N.Z. kitchens top quality

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 22

N.Z. kitchens top quality

Falkingham Kitchens is a long-established Christchurch firm that is one of the few to manufacture almost the whole kitchen. Even the sinktops are made in their factory at 37 Barton Street, Woolston. Ron Falkingham and his wife Dutchanee have been making kitchens for 15 years and they take pride in the fact that theirs is a family business. Dutchanee, who has qualifications in interior design, takes care of the administration aspect as well as co-ordinating colours and giving design advice. For Ron Falkingham, manufacturing kitchens is a great love in his life. “I am dedicated to my job. Making money is not the most important part you must thoroughly enjoy what you are doing and do it well,” he says.

Falkingham Kitchens make and design kitchens from budget-priced right through the range to the most upmarket found in New Zealand. They take the kitchen through every stage from the first consultation followed by the design through to completion. They have travelled to Europe to study kitchen technology and they pass on what they have learnt to their clients. Ron Falkingham combines the best of overseas technology —- and kitchens are “hi-tech” places today — with a New Zealand emphasis. “What we make in New Zealand is equal to any-

thing in the world. We can make it just as well,” he says. New Zealand manufacturers have become conscious of the demand for integrated kitchens where the fronts of applicances match cupboard fronts, a trend from Europe that is in big. demand here. New Zealand manufacturers are starting to make under-bench ovens, he says. Ron Falkingham can meet clients’ requests for any style of kitchen, for heart rimu, lacquered or laminated cupboard finishes.

He has had a display kitchen in the Canterbury Building Centre almost since it opened, making

him one of their longeststayers. In the years since he established his business, Mr Falkingham has met the demand for change. Kitchen design is much better. Everything in a kitchen is designed for the most efficient use of space. The kitchen must be completely functional and a pleasure to work in. Joinery is superior today; the custom board core inside carcases is a good new development, he says. One dramatic change is the melamine, a hard, white finish for the insides of cupboards which eliminates what to do with the formerly unprotected interior of the cupboards.