but its versatility, good looks and low maintenance requirements make it an excellent choice for applications requiring hard-wearing and hygienic surfaces. Decimetric® units are easy to specify and are offered in sizes from 500-3,000mm, with 100mm sizing increments (100mm = 1 decimetre). The modular approach makes for economy and short delivery times. Founded in England in 1962, GEC Anderson has pioneered the development of made-to-measure stainless steel products. Today, the company’s range includes bowls, worktops, cabinets, shelving and sanitaryware for use in domestic, commercial and specialist environments. All products are manufactured to ISO 9001 and backed by a comprehensive support service from planning and product specification to installation and maintenance.

Bespoke kitchen designer, Connaught Kitchens has chosen a GEC Anderson made to measure stainless steel worktop for display in its newly renovated showroom in London.Connaught Kitchens, situated in Porchester Place near Hyde Park has 22 years experience in designing bespoke kitchens for end users as well as designers, architects and developers. Driven by an acute attention to detail and an emphasis on providing a quality service from conception to completion, this privately owned company produces beautiful, yet practical kitchens. Design Director and Founder of Connaught Kitchens, Phillip Ozorio said, the installation of the stainless steel worktop formed part of our recent showroom makeover. We wanted to showcase an eclectic mix of kitchen finishes and stainless steel was a material we felt important to feature.

A full stainless steel ward kitchen was provided by GEC Anderson in the Royal London Hospital, part of the Barts NHS Trust.Working with main contractor, John Sisk & Son, GEC Anderson supplied the entire kitchen, comprising sinks and worktops, stainless steel legs and supports, base cabinets and wall cabinets. Some of the units were mobile (on castors) to facilitate cleaning.

A recent example of an outdoor kitchen, that includes a single-piece worktop with integrated sink. Stainless steel base cabinets and special lowered section to receive BBQ unit. Architect: Jonathan Freegard

Stone: LUNDHS Blue® - silk surface.Situated on a small island outside the coast of southern Norway, the owners of this lovely summerhouse have moved the kitchen outside. The well planned combination of wood and Lundhs Blue stone is in total harmony with the natural surroundings.

Stone: LUNDHS Emerald® - silk/leather surface.Norwegian farmer and florist, Helga Bonden, has renovated her family kitchen. Blending contemporary materials and a modern colour palette into the 100-year old farmhouse with care, the end result is absolutely beautiful.

To coincide with the launch of Morrison’s ‘M Kitchen’ range, a state-of-the-art Taste Kitchen has been constructed at the supermarket’s headquarters in Bradford. An existing kitchen was fully refurbished to create the facility which is used to trial food products for the new range.

Tool & Gauge Kitchen is a café and shared kitchen facility located within the new Frome Business Park in Somerset. The team at Interaction has designed a contemporary social space where people can eat, drink and connect, with a modern monochrome design that respects the building’s industrial history. It was important that the flooring offered a practical surface with plenty of character and a sense of intrigue.

