Meet Elloise Tarrant, Kitchen Designer

This month we’re featuring our newest team member, Elloise Tarrant. Elloise comes from an Interior Design background, and we’re incredibly excited to see her creative flair and eye for detail come to life through her kitchen designs. Read more about Elloise, including her favourite design style and interior design tips below.

 

1. Which kitchen brands have stood out to you so far in your work, and what makes them a good fit for the way you like to design?

Thoughtful, innovative design is very important to me when it comes to designing a kitchen. This is why Neff appliances have really stood out with their practical features to make everyday cooking more efficient and enjoyable. Their signature innovation Slide & Hide oven door is a great space saving solution as it slides down and tucks away – perfect for baking with the kids. Neff have really set the bar with their CircoTherm function to cook different foods on multiple levels without flavours mixing. A kitchen being the heart of the home needs to reflect the owner, but also their lifestyle with practicality as a priority.

2. What kitchen design style are you most drawn to, and what about it inspires you when creating a new space?

The clean, minimalist design of a contemporary Scandinavian kitchen will always be desirable to me. Natural materials such as light oak give a warm and cosy feel to a space, contrasting with soft whites and earthy tones to create a calming environment. Hidden appliances and efficient storage solutions for a clutter-free look are often utilised in Scandinavian kitchens, which inspires me to create a thoughtful design for everyday living.

3. What current kitchen trends are you finding exciting or meaningful, and which ones do you think have real staying power?

Often, it’s opted to have one solid colour throughout the kitchen and add contrast in other elements such as the worktop, wall colour or accessories. I’m really enjoying the trend of two-tone cabinetry: darker lower cabinets with lighter upper cabinets. It adds interest and is a great way to incorporate colour into a scheme without fully committing. I believe this trend is here for the long run as it breaks away from the one-tone kitchen and adds a different dimension. 

4. What’s one planning tip every homeowner should know before starting a kitchen renovation?

Start by analysing how you live in the space day to day – does the space currently satisfy your needs for a functional kitchen? The most important part to kitchen design is practicality, whether that’s creative storage solutions or a multi-functional island that doesn’t swallow the room up. This starting point will gain clarity on storage needs and layout, then you can get creative on the aesthetics side of design with colours, finishes and style.

5. Are there any design tricks, clever solutions, or hidden features you enjoy working into your kitchen projects?

A great solution to break up a long run of cabinets would be to change the style or colour of a selection of doors – I love introducing textured wood finishes to add depth to the design. Another option would be to create open storage such as floating shelves for an aesthetic feature.

6. How has your background in interior design helped shape the way you now approach kitchen design?

I have learnt a lot about design over the years from my background in interior design, especially smart space planning. Maximising every inch of space by using vertical space effectively and creating a visual balance. As I’ve worked closely with residential clients, it’s enabled me to learn what’s truly important when designing someone else’s home – it’s very personal so understanding your client’s needs is priority. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the happiness in your clients face when you reveal the finished product.

7. How do you approach balancing style with practical functionality when planning a kitchen layout?

Everyone desires a beautifully designed kitchen but it also needs to work effortlessly everyday. The layout needs to come before aesthetics to create a flow throughout the space. Knowing a client’s lifestyle such as whether they like to entertain, how often they cook and whether it’s a multi-functional space gives me a clear direction of what type of layout works to the full potential. From this point, the creative decisions come into play choosing all elements to bring the whole vision to light.

8. What small upgrades or changes do you think can make the biggest impact in a kitchen?

Simple upgrades can make the biggest difference to refresh an existing space. This can easily be achieved with a colour repaint or even by changing the style completely from Contemporary to Shaker by replacing door fronts. Upgrading accessories such as door handles and tap finishes will bring a luxurious touch and achieve a new look. If you’re struggling to add interest to the space, incorporating decorative shelves will add personality – great for styling cookery books!

9. What’s one thing you wish clients understood about the kitchen design process?

It’s great to have a big vision for your kitchen design – especially when we’re surrounded by inspiration, however understanding the capability of the space is important. Every kitchen is tailored to maximise the potential, and this can be achieved with designing elements that compliment and work harmoniously. Always remember, quality over quantity.

10. If you could design your dream kitchen with no budget limits, what elements or features would it absolutely include?

A kitchen flooded with natural light from a large lantern roof showcasing a contemporary Scandinavian design. Soft neutral, earthy tones as a backdrop and a contrasting textured oak finish on the door fronts. A luxurious white quartz worktop with a decorative vein, extending as a feature splashback. I love to entertain my friends and family so to cater, I would incorporate an L shaped island with seating where my guests can socialise as I cook on the vented induction hob. Matt black or antique brass accessories such as tap and handles for an elegant touch. Ambient mood lighting is key – warm white under cabinet LED strips and plinth lighting add a sophisticated touch along with pendants over the island. Tall cabinets to elevate the room giving an illusion of space. A calming haven to cook and bake delicious meals and unwind in with a glass of wine.

 

To find out more, pop-in to our showroom or contact us to arrange a complimentary design appointment.