WONDER WORKTOPS
Enhanced with mod-cons, moving parts and snazzy features, worktops are the new area of focus for high-end kitchen makers. Dada’s ‘Sistema XY’ by Francesco Meda ( 2) is perhaps the most elaborate, with a central ‘track’ that houses movable compartments for cutlery, knives and chopping boards, keeping everything in easy reach, plus a sliding table top that glides along the length of the island (price on request; dada-kitchens.com). The secret weapon of Eggersmann’s ‘Motion’ kitchen ( 3) is a space-saving double-layered work surface – the top slides out when needed, revealing the hob and sink, as well as creating room for seating and food prep (from £40,000; eggersmanndesign.co.uk). Meanwhile, Siematic’s ‘SLX’ kitchen ( 1) utilises the channel between worktop and doors with integrated lights, adding subtle drama to schemes and framing the striking natural stone above (kitchens from £25,000; siematic.com).