The responsive service and high standard of craftsmanship offered by stainless steel specialist, GEC Anderson has led to the manufacturer repeating the success of a previous collaboration with a design practice renowned for its expertise in historic buildings: creating a commercial style kitchen within a very confined space in the undercroft to London’s French Protestant Church.  Although it was established in London by Royal Charter five centuries ago in 1550, the French Protestant Church’s current home in Soho Square was designed by Sir Aston Webb and was completed in 1893. The current contract came about partly as the result of an aspiration for improved facilities, able to cater for larger numbers of people and a pressing need to replace the sub-structure’s failing tanking system. Caroe Architecture Ltd. was duly appointed as the lead consultant while Coniston Ltd. was the main contractor for the work.Having worked with GEC Anderson on previous projects such as The Old Deanery in the City of London, Caroe Architecture was confident in seeking the company’s advice on the possibilities for the refit in the very confined space of the barrel-vaulted crypt. GEC responded by conducting a detailed site survey, followed by a ‘templating’, supply and installation contract.  The Project Architect, Alanah Honey, commented: “Not only was the existing, domestic scale kitchen beneath the French Protestant Church not meeting its full needs, but the failure of the old waterproofing measures required the walls to be taken right back to bare brickwork for repair.From previously just providing tea and coffee, the client wanted to move to more of a commercial scale installation, but unfortunately there wasn’t the space or the extract capacity for a full commercial facility, we therefore went for the highest specification we could, calling on the services of GEC Anderson on the basis of our past experience of working with the company.”  “The fit-out has gone very well with GEC installing all of its stainless steel drawer units, shelves and work-surfaces as well as providing a detailed specification for the church to purchase all the appliances direct, to help keep within budget. We are delighted to have been appointed to York Minster this year, having been nominated as Inspecting Architects to a number of other Cathedrals and major churches over the last 10 years. So our work is expanding significantly beyond London and Cambridge – also involving National Trust properties as well as the Oxbridge Colleges – so there is the likelihood for further cooperation with GEC.”   Benedicte Fougier, the President of the Consistory stated, “On the advice of our architects, Caroe Architecture Ltd., we contracted GEC Anderson to design and build a kitchen in our quirky, grade 2* historical building which was no small feat given the many architectural constraints. GEC Anderson has been terrific, coming up with creative ideas and delivering exactly what we needed and more. They have been extremely professional and personable throughout, very engaged with us through constant communication and adjusting their design until the last minute to take into account our needs”. Since its formation in 1962, GEC Anderson has built its reputation for the supply of top end stainless steel sinks and sanitaryware on a combination of innovative design, top quality materials and expert craftsmanship. In addition to the company’s Decimetric system of cabinets, sinks, drainers and other equipment - widely specified for sectors including health and catering - the company’s custom engineered solutions have been selected for some of the country’s top sports, entertainment and leisure destinations. 

application area: commercialuse type: extraction of cooking gases from kitchenproject scope: line brick extraction shaft to prevent grease build-upadded value: 25-year guarantee on liner, minimal downtime, easily fitted due to flexible materialBackgroundThis Hospital in Portsmouth has a busy commercial kitchen supplying restaurants and residents. Increasing reports of fumes from the greased-up brick extraction ducts have been a concern.A survey of the riser and plantroom was carried out to determine the most suitable solution. VentilFle-25 RKV for kitchen extracts was the preferred option due to the reduced access to the 30-meter brick riser.Statement of workThe shaft had been in use without a kitchen extract liner for the extraction of kitchen gases. This was a concern due to grease build-up, which can result in unpleasant odours within the building.VentilFlex-25 kitchen extract lining system was the chosen alternative lining method, with its jointless design, excellent heat resistance and fire rating, and crucially, an installation method that only required access at the top and the bottom of the riser.

Stainless steel worktops can often be thought of a ‘modern’ or that they are only suitable in contemporary kitchens. Actually, stainless steel worktops are very much suited to all styles and ages of kitchens and buildings as can be seen in this example.

A keen cooks kitchen with a large island and the finest Gaggenau ovens form an integral part of this design. The stunning kitchen also incorporated a fabulous dining and living area, which created a wonderfully atmospheric central space.

A highly sustainable Education & Visitor Centre is nearing completion alongside a historic landmark in a south London park, with the fit out including the installation of stainless steel sinks, work-surfaces and shelving units, supplied and installed by sector specialist, GEC Anderson. 

On this fast turnaround project we worked closely with Clarke Penman Architecture to manufacture and install polished concrete kitchen worktops and splash-backs.Concrete worktops are extremely strong and durable and designed to withstand busy family use. These were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The worktops were cut to fit various kitchen appliances and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof.Spanning over 6 metres, separate large BTX concrete panels were carefully assembled on site and fitted with brass sink and taps by our experienced team. The finished effect is a modern, industrial look that complements client’s design style and blends perfectly with the raw plastered walls and concrete floors, which together create a truly unique and highly functional kitchen.

