Oliver Heath On Kitchens
Does your kitchen need a revamp? Do you ever find yourself wishing you had one of those sparkling ones you see on TV?
Here, Changing Rooms presenter and interior designer, Oliver Heath gives his advice.
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A: Attaining architectural degrees at Oxford Brookes and UCL universities enabled me to train as an architect. I have worked as an exhibition designer on the Millennium Dome, have worked in interactive design, and won Young Designer of the Year. I have also appeared on a number of home makeover shows, including a 4-year stint on Changing Rooms, and Home front. I am currently filming for a new architectural series for ITV.
Q: You used to be a fire-eater (not an average job for a nice Jewish boy!). How did you get into it?
A: I grew up in Brighton. When I was 14, I decided I wanted to gain some new skills, so took courses in fire-eating, juggling, scuba-diving, unicycling and windsurfing, all of which I enjoyed immensely.
Q: What are the most popular kitchen styles at the moment?
A: There is a big market opening up for eco-kitchens. Why buy organic food when your kitchen is full of toxins? Its a contradiction. We need to save resources.
Q: How have trends changed in the last ten years?
A: I have seen a move away from rustic country-style kitchens, to zen-like minimalism. There has been a removal of all decoration as it once was, and the introduction of Victorian-style decorative detail. Wallpaper, fabrics and furniture have spindle-like details. Decoration still exists, but in a more controlled way.
Q: What are your tips for more sustainable living?
A: I always follow the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We need to reduce the amount of resources we use, and take advantage of better insulation, double-glazing and more efficient boilers. We also need to reuse materials, by choosing products with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo, which work in a similar way to Fairtrade food and drink items. Finally, we need to recycle glass, cans and plastic to save the environment.
Q: How would you advise people to be more ecologically-friendly in the kitchen?
A: Firstly, buy energy-saving appliances for your home. These also work out more cost-effective in the long run. There are now energy-saving ovens, fridges and freezers available. For more information, log on to www.est.org.uk. Secondly, try to buy as much organic produce as possible; do you want your food with toxins or without? Thirdly, look for food with as little packaging as possible, and make sure you always compost or recycle it.
Q: What are your most popular requests for kitchen flooring?
A: Definitely reztec (a combination of cork and recycled rubber), which has a slightly mottled appearance and comes in a range of muted colours. Also look out for FSC-rated oak or soft wood flooring.
Q: What products from the eco-centric range are proving to be hot favourites?
A: Lampshades made from wool felt are very popular at the moment; they are only compatible with energy-saving light bulbs, and are available in white, cream, pink and blue. Also photo-voltaic chargers; all-in-one chargers which take all their energy from the sun. I went on holiday recently, took one with me, and used it to charge my Ipod, Blackberry, mobile phone and camera.
Q: Cooking is a fundamental part of Jewish tradition. Do Jews have different expectations of their designs to other people?
A: I think that the table is a pivotal part of furniture. For those who have a small kitchen, it is often the case that they end up eating in front of the TV, but dinnertime should be a daily social ritual incorporated into your life. Life in a Jewish household revolves around the kitchen table, and there is a key emphasis on the social aspects of furniture. The table is often overlooked in its level of importance, but getting the whole family gathered around it is very important.
Q: Is there a way to accommodate Jewish dietary laws in a small kitchen?
A: Theres no secret solution to this problem, but you can now buy dishwashers with two completely separate sections one for meat and one for milk. Im happy to discuss other options with any Jewish clients who approach me.
Q: What one piece of furniture would you take on a desert island?
A: A good solid wooden table, which could act as shelter, a bed, something on which to prepare and eat food, sit, and write my plan of escape!
Oliver Heath is a TV presenter, writer, eco-designer and co-founder of ecocentric.co.uk. Together with fellow interior designer, Nikki Blustin, he has set up Blustin Heath Design, a company specialising in residential, retail and community architecture, product design, interiors and installation. For more information, log on to www.blustinheathdesign.com.
