8573 Kitchens

We had a new kitchen last winter and went to IKEA for the simple reason that we could sort out what we wanted in the UK and just go into the italian store with the part numbers. Though delivery was quite expensive, we were pleased with the quality and finish. We fitted it all ourselves though. Would do it the same way again.

[quote=Adrian Brown;80411]Can anyone recommend a kitchen supplier around Southern Marche. I am looking for a modern looking kitchen rather than a traditional kitchen.

Thanks[/quote]

yes,adrian can certainly recommend the furniture enterprise on the right as you start to enter Servigliano.they're called "Marini mobili" they are the local representatives of "Gatto cucine" a very reputable make of kitchens they do all styles.Marini will also go to your place to take measurements and to give you their best advice complete with scale drawing and detailed estimate etc we had many things from them they were very efficient brought and mounted everything (not being into D.I.Y.) They're an honest family business and practise good prices as most of their suppliers are in turn marche manufacturers.you're also right ,i think to go for a modern kitchen!if you need any other info you can send me a pm.by the way they don't as far as i'm aware have a web site, use e-mail, or take cards.you could probably find a gatto cucine web site to take a look at possibilities before going there i'd presume it'd probably be [url]www.gattocucine.it[/url] or similar.

I can recommend Mondo Convenience . The kitchens are modern, attractively priced and looking at the quality it's not bad.... They deliver and "fit" for a mere E320 (a recent quote on a kitchen priced at E4500)
Sprat

[quote=pilchard;80475]I can recommend Mondo Convenience . The kitchens are modern, attractively priced and looking at the quality it's not bad.... They deliver and "fit" for a mere E320 (a recent quote on a kitchen priced at E4500)
Sprat[/quote]

I thought that to get Mondo to do this you have live within 100km of their stores. The nearest one to me is Pescara and we are in Amandola. Will they deliver and install if you are more than 100km away?

When you say that they fit does this mean that they plumb in all the appliances etc. I have seen a nice kitchen on the Mondo website but wonder whether you are best getting a company to come round and measure up etc as if you buy something of the self their is no guarantee that it will slot into the space you have or do Mondo offer a design service if you give them measurements of the kitchen.

Does anyone know how much a good standard bespoke kitchen is likely to cost?

One of the biggest manufacturers in Italy, [url=http://www.cucinelube.it/ita/mondolube/lanostrasede.asp]Lube[/url], is based near Macerata. I don't know if that makes it any cheaper to buy there, but it might be a good place to get some ideas.

[quote=Adrian Brown;80479]I thought that to get Mondo to do this you have live within 100km of their stores. The nearest one to me is Pescara and we are in Amandola. Will they deliver and install if you are more than 100km away?

When you say that they fit does this mean that they plumb in all the appliances etc. I have seen a nice kitchen on the Mondo website but wonder whether you are best getting a company to come round and measure up etc as if you buy something of the self their is no guarantee that it will slot into the space you have or do Mondo offer a design service if you give them measurements of the kitchen.

Does anyone know how much a good standard bespoke kitchen is likely to cost?[/quote]
i forgot to mention that there is of course no charge either for detailed drawings/estimates up front neither extra charges for delivery or fitting from the people i mentioned you'll always have to arrange for your own plumber/electrician however but thats the same wherever you go

[quote=Adrian Brown;80479]I thought that to get Mondo to do this you have live within 100km of their stores. The nearest one to me is Pescara and we are in Amandola. Will they deliver and install if you are more than 100km away?

When you say that they fit does this mean that they plumb in all the appliances etc. I have seen a nice kitchen on the Mondo website but wonder whether you are best getting a company to come round and measure up etc as if you buy something of the self their is no guarantee that it will slot into the space you have or do Mondo offer a design service if you give them measurements of the kitchen.

Does anyone know how much a good standard bespoke kitchen is likely to cost?[/quote]

According to the brochure I have, they deliver and install throughout Marche. I have seen people in the store getting help to design their own kitchen; however, I do not have first hand experience with their kitchens. What I can tell you is that to have a kitchen made to your own specifications could cost twice or three times as much... That is what we are paying because our kitchen shape and size is a bit difficult.

