Eurocucina 2012: Customizable, open plan kitchens for contemporary home living

Presenting Snaidero’s BOARD by Italian designer Pietro Arosio

Snaidero's Board, an open plan kitchen

The rising trends in home living are calling for freely configured, shareable environments that are bright and open. More and more, homeowners are looking for accessible solutions that are easy to design, customize, purchase, and inhabit. The appeal of these “fluid interiors” lies in the ability to free up the flow of living across several multi-purpose spaces, with flexible yet heightened functionality.

As the heart of the home, the kitchen must be re-imagined to adapt to these emerging needs.

BOARD, Snaidero’s new kitchen by Italian designer Pietro Arosio, was conceived to fit within a dynamic, personal lifestyle.

It is an open design that turns the kitchen into the hub of all home activities, interpreting it as both “shell” (intimate refuge) and “showcase” (easily transformed into a convivial area for socialization and entertaining).

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Eurocucina 2012 Preview: What’s new in kitchen design

Eurocucina, one of the world’s largest trade shows of the kitchen industry, will be held next week, April 17th through the 22nd in Milan, Italy. The designs presented at the fair are known to reflect trends in home living and set the direction for all kitchen product offerings.

As per tradition, Snaidero will have one of the biggest booths on the show floor and will present models responding to the demands of evolving lifestyles worldwide. Snaidero’s answers will be articulated around 3 main concepts.

THE KITCHEN ADAPTING TO ITS USER’S INDIVIDUALITY

Snaidero's new kitchen cabinetry line, WAY

Snaidero’s newest cabinetry line, WAY, continues the approach of its predecessors, ORANGE and CODE, towards the complete customization of kitchen living. The focus here is on the all-around personalization of the living space around the homeowner’s individual needs, which is one of the most dominant trends of our time.

The home is seen as a space where you can test your own unique point of view, an emotionally rich environment that allows for maximum freedom of expression.

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Italian Masters of Design: Interview with designer Paolo Pininfarina

Italian designer Paolo PininfarinaPaolo is the youngest son of Sergio Pininfarina, head of the homonymous company known worldwide for the design of Ferrari and Maserati cars. Paolo is Chairman and CEO of Pininfarina Extra, a company specialized in industrial, furnishing, architectural and nautical design.
Among his projects are the Keating Hotel in San Diego, the Olympic Torch for the Turin 2006 Winter Games and designs of consumer products for Gancia, Ray-Ban and Mizuno. His six kitchen designs for Snaidero have revolutionized the way the kitchen space is conceived and utilized.

Can you give your own definition of “Made in Italy” design? What are its core features? How is it different from American design?

“Made in Italy” design is characterized by a subtle alchemy of tradition and innovation. Italian design is harmonious and classic and that’s why our design products are famous and appreciated all around the world; they have no geographical boundaries.

Defining American design is more difficult, maybe in part because of the cosmopolitan nature of American society, which is obviously reflected in its design culture. I think solidity – as in being “sound” – is probably its biggest unifying trait.

Designs by Pininfarina

What role does design have in making our society more creative, in driving it forward?

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8 Questions to ask before hiring a kitchen designer

What is the scope of the project?

Ok, this is something you should know by yourself but your vision for your new kitchen might imply some structural work on the place that you are not aware of. This is mostly true if you are looking to have a complete layout re-design that will shift the dynamics of the space and will require things like: removing existing walls and replacing them with other structural supports, evening out floors and ceilings, creating dedicated electrical circuits for the kitchen appliances, etc. The kitchen designer will be able to tell you what’s needed and these considerations will help determine whether you have to bring on board a contractor and maybe even an architect, or if you can get it all done just with the kitchen designer.

What is the timeline for the whole kitchen design process?

A lot of people do not understand the amount of time needed for a kitchen remodel. Depending on the scope of the work needed, it can take between 4 to 6 months…and that is, if you have already done all of your shopping and planning and everything has been ordered. It can be a year or more if you are still at the very beginning stages and you still need to have the space designed, pick all of the fixtures, finishes, etc. Also, keep in mind that orders of European cabinets will take longer due to the overseas shipping. The important thing is to know the timeline for each phase of the project so you can plan ahead and ensure smooth sailing.

Planning a kitchen design project

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