Stylistic innovation, glamour, craftsmanship and design are the distinctive features of the new Levante panelling system from L'Ottocento, designed by Michele Marcon and conceived for a design continuity aimed at creating a space in which the kitchen and living room become one. 'Complice', the Etesia kitchen model, also designed by Marcon for L'Ottocento, which with the soft lines of the fronts, sides and snack top combines with the 3D wave surfaces of Levante.
“These are two models designed, first and foremost, to be versatile,” Marcon explains. “The fronts of each of the two models complement and enhance one another, in a harmonious combination. The Etesia front stands out for its clean, tidy lines, creating a sense of order and visual clarity, while the Levante front, with its elaborate, dynamic shapes, introduces a note of liveliness and surprise. The aim is to combine these two contrasting design approaches in a stylish, harmonious way, to produce a coherent and fascinating overall effect.” Taking Levante first, Marcon emphasises how the concept of this system is based on the “celebration of nature, on making the most of raw materials and on respect for craftsmanship, which fully reflects the identity of L’Ottocento”, he explains.
“The aim was to develop a project that would not only convey traditional luxury, but one that would also stand out as an innovative and unconventional solution, capable of creating a harmonious link between the interior spaces of the home and the natural world outside. For Levante I was inspired by the movements of sand on the shoreline, using bleached blond ash to obtain a natural, textured look. This wood, which calls to mind tree trunks stripped of their bark on Mediterranean beaches, is solid European ash, seasoned and dried. The boards are worked to create a wave-like effect and then balanced to ensure the stability of the timber. Finally, a special finish known as Palladio protects the fronts while maintaining the wood's natural quality.”
So the concept that gave rise to Levante was certainly an original one, and it benefited from high-level manufacturing process it underwent, but above all it was as a system with a strong functional connotation. “The Levante modules – available in multiples of 15 cm widths, from 30 to 90 cm – includee panelling, fronts for tall and base units and for other elements. For now, the Levante front is presented in combination with Etesia, which with a thickness of 3 cm, an integrated ergonomic fingergrip, a silky Talco lacquered finish and sinuous lines perfectly matches Levante, offsetting the sturdy quality of its 3D ash fronts, for a harmonious and refined visual effect. In both cases, the models can work independently.”