Our first few projects, this was way back in 2010
Well, they say a picture tells a thousand words, so without further words here are the pictures 😉
Sobha Sunscape Kitchen – 1
Sobha Sunscape Utility- 1
Sobha Sunscape Kitchen – 2
My Kitchen in Gardenia – 1
My Kitchen in Gardenia – 2
Great Designs…
I love your kitchen but just wondering is it easy to maintain white kitchen in India. What is your experience.
If you are using it yourself and not handing out to the maids then white it is pretty maintainable
Rgds
NM
Hi, i liked the design very much. Can you tell me the frame material used for glass based lifting door used in kitchen in the picture titled "My Kitchen in Gardenia – 2". It is slim and looking very good.I feel it is aluminium shutter frame. I am little doubtful if it is strong enought for daily usage? Please suggest. Thanks in advance.
Rakesh – Its aluminium…have been using it for 4 years without any issues
NM
Hi Nandita,
The designs are great!! Could you please tell me if a light colour (white with some dark spots)granite countertops are stainfree on a long term basis? Also, our carpenter was saying that a design glass for shutters would cost 3 times more than a plain one…is that true? Thanks a lot in advance
Radha,
Granites are stain free in general, go ahead with any colour that you like.
It will be unethical for me to comment on costs that someone else has given you especially without having details . You might want to drop into a nearby glass store and check out the costs.
Regards
NM
Hi Nandita
Can you tell me what is the material used for utility door?
I think it is UPVC door with frosted glass. Is it?
Its a PVC door given by the builder & as far as I remember – of NOT very good quality – Photographs can sometimes be deceiving 🙂
NM
Hi,what is the material used for the shutters in the 2 brown kitchens – MDF or laminate?
The brown kitchens are in Laminate
Regards
NM
Hi
Can you please help us to locate best place to buy handles (for the whole house) and electrical appliances (like fan, light etc.) in Bangalore?
Regards
Bedisha
Refer http://www.homedesignbangalore.com/2010/06/shopping-for-interiors-recommended
Also see if you can get access to Metro Cash & Carry – you can get electricals from there at a decent price difference
NM
Hi,
Pl. tell me where can I shop for ready made aliminium /glass door shutters seen in your pics.
Most good hardware stores or a modular kitchen vendor will have these
NM
Hi Nandita,
how much does a softclosable drawers cost?
Depends on the brand. The hardware starts from approx Rs.2500/-. Remember you will need to add the cost of constructing the drawer in wood to come to the final cost of the drawer.
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita, great designs you have here!! i am doubtful over certain things, is a plywood kitchen unit strong enough to hold a granite slab over it?my builder is providing us the kitchen with the granite slab n the concrete wall to support it, would i be able to fix kitchen units within this space without hampering the granite/tiles/concrete?
The ply cabinet will be able to take the granite weight. You may also want to go through
http://www.homedesignbangalore.com/2011/08/home-design-vaastu-shastra-episode-2
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita…first I must thank you for such detailed posts on designing our homes. They have been very informative for first timers like me.
I wanted to know the vertical pull ups that you have put in your kitchen – what is the hinge used and which brand. If you can be specific with the name of the hardware, it will be very helpful.
Also what would be the approx cost of aluminium /glass shutters for these?
Thanks in advance
Divya
Its called a Huwil Hinge – used for lift up shutters.
Prices vary – suggest you visit a hardware shop and go through all the options for lift ups – there is a lot more to it beyond the name & price.
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita…. thanks for sharing the pics. Planning to go for a white kitchen and bedroom cupboards. So would like to know about the material used in the pics My Kitchen in Gardenia.
Thanks in advance,
Susmita
Your question is already answered in the Q&A above. Please go through
Rgds
NM
Very nice designs and nice kitchen.I liked the white one..My interior designer is suggesting to use Duco painted wardrobes for the kids bedroom. We have chosen white colored duco finish. I don't have any idea about the maintenence of this one and how it'll be in long term. Would the paint come off? Can we do repainting?? Any information on this would be helpful. Thanks,Nila
Duco is fine and looks good especially for vibrant colours needed in the kids room. Go ahead with it
Rgds
NM
hi Nandita
I like all your kitchen designs? I am constructing a house in Bangalore! I would like to know What is formica used over plywood for modular kitchen? Is it durable? what is formica?
sumathi
Formica is the same as Laminate. Formica is actually the name of a company (www.formica.com) and sometimes the name is used as a generic name for Laminates.
