March, 2019 | Damico Ceramique

33 CHIC CELEBRITY KITCHENS YOU’LL LOVE

With huge marble islands, AGA stoves, and state-of-the-art appliances, these celebrity kitchens are what dreams are made of!

From the Beckhams‘ two very different kitchens at their London and Cotswolds homes to Nigella Lawson‘s statement space, take a look through the gallery to see some of the most enviable celebrity kitchens you may just want to recreate for yourself…

Frankie Bridge

Loose Women star Frankie Bridge unveiled her monochrome kitchen makeover in 2021, revealing dark cabinets, a huge island, and a large dining table with bench seating. The mum-of-two enlisted The Style Sisters to organize the space and showcased the impeccable results in a video tour.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore revealed a peek inside her kitchen in a trailer for the second season of Get Organised with The Home Edit. The room has bottle green cabinets and marble worktops, with a white herringbone tile splashback.

The actress has open shelving displaying a selection of green mixing bowls and cookware, and a central island with a hardwood worktop.

Kate Hudson

Cookware is the focal point of Kate Hudson’s chic kitchen, with an assortment of copper pans hanging over a central island unit. The copper and gold accents perfectly complement the green cabinets and tiled splashbacks in the room.

Nigella Lawson

As you would expect, celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has the most beautiful kitchen at her home. Equipped with a bold green AGA with metallic silver splashback panels and a rail to keep her utensils close at hand, it is every chef’s dream.

Mollie King

BBC Radio 1 presenter Mollie King showcased her incredible kitchen renovation at the end of last year, with the work completed just in time for Christmas. Mollie has opted for a modern wraparound kitchen with pale grey cupboards and white glossy worktops, with integrated appliances and three wooden stools lined up along the breakfast bar. We’re in love!

The Beckhams

Just like at their London home, the Beckhams have a gorgeous kitchen at their country retreat in the Cotswolds. The kitchen has stone flooring, exposed brick walls and a bottle green wooden island unit. Copper saucepans hang overhead, while a chandelier adds the ultimate luxurious finishing touch.

MORE: Victoria Beckham’s incredible garden feature for daughter Harper is just like Princess Eugenie’s

Fitted with state-of-the-art appliances and sleek black cupboards, the kitchen is one of the highlights of the Beckhams’ London family home. Open wooden shelving with strip lighting offers extra storage space, and a Dualit toaster and flat-screen television can be seen in the background – perfect to keep David and Victoria entertained while cooking.

Carol Vorderman

Former Countdown presenter Carol Vorderman lives in Bristol, and she sometimes shows fans inside her luxury home via social media and at-home interviews. When Carol appeared on Good Morning Britain, the video call gave viewers an exclusive look into her immaculate kitchen. A fusion of country and modern styles, the star’s beautifully styled room was perfectly polished ready for her morning TV appearance.

LOOK: Carol Vorderman’s palatial house is a league of its own

WHAT IS THE COST OF GRANITE COUNTERS? WORK IT OUT WITH EXPERT ADVICE

The cost of granite counters is well worth researching if you are renovating a kitchen or just looking for a durable, classic countertop material. Granite countertops, despite their somewhat bad rap as old-fashioned, are a great, affordable choice for kitchens and come in a variety of styles and finishes.

Some of the best kitchen worktops are made from granite, so if you are looking for a countertop material for your remodel, find out how much granite will cost you with this expert advice. We’ll also look at how granite stacks up against its man-made rival, quartz, in terms of costs and durability.

COST OF GRANITE COUNTERS PER SQUARE FOOT

The cost of granite countertops is measured per square foot of material.

Thomas Borcherding, of Homestar Design Remodel(opens in new tab), said that ‘the price we charge our clients varies per project size. That being said, expect to pay within the range of $70 to $122 per square foot for granite.’

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Maggie Griffin, the founder of Maggie Griffin Design, points out that ‘less desirable granite options may even be less expensive as they have fallen out of trend.’

This is the most important thing to understand about granite – it is priced entirely according to the desirability of the natural color and pattern of the stone. Granite is graded A–F, with A being the least expensive. You will generally find tan and brown varieties of granite in this category and they will cost considerably less than, say, Saturnia granite, which has a richly marbled black-and-gold pattern, or white colors. In terms of strength and durability, all granite types are the same, you only pay more for the more desirable visual quality.

COST OF GRANITE COUNTERTOPS WITH INSTALLATION

Nicole Gurney, Project Designer at renovation and construction firm Quality PM Inc.(opens in new tab) advises that ‘currently, granite prices are around $100 to $150 per square foot, template delivered and installed.’ Even if you are confident at DIY, it is always best to leave countertop installation to professionals. This is especially true if you have complex kitchen layout ideas in mind, but even if you are having a single slab of granite installed, it will be very heavy and difficult to maneuver, so is best handled by experienced installers.

On average, the total cost of granite counters in an average kitchen, including installation, will come in at $2,000 to $4,500. This may sound like a lot, but granite countertops are significantly cheaper than other natural stone options. Compare granite with marble, for example, which will cost around $75 per square meter without installation, and you’ll begin to see granite for the cost-effective gem of an option it really is.

