MBK Design Studio Knowledge Centre
Because of my experience in the industry I write a regular column in the Kitchen and Bathroom News, a national trade magazine and contribute to a leading consumer online blog, The Kitchen Think, a news blog on all things kitchen, where I write articles about design and products.
Knowledge Centre
Please find below a number of articles which should answer some of your questions. We want to provide you with additional information about products and services that are available plus give you some useful tips to help you on your journey.
Choosing the right Kitchen Sink & Taps
It is important to choose high quality taps and sinks, inferior sinks mark and scratch easily. Taps and sinks are the centre point of any kitchen, so a good looking tap provides a good impact visually combined with an attractive sink reinforces the pedigree of your...
Choosing your new Kitchen Lighting
Good lighting is crucial. Make sure that you have installed good lighting that can illuminate different areas of your kitchen for different usage. There is nothing worse than poor lighting in a kitchen, leaving working areas in the dark and also being unable to create...
Choosing your new Kitchen doors
There are an infinite number of different door styles available today and the style of the door is more of a fashion decision. When choosing a door the choice can be overwhelming, however there are a few designs that are always popular. “Shaker Door” are a solid frame...
Why buy a kitchen from an independent retailer
“An Honest Comparison” We exist in a competitive society and to consider that Independents cannot compete with National Retailers would be an incorrect assumption. On a like for like basis the Independents will compete however we don’t want to just compete on that...
How to achieve a stress free Kitchen renovation
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which gives an overview on how to achieve a “stress free” Kitchen renovation... For many of us, the kitchen is the hub of the house, the place where we spend most of our time. If that’s not the...
How to choose your perfect stone worktop
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Here is an article from Houzz which provides a very detail explanation of the different types of stone worktops available in today's market. Natural stone is the traditional tough guy of the kitchen, providing a durable and...
How to choose your perfect wooden worktop
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which provides a very detail explanation of the different types of Wooden Worktops available in today's market. Wood provides a warming element to any decor, with its natural hues and ability to...
Is this the end of the Kitchen work triangle as we know it?
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which provides details about what was the “Kitchen Triangle” and how things have changed... With kitchens evolving into open-plan social hubs, we investigate the impact on traditional layouts....
How to design a Kitchen
Kitchen design as with any design should be a partnership of the client and supplier. It should be a dance of minds whereby a series of good questions and answers a successful outcome will result in the satisfaction of both partners of the dance. When you decide to...
Top tips in designing your Kitchen
So what should you be thinking about next as you have visited a number of showrooms and you may be at the stage where you have decided on the style you would like. Some showrooms ask that you bring in your measurements so that they can design your kitchen, however...
When a renovation can be as good as a brand new Kitchen
Kitchen Renovation Case Study The Brief Our client is a pensioner whose kitchen is over 20 years old and now wants to modernise it to create a more airing feeling to her kitchen and to make the layout more functional. Her kitchen in a 1960’s house in a commuter belt...
Where to start when purchasing a new kitchen
So, where do you start when you want to purchase a new kitchen? I often get phone calls from prospective customers who ask me to visit their properties to discuss a new kitchen. To be honest my answer is always the same; If you want me to design your kitchen your...
Choosing the right Kitchen Sink & Taps
It is important to choose high quality taps and sinks, inferior sinks mark and scratch easily. Taps and sinks are the centre point of any kitchen, so a good looking tap provides a good impact visually combined with an attractive sink reinforces the pedigree of your...
Choosing your new Kitchen Lighting
Good lighting is crucial. Make sure that you have installed good lighting that can illuminate different areas of your kitchen for different usage. There is nothing worse than poor lighting in a kitchen, leaving working areas in the dark and also being unable to create...
Choosing your new Kitchen doors
There are an infinite number of different door styles available today and the style of the door is more of a fashion decision. When choosing a door the choice can be overwhelming, however there are a few designs that are always popular. “Shaker Door” are a solid frame...
Why buy a kitchen from an independent retailer
“An Honest Comparison” We exist in a competitive society and to consider that Independents cannot compete with National Retailers would be an incorrect assumption. On a like for like basis the Independents will compete however we don’t want to just compete on that...
How to achieve a stress free Kitchen renovation
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which gives an overview on how to achieve a “stress free” Kitchen renovation... For many of us, the kitchen is the hub of the house, the place where we spend most of our time. If that’s not the...
