70 Years of Inspiring Design Heritage with Smeg

In 1956, Smeg welcomed Elisabeth – the world’s first freestanding programmable cooker with flame failure device pioneered, the brainchild of the company’s founder Vittorio Bertazzoni.

In 1970, Niagara, the world’s first 14 place setting dishwasher, put Smeg on the map. The company’s reputation as a true powerhouse continues today with Smeg’s patented Planetary wash system.

In 1985, Smeg appointed the famous Italian architect, Guido Canali to design their appliances. In keeping with his rigid architectural principles – strict form and pure, essential design – Canali conceived the Classic collection. Recognised by the international design community and exhibited at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the collection has been a world-leading design ever since. Over thirty years later, Smeg’s Classic Collection is as elegant, beautiful and relevant as ever.

Smeg’s Classic oven features in Light Corridor House by FIGR Architecture & Design. Photo by Tom Blachford & Kate Ballis.

Smeg’s Classic oven features in Jac House in Sydney by panovscott. Photo by Brett Boardman.

Renzo Piano is the mastermind behind some of the world’s most beautiful buildings including Aurora Place in Sydney and The Shard in London. The Piano Collection was first developed in 100% stainless steel, an enormous engineering challenge in 1997. Today’s Collection has evolved further to feature the latest technology and brings the most beautiful, timeless design to the most prestigious of developments.

Piano by Smeg collection in situ.

I have a little confession to make. Up until relatively recently (some 4 years ago), I was absolutely convinced Smeg was a Swiss, German or perhaps a Scandinavian brand. I know, how bloody ridiculous am I? Even though I’ve specified a whole range of their fantastic products many times while working as an interior designer, I think I was simply thrown by the name. This thought is utterly ridiculous to me now, because – knowing what I know about Smeg today, I feel like a complete goose because this brand couldn’t be any more Italian if it tried. Their Italian-ness is a wonderful thing and indeed what sets them apart, as this is precisely where their passion for style meets their passion for technology.

This year Smeg celebrates a significant milestone – their 70th birthday – marked by several exciting releases, and most notably, the Dolce Stil Novo collection which is firmly positioned at the pinnacle of domestic kitchen appliances. But before we get to that, I wanted to reflect on Smeg’s formidable design heritage over the last 70 years, their high profile collaborations and many technical innovations, all of which have contributed to elevating the brand all the way to the top.

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Smeg’s headquarters and cooking factory in Guastalla, Northern Italy, designed by their long-term collaborator Guido Canali.

In 2003 Smeg opened their new headquarters and cooking factory in Guastalla, near Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy, midway between Milan and Venice. Designed by their long-term collaborator Guido Canali, the building is surrounded by everything that makes the premium brand tick – breathtaking nature (there are something like 4,000 trees on the property), world-class design and architecture and, very importantly, incredible food – think Prosciutto di Parma, Balsamico di Modena vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano – YUM!

With such a rich heritage of design, art, architecture, fashion and culture, and beauty and inspiration at every turn, this region has unsurprisingly generated a globally acclaimed manufacturing industry. Ferrari, Ducati, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Barilla, are just some other mighty Italian brands also calling this area their home.

Smeg’s Freestanding Thermoseal stove features in Birmingham Street Apartment, Sydney by SJB. Photo by Felix Forest.

Launched in 1997, Smeg’s innovative approach, which began with the introduction of the pioneering Elisabeth model in 1956, has culminated in the most advanced and sophisticated freestanding models on the market. Unsurprisingly, the collection has been adopted by leading architects and interior designers both here in Australia and abroad.

Smeg’s Freestanding Cooker features in photographer Armelle Habib‘s The Bank Studio.

In 2008, Marc Newson designed a range of products for Smeg including ovens, gas hobs and induction hobs characterised by their soft lines, user-friendly features, energetic and distinctive use of coloured enamel, and by surfaces in stainless steel or glass. The collection won the Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award in 2010, and Wallpaper* Design Award in 2009.

Embracing modern vintage style with technological innovation, the Victoria Collection was conceived in 2010 as an homage to the original Elisabeth cooker – the world’s first programmable freestanding cooker with flame failure device pioneered by Smeg in 1956.

From its inception in 1948, Smeg’s mission has been to develop cooking appliances which create the most delicious meals in the most accessible manner. They’ve also developed other kitchen appliances like state-of-the-art dishwashers designed to enhance the quality of everyday life. Since then, the brand has gone on to conceive, invent, develop, test, prove and bring to market various technologies which are considered to be the best in the field.

In cooking, Smeg is the only manufacturer to have successfully met the challenge of maintaining the optimum atmospheric balance in the oven cavity with Thermoseal technology. In dishwashing, they are the only manufacturer to have successfully evolved effective wash-arm techniques culminating in planetary action for the Diamond Collection.

In 2013 WELs (the Australian Government’s Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme) awarded Smeg 6 stars, its highest rating by a dishwasher in Australia. The accolade was based on Smeg achieving an industry-leading minimum of only 9.8L to wash 15 place settings, the result of the unique orbital wash system. 2016 saw the introduction of another world-first in dishwashing – planetary wash – a system 60% more efficient than its predecessor. With a 6 star WELs rating, the system uses only 9.8L for a full wash.

What is a cooling motor doing underneath the bonnet of a Fiat 500? In 2003, Smeg and Fiat merged form and function for FIAT 500 Design collection by creating – wait for it – a fridge. Nuts! The launch celebrated the historical connection shared by the two brands, dating back to 1957.