A distinctly different appearance was created by kitchen designers Turner and Foye. A total of three stainless steel worktops were included - all with the rivet edge detail requested by their client.Series A sink A34 was integrated within one of the islands. All worktops are in EN 1.4301 grade brushed satin stainless steel.

United Utilities Group PLC (UU) is the largest listed water company in the United Kingdom. Covering 5 counties it is responsible for providing water service to nearly 7,000,000 customers.Between 2010 and 2015 it spent almost £3.6billion on upgrading its services and infrastructure to meet the ever-increasing demand for reliability and standards.The BriefTo meet the then current threat levels all fencing and gate systems had to provide the following.Anti-Climb Fencing SystemsLPS 1175 SR2 rated Fence and Gate SystemsA Minimum guaranteed delay against attackSwing and Sliding gates rated to LPS 1175 SR2 to meet the demanding nature of the sites

The rich tones of the Ebony Gloss Walnut combined with the Griege similacq Gloss doors make for an elegant family living space, the added touch of the Spekva breakfast bar finishes off the design nicely. Another beautifully crafted SieMatic Kitchen designed exclusively for the client's family to enjoy with friends and family for years to come.

Here's how Freedom has transformed Izzy's living space -Why Freedom?Freedom embraces unique features to support independent living scenarios and offers the latest kitchen trends so there’s no need to compromise on style. Key components of safety, style, storage and smart flexibility at the core of the Freedom brand, make it ideal for multi-generational living, including mobility requirements.Meet Izzy Izzy Hussain, is a full-time wheelchair user, who lives in Milton Keynes. Izzy’s new kitchen allows her to host friends and family with ease.  “I now have the freedom to cook what I want, when I want and this new style of kitchen allows me to be independent and spontaneous, which is really important for me.”Izzy’s previous kitchen wasn’t accessible. Izzy reverted to using a camping hot plate and an MDF worktop just so she had the ability to cook.Following Izzy’s spinal injury, Occupational Therapist Zoe Paye provided necessary support and helped oversee the design process and renovation of Izzy’s bungalow. Zoe recommended Adam Thomas, leading accessible design consultant and Tara Neil Kitchen Retailer to offer a tailored design service, including delivery and installation. Izzy’s Kitchen DesignAs part of an early design consultation, a few features were agreed:An Island on two levels with fixed height prep space and induction hob so Izzy can cook and entertain guests at the same time.A pull-out table, doubling up as a place to safely transfer dishes to the island and as additional preparation space.A pantry/tall larder with pull-out drawers providing easy and quick access to dried food and tins.Additional design features:A drinks cabinet as entertaining is a big part of Izzy’s life allowing her to host friends and family with ease. A NEFF Slide&Hide® oven, including heat proof resting shelf which Izzy wanted following good reviews on a Facebook spinal group. Essential storage such as pull down i-move baskets and pull-out pan drawers provide easy access to everyday items, helping Izzy to be independent. A push to open slimline NEFF dishwasher for ease of accessing crockery and kitchen utensils and a hot tap which eliminates the back and forth of filling up a kettle. Finally, a well-equipped utility room incorporating a sink to wash and groom her dogs as well as a handy pull-out dog treat drawer were a must-have for Izzy. Products featured: Freedom Alta Kitchen in gloss pure white with chrome handles. A statement worktop made from Quartzite in aurora pink.Appliances: sink with drainer, integrated hide and slide ovens and induction hob, hot tap, integrated fridge-freezer, slimline dishwasher, feature lighting and flip sockets.The Freedom brand is designed in collaboration with the Adam Thomas Consultancy. Adam is an accessible design consultant and industry expert with over 40 years’ experience. Freedom is available from selected retail partners around the UK.