[quote=Sebastiano;80482][B]i forgot to mention that there is of course no charge either for detailed drawings/estimates [/B]up front neither extra charges for delivery or fitting from the people i mentioned you'll always have to arrange for your own plumber/electrician however but thats the same wherever you go[/quote]

Hi
When we first started looking and talking to kitchen people, we were amazed that after half an hour or so of chat , and a few line drawings they expected us to pay for there time, several times with different companies we had to explain that chatting is not buying...

[url=http://www.mondoconv.it/trasporto-montaggio.shtml]Mondo Convenienza | Arredamento e Mobili per la tua casa[/url]

The map shows the area Mondo delivers to.

I'm thinking of heading the opposite way. Getting some freestanding cabinets instead to flesh out the storage space. A credenza will answer most of my needs and it'll be easier to take with me if I move.

I believe Anna Maria Vecchi in Grottazzolina supply kitchens they supplied both of our bath rooms designed them calculated quantity of tiles etc and delivered every thing to our door no charges were made for this service we only paid for the products purchased and our own builder carried out the work.

[quote=NickZ;80490][url=http://www.mondoconv.it/trasporto-montaggio.shtml]Mondo Convenienza | Arredamento e Mobili per la tua casa[/url]

The map shows the area Mondo delivers to.

I'm thinking of heading the opposite way. Getting some freestanding cabinets instead to flesh out the storage space. A credenza will answer most of my needs and it'll be easier to take with me if I move.[/quote]

And the final result may be much nicer than the standard modular kitchens... If you have the right room and the right space go for it. There are plenty of beautiful kitchens furnished like that in many books and magazines and they look stunning.

For me it's more about the lack of options. I need a little more storage but adding more cabinets would make the room seem even smaller then it is. But there is some empty space that will work well for the credenza.

Now to just find one the right size etc.

I can recommend Pianesi Mobili for kitchens and furniture. They organised our kitchen and the installation with no charges for plans/time/travel etc. We have also had a dining table and chairs made in Marchigiani style from them. We have dealt with Andrea Pianesi who speaks some English and is charming and helpful. Their address is Via dell'Industria, 87 -62014 - Corridonia (MC), tel.0733-281214, [url=http://www.pianesimobili.it]www.pianesimobili.it[/url]
Adrian, if you pm me I will email you photos of our kitchen.

Annie.

I was originally going for the fitted kitchen and the damned company messed me around so much that in the end, I bought local stone for my worktops and breakfast bar had a huge stone sink enstalled, then had builders build various unit walls and a local carpenter fill in the doors with walnut - including the dishwasher cover etc. He also built shelves around the fireplace and I bought a wonderful 17th century credenza and farmhouse table. With stainless steel appliances, it lifted the whole lot to a lovely combo of old and modern...and it made the very most of the space I have because the kitchen isnt a standard shape. I`m pretty sure I didn`t pay much over the odds in the end.

Can I have your kitchen, LizzyF? : )

well you could She-Wolf - except it`s not quite finished yet....I forgot to drop in the bit about the builders knocking the walls down to damp-proof them, then rebuilding and decorating - and then telling me that one wall will have to come down again because they forgot about `popping` the inox chimney flue in...that work was down to be done in early September, and we`re still waiting....so hence, no lovely roaring fire when the snow was piled up outside...maybe they`ll come in the summer???

If anyone has any recommendations for good hair restorers, or these triffic new transplants you can get now, I`d be really grateful for the details....I could well be totaly bald by the time my house is truly finished from tearing my hair out ......and probably stoney broke too :o/

[quote=Adrian Brown;80411]Can anyone recommend a kitchen supplier around Southern Marche. I am looking for a modern looking kitchen rather than a traditional kitchen.

