KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
Surveying the latest in design trends with Samsung.
Kitchens, more than ever, are the most important room in the house. Their design has become central to the way our houses function – not just as places to cook and prepare food, but as places in which we spend time. Not surprisingly, their design has changed a little as well.
The social kitchen
Open-plan is de rigeur. These days, few New Zealand kitchens are built without an island – but the social kitchen takes it one step further, embedding the kitchen at the heart of the home.
Flexible design
Chef Ben Bayly's kitchen (right) is designed in such a way that the central island can be moved – or removed entirely – as the need arises. Not everyone needs to go that far, but the point is that flexible spaces can do double function and easily change – your island bench might turn from prep area to dining table, say. Flexibility is important, particularly in small spaces.
Real materials
There has been a marked, and welcome, return to real materials in recent years: timber, stone and metal that age beautifully. They’re classic, good looking and hard-wearing.
Black
Along with timber, stone and metal, there’s a distinct trend to black, across appliances, bench tops and cabinetry. A bonus? New developments in finishes reduce the impact of fingerprints and marks.
Open storage
Bayly designed his kitchen so that it would have no drawers or cupboards. This style is common in a commercial kitchen, where reaching in and getting what you need is imperative.
Hidden handles
The trend to discreet handles shows no sign of abating. It might be a slim-line handle delicately tucked at the top of the drawer or a bespoke timber pull integrated into the cabinetry: or it could be fully automatic, opening at the touch of your hand. Whatever it is, it won’t show off.