Interior Insights
In the first of a six-part series of interviews with the people behind the industry’s top kitchen designs, Miele and ThePeak speak to Lim Choon Hong, founder and managing director of Xtra Designs.
It started in 1989 as an alternative eclectic design store, tucked in a pre-war conservation shophouse in Katong. Today, Xtra boasts a sprawling 13,000 sq ft showroom at Marina Square, and is the go-to for some of the most sought-after global names in designer furniture and decor pieces – such as Herman Miller, Magis and Tom Dixon. Its design DNA is appreciated not just by consumers; it has a separate arm that provides furnishing solutions specially for developers, architects and designers alike.
Just what defines the style of Xtra? Founder Lim Choon Hong says: “Design drives the kind of brands we carry and the way we brand ourselves. And in the books of our company, a good design should embrace form and function, have an interesting and worthy story to tell, and be authentic.”
Thus when it comes to the kitchen, Lim focuses on functional designs that relate to the life story of those using it. “A challenge is to create a kitchen that’s functional and yet aesthetically pleasing,” he observes. “A kitchen is incomplete without suitable appliances, and the space and equipment should complement each other in terms of finishing – such as the material used for the cabinetry.”
This is especially important, given that the kitchen has now become an extension of the living room for many who enjoy home entertaining. “Miele’s wide choice of finishes for their appliances – from ovens to coffee machines, their effective ventilation units, as well as their wide range of integrated appliances allows designers to blend in seamlessly with the kitchen to create a harmonious living space,” opines Lim.
For example, the ArtLine series of appliances all feature handlefree flush glass fronts that blend seamlessly with the cabinetry. The collection, available in a graphite grey tone, even includes a cooker hood that retracts discreetly behind furniture fronts when switched off.
Once again emphasising form and function, Lim points out that it’s not just about designing kitchens that have a uniform look with the rest of the house in terms of colour scheme and finishing materials.
“Beyond aesthetics, the design should also enable the user to whip up a good meal without having to worry about the greasy aftermath of cooking,” he says.
To this end, Miele ArtLine’s comprehensive selection of smart appliances – from ovens to vacuum-sealing drawers and wine conditioning units – allows one to cook and serve with ease. The ovens in particular are cooled on all sides so that they do not impact the cabinetry. The oven door, insulated by multiple panes of glass, lends further peace of mind by offering a high level of safety. When form meets function at this level, we call it: finesse.