Thanks[/quote]
As someone has mentioned, Lube is one of the local manufacturers of good quality kitchens, they sell via vissani casa, theres a Visani outlet right at the end of the SS77 at Civitanova on the SS16. They costs about €2500-€3000 for a 2.5-3 metre kitchen with wall and base units, fridge, hob & oven.

Lube are based at Treia, also there is a kitchen company called Sira who produce similar quality- don't know stockists though.

Think it's about time I had some input on this thread. Being a joiner and having designed, built and installed thousands of kitchens over the years it could be said I have some knowledge and experience on the subject. From what I've seen of Italian fitted kitchens, well...they are not really fitted. S'pose this is historical because Italians crazily like to take their kitchens with them when they move. Layouts are very basic; a single straight run that doesn't touch the wall at either end or, if it's a real show stopper, an L shape; but again not touching the walls at the ends of the L.
Sprat and I, out of curiosity looked around Mondo Convenience a little time ago and were both impressed by the very good value for money, quality, style and choice. Recently I was asked by a friend, a Brit, to design and install a large and complex kitchen for her and when she said she was interested in using IKEA stuff I just said forget it. IKEA has some great design ideas but that's as far as it goes. Quality of cabinets, specially timber and hardware and laminates leave much to be desired and the cabinets are constructed with no service duct. That is, that the back board of the cupboard which is quite flimsy anyway, sits tight against the wall of the room. This prevents any cables or pipes running behind the cupboard and also means that, if the wall is uneven or bulging, then the whole run of cupboards has to sit away from the wall just to accommodate these irregularites. Also the back touching the wall allows no ventillation and the cabinets soon suffer from damp and condensation causing distortion & mould.
Our friend chose Mondo Convenienza and, once I'd persuaded her out of one or two more lunatic design ideas, we came up with a design compromise that would look good and function well: basically a large U shape with one 90 deg worktop joint and two 45 deg worktop joints creating a corner cooking area. We went to Mondo Con with her the design staff were very nice and helpful. After a day or two of double checking stuff our friend placed the order. Now for 8% of the order value of cabinets of worktops and cabinets Mondo Con will deliver and install, & she was keen. I had warned our friend what form this installation would take. That is that they do not undertake any electrical, apart from pushing a plug into a socket, or plumbing work. Sinks and hobs are fastened into holes in worktops but no connections made and appliance might be shoved into a hole if there is a means of plugging it in nearby. None of the units will be properly leveled or plumbed, extractors not ducted out, washers and dishwashers not plumbed up and nothing other than the wall cupboards fastened to the walls. Ends of runs will not touch walls nor will fillers be put in. The guys that bring this stuff are not proper installers. What do you expect for 8% delivery and installation?
From what I can gather, this is typical of all Kitchen companies. There will, of course, be exceptions, as there always are. More power to their elbow. Find them if you can. They will be expensive.
I know an Italian business lady in our nearby village who recently had a kitchen designed and installed and not only was I landed with job of connecting up the sink and ducting out the extractor but have to re-install half of the kitchen because it was done so badly. Parts of it were so out of level it made you sick just looking at it & the fridge door can't be fully opened cos its crammed to tightly into a wall corner at the end of a run.
In the U.K, when a kitchen is planned and designed, if done by a professional rather than the very many idiots, all services are re-planned & re-configured where neccessary and are first-fixed after removal of the old kitchen prior to the fitting of the new. This means water, gas, waste pipes are all moved to where they need to be and electrical connections and worktop sockets are where they need to be without any compromises to safety, practicality and aesthetics.
The Italians have wonderful designs and top quality stuff but ther whole conception of the word installation and fitted are in there infancy.
Mondo Con got back to our friend and said her kitchen couldn't be done. It was too big. What they meant, and didn't say was that because their installers did not have the knowledge and the tools to do things like planning, measuring and machining worktops on site, and they therefore always machine up laminate worktops in the factory, there was no way they could guarantee a proper fit. After a lot of wrangling they said o.k we'll send a geometra out. I met him on site and expressed a view to our friend that from the measurements that this guy took I had little faith in the quality of the finished job. Still, from our friend's point of view she doesn't mind paying me to re-fit the whole thing from scratch if neccessary. She's asked me to be there to halt installation and send them home if need be, but at E320 she found their delivery & installation service is too cheap to refuse. We'll see come mid Feb.
Both Sprat & I have rather gone off fitted kitchens over the years &, when we arrive at that stage, will be going down the road of rustic bohemian pick & mix. So long as it functions. Italian houses have vast cantinas & store rooms far better suited to food storage where all the stuff you dont use every day is stored out of the way & not cluttering the kitchen. That seems a much saner option to me. We have been beguiled by too many objects of desire over the years; sexy fitted kitchens are definitely one of them. Was it the Bauhaus that said that Form should follow Function?
Pilch

