Appliances as Art and Other Kitchen Trends from Eurocucina 2016.

Each year Milan’s Salone del Mobile alternates the focus of the 4 of it’s 24 halls in favour of either Lighting (Euroluce) or Kitchens & Bathrooms (Eurocucina & Salone Bagno). This year the focus was back on the Kitchens for Eurocucina 2016, where Europe’s top brands presented a range of innovations, including some tech-forward surprises.

The four Eurocucina halls were abuzz with real moments of theatre and a number of extraordinary stands – from live cooking shows to technology demonstrations and everything else in between. Unlike the furniture industry, kitchens are all about subtle changes and nuances. They represent a long-term and big investment for most people, with innovation usually centering around new materials and integration of clever technology.

What always strikes me the most is the commitment of many brands in creating total, immersive, and “lived in” kitchen experiences. The stands and the display went above and beyond the expected – kitchen sets were furnished, propped and zhooshed to perfection with plants, artwork, artisan and vintage furniture and lighting. I could easily imagine permanently moving into many of the stands, and preparing a perfect meal worthy of a Michelin Star. (Ok, let’s not get too carried away now – not burning the onion and garlic would be a pretty good start for me).

Innovative surface materials that can be used across multitude of surfaces – from doors, benchtops, to outdoor areas, were evident in a number of kitchens. Extremely resilient, strong and impossibly thin surfaces were also on show – think 8mm concrete and other ultra-compact surfaces, creating a super streamlined look. Integrated sinks and drying areas, even cooking elements all formed part of these incredibly durable bench top materials. One of the kitchens took this approach one step further by creating a completely integrated sink which concealed and revealed itself when needed. I know – crazy talk!

Collaboration is a big word these days, and kitchens are not immune to this new-age phenomenon, with some of the brands drawing on the skills of designers, artists and artisans, elevating humble cooking appliances and white goods into the works of art. Yes please! Architects designing kitchens for the first time (Vincent Van Dysen and Japer Morrison – yes, I’m talking about you) was another interesting topic from this year’s fair.

Ok, let’s dive in.

Dada’s VVD Kitchen designed by Vincent van Dysen.

DADA – VVD Kitchen designed by Vincent van Dysen

Vincent Van Duysen’s designed the entire 400 sqm Dada stand – a space that opened onto a generous central patio that featured centuries-old olive trees as a symbol of peace. Dada presented several new kitchens, including VVD, designed by Van Duysen (the company’s new creative director).

VVD represents Van Duysen’s debut in the world of kitchens – not a bad effort for a beginner, huh? (I know, I’m hilarious!) Recessed handles, contrast between the slim side and thick bench-tops with integrated stone sink bowls are key to the beautiful elements. Gré stone and slate; bleached oak, walnut and oak graphite, brushed steel; baltic green, titan and pewter lacquered finishes give rise to a dynamic and sophisticated kitchen.

Completing the project are generous pull-out trays, open-ended drawers and under-top trolleys. An aluminium load-bearing frame also allows for the unit to be completely suspended and sit off the floor. Innovation is expressed with technology such as the built-in LED strip light, the aluminium contour that discreetly profiles the door handle, improving its grip and the innovative pivot hinge that allows the door to open 180°, making the internal space more usable. The kitchen gains a new architectural look, also thanks to the elegant ceiling units and slim, transparent glass cupboards with shock-absorbing micro-hinge.

Lepic Kitchen by Jasper Morrison for Schiffini.

SCHIFFINI – Lepic Kitchen Designed by Jasper Morrison

Having designed many products for every environment in the home and beyond, Lepic is the first industrially produced kitchen designed by Jasper Morrison. The length of the ideation process for this project was in line with British designer’s ethos – it took two years to design and, above all, refine even the smallest details of a complex system such as the kitchen (and how long do we typically have to design a kitchen for a client – 8 weeks? Wow!)