In 2014, Smeg launched a range of small domestic appliances, inspired by the elegance of 1950s and designed in collaboration with leading Milanese studio, deepdesign®. Since its launch, the collection has continued to grow and has along the way received numerous international design awards including Red Dot, iF and Good Design.

1997, the 1950s inspired FAB fridge collection made a splash in kitchens across the globe. In an era of hidden away integrated appliances or industrial type stainless steel options, the tall, colourful and retro shaped fridge instantly became known as Smeg, arguably becoming one of the most recognisable large kitchen appliances ever. Of course, Smeg couldn’t stop just there – they took things to the next level several other times… In 2012 they launched the denim version of FAB – a result of a collaboration with Italia Independent and Lapo Elkann.

In 2017, a limited-edition collection of FAB fridges was hand-painted by Thierry Noir, the artist recognised as one of the forerunners of Modern Street Art, having honed his distinctive style on the Berlin Wall in the early 80s. (I don’t know about you, but I would seriously LOVE one of these at my place! Smeg, are you listening? Kidding. But not really. Seriously – call me.)

Smeg is also the only appliance brand that can lay claim to providing customers with genuine design choice. For the past 70 years, they have lead the way in appliance design and manufacture, with the belief that customers should be able to express their personality through design, and much like art, appliances should be selected from personal taste.

“It’s arrogant to presume that everyone will enjoy the same style. We believe we have to give the customer the choice, and a chance to express their personality,” says Vittorio Bertazzoni, CEO of Smeg.

This philosophy gave rise to Smeg’s long history of collaborations with world-leading architects and designers, creating beautiful collections to suit different styles and tastes.

Linear Collection was conceived in 2005 by Mirco Zanini to complement the resurgence of minimalism, a predominating movement in design around the world. Inspired by the first element of design, the line, it is a beautifully simple collection that’s also ergonomic and maximises all available space.

Launched in 2018, the Portofino collection is a robust performer inspired by the vibrant colours and flavours of the Italian Riviera. The collection is available in 8 different colours.

Earlier this year Smeg and Dolce & Gabbana continued to take art and design to another level with the launch of Divina Cucina – another spectacular example of design elevating every-day appliances to works of art. This third collaboration showcases the iconic brands’ combined passion for creativity, design and art in the form of a coordinating freestanding cooker, rangehood and FAB fridge. Each piece is lavishly decorated in bold colours, capturing the history, culture, cuisine and beauty of Sicily. (Hang on, I think I really want one of these too. In blue though. Too much? Nah, it’s seriously so good!)

In a world first, in 1985, the brand made a pivotal decision to collaborate with the world’s best architects to create appliances with aesthetic beauty to endure over time. Smeg’s first collaboration was with famous Italian architect, Guido Canali, commissioned to apply architectural form to the appliances. Since then, the brand has worked with Renzo Piano, Mario Bellini, Marc Newson, Mirco Zanini, Deep Design Studio, amongst others, and continues to work with Guido Canali on many exciting new projects.

Dolce Stil Novo by renowned architect, Guido Canali, thrilled international audiences at its debut at Eurocucina in Milan. The collection sets another platform for the beginning of an original design journey by Smeg.

Positioned at the pinnacle of domestic kitchen appliances, Smeg’s finest, most advanced and most comprehensive collection ever launched earlier this year. Designed by Guido Canali, Dolce Stil Novo crosses the great divide between kitchen appliances and furniture, integrating passion and precision with ground-breaking technology.

Inspired by the 13th-century Italian love poetry movement, Dolce Stil Novo (meaning ‘Sweet New Style’) sophisticated range of advanced appliances features minimalist styling in black Eclipse glass with refined copper or stainless steel detailing. The look is one of the continuous lines, precision craftsmanship and elegance – bringing to life a true culinary masterpiece.

Dolce Stil Novo has already received three of the most influential international awards – Good Design® by the Chicago Athenaeum, the iF Design Award, and the Red Dot Design Award. Not a bad effort!

The comprehensive collection comprises 60cm Thermoseal and Thermoseal Plus ovens, Compact combi-steam and speed ovens, blast chiller and coffee machine, with complementary vacuum, warming and storage drawers. For the wine lovers amongst us, the collection includes a wine cellar and sommelier drawer with quality tools for serving, storing and recording precious wine.

Cooktop selection is equally comprehensive with the world’s first Blade flame – a dramatic vertical flame, patented by Smeg, that’s impressively 20% more efficient than a standard burner. Also available is a multi-fuel cooktop with a powerful wok burner and straight induction which, like the rest of the collection, is available with copper or stainless trim.

Dolce Stil Novo The cooktops feature world-first laminar blade burner – the most efficient gas burner available, able to furnace wok-cooking using less power – coupled with the most unique design ever conceived for an appliance featuring whimsical trivets of birds, motifs in nature or architectural shapes.

With 70 years under their belt and no visible signs of slowing down, Smeg is committed to driving the product evolution, challenging the status quo, continuing to be bold and celebrating their uniqueness. And their unapologetic Italian-ness. In many ways, it feels like they’re only just getting started.

Tanti Auguri, Smeg!

This Yellowtrace Promotion is proudly brought to you in partnership with Smeg. All related thoughts and ideas reflect our genuine opinion. Like everything we do at Yellowtrace, our sponsored content is carefully curated to maintain utmost relevance to our readers.

Smeg Dolce Stil Novo Collection by Guido Canali | Yellowtrace Smeg’s Dolce Stil Novo range features in these two recent Australian projects. Photo by Jacqui Turk.