I think it is a incorrect statement to say that Italians do not have fitted kitchens and while it is accepted when selling a property that free standing kitchen units are normally removed with the rest of the furniture many properties have fitted kitchens in the same way as most people in the UK. I could easily take you to many properties with fitted kitchens both recently installed and many that have been in use for many years.

Certainly had a fully fitted kitchen (althougher plumber was expected to make the connections). Design included precise positions for electricity, water, gas etc. Cupboards were designed top and bottom to fit non standard angle of kitchen and the odd filler piece put in as was a measured cupboard over a pillar. Stone worktop made to measure too from a template. It all fits and works too, installation took account of 'sloping floor' etc. As you say it comes at a cost, but a fraction of UK cost; it will last the course. Kitchen components from Veneta Cucina - found somewhere most places. Probably depends on using a kitchen shop that has designer and professional fitters.

Sorry about the duplicates, computer froze!

Certainly had a fully fitted kitchen (althougher plumber was expected to make the connections). Design included precise positions for electricity, water, gas etc. Cupboards were designed top and bottom to fit non standard angle of kitchen and the odd filler piece put in as was a measured cupboard over a pillar. Stone worktop made to measure too from a template. It all fits and works too, installation took account of 'sloping floor' etc. As you say it comes at a cost, but a fraction of UK cost; it will last the course. Kitchen components from Veneta Cucina - found somewhere most places. Probably depends on using a kitchen shop that has designer and professional fitters.

Certainly had a fully fitted kitchen (althougher plumber was expected to make the connections). Design included precise positions for electricity, water, gas etc. Cupboards were designed top and bottom to fit non standard angle of kitchen and the odd filler piece put in as was a measured cupboard over a pillar. Stone worktop made to measure too from a template. It all fits and works too, installation took account of 'sloping floor' etc. As you say it comes at a cost, but a fraction of UK cost; it will last the course. Kitchen components from Veneta Cucina - found somewhere most places. Probably depends on using a kitchen shop that has designer and professional fitters.

we got a fairly upmarket fitted kitchen from a supplier in Terni (about 40Km from us), but they suggested we use local tradesmen for the install (other than for the basic cabinet assembly and the marmista) as for them to bring their own muratore & hydraulico would have cost us more.

Everything went very well except for the marmista - who had been chosen for us by the kitchen supplier. We chose granite worktops & splashbacks, and that involved fitting the splashbacks around window frames and onto walls which weren't 100% true (despite it being a newish house).

The guy was basically useless. He came and measured up in great detail, but when he fitted the stone, he left about 1.5cm gap all around the woodwork - it looked terrible. the bevelled edges and the joints of the stone were all rough and amateurish, and he filled all the joints in the (jet black) worktops with whte (!!) sealant.

All that happened while I was in UK. I came over to inspect and just laughed at the project manager from the kitchen supplier. I was paying him for the marmistas work rather than directly, and I told him straight up that I hoped he hadn't pad the marmista, as the work was unfit for purpose and I wouldn't pay for it. He confirmed that no payment had yet been made. So, I settled up in full for everything except for the marmista's labour & materials, plus a retention of €1.5K "just in case" and told him to get the marmista back to site. I then gave the marmista a piece of my mind and told him to take his "work" apart & try again or he wouldn't get a penny. Much wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth ensued but he eventually did it, and while his workmanship is still the poorest part of the kitchen, it now at least fits properly and has the correct colour of sealant. Ironic, as italians are the real artisans of stonework, but this guy was a clown. Just my bad luck I suppose.