The National Flooring Company, a Degafloor Ltd approved installer, have received another complimentary review following a kitchen refurbishment on the 23rd floor at a popular 4-star hotel in Manchester. Making the most of the quieter, New Year period, the hotel decided to upgrade their kitchen floor. Having worked at other locations for the popular hotel chain, The National Flooring Company were contacted to provide advice and following a successful proposal, were asked to complete the refurbishment. The kitchen, which is situated on the 23rd floor, required meticulous planning to ensure that works could be completed with minimal disruption to the hotel’s guests. The existing vinyl floor within the kitchen had become worn and brittle and sections were beginning to lift, causing a potential trip hazard. The vinyl floor was removed to expose the tiled finish underneath. Any loose tiles that had debonded from the floor were also removed and infilled with Degafloor Deep Fill, quick curing repair mortar.The National Flooring Company laid a scrape coat, embedded with a promesh reinforcing membrane, prior to the installation of the Degafloor Full Broadcast System (FB). The Degafloor FB system is broadcast with rounded aggregate to provide an anti-slip finish and retains this feature even in wet conditions to ensure employee safety is always maintained. As with all Degafloor systems, they are seamless and impervious, ensuring the floor will not lift, as previously experienced with the existing vinyl floor finish. Degafloor MMA resin flooring systems are fully cured within 2 hours of installation, allowing the hotel to resume normal kitchen operating procedures shortly after completion. MMA resins have a distinctive odour, but with the correct management, installations can progress with very little disruption. The National Flooring Company used the kitchen extraction system and sealed all doorways to contain and manage the odour.The project was completed to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer, Hilton MCR, who commented on how good the floor looked. “The restaurant being on the 23rd floor presented a logistical challenge.  However, after careful planning and consideration of our hotel operations, The National Flooring Company completed the installation efficiently and to a high standard.  We were impressed with the service from start to finish.”

The Living Concrete team are highly experienced at working with leading designers to create bespoke furniture for beautiful spaces. That’s why Charlotte Crosland came to us to discuss the design, manufacture and installation of this stunning outdoor kitchen and entertainment space, housed in a purpose built oak building at her client’s Great Missenden home.We cast a number of items including work surfaces, kitchen cupboards with shelving and drawers, fridge enclosure, BBQ, cast in sink with copper fittings and seatWe used a unique eco concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption and the smooth Silk Mist finish was treated and sealed with Satin Stain protection to make it damage proof. Our high-performance concrete doesn’t corrode or degrade, making it a long-lasting, practical choice that will keep its good looks. It’s fireproof too – a major advantage inside the home, but equally so in an outdoor oak-built structure such as this.

Living room and kitchen form a single area in many modern homes and often feature open-plan design. People cook where they eat and eat where they live. The owners of the 150 m2 period apartment in Paris had a clear concept: Kitchen should be located close to the living room or, better still, be an integral part of it. To fulfil this wish, Dutch firm i29 interior architects designed a kitchen island that's really a piece of furniture. Unusually high MDF panels pivot easily and slide into the recess thanks to pivot/slide-in hardware HAWA Concepta 50.

application area: commercial kitchen extractuse type: school kitchen air extractionproject scope: line brick duct with four linersadded value: 25-year guarantee on liner, no need to fit and maintain chimney fansBackgroundVentilFlex-25 engineers were to supply and install a bespoke kitchen canopy solution for a grade 2 listed school building in Hampshire. The bespoke canopy could not be fixed to the walls or the ceiling, which was 14 meters high.The 20-metre ventilation shaft had metal supporting crossbars. This made it impossible for any rigid extraction ducting system to be installed without affecting the integrity of the structure. The client opted for a kitchen extraction system with a different approach – VentilFlex-25 RKV – a composite liner solution supplied in a flat and soft state. The bespoke-made liners are useful for ducts where access is difficult or if the duct has bends and offsets.The main challenge of this installation was to insert and inflate 4 VentilFlex-25 RKV liners simultaneously. This way the liners would fill the available duct space evenly and act as a single large liner.Statement of workThe steaming took a few hours, during which the high temperature started a chemical reaction in the composite structure which solidified the resin and gave the liners their final physical characteristics – tensile strength, high corrosion-resistance, high heat-resistance and an air-tight finish. The new VentilFlex-25 RKV liners provide an outlet for the gases coming from 3 combi ovens, 2 range ovens a fryer and a grill.

