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A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform

April 24, 2018

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

Apologies for the radio silence over the past couple of weeks – I was ill for a few days and then headed off to Copenhagen for a city break with my lovely mum. I’ll be sharing some discoveries from our trip in future posts, but first I’m getting back into the swing of blogging with some news from Danish brand Reform.

Reform is one of several companies which make custom fronts to jazz up standard IKEA kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and sideboards, but what makes it stand out from the crowd is the fact that it collaborates with renowned names to produce designs which really do stand the test of time. Its range includes stunning collections by the likes of Norm Architects, Note Design and Afteroom (many of which I’ve covered in previous posts) and the latest, created by Danish designer Cecilie Manz and unveiled earlier this month, is just as beautiful.

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

Called ‘Degree’, it aims to balance the pared-back functionality needed in a kitchen with the kind of homely, inviting look required in a space which so often becomes the heart of the home. To achieve this, Manz paired hard-wearing steel worktops with understated door- and drawer-fronts in grey-painted MDF or warm-toned Oregon pine. She also added a twist by carving triangular handles from the top corner of each front, and laid the grain of the pine option at a 45-degree angle to create an eye-catching contrast with the horizontal and vertical lines of the units.

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

The resulting look has a graphic quality that echoes the modernism of the 1950s and 60s, and I can see it working well in all sorts of settings. And while I love both finishes, you won’t be surprised to hear that the grey option is a particular favourite!

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

A new IKEA kitchen hack from Cecilie Manz & Reform | These Four Walls blog

How about you? Which would you choose?

All images via Reform

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2 Comments · Interiors

Comments

  1. Alison Carter says

    May 16, 2018 at 5:53 pm

    LOVE the grey! Can you please clarify if the door fronts were purchased for this ikea dresser or is it DIY to look like it? What cabinet did you use?

    Reply
    • Abi says

      May 16, 2018 at 6:07 pm

      It’s lovely isn’t it? This isn’t my kitchen so I’m afraid I can’t answer – the images came via Reform, but their website will have full info.

      Reply

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HELLO

Abi Dare | These Four Walls blog

I’m Abi Dare – a stylist, photographer and writer based in Bristol (UK). I set up this blog to share interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration for simple, relaxed living at home and beyond. You’ll find home tours, advice and tips, interviews, reviews, postcards from places I love and more – always with a focus on soft minimalism, muted colours and timeless, considered design.

‘Top 10 UK interior design blogs’ 2025, 2024, 2023 & 2022, Vuelio

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Winner of the ‘Blogger’ category in the Sweetpea & Willow Home Influencer Awards 2023

‘Best Design & Architecture Blog’, UK Blog Awards 2019

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I'm so excited to reveal what @tiffanygrantriley a I'm so excited to reveal what @tiffanygrantriley and I have been working on for the past few months: a new book! 

Called Bring The Outside In, it explores how to harness the wellbeing-enhancing power of biophilic design (design that reconnects you with nature) in your own home. It's packed with clear, practical advice, plus peeks inside 12 beautiful real-life homes that demonstrate biophilic design in action in a wide range of settings, from city apartments to rural farmhouses. 

I feel incredibly proud to have written one book, let alone two, and this one was extra-special for two reasons. Firstly, it's a topic that I've long been fascinated by and one that combines two of my passions, interior design and nature. And secondly, I was lucky enough to work on it with a friend. We had so much fun travelling around Europe capturing the homes featured (some very brief glimpses to whet your appetite here!) and we'll share some behind-the-scenes snippets soon.

Bring The Outside In will be published by @rylandpetersandsmall on 14th October and is available to pre-order now - just follow the link in my bio. 

(The book cover image is the beautiful home of @balanceinteriordesign.)

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Snaps from a lovely long weekend in leafy Richmond Snaps from a lovely long weekend in leafy Richmond, West London. I've spent many happy times there over the years as one of my closest friends lives there, but she's about to move house. So, Chris and I made the most of our last visit before she relocates - and the weather was certainly kind to us! 

1 & 2.  Richmond riverside and bridge
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I've also interviewed Holly, founder of the gallery and interior design studio @avenue.design.studio, on my blog. I've always admired the elegant, timeless spaces she creates, and the way she reflects the architectural context of each setting. I first met her in person last year, when I featured her own home in my book, and I've since worked with her on another exciting project that I can't wait to share soon...

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A few snaps from the gorgeous @gubiofficial showro A few snaps from the gorgeous @gubiofficial showroom in London, which I visited during @clerkenwelldesignweek earlier this week. I missed the opening event for this last year, so it was great to finally have a look around in person. The light is stunning, as is GUBI's selection of contemporary and classic designs - including the sculptural and futuristic F300 lounge  chair, first designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s and recently relaunched. 

Which room or corner is your favourite...?

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