Anyway - yes, you can get fitted kitchens, but as was said previously they are very expensive and you need to find tradesmen who are used to fitting them properly.

Like anything else, you need to stay right on top of whoever is managing the install for you and the golden rule is never pay more than 30% up front, or you will lose any bargaining power if/when it all goes pear shaped.

In case anyone's interested, here's some pic's of one half of the kitchen:

before:

[CENTER][IMG]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1906&d=1200673425[/IMG][/CENTER]

during:
[CENTER][IMG]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1908&d=1200674114[/IMG][/CENTER]

after:

[CENTER][IMG]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1907&d=1200673510[/IMG][/CENTER]

Nice to see before and after photos Pigro. The black granite and red units make a stunning contrast.

When we ordered our kitchen, we weren't sure about what type of worktop to go for and when I spoke to the builder and Marmista about a quote for marble or granite, he was shocked that I even suggested it, considering we are in an area rich in Travertine. A bit like having a house in Carrara and buying Travertine. I preferred granite but thought it best to keep to local styles and went for the Travertine which does actually look great. I paid 800 euros fitted and I reckon the same Travertine top in England would have cost four times as much.

Thanks Biagio ... my OH was decidedly unconvinced about my red/black idea initially ... she felt black would be too oppressive. So, we toured every marmista in a 100Km radius over a two week nightmare period (close to divorce in several stone yards!) but she couldn't find anything she actually liked so I eventually got my way. Now its in, she's delighted with it. Women!

800€ supplied & fitted sounds a great price - I guess it was a fairly small work surface (or else I got stiffed on my stone costs!)

Please read my post that you have quoted in its context. It was in reply to a post by Pilchard in which it stated the most Italian kitchens were not fitted. I can only speak from my own experience of visiting Le Marche for the past 40 years and also having family there and during this time visiting many properties some with free standing some with fitted and some which did not have a kitchen at all . I always find it best to read the whole thread rather than odd posts beforeI post a reply.

[quote=pigro;80829]Thanks Biagio ... my OH was decidedly unconvinced about my red/black idea initially ... she felt black would be too oppressive. So, we toured every marmista in a 100Km radius over a two week nightmare period (close to divorce in several stone yards!) [COLOR="Red"][B]but she couldn't find anything she actually liked so I eventually got my way. Now its in, she's delighted with it. Women![/B][/COLOR]
800€ supplied & fitted sounds a great price - I guess it was a fairly small work surface (or else I got stiffed on my stone costs!)[/quote]

Pigro, my wife can never find anything she likes whether it's clothes, paint colour, tiles or furniture in Italy or England, and I don't often get my way. Mind you, it helped on the occasions when I had to go to Italy during the building works on my own. Certain decisions had to be "made quickly" and couldn't wait for her to come next time, so I managed to get some things done my way. (Hope she doesn't read this).
P.S. The worktop was very cheap even though it was a total of about 8 running meters long and 50mm thick. I know that if it was in marble or granite it would have cost much more. The reason is that southern Marche around the Ascoli Piceno area has always been very rich in Travertine and everyone uses it widely for many areas in a house such as stairs, window cills, balcony edges, tiles, sinks, walls, Fireplaces, etc etc so prices are quite low.

[quote=Biagio;80869]Pigro, my wife can never find anything she likes whether it's clothes, paint colour, tiles or furniture in Italy or England, and I don't often get my way. Mind you, it helped on the occasions when I had to go to Italy during the building works on my own. Certain decisions had to be "made quickly" and couldn't wait for her to come next time, so I managed to get some things done my way. (Hope she doesn't read this).
[/quote]

The less charitable amongst us may suspect that you were somewhat economical with the truth regarding some of those decisions that needed to be "made quickly"?

ps ... I KNOW my wife will read this thread, so I'm dead in the water anyway!

