So it’s early in the morning, you have a flight to catch and you woke up looking like Iggy Pop. Now a shower is a good start but a nice hot beverage is the cherry on top of the cake. Gone are the days where you boil water in a kettle and measure out the right amount of coffee and sugar to get the right ratio. In the modern day and age, people want instant boiling taps and coffee machines that make all sorts of frothy drinks that you get in a Costa. If you are like me however, and think the world should be in 1984 then you won’t understand coffee machines because I don’t. I like to mix the coffee myself in a mug with a spoon. But having a coffee machine in the house is almost the next big thing but most coffee machines are big, cumbersome, expensive and noisy and noise early in the morning is a big no no.

You can customise your drink first by choosing what you want, whether it be a Cappuccino or a coffee. You can then set the water temperature, how you would like your beans ground, steam temperature and, even how much coffee you want in your cup of coffee, in grams, like me; whacked up to the limit! So, on top you have the tap, collector and dock for the device. Under the counter lives the complex machine which creates and mixes your brew. Either a Top Brewer Pro or Top Brewer Compact. Then you have extras like a separate fridge unit for milk etc. The mix is then fed through the tap to your mug and is calibrated to deliver a perfect blend. You can even set your perfect brew as default so the machine will always remember your brew for quick drinking pleasure.

The only drawbacks I find are that you need a smart device which I don’t and this product runs using Wi-Fi, so if that goes down or your internet connection cuts out, you won’t be having coffee and it will be Iggy Pop at the airport. This is a fantastic product and I do like the way it’s controlled – wonder if a version will be done to mix cocktails?! Well, it will also serve chilled juice drinks too if unlike the rest of us, you wake up looking perfect.

To most people a tap is a simple and conventional way of venting water. Most bathrooms and kitchens will have a common style tap consisting of two handles or twist knobs for hot and cold, or maybe a single handle turned either left or right for hot and cold; simple and easy to use. With a vast range of taps on the market from a ten pounds in DIY stores to a couple of hundred, some of which have been incrusted with diamonds and other rare stones and crystals. Sure they look special, all shiny and sparkly, but just a tad on the tacky side.

So where else can you go for a fine, exquisite tap that not only looks amazing, but isn’t intrusive. That is functional and yet elegant. Well there is only one obvious choice, which is the Tri-flow tap designed by Zaha Hadid for Tri-flow. This is the sort of luxury good that if you showed someone for the first time they would maybe not know what it was. Shaped like the neck of a swan looking backwards or could even be said, looks like a front downpipe of a Harley Davidson. Said to be inspired by the way water flows, the way the water gets from the filter to the end of the tap is rather very clever. Three separate water ways built into this solid brass tap, which are designed to flex as the neck can be turned left to right. Hot and cold water is accessed by twisting the tail end of the tap. The operating lever is its one main weakness as it does take some time to master how to get hot water through as there are no hot/cold markings.

Then again, this is more or a work of art than a tap so it’s more form over functionality. Once you find the right position for either hot or cold, the flow of water is smooth and clear. If you would like filtered water, then simply touch the finger sensitive button which will light up and instantly pump filtered water.

From the outside it looks simple, but underneath the curvy figure is an array of clever tech for the 21st century. It won’t be to everybody’s taste, with some people proffering two taps over one large one for both hot and cold. Some people might even be frightened away by the £7,500 price tag, which some how is justifiable. There aren’t many of these, if any, in kitchen showrooms around the country, but here at Stephen Graver, we are lucky enough to have a fully functional working tap in our Studio.

This tap is like marmite; you either love it or hate it. It looks fantastic and is very exclusive, but it isn’t as practical as most taps and is quite large and the price too. But for those occasions when you have dinner parties and people walk into your kitchen and see it gracefully sat there, you will be the envy of everyone. Don’t believe us? – come and check it out at our Studio for a demonstration.

Recently back from a two week vacation to the beautiful country of Kenya with Amanda, Stephen Graver lived the dream of going to Africa into the vast wilderness to experience the exquisite scenery and stunning creatures in the bush. Most people think holidays involve sitting by a swimming pool in bikinis and swim shorts (or if you are The Hof, bright red skimpies of which I hope you don’t), wining and dining in luxury resorts, eating local dishes and listening to the country’s music. Well, this blows all that garbage out the water because in the massive Kenyan bush lies Tassia Lodge, for the adventurer in search of that hidden and unspoiled Africa.

Tassia Lodge is perched on the edge of a rocky bluff giving breathtaking views of the flat planes and Blood Mountain standing proud, the highest point in sight, makes for some extraordinary sunsets. Run by Martin, a fourth generation white Kenyan with a massive knowledge of the animals and wildlife, as well as carrying one of the biggest rifles you have ever seen – you’d want him if lost in the wilderness! His partner Antonia is of English decent, an excellent cook and moved over to Kenya to be with Martin to run Tassia Lodge. Both excellent hosts and down to earth people.