The versatility of LEPIC can be identified in its capacity to be contextualised in different environments inspired by various cultures, very different from each other, but united through the project’s ambiance. There are three different versions of the kitchen, symbolically representing Milan, Tokyo and Stockholm – each one tied to Morrison’s professional experience. These cities became inspiration for the three kitchen compositions that harmoniously combine materials such as the Fenix laminate and stainless steel, alongside warm Nordic woods such as douglas fir and natural oak.

Tulèr Kitchen by Marmo Arredo with Tommaso Corà & Paolo Festa for OFFMAT.

Tulèr Kitchen video, courtesy of Dezeen.

OFFMAT – Tulèr Kitchen developed by Marmo Arredo under the creative direction of Tommaso Corà and Paolo Festa of Tipic

Tulèr Kitchen by OFFMAT, the Marmo Arredo research laboratory (kitchen and bathroom countertop company) was probably one of the most talked about concepts at Eurocucina 2016, and for a good reason. Tulèr is essentially a kitchen lab – a responsive system where technical and structural harmony converge to amplify the properties of the stone and reflect a new concept of a multifunctional environment.

This workshop kitchen features movable walls which act both as storage and food prep area. But the real ingenuity lies in the multifunctional island, supported by two easels and a single column-stand, which houses an element of service for water, waste and electrical cables. I’m personally not much for it’s looks – it’s the technology integrated in this unit that literally blows my mind. For example, there’s a completely integrated, disappearing sink with lateral motion control that give the sink a signal to reveal itself, setting off the automatic sensor for water supply (in-sane!); Panel with electrical sockets integrated under the worktop; Surface integrated exhaust hood; Touch-screen scale integrated within the worktop with laser display; Cooktop inductors installed under the layer of lightweight stone, also with laser display; Wireless charging bay positioned under the worktop, etc, etc.

Strasser kitchen. Photo by Strasser Steine.

Strasser – ST-ONE Natural Stone Kitchen Island

If you love stone (let’s face it – who doesn’t?), then this little number by Strasser is probably going to make you feel slightly hot under the collar. Grrr. Strasser seems to know how to bring the very best out of granite and marble, and their beautiful islands are a testimony to brilliant craftsmanship and their amazing ability to work with stone.

Available in 5 standard sizes and 5 natural stones full of character (in either polished or leather finish), each front panel is cut from a single block ensuring an impressive monolithic appearance. The island also incorporates amazing cooktops, integrated sinks, and many other cutting edge features, including a glint of LED lighting at the base. Sexy.

Lex Pott X La Cornue.

Lex Pott X La Cornue – CHÂTEAU 150 LEX POTT EDITION

Dutch designer Lex Pott grew up in a family of painters, which has lead him into a series of personal projects that explore colour of oxidised metals (look up his project “true colours” in case you are not familiar with his work). Pott is interested in the idea of finding and working with organic colours that are alive, that have an edge of imperfection and can be worked like paint.

As a result, the solid brass faces of La Cornue’s iconic oven ranges were transformed into fascinating oxidised textures of electric blue. The material develops a patina as it ages, which becomes increasingly sophisticated over time. Yummo.

SMEG x Dolce & Gabbana Limited Edition FAB28 Fridge.

The making of the SMEG x Dolce & Gabbana Limited Edition FAB28 Fridge.

SMEG x Dolce & Gabbana party during Milan Design Week 2016. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

SMEG x Dolce & Gabbana party in Milan, Photo by Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

SMEG x Dolce & Gabbana party during Milan Design Week 2016. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Smeg x Dolce&Gabbana – Special Edition FAB 28 Refrigerator

Smeg teamed up with Dolce&Gabbana for the design of a special edition of FAB 28, transforming a humble refrigerator into a spectacular work of art.

The result of this partnership is the special Smeg refrigerator with unique Dolce&Gabbana styling – each limited-edition product features images carefully hand-painted by Sicilian artists. Traditional symbols such as lemons, classic floral motifs, cart wheels, medieval knights and battle scenes, are all distinctive elements of the Sicily, as well as being important aspects of the aesthetic of Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana.