Coo dramatic kitchen Pigro, I actually, based on my kitchen, thought your before picture was the finished thing, until I saw the red and black, and thought OK not my style but great to go for something with such visual impact, very modern Italian.
A

cheers Angie - the "before" was actually the "before we bought it" - so it WAS more or less an Italians finished kitchen as Itook the picture before he'd removed his units & appliances.

What possessed him to put that kitchen in the otherwise modernist, white concrete, linear, low profile new build villa he'd just had constructed for himself I'll never understand ... but it takes all types!

Congratulations on the kitchen, Pigro. Very nice, well designed, easy to use and it suits very much the style of your house as you have described it.

[quote=Rod Cattini;80814]I think it is a incorrect statement to say that Italians do not have fitted kitchens and while it is accepted when selling a property that free standing kitchen units are normally removed with the rest of the furniture many properties have fitted kitchens in the same way as most people in the UK. I could easily take you to many properties with fitted kitchens both recently installed and many that have been in use for many years.[/quote]

Rod Cattini is quite right to take me to task over the rather broad brush I used painting a picture in order to support my point of view. Yes the word "most", I will admit was a rash choice.
But Torchi has also had similar experiences to mine. It must be that we've not been lucky enough to be looking at properties much above the bottom end &, in my case, possibly, hanging out with Italians that either didn't know the difference between fitted & freestanding or couldn't afford it.
I have been visiting Italy for 58 years (as a bump the first time) & for about 99.9% of that time couldn't give a flying fandango what kind of kitchen the houses I visited had, or even if they had one at all, provided the stunningly good food kept on coming. My Nonna had a nice little Boho-Chic wood range & scrubbed top table combo in her place & she fed her 7 daughters, their husbands & kids & anyone else that dropped by with the most incredible varieties of Cucina Povera. Still that was Romagna, home of the best cooking in the whole of Italy. Sorry Rod, I keep picking up that broad brush.
But back to the point: just cos it looks like a fitted kitchen when you order it, it doesn't mean it will be a FITTED kitchen when the guys have left, especially in the case of Mondo Convenienza who wanted only E320 (yes E320) to deliver & "install", a kitchen that was, by their own admission, the biggest they had ever seen & uninstallable. To add balance here, the UK is full of examples of bad workmanship, planning & design & rip-off jobs. Probably no less than in Italy.
I applaud Rod for leaping to Italy's defence cos there's lots of whingeing, moaning Brits who maybe should go home.

Pigro. That kitchen. If Sprat had told me she had bought a black & red kitchen I would have ran to the toilet & sent her out for some Immodium.
But it looks fantastic. Particularly like the wide oven.
Pilch

My Nonna also made do with a wood burning range, a stone sink with just a cold water tap, two built in store cupboards and a large scrubbed wood kitchen table.

She didn't have a big canteena but she shopped daily and made everything with fresh ingredients so had no need to store loads of stuff.

I still dream about her cooking.

Although I think Pigro’s kitchen looks very smart, I’d be scared to mess it up by cooking in it!

My own kitchen here is just one long wall of wooden units and appliances, there is an open fire, the kitchen table, an old and a bit sagging sofa, the TV, etc. It wouldn’t win any prizes for show home good looks but it suits me fine and is the heart of the house. It is comfy and functional and at it’s best with some good friends sharing a glass of wine and what ever I have been able to contour up to eat.

Visit [url]www.mymarca.com[/url] and ask to Gianluca where you can find all about Le Marche..... or call with skype. Contact:mymarca.com
Thanks
E.

thanks to all who complimented the kitchen. I hope my posting the picture didn't come across wrongly ("hey! everybody look at my shiny red kitchen!!"). I just wanted to confirm that there are local Italian contractors out there who can do an excellent job on a fully fitted installation - and, as they say, a picture is worth 1000 words.