Made-to-measure stainless steel worktops, by GEC Anderson, were recently specified by Munkenbeck and Partners at the highly desirable city space known as 55 Gee Street, Clerkenwell.The funky, new build, mixed-use development comprises offices, shops and six, high-end apartments. Four flats have two bedrooms, a two bedroom duplex occupies ground and basement levels whilst the 150 m penthouse has three bedrooms. Previously the site was occupied by a building belonging to Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.Outside, the distinctive street facade resembles a Jenga block game, made up of extruded airbricks, randomly assembled. The bricks allow natural cross ventilation through the wall without having to make the glass panels move.Inside, the contemporary living spaces are high tech and high quality. Concrete, wood, stainless steel and glass dominate the open, elegant and functional spaces. The continuous and expansive stainless steel worksurfaces blend-in perfectly within their neutral and effortless surroundings. Formed in one piece, the GEC Anderson custom stainless steel worktops include integral sink bowls and edge detailing. Full height splashbacks are included to alcove worktops whilst the striking penthouse kitchen includes a stainless steel island element.Stainless steel worktops and splashbacks still are often associated with only commercial kitchens. However, discerning specifiers have always recognised stainless steel as an interesting, practical and versatile worktop material for residential kitchens. GEC Anderson, with its high quality, brushed satin, stainless steel worktops has helped to promote the popularity of stainless steel within this environment, since the early Sixties.Alfred Munkenbeck, Munkenbeck and Partners, chose GEC Anderson worktops because they could be made in one piece, to the exact size and shape required and with the desired edge profiles, sink bowls and details. The highly specific requirements and details are matched by the quality, appearance, design honesty, integrity and practicality demanded by the apartment settings.GEC Anderson stainless steel worktops and splashbacks are made to order in any shape or size, with seamless finish and no visible joins or junctions. The Touch kitchen units, from OIKOS, were supplied by Eurobath Trading UK. A full measuring and installation service was provided by GEC Anderson for main contractor, Morgan Sindall.

The kitchen is regaining its position as the centre of family life. Kitchen designers now create modern shapes and realise innovative functions. However, kitchen planners often lack practical experience with technical innovations, particularly when these innovations are from the field of electrical installation technology.Electrical installation by: CIBEK technology + trading GmbH - Bernd Klein

The new £9.7 million Kitchen Garden Enclosure development at Cambridge’s Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, designed by Abell Nepp, features Ash & Lacy perforated panels that incorporate a complex wildlife illustration.

Four metres of stainless steel provides a ‘model’ worktop solution for one of the UK’s top fashion and photographic model agencies. Take 2 Model Management had the worktop installed in its new London offices, where it plays a key role in boardroom catering. The worktop was supplied by GEC Anderson, specialist in made-to-measure stainless steel products.Take 2 has on its books many top international and local models who feature on fashion catwalks and in campaigns for leading brands. Founded 25 years ago by Melissa Richardson and Gabriella Palmano, the agency was based in Covent Garden until its recent relocation to a converted 19th century warehouse at Willow Street, Shoreditch, the heart of London’s fashion district. The new premises includes a modern fourth storey boardroom, which is also used for general meetings and corporate events, necessitating a stylish and well-appointed kitchen-bar.  Bespoke manufacturer Woodbury Furniture Company was commissioned to build the kitchen-bar, with a stainless steel worktop specified by the architect. Woodbury designer Matthew King says: “We approached GEC Anderson for the worktop as we had worked with them on several previous commissions. They offer a wide choice of edge details and upstands, and can be relied on for seamless joins and a perfect fit.” The worktop was supplied in two sections to facilitate handling into the boardroom – via a spiral staircase. The sections were mounted on top of storage units and appliances and were clamp-jointed on site to provide a virtually seamless finish. A cut-out to accommodate a glass-top hob was provided, along with an integral 500mm x 400mm sink from GEC Anderson’s standard range. Melissa Richardson says: “It’s great – it looks lovely and it’s working well for us.” Woodbury and GEC Anderson also provided a 700mm stainless steel-topped teapoint with a 300mm diameter sink to serve staff and visitors on the lower floors.   Based near Exeter, Woodbury Furniture Company has a small team of craftsmen who produce custom furniture and kitchens in a variety of styles from traditional to contemporary. Matthew King says: “Stainless steel is an excellent choice for worktops because its seamless finish virtually eliminates the risk of leaks affecting storage or appliances.”  The GEC Anderson worktop and teapoint at Take 2 are made from satin finish stainless steel, which provides a hard-wearing surface that is easy to maintain to high standards of hygiene and retains an attractive appearance for many years. Founded in England in 1962, GEC Anderson has pioneered the development of made-to-measure stainless steel products. Today, the company’s range includes bowls, worktops, cabinets, shelving and sanitaryware for use in domestic, commercial and specialist environments. All products are manufactured to ISO 9001 and backed by a comprehensive support service from planning and product specification to installation and maintenance.

