"I’m often asked if, after all these years, I don't ever get fed-up with spending time in the kitchen? Answer: "Never."
After all, I owe my career to these wonderful spaces. From bedsit to cottage to house, from catering unit to restaurant to chef school, planning and designing kitchens has always been a thrill. My kitchens have helped turn a hobby to a profession and, more important, into a life-long passion.
Kitchens should be more than efficient places to cook – though they must of course be that. They are the heart of a house; where creativity is allowed, where friends gather, where family are nurtured and children taught to eat and cook. Kitchens have to be a joy to be in."
The makers of Sheraton kitchens are well known to Prue, who has designed and worked in every kind of kitchen space over the years. So it is no wonder that she was definite about the style and quality of cabinets to suit her home. "Sheraton standards are excellent. The units are solid and strong, and there is real craftsmanship in the detailing."
Sheraton kitchen cabinets are made to order ensuring any kitchen layout can be catered for. All units have solid backs and the doors and drawers all come with a soft close feature as standard to ensure a quiet, smooth closing action. The wall and base units are fitted to a high specification and Prue is confident her kitchen will easily stand the wear and tear that comes from constant use. "I'm not the type who changes a kitchen every few years. My last kitchen lasted me 38 years! Sheraton kitchens are really good value, and a good investment" she insists.
With over 50 styles to choose from, it was the Sheraton Mattonella Gloss Stone that caught the imagination of Prue. "Lighting is important to me and the gloss finish lends a sense of light and space, while the gentle 'Stone' colour is a subtle warm neutral which allows for other colours to accent the room. It is smart and modern but also, I think, has a timeless quality about it. It won't date."
This large airy space is a wonderful combination of kitchen, sitting and dining room which is at the heart of Prue's lifestyle. There's nothing more pleasurable for her than having friends and family round to chat while she prepares and serves the food. "This is a room where I spend most of my time, so it has to feel practical and pleasurable at the same time. Being open-plan means I can cook and have a drink without feeling I am slaving away in the kitchen while everyone else is at the party."
The understated contemporary design of the kitchen units blends well with the traditional period pieces of furniture and the diverse collection of artwork around the room.The eclectic mix of styles makes the room feel very personal, relaxed and inviting. "The kitchen is the main focus of my home," Prue admits "and that's where you’ll find me more often than not. With food, family and friends being such an integral part of my life, why would I be anywhere else?"