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? It’s 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 R’s: 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: There’s no secret solution to this problem, but you can now buy dishwashers with two completely separate sections – one for meat and one for milk. I’m 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.
