Modular kitchens

Bhupinder Kohli
Pampering the lady of the house with off the rack kitchens, is in vogue. Be it hot air blowing outside or a cool breeze, every women is much bothered about perspiring in the kitchen. “Whenever I get take a project in hand, the first and the foremost thing is to spend some time with my client at their present residence, especially, when they are busy cooking. This helps me understands their lifestyle,” explains Jatinder Kaur, an interior decorator. Replacing kadais with microwave, conventional chimney with electric ones and mixers with food processors; the scrupulously designed techno savvy modular kitchens have become a way of life. Years ago, every Indian home had a grinding stone. Now food processors and blenders can take their place in modern kitchens. Bake the potatoes, toast the bread and grill a sandwich — the microwave or oven, griller and toaster (OTG) are there to save in your time and serve you with well nourished food.Pre-fabricated in a varied range of materials, colours and finishes graciously fit the bill of fare to suit the modern kitchen. From the refrigerator, microwave to television, everything can be incorporated in a modular open kitchen. Shruti Verma, a city-based housewife says, “As contemporary open kitchens are in vogue, we have merged our lobby area with the kitchen. With the convenience and comfort of ready modules, one delights in cooking and maintains a consistency in décor that defines the personal statement of style. The electric chimney is powerful enough to blow out the smoke and manitain the room temperature.” The modular kitchen has placed the modern housewife and working woman on the threshold of hand convenience where all one needs to do is order for one and before you blink your eye the ready kitchen is fitted into your house. “The ready to install cabinets and even racks, to hide all your utensils and cutlery, have made the fitting of the kitchen easy,” Jatinder titters. Besides, the standardized units for floor and walls, deep units to accommodate electrical appliances and gas trolleys, and a range of accessories in the form of wire baskets, carousels, adjustable shelves and pull-out units are required. Whatever maybe the size and shape of your kitchen, adorn your main rock shelf with granite and marble. Wooden or fabricated plastic in dark colours with lamination for the cabinets and shutters ensure a long companionship.Advantages of a modular kitchen are• Optimum utilization of space• Adds to the elegance of decor. • More convenient for fast-track lifestyle, working women and bachelors. • Kitchen work/equipment/utensils get proper definition, role and place to function. • A modular kitchen takes care of things like exhaust hoods/chimneys which otherwise is ignored. • Replacement/repairs are easy.