OBJECTIVEFor more information about the Bushboard products, request a RIBA CPD, download an NBS specification or order samplesvisit www.bushboard.co.ukLadybarn Community Centre in Manchester recently secured funding to give their kitchen a much-needed makeover that it deserved, Team Moregeous Design stepped up to the challenge.‘I wanted people to be wowed when they walked in but equally we had to keep to a budget. We had four days to completely transform the room.’Bushboard’s laminate lets the customer go high on looks, while keeping the cost low. Their idea is that everyone deserves great design whatever the budget underpins the Bushboard ethos of smart surfaces, clever ideas.Observation‘I had saved an inspirational room shot from deVOL that I wanted torecreate but I needed to be smart to achieve the style as I was on a budget.I attended KBB 2018 as it is always inspiring and showcases cool new decors. I visited Bushboard’s stand and saw all their impressive designs but the one that caught my eye was Turin Marble from the Options range.The samples from Bushboard arrived quickly and were a decent size. The information both online and in brochures is clear and easy tounderstand.’Bushboard offer free of charge samples that will be delivered to the customers door within 72 hours. As they understand how important the decision is.Turin Marble makes a luxury statement in any kitchen. The distinctive design is printed in life-like proportion to truly echo nature.Outcome‘I couldn’t be happier with the end result, I love it. The worktop is bold and dramatic but not overwhelming. It has wowed everyone.’The Options range has stunning laminate designs truly reflectingBushboard’s ethos of bringing smart surfaces and clever ideas.‘Classic, stylish, affordable luxury.I’ve specified Bushboard before over the years and have never beendisappointed. The new range is a step ahead in terms of on-trenddesigns and style. Brilliant!’‘The range is a step ahead in terms of on-trend designs and style. Brilliant