These 100 exclusive refrigerators are each one-of-a-kind, combining the unique strengths of Smeg for quality and technology, and Dolce&Gabbana’s creativity and masterful artisan workmanship.  The collaboration launched in Milan at a super fun party held at Dolce&Gabbana HQ, where the brand’s fashion shows are regularly held (the closes moment to a catwalk I’ll ever have!)

Steininger ‘Rock and Wall’ kitchen.

Steininger – Rock and Wall Kitchen designed by Martin Steininger and Alberto Minotti

Rock kitchen is technically not new (it was released at Eurocucina 2014) but I thought it was worth revisiting, especially with the incredible campaign imagery. Austrian Alps anyone? Wowzer!

Rock is a joint design by Martin Steininger and Alberto Minotti and represents a homage to the work of Donald Judd. The kitchen presents as either a monolithic island kitchen or, more dramatically, as a stand-alone composition of 4 kitchen blocks. Minotti explains that ‘rock is reduced in form, colour and material. We wanted to create a kitchen of absolute beauty, without an “expiry date” – timeless and forever’.

In its most radical form, the 4 kitchen cubes are placed next to each other just a few centimetres apart, like an installation in the room, inspired by the Master of Minimalism, Donald Judd, who grouped perfect cubes in his work to explore the interaction between open and closed spaces. Nevertheless, behind its ultra-thin 6mm stone panels, “rock” has all of the functions of a modern kitchen.

Genius Loci Valcucine Eurocucina | Yellowtrace

Valcucine’s interactive & semi-professional Kitchen Systems presented on Genius Loci.

Valcucine – New interactive & semi-professional Kitchen Systems presented on Genius Loci

Valcucine’s new interactive kitchen system – V-Motion kit – was presented on the company’s Genius Loci kitchen. The new smart opening and closing systems for the drawers and doors of the back panel responds to the lightest touch, serving as an unobtrusive helper and simplifying numerous daily tasks.

When the Air Logica System (the back wall unit designed to improve ergonomics and create more space) gently opens up, the tap swivels around and the light on the back panel turns on simultaneously. A simple swipe can change the colour of the lighting, while moving the foot along the baseboard makes the drawers open by themselves. Magic.

Varenna’s Trail Kitchen designed by Poliform R&D and Carlo Colombo.

Varenna – Trail Kitchen designed by Poliform R&D Department and Carlo Colombo

Designed to suit our increasingly global and cosmopolitan lifestyle, this new design delivers a contemporary look for the kitchen space with an exclusive ambience.

Designed by Poliform R&D Department and Carlo Colombo, the distinguishing feature of this kitchen is its integrated Trail handle, which can be positioned at the centre or the far end of the door. Trail’s door finishes are available in eighteen gloss lacquered colours, twenty seven embossed lacquered colours, eleven timber finishes, plus reflective glass. Personalisation central! One of the interesting feature of all Varenna’s kitchens is their integrated LED lighting. Special pink-tinted grow lights can be added to any of the systems, making the task of growing indoor herbs much easier.

Boffi Code Kitchen in Bog Oak.

Boffi Code Kitchen in Greystone.

Boffi – Code kitchen designed by Piero Lissoni

The most unique features of this new Boffi kitchen is it’s finish – timber extracted from the rivers which are thousands of years old, also known as Bog Oak (a rather unfortunate name, but bare with me because it’s completely amazing!)

Bog Oak is not a specific spices but rather a term that’s used for oak that’s been burred under river beds and lakes for hundreds, sometimes thousands of years. The extremely low levels of oxygen in these areas protect the timber from natural decay which would normally occur, while the underlying peat provides acidic conditions where iron salts and other minerals react with the tannins in the timber, which is what gradually give the timber a distinct dark brown, almost black colour.

Shown over the kitchen is Boffi’s Open Hood, also designed by Lissoni – an extremely slimline range hood with a glass shelf that features a duct system and LED bar light along one whole side.

Enjoy more images from Eurocucina 2016 in the gallery below. Also watch our Eurocucina 2014 video here and read our Eurocucina 2014 article here.

This Yellowtrace Promotion is proudly brought to you in partnership with Smeg.