Transformative Powers

The kitchen can turn into one of those rooms you never want to enter. It can pull a Jekyll and Hyde act, changing in demeanor without you detecting when the switch happened exactly. You might find your kitchen in dire straights: counters cluttered with complicated gadgets bought on a whim, left unused; bulky furnishings and drab colors dragging down functionality and mood; or perhaps an unfrequented, sterile room with the lonely ambience of an echo. Well, rest assured. New products released by some of the world’s leading kitchen design companies are available to transform your kitchen from a nightmare into the most beloved room in the house.

If you’re looking for a focal point, Metallo Arts’ line of range hoods is a great place to start. The brainchild of artist Christopher Plummer, Metallo Arts produces range hoods made of 12-gage steel, which Plummer says are five times thicker than other hoods on the market. The hood also has a 26-gage steel stamped ornamental overlay.

The company offers 130 standard finishes, but can match any color requested and custom design ornamental overlays. For example, Plummer says he recently produced a Jackson Pollack-inspired hood for a museum curator in New York and has received multiple requests from homeowners for hoods to match the newest range line by La Cornue.

“It shows the list of artists we have working here,” he says about his staff. “Everybody here has a museum quality.”

The handmade hoods give the kitchen a sense of warmth and character.
“(The presence of this product in the home) shows someone who has an appreciation for detail and individuality,” he says.

If you’re ready to streamline your kitchen and transform it into a more ergonomic design, bulthaup Scottsdale and Roma Design Studio offer new products to suit your needs.

Bulthaup Scottsdale now carries bulthaup’s new system b3, touted as the “floating kitchen.” The system features three product variations: wall-hanging, floor-standing or foot-supported cabinets. The wall hanging option is designed to hold 1-ton per linear meter. You can also hang items available through bulthaup — such as herb pots, knife trays and spice racks — on the multifunctional wall, which frees up space on your countertops.

“(The system) takes it from a vertical to horizontal plane, which allows us to extend the kitchen to other living space,” says Robert Moric, principal of bulthaup Scottsdale. “B3 is the only product that can seamlessly move from one space to another, from kitchen to dining room to living room, and create an environment where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

The system is available in an array of materials including stainless steel, linoleum, aluminum and a wide selection of wood, including olive, elm, American walnut and oak. Other features include recessed hinges and a mechanical touch latch that is spring loaded to avoid misalignment.

“People today cook because they choose to cook, not because they have to,” Moric says. “It needs to be a joyful experience and one where the family or guests gather in an enjoyable task. ... (The system b3) fosters this social space that brings the gravity of your great room back to the kitchen. It looks like it belongs in your living space, not something odd stuck in the corner.”

Roma Design Studio carries designs by Scavolini, an Italian kitchen designer, which also caters to the ergonomic at heart.

“With all Italian products, one of the key features is ergonomics and built-in functionality,” says Bridget Blesnahan of Roma Design Studio in Scottsdale. “(Scavolini products) are designed to hold more with less.”

Mood, the latest line by Scavolini, is for those who love contemporary. The cabinet doors are available in ribbed aluminum, laminate, steel, glass or veneered wood. An integrated cooktop rests flush with stainless steel countertops. There is also the option of installing integrated lighting into the cabinetry.

Scavolini is green conscious, and as such, it uses recycled materials wherever possible. Wood is only taken from sustainable forests, and its manufacturing facility meets high standards in environmental excellence.

“The homeowner understands and appreciates the functionality of an Italian kitchen,” says Blesnahan, describing her clientele. “(Scavolini) creates a beautiful home environment where the kitchen is the focal point of the home. The simplicity of the design just sets off good style overall.”

Even the kitchen sink can be considered your focal point. GROHE’s new collection, Bridgeford, is ideal for both country- and traditional-styled kitchens.
Available in three finishes — oil rubbed bronze, StarLight polished chrome or brushed nickel — the Bridgeford collection features a smooth, accurate water control made possible by SilkMove technology.

“The core of GROHE SilkMove technology is a highly engineered cartridge featuring non-wearing ceramic disks coated with a special Teflon lubricant for nearly friction-free operation,” says Paul Flowers, vice president of design for GROHE. “These fixtures are ideal for consumers who like to surround themselves with more time-honored decor elements, but who also don’t want to sacrifice modern conveniences.”

For those who have a pantry or laundry room adjoining the kitchen, The Shade Store has developed a new option to replace your standard door. Its string panel system is retro-inspired and is available in a variety of colors and patterns. It also can be custom-made to your specifications.

Commonly used to cover both windows and doors, the panels “glide easily along a track system for sleek, simple use,” says Ian Gibbs of The Shade Store. “It’s a great way to add the warmth and texture of a fabric to a room, while also achieving the functionality of doors.”

Don’t let your kitchen suffer from neglected use or effusive design. These products demonstrate how to use less and still make a statement, transforming your kitchen into a place to socialize. H&D

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www.bulthaup.com
www.grohe.com
www.metalloarts.com
www.romadesigns.com
www.theshadestore.com