This is not a safari experience, trapped in a vehicle looking at wildlife unthreatened by the sound of an old diesel engine. The walks are gentle but keep your wits about you. Anything could happen.  The trails are dangerous and round the corner could be a group of elephants. The wildlife is wild and camera shy, hence the large gun in tow. Led by Martin and Massai guides who know the planes like the back of their hands, you are always in safe hands. The most notable of guides is the Honey Guide bird, which will call out to you and when replied to fly to another tree beckoning you to follow. It will lead you to a beehive, and if you’re lucky the Massai guide will smoke the bees out and retrieve the fresh liquid honey, not the usual stuff put on your toast. The deal is the bird gets some of the honey afterwards. The bird also works in conjunction with the Honey Badger which climbs the tree and attacks the hive retrieving the honey for the both of them. Extraordinary animal communications in such a barren wilderness.

If you fancy getting in the saddle then there are two options – horse back and motorbikes. Stephen, being a terrible horse rider was banned by Amanda from spoiling her riding, took the high octane, wheelie prone, KTM adventure off roaders into the bush with family friend Huw and Martin. No roads here, just harsh terrain and empty river beds. This is serious hardcore riding.

After a long day in the bush and many G&T’s, retreat to the lodge for some rest and watch the sun set. Open plan living areas and open rooms where any animal could walk in! Don’t worry, there are guards on operation so don’t expect to wake up playing tongue hockey with a leopard, it’s totally safe. And get used to not putting make-up on and blow drying your hair. Electricity is non existent…well let’s say minimal here.

You can forget those fancy restaurants, the sandy beaches and the swimming pools. This is not a holiday; this is an experience to write home about. There will be emotion; there will be fear, but the feeling of self actualisation. You will not want to return to the hustle and bustle of England that is for sure. Well Stephen did, or rather had to, or we’d have no jobs!

Visit the website for more details. Go on, get out there and experience Africa!

Some knobs

Unless you have these fancy push release draws and doors or if you are mega rich; electric powered draws, then picking the best handles and knobs for your kitchen, bathroom or bespoke furniture is a tricky one. There are literally thousands out there. Traditionally, knobs went on draws and handles on doors however, there is so much individuality in this day and age; people have the tiniest knobs on the largest doors, although not recommended.

Sub-Zero model WS-30

The first cooler on the agenda is a big one, simply spectacular. Made by Sub-Zero (model WS-30) this massive glass fronted full-height cooler is the bee’s knees. It has two temperature zones, so you can keep the white cooler than the red. Stainless steel construction, magnetic seals and bomb proof reliability and guaranteed for 20 years service. You simply cannot get better than this appliance and for the price of £7900, it’s a whopping investment. This unit can be integrated to have two alongside each other or even three, and then prices are heading to the £20,000 marker!

Sub-Zero (model 424)

However, if you just want a small under worktop or freestanding wine chiller, then Sub-Zero (model 424) can supply you with one with the same characteristics as its bigger brother, but at half the price and size. Glass fronted door and climate control, still packed with technology and will last just as long. Looking to pay £3600 to £4000.

KWT 4154

However, if the Sub-Zero is too pricey for your liking, then there is the equally satisfying alternative from Miele. One of their top of the range models, the KWT 4974, is beautifully made, looks fantastic and still has plenty of storage. Quoted 143 bottles so you will never be caught out short on stock. Stainless steel body, recessed handle and a door lock to prevent the rowdy teenagers from sculling dad’s Châteauneuf du Pape. This can be yours for around £3000 and for that you get a lot of cooler.

KWT 4154

And again, like the Sub-Zero, the Miele has a smaller alternative called the KWT 4154 which has two zone climate controls, wooden shelves and flush ceiling lighting. It’s a well made and good quality cooler on a tighter budget still offering the qualities of a Sub-Zero. Priced around £1300 marker, it’s good value yet feels like it’s made of stone.

The first model is the LaCanche Vezelay 220. Simply vast this range is – it makes Wolf ranges look pitiful and for the French to out size the Americans is quite and achievement. Attention to detail is incredible, from the solid brass hand rails and control knobs to the hand crafted hinges on the doors. Standard fit comes with three powerful gas burners and a choice of having an induction hob. Built on a serious reputation and a religion of cooking excellent food, the Vezelay will sure bring out the best in all cooks. With a range like this you know it will be as reliable as death and taxes and to top it off, is even available in bright yellow. The cost of this French monster is £12,735 which might have you saying “merde” quite a bit.

Now for the piste de resistance, the one range to rule them all. Now when you are faced with the prospect of spending nearly £30,000 on an appliance for your home, you may have to take a step back and think for £30,000 you could have a top of the range Ford Mondeo with cash to spare, or maybe a luxury holiday. But you want the best cooking appliance money can buy. So La Cornue delivers with the magnificent Grand Palaris180. Choose from 16 colours to accompany the solid brass fixings and rails make this one stunning piece, a showstopper. This is to the world of cooking, dare I say “le couilles du chien”. You cannot get any better then this masterpiece. Now, if you are mad enough to write that cheque out, then go for it, join the league of extraordinary purchases and throw a massive dinner party to celebrate, French style.

Any thoughts? Get in touch with Stephen Graver.