Rgds
NM
Hi what is the type of laminate you used in the kitchen for lofts in your home. please specify. i am also looking for similar type of kitchen for my home. Please specify the white laminate model you used. is it with glossy finish.
Its regular laminate in the lofts Venkata. The white shutters are in membrane
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita,
I got a suggestion from one of my friend to use pine wood for my modular kitchen and bedroom wardrobes. Can you please suggest if pine wood is good or do i need to go for plywood
Hi NM, Great Blog. What is the source of the handles used in the photo titled "My Kitchen in gardenia 1&2". Thanks in advance. Keep blogging….Manish
I personally do not recommend Pine Wood for any type of interiors. The material recommendations are available on the post at http://www.homedesignbangalore.com/2010/09/so-what-is-right-material-to-choose-for
Please also go through the Q&A section under the post as well
Rgds
NM
They are called H Handles
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita,
I couldnt see space allocated for grinder, mixer in any of these kitchens. Would you suggest something?
Its built inside the tall units
Regards
NM
Hi Nandita, gr8 post. Info is very useful. The material used for shutters in 2 brown kitchen, is tat MDF laminated ? Also wat is the material used for shutters in white kitchen ?
Regards,
Karthi
Brown one is in ply, the white one is in Membrane on MDF (only the shutters, the carcass is in ply)
Rgds
NM
Hi Nadita,
In picture -'My Kitchen in Gardenia – 2', what is below the wash basin, Is it washing m/c or dish washer ?
Best Regards,
Keshav
Its a dishwasher
Rgds
NM
Hi NM, I bought an apt with wardrobes already done by the seller. I now want to change the laminate of the wardrobe door. Is this possible and if yes, what is the problem that we might face. Thanks, Vikas
If the base is Plywood or Board then you can change the laminate. If it is MDF or particle board then you cannot.
Rgds
Nm
Hi Nandita,
Thanks for the tons of information your blog. I am learning a lot going through them.
I am doing interiors for my flat. For the bedroom cupboard my carpenter is telling to go with traditional hinges which supports INSET DOORS since that is long lasting, endures more strength. According to him if I go for OVERLAY DOORS then the modern hinges used will be last for a longer time and the doors may lack alignment after few years.
I am referring this link
http://sawdustgirl.com/2013/03/15/choosing-cabinet-doors-inset-and-overlay-and-what-the-heck-kind-of-hinges-to-buy-for-which/
for OVERLAY vs INSET Door design on cupboards
Pls let me know your thoughts.
Thanks & regards
Pawan
Overlay hinges from known brands (Hettich, EBCO, Blum etc.) have no issues around life. The door may need alignment once a year if used roughly, you should however be able to do the alignment on your own if you are comfortable using a screwdriver.
Regards
NM
Hi NM, your work is simply superb. I am in the process of getting my kitchen done through a carpenter. I like the idea of wall mounted microwave. Can you please suggest me where to find those mounts for microwave in bangalore.
Thanks & regards,
Pooja Sharma
Hi Nandita,
Thanks a lot, your blog is so informative, and as well your answers for all questions. I wanted to know if it is possible to do all woodwork for a house using one single wood ?
I'm thinking of using honne wood for doors, frames, windows, kitchen cabinets, shelves, bedroom cupboards and wardrobes, because of many reasons:-
1) It could be a lot cheaper using one single wood, bcoz the girth can be bought in huge quantities with discount.
2) Honne is a natural wood, the rich brownish red colour would give a great look and finish.
3) Vastu shastra recommends using a single wood in homes for positive vibrations.
Please advise if it is cost effective to go with honne wood alone ?
I enquired with a couple of carpenters in bangalore, where I live, they seem to be interested in doing work with plywood and laminates only, and said no one ever does wardrobes in honne wood. They cannot cut and measure properly. So, please advise .
Regards, Krishna.
You will get the wall mounting for Microwave at any good hardware store in Bangalore
Rgds
NM
Nowadays pure hardwood is not used much in regular interior work because of the ease that plywood and board offers as it is available in wide 7X4/ 8X4 feet panels.
You may use hardwood/ honne for decorative glass doors, rounded corners of furniture etc but it will be next to impossible to get someone to do complete interiors including shutters etc. using hardwood.