For Sheila Dearns, a former language teacher for 32 years, living with MS meant that as her condition progressed, she found her kitchen ill-equipped to cope with her changing needs.Sheila’s home is a bungalow in the centre of Chelmsford, where she has lived since 1996. It was when her MS began to leave her with little energy that Sheila decided to retire in 2010 and since then, she is finding it harder to ‘load bear’ and now classes herself as a full-time wheelchair user.It was when Sheila was left an inheritance from a relative that she began to consider making some practical changes to her home. The former kitchen was narrow with no accessible workspace to prepare meals. In fact, Sheila had to chop vegetables on the dining room table instead. With little energy and as a full-time wheelchair user, Sheila needed something to change in order for her to continue living independently at home.Her friend’s sister, Teresa Shaw; who owns the company Onyx Rehabilitation Ltd  that helps people with life-changing injuries, put Sheila in touch with leading designer of accessible kitchens Adam Thomas of the Adam Thomas Consultancy. It’s thanks to Adam’s input and collaboration that Freedom by Symphony have transformed the lives of so many people by empowering them with a sense of independence, enjoying accessible kitchens that are both practical to use and stylish to look at.Adam worked with kitchen retailer Blaines Interiors to create an accessible kitchen for Sheila that now works as the hub of her home. The project began by knocking down the wall between the former kitchen and living room to create one larger, open-plan space. Sheila moved out while the work was being done and the result is a fully wheelchair-friendly area with widened access to the garden, too.“Working with Blaines, we designed a fully functional and accessible kitchen,” says Adam, “which now includes I-move pull down baskets, allowing Sheila to access top shelves in wall cabinets without standing up from a seated position along with a 2.4m Rise & Fall worktop, a lovely feature that Sheila can adjust to suit her height so that she can use the worktop, sink with front access tap and hob when seated in her wheelchair. It’s a really flexible solution, as it can also be used by family and friends in the rise position. We also included a lowered dining table on hairpin legs for wheelchair access underneath, a pull and twist larder for easy access to dried ingredients, corner Le Mans storage and a combination oven, which suits Sheila’s style of cooking.”Sheila and Adam worked closely with Anthony Elsey from Blaines Interiors, who was a wonderful source of inspiration and ideas. Sheila wanted her kitchen to be calm and soothing with a brightly tiled splashback to add a statement look. “As a one-stop shop, Blaines takes clients on a seamless journey from conception to completion,” says Anthony. “This includes personalised consultation, expert advice, meticulous planning, flawless installation and the final finishing touches. Our team of designers are not only creative but also empathetic and supportive, ensuring that every client’s needs are met. They take pride in designing kitchens that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also affordable and accessible to all.”Design manager Anthony has experience in working with young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities and is fully committed to serving Freedom clients by creating fully functional and accessible kitchens. Blaines Interiors has two Freedom showrooms with four operational displays, where customers can explore and experience their designs first-hand. Their reach extends across the entire Eastern region, serving Norfolk, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.Sheila now has the hub of the home she really wanted. “I can now cook for myself and use all the facilities,” she says. “My energy also now lasts longer too, as everything is made so much simpler for me.”

IssueEstablished in 1916, Doylestown Country Club is a private country club located in Pennsylvania, USA. In addition to its reputation as one of the top golfing destinations in the state, the Doylestown Country Club’s culinary team strives to create memorable dining experiences for all members and guests. To achieve this goal, the country club has created a new space to elevate kitchen safety and ensure efficient back-of-house operations.ApproachDoylestown Country Club wanted a floor that would provide comfort for their staff, who spend prolonged periods on their feet. Other considerations including reducing noise transferrence in a busy commercial kitchen and having a floor that could be installed around the kitchen drains which required a watertight, seamless transition with the flooring.SolutionAfter consultation between the Altro sales and technical teams, together with the flooring installer and specifier, 350sqm of Altro Stronghold 30 was specified, keeping staff safe from slips and helping to reduce fatigue thanks to its 3mm thickness.Altro Stronghold 30 achieves Altro’s highest rating for slip resistance (PTV ≥55, R12) and is designed to minimise risk in wet and greasy conditions for the lifetime of the flooring. As well as helping to keep staff safe from slips, it also helps reduce their fatigue, thanks to its 3mm thickness which provides noise reduction and comfort underfoot.

THE PROJECTTo help with the remodel of Poppenpohl Groups studio on Wigmore Street London we provided a replacement awning for their shopfront. The studio houses luxury kitchens for high-end projects, offering consultations and design services for clients across London and surrounding areas.THE CHALLENGETo match the design used in the remodeling each patio awning needed to be the same colour and be as discrete as possible once closed to match the buildings facade.THE SOLUTIONThe Weinor N2000 patio awning was chosen due to the fact it could be recessed into the building facade, and because it’s angular design lent itself well to the aesthetic of the shopfront. The project required two awnings with widths of 4400mm and 3500mm, and matching projections of 1500mm. The finish was anthracite with a dark grey fabric colour which matched the studios branding and overall impression of the building.