COST OF GRANITE COUNTERTOPS VS. QUARTZ

Gurney explains that in general, quartz is slightly more expensive than granite, at about $120 to $180 per square foot. Quartz is more expensive ‘because it is an engineered product. Quartz is inherently maintenance-free, you don’t have to seal it, and if you use a knife on it, you’re more likely to ruin your knives than mark the countertop.’

Of course, the differences in pricing between different grades of granite and different types of quartz mean that the actual cost of your material ‘truly depends on the slabs that you are comparing’, according to Borcherding. ‘A certain slab of granite could be more expensive than a certain slab of quartz’, particularly if you’re interested in highest-grade, marble-lookalike granite types.

Granite is more affordable and remains the slightly more popular option. Borcherding confirms that although ‘granite or quartz countertops are standard in any high-quality kitchen remodel’, his company does; more granite than we do quartz.’

ARE GRANITE COUNTERS WORTH IT?

The answer is a resounding ‘yes!’ Granite has many qualities that strongly recommend it as an affordable yet supremely durable kitchen countertop material. You really get you money’s worth here, not least because, as Borcherding points out, ‘granite will last for decades if properly taken care of’, whereas ‘due to the epoxy used in the manufacturing of quartz countertops, quartz can tend to yellow overtime.’

This is generally true of synthetic materials rather than natural stone, although, again, a high-quality quartz countertop may be a better option if you don’t want any maintenance. Gurney also acknowledges that ‘quartz can be more vivid with a saturated look, but both quartz and granite are great options for someone looking for a durable, long-lasting, high-end touch to their home.’

Having said that, just because granite requires some maintenance it doesn’t mean that it’s difficult or time-consuming. Gurney advises that ‘granite maintenance is super easy, just requiring sealing twice a year. Sealing takes about the same amount of time as wiping down your counters with a cleaner.’

Granite also has a slight edge over quartz in terms of heat resistance – granite ‘can take the heat from direct contact with pots and roasting pans. Many people like that aspect. Repeatedly doing so with quartz risks leaving a mark.’

SMALL BATHROOM SHOWER TILE IDEAS: 15 SPACE ENHANCING DESIGNS

We often have to compromise when it comes to the size of our bathrooms, which means making the most of the space we do have and working out how to enhance it.

If you’ve got a tiny bathroom, it’s unlikely that you have a tub, so one of your focus areas will naturally be the shower. And when this area looks so good when tiled, giving it some attention with the best small bathroom shower tile ideas around is a total no-brainer to help enhance your space on all levels.

Lighter color schemes, pale floors and as much light as you can direct in will all help lift small bathroom tile ideas furthermore, but one way of highlighting this key element is by carefully choosing your shower tiles.

SMALL BATHROOM SHOWER TILE IDEAS THAT MAKE A STATEMENT

Clever use of shower tiles can make a small bathroom feel bigger almost instantly. By tricking the eye using different configurations, you can catch the light in all the right places to distract and add the perfect amount of design interest.

Todd Prince, designer at Todd Prince Design(opens in new tab) notes how it’s not just the tile that can have an effect but that grouting plays an important role too, ‘Don’t forget the importance of grout color. Choose a grout color to blend with the tile color…that approach works best in small spaces because it allows the tile to remain the focus. Contrast grout colors interrupt the flow from tile to tile…thus making the space feel smaller.’ It’s all about the finer detail, and you can really go to town by choosing stylish yet striking options that will make showering each morning, a sheer pleasure. Whether you’re on a budget or not, there are stunning small shower tile looks to suit all tastes and budgets.

1. SMALL SCALE SQUARE TILES IN BLUSH PINK

Blush pink tiles will add warmth to a shower that has little natural light. Choosing a smaller scale tile will concentrate the eye on the design rather than the size of the space, using white grout keeps the look fresh. Brass fixtures and fittings work brilliantly at enhancing pink bathroom schemes.

2. CONSIDER THE SHAPE OF YOUR SHOWER TILE

We tend to default to square or rectangular tiles, but there are actually plenty more cool and vibrant shapes to choose from, like this lovely scalloped shaped design. Easy on the eye and oh-so-pretty in this sky blue, these tiles give this shower a fabulously decorative element that’s offset by the white shower curtain with blue trim.

3. SELECT SUBWAY TILE FOR A FRESH CLEAN FEEL

Metro bathroom tiles make great additions for small showers and they are now a pretty timeless option also. Should you match the shower tile to the rest of your bathroom, you can help your shower space pop by choosing black crittall doors for definition.

4. USE MINI HEXAGON TILES IN SHADES OF GREY

‘Working with white walls gives you endless opportunities to play with patterns elsewhere, for example an effective way to introduce a sense of style is through your choice a patterned tile, which adds both color and decorative interest. For this project in Portland, Oregon, we sourced these concrete tiles from Sarah Sherman Samuel that feature a contemporary pattern with clean lines – they balanced the room out perfectly without overpowering the space,’ say Jen and Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox(opens in new tab).

5. LAY YOUR TILES VERTICALLY WITH A LOW CEILING

Shower rooms come in all shapes and sizes, some smaller than we desire, but there are clever interior design tricks you can apply when tiling a shower to give a more spacious feel.

