What’’s cooking in the kitchen?

Editor Mary Jane Harris discovers some great ideas for kitchens

Last week Janette and Anton Smit of Benton Furniture in Fourways, Johannesburg popped into the GH offices and showed us some of the kitchens they’ve created over the years. They specialise in custom-made kitchens, designed to suit the owner’s taste and cooking style. According to them, what’s proving very popular at the moment is a classic country look with a modern twist.

Here are some of the clever ideas we spotted in their presentation:

1. As the owner wanted extra baking space, Anton made this trolley which, when not in use, slides into this space under the counter. “It’s got a practical stainless steel top so you can also load it up with your braai ingredients and wheel it out onto the patio,” he says.

2. These metal strips were inset into the wooden counter top to protect the surface from hot pots and pans.

3. These pot rack light fittings serve two purposes. They illuminate the work surface below and, as they come with hooks, can be used to hang pots and herbs.

4. To highlight the island and give it its own identity, Anton suggests painting it a different colour to the rest of the cabinetry.

5. Instead of just using the reconstituted stone surface on the countertop, they wrapped it around the sides of this work area to give it a very contemporary look.

6. Here a glass splashback has been finished off with the addition of two floating shelves displaying collectables.

7. Use a large dresser to show off nice looking crockery. This one has doors that slide away out of sight. They can be closed should you not want the central section to be visible.