At the Paris-Le Bourget airport, Air Culinaire Worldwide has just moved into its new kitchen. The kitchen, corridors, locker rooms, preparation rooms (hot and cold) and the storage rooms were fitted with Altro Stronghold 30 on the floor and the Altro Whiterock White on the walls.

Here's how Freedom has transformed the Troke Family's living space - Why Freedom?Freedom embraces unique features to support independent living scenarios and offers the latest kitchen trends so there’s no need to compromise on style. Key components of safety, style, storage and smart flexibility at the core of the Freedom brand, make it ideal for multi-generational living, including mobility requirements.Meet The Troke FamilyLucille Troke, is a wheelchair user who lives with her family in Aylesbury. Over the last few years, the family’s property has been renovated to enable Lucille, younger sister Josephine and her parents, Leonie and Jon the ability to use and enjoy their new kitchen.  “I look forward to using this amazing kitchen every day! My mum has always been really good at baking pastries and cakes and now I can also enjoy cooking at home”.The family’s previous kitchen had a custom-made fixed lowered worktop, which was helpful to Lucille, but it was back-ache inducing for the rest of the family. The old kitchen had outward opening oven doors which were impractical for Lucille to use.Zoe Paye of OT Healthcare, the family’s Occupational Therapist, provides support to the family and oversaw the design process for the transformation of their bungalow. She suggested Adam Thomas, accessible design consultant, of the Adam Thomas Consultancy and Tara Neil Kitchen Retailer.The Design SolutionsAs part of an early design consultation, a few essential yet practical accessible kitchen features were agreed:Integrated Slide&Hide® ovens positioned at a 90-degree angle to a lowered height fixed worktop to makes it easier, and safer, for Lucille to transfer dishes to and from the oven.A tall larder with i-move pull-down baskets and pull-out drawers, providing quick and easy access to dried food and tins.Various work surface space to make the kitchen ideal for all the family; a standard worktop with sink, a lowered height worktop, an electric rise-and-fall worktop with induction hob and sink.   Additional design features:Pull-out crockery and pan drawers, so the contents are easy to access and visible at a glance. Plenty of manoeuvring space incorporated into the layout to ensure a fit-for-purpose space to support Lucille’s mobility requirements. Le Mans pull-outs in the corner base cabinets, ideal for storing and accessing items in hard to reach corners. A waterfall edge finish to the electric rise-and-fall worktop, to avoid accidental spillages onto Lucille. Flip sockets set within the rise-and-fall work surface to allow easy reach for Lucille. Two sinks, one at a standard height near the dishwasher and the other, a prep sink set within the rise-and-fall work surface providing essential convenience for all the family. Recycling and waste bins integrated into cabinetry, accessible to the whole family.  Products featured: Freedom Urban kitchen in Indigo colourway with chrome handles. Mix of worktop materials in Quartzite and Corian in pale grey and white.Appliances: single bowl sinks, integrated hide and slide ovens, microwave and induction hob, hot tap, integrated fridge-freezer & dishwasher, feature lighting and flip sockets.The Freedom brand is designed in collaboration with the Adam Thomas Consultancy. Adam is an accessible design consultant and industry expert with over 40 years’ experience. Freedom is available from selected retail partners around the UK.

The Allsop family started planning their kitchen renovation project in September 2021 and wanted to create an inviting room featuring special touches such as glass work surfaces alongside the latest in energy-saving technology. As they had already installed underfloor heating in their home before, they knew that an electric floor heater would be the ideal heating solution due to its ease of use, sustainable technology, and low running costs. The DCM-PRO was chosen as the most efficient solution, offering rapid installation times and increased and huge savings on energy bills due to its efficiency, further enhanced after being paired with our 6iE Thermostat. This system was perfect for use with the Allsop’s new Karndean vinyl floors and is also ideal for kitchens with stone or ceramic floor tiles as its decoupling technology helps protect tiled floors from damage. The low-profile design of the DCM-PRO is also perfect for all types of refurbishment projects in rooms with fixed ceiling heights as it will have a negligible impact on floor levels.