PEWTER AND GUNMETAL HARDWARE
Pewter and gunmetal are the trends we love. They're not as harsh as matte black or as specific as brass or gold, but it gives fixtures some texture and depth.

OPEN SHELVING
A new trend is replacing kitchen upper cabinets with metal, wood or glass shelving. This adds to the overall bold statements many want to make in their homes, forgoing the minimalism that was popular in years past.

VINTAGE VIBE
We'll continue to see traditional elements and forms in harmony with modern design in 2019. Think honed, natural stone, organic basalt tiles, hand wrapped rattan furniture and vintage-inspired fixtures and lighting.

COLORED UPHOLSTERY
In 2019 we are officially closing the door on pure white kitchens. Even if it's just one element of accent color such as blue counter stools, a patterned roman shade or powdered coated island pendants. Pops of colour will be sneaking into the pure white blank slate of kitchens past.

USE OF WOOD
People are increasingly seeking connections from nature. It creates a welcoming and calming environment, and is a timeless, versatile material we love. We see a growing desire for lighter, airier spaces, and wood is a wonderful material to incorporate to achieve this. 

Many kitchen spaces are quite large and this allows for endless design opportunities. One aspect many home owners request in the kitchen area is sufficient gathering space for friends and family as well as extra worktop space. A kitchen island is the perfect tool in providing both. The island design should be based on form and function. Ultimately the size, shape and style of the kitchen influence the type of island to be designed for the space. A few modern island designs to inspire you:

Have you found the perfect cosy home, in the right area or have you realised your current kitchen simply does not give you enough space? So why not work within this space and make best use of what's available. Depending on your layout you can redesign using the existing parameters to be functionally ideal and still aesthetically satisfying. Whether it is a single wall, u-shape or L-shape kitchen, every space can be designed well.

Planning is essential to a perfect kitchen and is dependent on what works for you. Create zones which can serve singular or multiple functions, for example your wash up and prep area can work as one; your cooking, coffee and microwave area as one; or your pantry, storage and cold area as one. The use of the right finishes and colours will make your kitchen appear visually larger than reality, so stick to light colour tones to bring an openness but don't be afraid to play with different patterns and textures, large scale appears greater to the eye, all applied in proportion.

The correct lighting is vital; a well light room will appear bigger than a dark room. Hang pendant lights if the space allows bringing light and different levels into the kitchen. Adding breakfast seating can double up as a dining area or even movable seating which can be hidden when not used. Removing wall units takes away the bulky looking kitchen but adding shelves to replace them will provide storage. Remember tall units require space and provide storage but keep them to a minimum or a single wall/ area. An island on wheels can be quite useful as extra work surface and can be rolled away to create space in the kitchen. Select slim-line ornaments and appliances to give you space.

Do not clutter! Always remember to keep it clean and simple. – "less is more".

Kosher kitchens go much deeper, but covering the basics of the kosher kitchen, this mean that the design of the kitchen is crucial as there are a lot of factors to keep in mind. One is that while planning and designing a kosher kitchen that for the next 10 to 15 years this is going to be a kitchen that will be used daily. Weizter keeps this in mind and we start the design and planning according to principles. The kitchen must be practical, functional, convenient, efficient and aesthetic. There are two sinks, two prep areas, (in some kosher kitchens if space allow it two ovens), two fridges, two or more cupboards for plates, two drawer cupboards and two or more pot drawer cupboards. With all the double cupboards Weizter do the lay out so that everything is within reach while preparing food. And most of all to ensure our client that everything will be according to the Jewish law when it comes to the kosher kitchen. Whoever choose Weizter to do a kosher kitchen can have peace of mind that, as we have the knowhow, solution and the ability to design and deliver a long lasting, value for money kosher kitchen.

At the most basic level, a Kosher kitchen is a kitchen that have two of everything. A Kosher kitchen origin is from the Jews and the kitchen have divided areas for certain foods. Kosher foods are divided into three categories namely: meat, dairy and pareve. Weizter know what the basic principles of kashrut is 'the total separation of meat and dairy products'. Meat and dairy may not be cooked or eaten together. To ensure this, the kosher kitchen contains separate sets of dishes, utensils, cookware, and separate preparation areas for meat and dairy. A third category, pareve, is comprised of foods which are neither meat nor dairy and may therefore be eaten with either. Here is the low down of the three food categories regarding kosher kitchens:

 What do we have now?