Choosing a pale shade will help a lot, but what will draw the eye up the most is selecting large format tiles and laying them vertically to add instant height.

6. MAKE A FEATURE OF YOUR SHOWER WITH INKY BLUE TILES

Love a dark and dramatic feel? These inky blue square tiles give this space a real focal point, which is highlighted by the white grout that ties in with the white walls and basin.

Complete with a shower bench and inset shelf, this scheme looks great with black and gold too.

7. TILE THE FLOOR INSTEAD OF THE WALLS

You don’t always need to have ‘feature’ walls – how about patterned bathroom floor tiles instead? It’s truly eye-catching and keeps your focus down instead of up, also a good trick if you have low ceilings. Match the tiles to the rest of the scheme, these go really well with the Art Deco motif wallpaper and the vintage washstand.

8. WRAP TILES IN A WINDOWLESS SHOWER ROOM

Not every bathroom has windows, in this instance create a shower room that oozes style and texture with tiles that have a textured almost stripy design. These natural shades give a much-needed warmth without making it feel too dark, aided of course by the paler floor tiles contrast in size against the large format wall designs.

9. MOSAICS WILL ADD SHIMMER AND SHINE

Mosaics originate from Roman times, they used them for floor and wall decoration and they often depicted stories as well as artwork. Today they are widely used in bathrooms as they’re cost-effective and come in many eye-catching colors and finishes. In a shower, you can use glass mosaic tiles as they’re waterproof so you’ll have peace of mind that they’ll do the trick in both decoration and functionality.

10. ADD DRAMA WITH JET BLACK

When your actual shower space is small you have two choices, either you go light and bright, or, dark and dramatic.

This tiny shower is given a new lease of life with the large black metro tiles that surround the mini tub. The look is softened by the hex tiles in shades of grey and white which gives the space a decorative finish.

11. PLAY WITH HOW YOU LAYER YOUR SHOWER TILES

A herringbone layout will certainly add interest to a small shower, these tiles automatically draw your eye in and therefore detract from the size of the space. Having a design with a shimmery finish will help to bounce the light in too as you can see in this smart shower room. In contrast, the floor features mosaic tiles in gray hues and act as the most perfect neutral to the midnight blue ties.

12. BLEND DIFFERENT BATHING SPACES

This cleverly designed bathroom has created cohesion using a taupe tile across both the tub and shower space. The flooring unites them furthermore and the three different tile textures result in a modern space that’s full of character.

13. LET THE FLOOR TILE OVERFLOW

‘These custom dark marble floors that continue into the shower contrast the white thick countertops and tiled walls perfectly, it’s all about balancing dark and light tones to achieve a well-curated look, ’ says Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer at Lindye Galloway Design Studio + Shop(opens in new tab).

14. USE A MIXTURE OF TILE SHAPES TO CREATE INTEREST

To make a teeny walk-in shower light, airy and oh-so-stylish, you need to use a couple of design features. Firstly, choosing a neutral scheme will tick the first two boxes, secondly, have a play around with scale. On the walls and shower bench we have rectangular tiles laid horizontally, while the rest are mosaics. This is the clever part – with mosaics you can let all your creative juices flow by coming up with all manner of designs, as you can see here with the tiled section above the shower bench, the graduated layout really creates a subtle, yet stylish view.

15. ADD A TOUCH OF BLACK AND WHITE

If you want to dabble in a monochromatic scheme but feel a little unsure, then opt for small changes to start with. These graphic black and white floor tiles flow into the shower and give enough of a ‘wow’ statement without needing anything else other than white tiles on the walls. They also distract the eye perfectly from the small space.

WHAT SIZE TILE SHOULD I USE IN A SMALL SHOWER?

‘Use rectangular tiles on a shower wall such as 2 x 8, 3 x 12, or 4 x 16 to elongate the space. These sizes of tile can be installed vertically or horizontally for maximum impact. Don’t use square tiles on shower walls. They create grid patterns making spaces feel choppy and rigid,’ explains Todd Prince, designer at Todd Prince Design(opens in new tab).

‘Honestly, you can go with small or large tiles in small showers; it all depends on the right aesthetic,’ says Stephanie Lindsey, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, principal designer at Etch Design Group(opens in new tab).

WHAT'S THE BEST DIRECTION TO LAY TILE IN A SMALL SHOWER?

‘If the shower is narrow from left to right, you want to have the tiles be installed horizontally so that it visually elongates the width. If the ceiling is low, you’ll want to install the tiles vertically so that the long edge of the tile is running up/down and can visually make the ceiling feel higher,’ advises Stephanie Lindsey, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, principal designer at Etch Design Group(opens in new tab).

THESE KITCHEN WALL DECOR IDEAS WILL TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE

In recent years, the program has faced financial instability and has needed last-minute infusions of money to fill financing gaps. But this year, the City Council raised the amount set aside for the program beyond what the mayor’s office had originally proposed, which was $8 million. Corey Johnson, the speaker of the City Council who had made additional funding for the program a priority, called the increase “a really big deal for creating more certainty and security moving forward for the organizations that do this work.”