Functionality First
In the fourth of a six-part series of interviews with the people behind the industry’s top kitchen designs, Miele and The Peak speak to James Ong of Artisan Furnishing.
It is what the hungry office warrior heads to when he gets home; where the children run to for their afterschool snacks; where bonds are built over seemingly mundane chores of cleaning and cooking. Indeed, the kitchen is the heart of the home.
This is also kitchen design specialist Artisan Furnishing’s core belief. Founded by James Ong in 2000 “to set a benchmark in the market”, the 17-yearold company is known for its focus on individualised design that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.
“Good design to us is that which is practical and requires minimal maintenance,” says Ong, who feels that cost efficiency is one of the key issues to be addressed when designing a kitchen.
The company also places emphasis on delivering high quality results. Apart from a wide range of beautifully constructed cabinetry, from rustic hand-painted solid wood to sleek, minimalist modern designs, the company offers a range of imported kitchen systems from European companies such as Zeyko and Toncelli. The latter, an Italian manufacturer, incorporates exclusive materials in its creations to make them stand out. Ong shares: “Our clients have high expectations of quality and the performance of the appliances – Miele products – meets these expectations.
“With ‘ Forever Better’ as the company motto, Miele has been constantly innovating. From soft closing doors in the early days to touch control panels and smart sensors today, its appliances often feature breakthrough technology. On top of that, it also offers products such as salamanders and sous vide drawer systems, which few residential appliance suppliers do.”
Giving home cooks access to professional-level equipment also addresses the changing lifestyles of home owners. With the rise of food enthusiasts with sophisticated cooking skills, the domestic kitchen also has to keep pace.
The home kitchen today is where one can prepare sous vide scallops to restaurant standards for a special dinner. Yet, it is also where one can whip up a five-minute meal over the stove on busy days.
And, with Miele’s extensive range of appliances, the possibilities are the users’ to defi ne.