Materials and finishes are the protagonists of the most current kitchen systems whose aim is not only to guarantee high performance, but also to focus on distinctive and customizable aesthetics. The new proposals seek unique surfaces, the result of advanced production techniques that are compared or, often, combined with artisanal processes, where wood is the protagonist, as in the review proposed here.
Effeti
Wood 100%, designed by Giancarlo Vegni, is the flagship model and symbol of the company's cabinet-making tradition. Timber is a "living" material, and is the main feature of this project, which is made with veneered plywood panels, ensuring a high level of resistance and ease of use. Each piece of Wood 100% furniture, defined by its handle-free fronts, is a work of craftsmanship that highlights the natural charm of wood surfaces run through with a grain. The model shown here in thermalised oak wood offers an island enhanced by a sumptuous Carrara marble top (13 cm thick), into which the steel block with sink and hob is set. Behind the island: the cabinets with compartments for the larder, oven, refrigerator and tall wine store.
L'Ottocento
The kitchen and adjoining dining area are connected together by the Floral storage panelling made entirely of blond walnut, a wall system with framed doors that envelops the spaces, expressing the company’s high-quality cabinet-making work. In the kitchen, the Floral recessed doors reveal the washing area in brushed vintage steel, in harmony with the Virtus island, with cylindrical bases. On the right, the doors integrated into the panelling open onto the dining room, where Floral includes the bookcase with Verde Alpi marble back and the closed, refrigerated Soave cellar; in the centre, Gea table with Verde Alpi marble base, surrounded by Ottavia chairs. All, by L’Ottocento, designed in collaboration with Makethatstudio.
Scavolini
Finishes with a great aesthetic effect for the new Poetica kitchen (designed by Vuesse), dominated by the Ash Cocoa veneered wood island, equipped with a top in a contrasting shade, in Cosmolite StarGreen Rockplan finish (2 cm thick). The special wooden doors, enclosed by an elegant frame, “soften” the simple lines of the model. In the cabinet with fronts in Microdecor Space Black PET with matt surface, a niche is inserted that echoes the Ash Cocoa veneer of the island. The kitchen is completed with the Vertical System panelling, in Cosmolite (like the island top) and with Round grooves and Titanio-coloured plinths.
Veneta Cucine
The clean aesthetic of Iconica, which eliminates the upper profile on the base units, blends with a selection of special materials. An example of this is the design project presented which, with the base units in Nude matt lacquer, combines the Dark Ash of the cabinets that define the large kitchen/living space, also creating an office space (on the left), accessible on the left from the passage with sliding door. In the U-zone delimited by the peninsula with cooking and snack area in Dark Ash, the tall units – also in Dark Ash – conceal appliances and larder compartments. In the washing area, wood clads the open shelves and storage units resting on the bases. All the worktops are in Caranto Quartz Auriga and Palette Natural Dune Ker12.
Ernestomeda
The new open-pore Black Oak ribbed finish is one of the new features to enhance the Sign model designed by art director Giuseppe Bavuso, and is one of the boldest and most "opulent" Ernestomeda projects in terms of the sheer variety of materials, finishes and structures it features. Presented at Eurocucina 2024, the particular vertically-striped ribbed wood finish makes the surfaces of the Sign island doors three-dimensional and embellishes them. Smooth, open-pore Black Oak wood is also used for the cantilever table, which has a Lucem metal-effect lacquered Line Table base. The painted Lucem Sistema Bridge system, which rises above the steel top, is fitted with accessories to hold wine glasses and utensils. Suspended from the ceiling is the K-System hood in satin-finish steel, with side shelves in Black Oak-stained Bamboo.
Aran Cucine
The CucinanD'O kitchen, designed by chef Davide Oldani in collaboration with designer Attila Veress, has now been revamped. Intended for food preparation and for sharing, CucinanD'O also aims to be sustainable, starting with the use of wood. The long table (which can seat multiple diners) and the island fronts with steel top are indeed made of elm, one of chef Oldani's favourite timber types. It is treated only with paints that are made with sustainable, antibacterial processes and with water-based solvents. An interesting feature of the table is the top that runs all around the perimeter, inspired by the design of the tables of the chef restaurant and designed as a place to keep personal objects. The open structure of the island and the bookcase are in black lacquered metal; the open compartments of the island and the wall cabinet are in grey lacquerwork.