How to choose your perfect stone worktop
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Here is an article from Houzz which provides a very detail explanation of the different types of stone worktops available in today's market. Natural stone is the traditional tough guy of the kitchen, providing a durable and...
How to choose your perfect wooden worktop
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which provides a very detail explanation of the different types of Wooden Worktops available in today's market. Wood provides a warming element to any decor, with its natural hues and ability to...
Is this the end of the Kitchen work triangle as we know it?
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which provides details about what was the “Kitchen Triangle” and how things have changed... With kitchens evolving into open-plan social hubs, we investigate the impact on traditional layouts....
How to design a Kitchen
Kitchen design as with any design should be a partnership of the client and supplier. It should be a dance of minds whereby a series of good questions and answers a successful outcome will result in the satisfaction of both partners of the dance. When you decide to...
Top tips in designing your Kitchen
So what should you be thinking about next as you have visited a number of showrooms and you may be at the stage where you have decided on the style you would like. Some showrooms ask that you bring in your measurements so that they can design your kitchen, however...
When a renovation can be as good as a brand new Kitchen
Kitchen Renovation Case Study The Brief Our client is a pensioner whose kitchen is over 20 years old and now wants to modernise it to create a more airing feeling to her kitchen and to make the layout more functional. Her kitchen in a 1960’s house in a commuter belt...
Where to start when purchasing a new kitchen
So, where do you start when you want to purchase a new kitchen? I often get phone calls from prospective customers who ask me to visit their properties to discuss a new kitchen. To be honest my answer is always the same; If you want me to design your kitchen your...
Choosing the right Kitchen Sink & Taps
It is important to choose high quality taps and sinks, inferior sinks mark and scratch easily. Taps and sinks are the centre point of any kitchen, so a good looking tap provides a good impact visually combined with an attractive sink reinforces the pedigree of your...
Choosing your new Kitchen Lighting
Good lighting is crucial. Make sure that you have installed good lighting that can illuminate different areas of your kitchen for different usage. There is nothing worse than poor lighting in a kitchen, leaving working areas in the dark and also being unable to create...
Choosing your new Kitchen doors
There are an infinite number of different door styles available today and the style of the door is more of a fashion decision. When choosing a door the choice can be overwhelming, however there are a few designs that are always popular. “Shaker Door” are a solid frame...
Why buy a kitchen from an independent retailer
“An Honest Comparison” We exist in a competitive society and to consider that Independents cannot compete with National Retailers would be an incorrect assumption. On a like for like basis the Independents will compete however we don’t want to just compete on that...
How to achieve a stress free Kitchen renovation
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which gives an overview on how to achieve a “stress free” Kitchen renovation... For many of us, the kitchen is the hub of the house, the place where we spend most of our time. If that’s not the...
How to choose your perfect stone worktop
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Here is an article from Houzz which provides a very detail explanation of the different types of stone worktops available in today's market. Natural stone is the traditional tough guy of the kitchen, providing a durable and...
How to choose your perfect wooden worktop
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which provides a very detail explanation of the different types of Wooden Worktops available in today's market. Wood provides a warming element to any decor, with its natural hues and ability to...
Is this the end of the Kitchen work triangle as we know it?
Another in my series of ‘Ask the Experts’: Below is an article from Houzz which provides details about what was the “Kitchen Triangle” and how things have changed... With kitchens evolving into open-plan social hubs, we investigate the impact on traditional layouts....
How to design a Kitchen
Kitchen design as with any design should be a partnership of the client and supplier. It should be a dance of minds whereby a series of good questions and answers a successful outcome will result in the satisfaction of both partners of the dance. When you decide to...
Top tips in designing your Kitchen
So what should you be thinking about next as you have visited a number of showrooms and you may be at the stage where you have decided on the style you would like. Some showrooms ask that you bring in your measurements so that they can design your kitchen, however...
When a renovation can be as good as a brand new Kitchen
Kitchen Renovation Case Study The Brief Our client is a pensioner whose kitchen is over 20 years old and now wants to modernise it to create a more airing feeling to her kitchen and to make the layout more functional. Her kitchen in a 1960’s house in a commuter belt...
Where to start when purchasing a new kitchen
So, where do you start when you want to purchase a new kitchen? I often get phone calls from prospective customers who ask me to visit their properties to discuss a new kitchen. To be honest my answer is always the same; If you want me to design your kitchen your...