At the moment, we can only brag about basic functions generally considered intelligent, we haven't yet reached the level of what would be considered a clever kitchen but I'm most impressed with the happenings in the appliance sphere, they seem to be making the most headway in terms of bringing us closer towards the "kitchen of tomorrow". 

The dynamic they seem to be pursuing is heavily emphasized by spatial ambiance.

What is spatial ambiance?

An understanding of the space and how we interact with it. Exteroception is our foundation, using our senses to feel our surroundings and interact with them, playfully on purpose.

Now imagine being where you are, and feeling like the universe is conspiring to make where you are…well, perfect. That's where the "Smart Appliance" comes into play. It knows what you need when you need it.

The general approach, necessary to facilitate an intelligent integration, is in fact determined by the spatial dynamics of each individual node(object) on a network . Needs are directed by function and appeal to us through aesthetic blending. At the moment, the integrations are purely modern in design and would be visually out of place in a traditional or country themed kitchen...maybe that will change but for now we are working within a small spectrum of what's actually possible.

We are at the very early stages of integrating technology in our homes but the era has begun. I for one, am truly excited to be in a position where I get to watch this market grow,  marching onwards into the new future as the world around us becomes more complicated and a lot smarter, allowing us to spend more time on the things that matter to us most.

What makes a kitchen smart? Before we can answer that, we need to define the term.

If you define it through Google, a smart kitchen usually refers to something connected via the "IoT (Internet of Things) technology", Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. But if we got philosophical, we would determine the phrase alone as anthropomorphic in nature, so before trying to understand the relevance, let's look at the extent and functions the idea conveys.

Each area is defined by purpose, through a set of functions and actions. By integrating certain aspects, we can add certain conditions that enhance the purpose, integrations are the key, how connected is your kitchen?

• Charging stations, wi-fi router
• Smart appliances / SD hubs
• Integrated tech (browser facility, calendar integrations, video call tech)
• "IOT" - Iinternet Of Things

A few examples of how this could look:

1. Access to the web - link your accounts and watch cooking videos on YouTube while you cook
2. Ability to control certain aspects remotely
3. Safety - prevention and enhancements
4. Access control and surveillance 

Kitchens can be greatly enhanced just by adding proper lighting, in this day and age there are numerous colors and designs when it comes to lights, so it is vital that your designer guide you through the various ways in which you can place your lighting, Aesthetics can be enhanced by more lighting, either through highlighting certain aspects or saturating the space altogether.

Your kitchen lighting design should be based on three layers of light.

• 1.Task lighting being the brightest of the three, this is to highlight your countertops, sinks, island, and any area where food preparation and cleaning occurs.
• 2.Ambient lighting is much softer and is used to highlight areas like entrances and exits as well as walls and the floor.
• 3.Accent lighting, in between task and ambient lighting in brightness, can be used to highlight architectural features or inside your glass cabinets to show off your fine china.

When you have incorporated all three layers you will achieve the right level of lighting in your kitchen. this also helps to minimize shadows which is often a result of the exclusive use of overhead lighting.

LED Lighting In modern kitchen design

Many choose open-plan kitchens. Do you want your kitchen to look warmer, more vibrant, or unique? It is very simple, just add LED strip lights strategically placed by your designer, to transform your kitchen, Remodeling your kitchen is all about finding a balance between ergonomics, aesthetics, and exclusivity. Proper lighting is what makes or breaks its appeal. Led strip lights combine convenience with saving energy LED strip lighting is definitely on of the must-haves of 2022 kitchen. Let us show you how!

Modern kitchens can be perceived in many different ways. An example of a modern kitchen is a kitchen with two or three different colors incorporated in the door options as well as a mixture of 2 different types of countertops. This is called a 2tone kitchen and is used a lot in the 21^st century.

There's been a strong influence from minimalism, which is evident in the kitchen below. The long horizontal lines create an illusion of space when added with thin slabs of stone. Pure and simple design methodologies are at the forefront of the modern kitchen with an overwhelming focus on functionality and layout. Elegant inserts add an extra dimension to your workspace, making life in the "21st century just that bit easier".

Weizter can design and manufacture your own Modern Kitchen. Get Yours HERE: https://www.weizter.co.za/en/designer-products/kitchen-cupboards/modern-kitchens