Kitchen Idea Book (Taunton's Idea Books)

CONTENT / PROSOne of the best kitchen books I've read in a long time. It aims to guide your new kitchen purchase. It's also good if you're looking for ways to improve an existing one on a smaller scale or to refurb certain parts. The book has a concentrated but easy-to-digest format - read straight through, or dip in and out. It's packed with photos and info. The photos are a visual feast - some kitchens are truly glamorous (I got very envious). You'll be inspired and informed. Your aspirations may soar when you see the photos and read your options. Comedian Eric Morecambe quipped: "Life is not Hollywood. Life is Cricklewood." - this book is usefully halfway between the two.Practical advice extends to detailed minimum and optimum measurements e.g. 'the work triangle', worktop depth (front to back), prep space, and the amount of landing space needed next to an appliance. Pros and cons are discussed e.g. frame or frameless cabinets? drawers or roll-out shelves? Different items, e.g. worktops, are explained, compared, illustrated, comparatively priced. Specific tips e.g. make sure your largest roasting pan fits your proposed sink. Not shown in the handy Amazon 'Look Inside' feature are diagrams and summaries on types of sink and drawer cabinet, with the pros and cons of each. There's also a diagram of a real-life re-model, and diagrams (with measurements) for, say, a built-in bar and built-in dining. Throughout look at both photos and text as there are sometimes ideas in a photo but not text, and vice versa.Getting a new kitchen is daunting as it needs so many decisions, you may feel overloaded, yet you daren't risk forgetting anything major. The book's chapters give a good place to start, and they provide useful subject divisions to help you organise. The chapters are: Start with layout and style; island; dining and work spaces; cabinets; open shelves, pantries; countertops, backsplashes, sinks; appliances; floors, walls, ceilings; windows, lighting.Don't miss the introduction. It's a personal piece by the author, but it wisely advises, among other things: live in your current kitchen long enough to ascertain its pros and cons, consider your life plans for the next 10 years, consider poss resale. It also warns of buyers' remorse; I can attest to that (I've bought/built three kitchens) as it's too easy to second-guess or be too ambitious.Below are headings are 'DISADVANTAGE' and 'MINOR NIGGLES' but the book is fine as long as you note the book's advice and think it through. Its ideas and discussions about, say, types of worktop materials are as factual and objective as you could hope for. Buying a kitchen means work - this book helps reduce much of that work. I like this book very much. I enjoy reading it, love the pictures, as I'm interested in kitchens and I'm always looking to improve mine. I'd say: buy the book but be aware of a few shortcomings.DISADVANTAGE: Expensive at 17quid99 but definitely worth it if you're spending a ton on your kitchen. A bit expensive considering that the product title when I bought said its date was 2013 but my copy's publishing history (see uploaded scan) shows an update from 1999. How much text was changed? Were new photos added? (This review: written 2019.) Even from 2013, the book is 6 years old and thus the latest styles, trends and technologies are missing. 6 years is a long time in interior design. In the past 6 years, for instance, trends for subway tile, open shelving, eco products, split-level and grey have fluctuated.MINOR NIGGLES1. Some advice is too wordy, not succinct, could do with pithy sidebars containing the most vital tips. Let me join up and summarise important advice the book gives as scatterings: Prioritise decision-making and spending on things you'll use most and need to be the most hard-wearing, and that are the costliest or most difficult to change: worktops, floor, sink, gas, built-ins.2. The book also omits obvious sound advice, especially the kind needed to counter Murphy's Law e.g. check handles won't catch on clothes (why I now have D-shaped handles). The book says swapping cabinet doors or handles is an economical refurb for you or your house-buyer, but doesn't explain that all manufacturers mass-produce the same standard sizes. So it's not easy or cheap to do if you choose bespoke.3. Some advice seems poor e.g. "forgo the toe-space at the base cabinets, ... the countertop projects past to make it comfortable to stand", and the photo shows drawer units, but you can't easily access the back of the top drawer, bet the underneath of the projection would get dirty, and your belly would touch a possibly messy countertop edge or top. The book says of a 'farmhouse sink' (in Britain the closest equivalent is a Belfast sink) "you can wet your shirt when you belly up to the sink". (The book should explain you can buy toe-space drawers, but without forgoing the toe-space. If you lack toe-space, you'll notice it - it's not comfy.)MAINLY FOR A USA AUDIENCE i.e. LARGE KITCHENS WITH ISLANDS, PANTRIES AND LAUNDRY ROOMSA. The book tends not to deal with a really small kitchen = typical British kitchen. USA terminology, occasionally options unavailable or ultra-expensive in Britain. You'll need to tap your own creativity (hopefully helped by this book) if you have a small space but want a pantry or in-kitchen dining or an appliance garage or a large fridge etc. USA homes tend to have a separate laundry room, but a typical British kitchen has to fit in a washing machine with its plumbing and wiring.B. The book understandably omits British regulations e.g. wiring and gas work must be certified by a qualified electrician and gas fitter; openable windows behind a cooker are forbidden; there are legal minimum distances between water and electrics.C. As a non-American I am thankful there are only a few pages that list resources, designers and photo credits. The first two are useful only if you're in the USA and are relevant short-term as manufacturers change styles, accessories and addresses. These lists are laudably in small print to reduce space. I've seen books whose resource lists took up a quarter of the book.

Once you get over the Americanisms (faucet rather than tap) it is brimming with useful information and ideas. A gift for more daughter who is planning an extension and complete kitchen overhaul and she says it has really helped clarify her thoughts.

This book has many good and creative ideas, thoguh some of the products may be hard to source in some markets. Certainly worth reading before splashing out on a new kitchen.

Good Book

good book

Delivery excellent. Did not realise this was an American book.

Bought as a gift and I have had very good feedback from the recipient.

Has some good ideas