Made in Italy
What sets Italian-made products apart from the rest
There is something about Italian-made products that always makes it stand out in a room. It’s not just its exquisite craftsmanship, which is what often gets the most shouted about but really the synergy with human ingenuity that truly gives it that unmistakable ‘Made in Italy’ polish. Wanting to keep such precious quality within their borders, in 2009, the Italian parliament passed a law prohibiting the use of the phrase ‘Made in Italy’ on any product unless it is made entirely in Italy. Genuine Italian-made products often take a long time to produce, as it is guided by know-how that has been honed through generations and an eye for detail that just cannot be copied and definitely not mass-produced. And it is for this reason that they are unrivalled in their quality, durability and value. In fact, Italian products often stay valuable after years have passed. If they are cared for and kept in good condition, they can fetch startlingly high prices.
If not, they are always one of the prized heirlooms that get passed down through the generations.
IT’S IN THE DETAILS
If there is one thing that the Italians have taught the world, it is the meaning of quality. The exceptional design, high quality materials and elegant finish of an Italian-made product inevitably elevate the standards in which we forever measure quality. And it’s really a testament to the dedication that the artisans commit to each piece they create. With craftsmanship that can take anywhere from a week, a month or a year to complete,
the process of making an Italian product often takes an exceptional amount of time. Usually entirely handmade or partly manufactured and finished by hand, master artisans tend to work on one piece at a time.
Besides craftsmanship, Italian products also owe its excellence to innovative design that often transform the way we view products and how we behave in spaces. For example, Italian brand Smeg effectively transformed an everyday object into a fashion statement with its iconic FAB refrigerator, which sports a daring pop of colour and classic 1950s design. It has gone on to collaborate with world-renowned architects and designers to create works of art with kitchen appliances. In the 1980s, kitchen design experts Snaidero created the kitchen island and by doing so completely changed the way we view, behave and spend time in the kitchen, turning this space into the heart of millions of homes around the world. The brand has gone on to challenge conventions and create many firsts in the industry as many Italian brands are inclined to do.
IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY
One of the interesting traits that a lot of Italian brands share is that they are all family owned and run. It’s a familiar story; the company was started by the father or grandfather and was passed down from one generation to the next. There are those that have been around even longer like Vitale Barberis Canonico, a family-run wool mill in Biella founded in the 1600s—they are the main fabric supplier for Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna, and have been in operation throughout 15
generations. This is why Italian brands are often steeped in rich heritage, with its artisanal know-how passed down and honed through the generations. While keeping true to their family traditions, including their strong design and craftsmanship background, the latest generation at the helm are pushing their brands forward into the 21st century by working with technological advances and evolving through sustainability practices. Snaidero, Smeg and OKITE continue to be family owned yet leading the world on many fronts.
INNOVATING INTO THE FUTURE
With the advancement of technology, Italian brands have evolved to marry the future with traditional craftsmanship.
It was technology that helped OKITE, the producer of surfaces to discover the stone that is now preferred around the world for kitchen and bathroom counters. It took years of research, development and refinement, led by a multi-disciplinary team of designers, general contractors and developers at its Research & Development Centre at Seieffe Industrie in Montesarchio, Italy, before they discovered their namesake OKITE or what they call “the stone of the third millennium”. Referred to as quartz-resin, the stone is the result of a perfect union of creativity, engineering and design which doesn’t just give it extraordinary strength but a whole host of beneficial features including being stain-, heat- and scratch-resistant.
Today, Italian brands are also deeply focused on sustainability, from making sure their materials are sustainably sourced and that their products are produced using sustainable processes. On top of that, products are also designed to be sustainable from the choice of materials used to the functions being designed for high performance and low consumption. The strong convictions on sustainability drive many Italian brands today to look beyond standards and certifications, orienting their decisions and actions on improving the wellbeing of all.
To deliver world-class standards, TRX Residences partners with these three iconic brands to offer kitchen cabinets, worktops and appliances which offer top-quality design and performance. Every unit receives fully fitted kitchens of impeccable taste that embodies Life at the Centre.