TRISHA HARINATH EXPLORES OPTIONS TO CONSIDER FOR THAT DESIGNER KITCHEN APPEAL

While still considered the heart of the home, current and future kitchen designs see this area lean towards more of the anchor in the home. The kitchen of today and tomorrow brings an abundance of great aesthetics yet remains steadfastly functional, with the aim of creating a space that becomes a socialisng hub while food preparation is done with ease.

EVER-EVOLVING

Says Jenna Buys of twelve kitchens: “The kitchen is able to evolve with the demands and needs of our modern lives while remaining timeless in its appeal. With technology developing so fast, we are also seeing the kitchen as the anchor point in the home to bring warmth and texture.”

ALL-ROUND LUXURY

Craig Dexter, brand manager for nuuma, explains: “This kitchen is timeless in its appeal, understated but luxurious. It is integrated but makes a statement, functional yet never compromising on design aesthetics.” Stunning new decadent finishes using subtle detail and superb materials make way for new design elements, he says.

A Play On Textures And Mixing Metals

According to Selma Zaifoglu, director and architect at Linear Concepts, specifying textured materials – such as honed finishes, natural woods, woven materials and matt finishes – in your kitchen design produces a warm and welcoming space. Zaifoglu also recommends mixing metals: “Mix and match the metal finishes in your kitchen design when specifying the hardware, lighting fixtures, taps and accessories for a modern look.”

Integration At All Levels

The integrated kitchen is growing in popularity as Melanie Stein, managing member of EuroCasa Johannesburg, explains: “Perfectly integrated kitchens and living rooms create a unique, versatile multifunctional space that opens onto the rest of the home. The distinguishing feature of this solution is that it adjusts domestic settings to create a connection between everyday gestures that appear unrelated – cooking in style, but also enjoying free time in a unique atmosphere.”

Kitchens are functional without compromising on design aesthetics, nuuma.

RULE-BREAKING AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES

Audrey Selamolela, marketing director at Moremi Kitchens Rustenburg, points out two elements being explored in kitchen designs. “Semi-precious stones are gaining popularity. Installed with backlighting, they add interesting colour.” He also mentions “rule-breaking” and explains that clients are letting their eccentricity shine through their spaces. “We are seeing bolder colours and material choices.”

Retro Revival

When it comes to materials, Fazlin Oosthuizen, head designer at Blend Africa, mentions metals, reeded glass, Georgian wire and other glass textures, and laminated marble boards as options to consider. “Reminiscent of the ’70s, these materials are making a huge comeback in elevated form and function.” He also adds that large windows and light-filled spaces with fewer cabinets on walls are all the rage currently.

It Is All About Interaction

The design team at blu_line indicates that an interactive kitchen is one to keep in mind. “The kitchen must be able to interact, adapt and awaken the user’s senses. It must offer a place to rest while also being a place to work alongside all the functions. The kitchen must also interact seamlessly with the architectural elements but must be a statement on its own.”

WiththankstoBlendAfrica,blu_line,EuroCasaJohannesburg, LinearConcepts,MoremiKitchensRustenburg,nuuma,and twelvekitchens