Regarding the colour choice - OK, so it's borderline 'bling'! However, it sits alongside a mirror image storage/prep area across the central corridor (out of camera shot). The two halves of the kitchen together form the entry to the house, at one end of a very large open plan area approx. 7m wide x 20m long. This space is otherwise painted totally white - so the kitchen's colour scheme is a kind of yin/yang thing and we went for the bold high contrast look to prevent the overall effect being too clinical.

Finally, I can also assure you all that the kitchen is a well used and practical part of the house (shiny=easily cleaned!!) - and not at all one of those dreadful "show kitchens" that are bought to be shown off but never touched :-)

[quote=pigro;81026]thanks to all who complimented the kitchen. [COLOR="Red"]I hope my posting the picture didn't come across wrongly ("hey! everybody look at my shiny red kitchen!!").[/COLOR] I just wanted to confirm that there are local Italian contractors out there who can do an excellent job on a fully fitted installation - and, as they say, a picture is worth 1000 words.

Regarding the colour choice - OK, so it's borderline 'bling'! However, it sits alongside a mirror image storage/prep area across the central corridor (out of camera shot). The two halves of the kitchen together form the entry to the house, at one end of a very large open plan area approx. 7m wide x 20m long. This space is otherwise painted totally white - so the kitchen's colour scheme is a kind of yin/yang thing and we went for the bold high contrast look to prevent the overall effect being too clinical.

Finally, I can also assure you all that the kitchen is a well used and practical part of the house (shiny=easily cleaned!!) - and not at all one of those dreadful "show kitchens" that are bought to be shown off but never touched :-)[/quote]

Pigro, nothing wrong at all with posting pictures. I wish we had more from everyone especially before and after photos, plus I suppose we're all nosy in a nice way, at least I am.

Does anyone think it would be a good idea to have an additional section on the forum where people can post photos of their house/kitchen/garden/bathroom/bedroom or whatever with an emphasis on before and after shot if possible. As Pigro says, a picture is worth 1000 words :smile:

I agree with you Biagio, the more pic's the merrier. There was this thread [url=http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/building-renovation/6717-before-after.html#post61374]before and after[/url] a while back that was more or less what you propose. it could be bumped & then stickied - I'm not convinced enough people would post pic's to warrant a separate section of the forum though ...

Any suggestions for suppliers of travertine work surfaces & fireplaces - we are near Amandola. We need probably 6m of worksurface and two fireplaces.

Chris

[quote=jepsonclough;86718]Any suggestions for suppliers of travertine work surfaces & fireplaces - we are near Amandola. We need probably 6m of worksurface and two fireplaces.

Chris[/quote]

Growl. You'd try the patience of a saint!!! lol Anyway try this [url=http://www.google.it/search?hl=it&q=travertine&btnG=Cerca+con+Google&meta=cr%3DcountryIT]travertine - Cerca con Google[/url] or [url=http://www.paginegialle.it/index.html]PagineGialle.it[/url]

Just east of Acquasanta Terme there are several stone work areas, many have big blocks lying about their lots. I have not stopped at any myself but I have noticed them if you drive along the road below the SS4. Get off at the Arli exit and follow the signs to Acquasanta. Might be worth a try.

Chris
Pianesi, who fitted our kitchen, also supplied the travertine work surface. It's lovely but - a word of warning. It stains (loses the shine) even more quickly than granite so DO WATCH OUT where you put your glass of wine, slice of lemon etc.
Annie.

[quote=Anniet2;86765]Chris
Pianesi, who fitted our kitchen, also supplied the travertine work surface. It's lovely but - a word of warning. It stains (loses the shine) even more quickly than granite so DO WATCH OUT where you put your glass of wine, slice of lemon etc.
Annie.[/quote]

Granite, especially pale colours needs to be sealed to prevent staining and stay glossy. It may be supplied already polished & sealed. Most bars & restaurants have theirs re-done every couple of years or so, but domestically just once should be enough. I suggest you ask around your local area where the shops & bars get theirs done & chat up the contractor with some cash!
These contractors can also supply the correctly colour-matched epoxy for filling any little chips & gaps that have emerged since ffitting.

