Fife Architects Featured in Home & Interiors Scotland Magazine
Home and Interiors spoke with Lucy Beltrán, one of the partners at Fife Architects about the current trend of colourful kitchens.
“Our practice is definitely a fan of colour, and we try to give our clients confidence to use bold colours whether it’s in a kitchen, on external timber cladding, or on window frames,” says Lucy.
“BLACK. WHITE. GREY. For a long time, these neutrals have formed the basis of many a British kitchen. In part, it’s a budget thing: a new kitchen is expensive and neutral colours are a safe way to future proof. But bolder, brighter colours can stand the test of time too – and, increasingly, people are taking the plunge and inviting a more energetic palette into the heart of their homes.” Natasha Radmehr from Home & Interiors.
They discussed some recent kitchen designs by Fife Architects that showcase how a strategic splash of colour can enhance a room that’s primarily functional. For example, in a three-storey Victorian villa in St Monans, the homeowners chose Shaker-style timber cabinetry from Cupar’s The Painted Kitchen, complementing their home’s traditional aesthetic. This was brightened up with Little Greene’s Yellow Pink paint, a delightful earthy mustard. “They’ve achieved a wonderful balance between tradition and something refreshingly new.” Lucy Beltrán.
If a bold colour block isn’t your preference, consider the kitchen in the 1960s bungalow in Anstruther shown on the right. Here, Fife Architects drew inspiration from modernist Californian design to revamp the home into a more contemporary space. The KitCaboose kitchen units feature handcrafted birch ply veneer in two finishes: natural and vibrant orange laminate.
In both kitchens, the walls are painted in soft, neutral tones. While not mandatory, this approach is advisable if you want your colourful cabinetry to stand out without other elements competing for attention.
“When it comes to any big colour decision, I would always recommend fixing a sample of the colour, as large as possible, to the area you are considering (or if the area isn’t built yet, wherever you can fix it!). Have the colour around for a few weeks and see how you feel about it.” Lucy Beltrán.
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