Also laminate is NOT the only option – one may use veeners, paint, polish and other finishes based on the theme/ needs
Rgds
NM
Can u pls let me know the material used for countertop in Gardenia1 (Granite/Quartz/Corian)?
Hi Nandita,
Love your blog!! Could you pl recommend good brands for a good stove top/cook top? I am setting up my kitchen for the first time. I am going to be in a rented flat so cannot have a fixed cooktop.
Its Italian Marble
Rgds
NM
Most cooktops available nowadays are fine – Glen, Pigeon, Kaff, Faber, Elica, Sunflame, Gilma, Prestige. Decide on the model based on the design, number of burners you need and the flame strength.
Rgds
NM
My carpenter has given choice between Green ecotech Vs Green ply gold. Are both superior and BWR resistant. Given the fact that cost is not constraint, kindly suggest which one to go for
Greenply gold is preferable over Ecotec
Rgds
NM
Hi NM, wanted to know what shud b the ideal length and height of the lift up cabinets as in ur white kitchen with glass shutters. If I keep 25" length of lift up cabinet and put laquered glass with wooden border for shutters, will it look good ?
There is no ideal length and height – primary constraint is the weight of the shutter and that determines the hardware to be used. For a 25 inch width its preferable not to go over 2 feet in height.
Lacquered glass with a wood border in general may not look good. Wood is for a classic look and glass for contemporary – hence the themes may clash.
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita,
Which are the good laminate brands for Kitchen?
Also, for wood textured laminate finish, what do you suggest, a normal handle or the aluminium profile handle?
Thanks
Merino, Century & Green Lam are good brands for laminates and also have a wide variety available.
You need to choose the handles keeping in mind the look/ theme you want. Typically profile handles give a modern/ contemporary look and will not go with traditional woody furniture
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita,
Thank you for the detailed blogs, they are really helpful.
Do we need to use glossy laminates for the kitchen? Our interior designer suggests glossy laminates saying they are easier to maintain and clean.
Glossy (Hi Gloss) laminates are rather more difficult to maintain as they develop scratches very easily. From purely a maintenance perspective regular matte laminates (Neither Glossy Nor textured) are the best.
Rgds
NM
Hello Nandita,
First of all I would like to appreciate your suggestions for the public in interior design.
I have purchased a flat for which I am planning to go for interior now. I am little confused about the carpenters work and machine made products. I am planning for lamination work, is that true that the lamination work done by carpenter does not cover the edge and if we get the work done by machine it even laminates the edges, so its more beautiful to see. My one more concern is that can I trust the interior designer who gets the things done at factory. Please help me out with this.
Regards,
Yashaswini
Factory made planks/ shutters are machine edge banded which provides a good look as well as gives water resistance as the wood is sealed within the laminate and the edge banding. You will need to trust your designer as it is next to impossible to tell what quality has gone inside once the wood is laminated/ edge banded.
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita, I came across your blog yesterday and I have become a fan. Very well written and covers basic questions of first time home owners.
I notice your overhead cabinets in the kitchen are really close to the hob/exhaust. Does it get damaged from the heat/moisture/oil splatter from the cooking?
Nope, so far I have not faced any issues. You just need to ensure that the chimney capacity is appropriate.
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita,
Your blog is very informational for first time home owners. Glad I came across it. Will recommend it to all my friends!!
Have one question for TV Cabinets- Which is more durable veneer or laminate? Which gives a better finish & look?
2) Is Veneer recommended for kitchen wood work too? I read its done on MDF, which is not water proof.
Choice between Veneer and laminate depends upon the look/ finish that you are looking for.
Veneer needs to be polished and is hence not recommended for the Kitchen/ wet areas in general.
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita,
How good is Powder coated frames for Modular kitchen Design? Can you share something on this type of material?
Many Thanks,
-Vijay
I have never used or come across powder coated frames for the Modular Kitchen, hence cannot really comment
Rgds
NM
Hi Nandita,
I was searching for stores on net to buy miscellaneous items and there I came across your website. Really really find all the information very useful. I am looking to buy bathroom mirror, curtain rods, bathroom shelves, bathroom cabinets of good quality. As I m located in whitefield so can please suggest any good stores nearby.
TIA
You can try Homecenter (lifestyle), HomeStop or Hometown
Regards
Nandita