Pip pip

Pip pip

Thanks for all the advice. Maybe the stone is not such a good idea then - I had the idea that as well as looking great it woudl be more hardwearing than other surfaces but it sounds like it's not as hard wearing as I thought.

Chris

Here you have some information regarding the care for marble and granite worktops:

[url=http://www.themarblewarehouse.net/Sealing%20&%20After%20Care.htm]Granite Worktops, South Wales, The Marble Warehouse, Sealing & After Care[/url]

[quote=Anniet2;86765]Chris
Pianesi, who fitted our kitchen, also supplied the travertine work surface. It's lovely but - a word of warning. It stains (loses the shine) even more quickly than granite so DO WATCH OUT where you put your glass of wine, slice of lemon etc.
Annie.[/quote]

Travertine is a much different product from granite, so they will react differently. Granite will generally cost more because it is an igneous rock (takes long time, lots of heat and pressure) formed underground and travertine is formed as a precipitate from water (much shorter time, no heat, minimal pressure). Travertine can be very porous depending on the quality (think price). Much of the smooth travertine you will see has had fillers added to the porous areas and then polished.

Hello,
See my other post on Kitchens your'll see there is a carpenter friend of mine who could you a modern kitchen at a good price. Pm and I will forward his telephone number.

I run a kitchen showroom in the London area, UK. We deal with both German and Italian suppliers of kitchens and there is a huge difference between the two. Whilst the Germans are efficient, organised and on the ball, the Italian manufacturer is the opposite. You are lucky if you get a reply to an enquiry within 3 days and it takes forever to get an order confirmation. The kitchens from both Germany and Italy are very nice but the Italian delivery process is awful. You don't get a specific delivery date which makes booking the fitters in for clients impossible and they send one man on a truck with loads of retailers' kitchens jam packed in. Totally unprofessional. Remedials also take a lifetime. So to summarise, the Italian manufacture of furniture is very good, every other aspect of the service is pathetic.

[quote=jepsonclough;86718]Any suggestions for suppliers of travertine work surfaces & fireplaces - we are near Amandola. We need probably 6m of worksurface and two fireplaces.

Chris[/quote]
indipendently of whatever surfaces are required or varieties of rock/stone to use there is a good mason about 2kms from your house on the main road at monte san martino the entrance is the first on the left on the road to msm itself he has a wide variety of granites,marble,travertine,and other stone because it's always a hassle transporting this kind of thing i'd recomend Natale's place he made the replacement stone steps for our staircase everything was precise including the price.

We are based in herts, just off the M25. Deal with Aster Cucine,

[quote=carlito275;101465]I run a kitchen showroom in the London area, UK. We deal with both German and Italian suppliers of kitchens and there is a huge difference between the two. Whilst the Germans are efficient, organised and on the ball, the Italian manufacturer is the opposite. You are lucky if you get a reply to an enquiry within 3 days and it takes forever to get an order confirmation. The kitchens from both Germany and Italy are very nice but the Italian delivery process is awful. You don't get a specific delivery date which makes booking the fitters in for clients impossible and they send one man on a truck with loads of retailers' kitchens jam packed in. Totally unprofessional. Remedials also take a lifetime. So to summarise, the Italian manufacture of furniture is very good, every other aspect of the service is pathetic.[/quote]

I can understand your frustration but would like to add that in my experience the Germans are not blameless. We have recently had a high spec German kitchen fitted and were not impressed with many aspects of the German method of operation. Several units arrived damaged because they were inadequately packaged. The microwave carcass initially came in an incorrect size and has subsequently been remade three more times; each time the size or colour was incorrect and we eventually used the first cabinet having to adapt the microwave.

We are now still waiting for two end panels which have been made to the incorrect size FOUR times. Each time there is an error it takes a minimum of a 10 days to get the problem "rectified".

So the result is we have a kitchen that was supposed to have been fitted by 7 August still not complete today.

Germans perfect? I think not!