Starck By Warendorf

As Miele kitchens re-brands itself and takes on the name of the German town in which the company is based – Warendorf – it is making this change with a new kitchen destined to make a significant impact.

They’ve chosen one of the biggest names in design – Philippe Starck – to develop the first kitchen under the new brand.

Starck has created a kitchen design that represents something of a departure, both emotionally and functionally, from the traditional wall-to-wall arrangement of the fitted kitchen.

He calls the concept “democratic design” because its wide range of individual elements and the ability to combine them in different ways gives it potentially wide appeal to a range of consumers, lifestyles and spaces.

Starck’s first kitchen design concept, Starck by Warendorf, is complemented by functional tables that can be integrated into every Philippe Starck kitchen but may also be used as a standalone concept. It is a modular system made up of kitchen elements and individual pieces that leave all interior design options open.

A key element of the Starck by Warendorf concept is the way it combines living functions with the functions of eating and food preparation.

Starck does this with a number of specific design references. His bookshelf-style elements are intended to combine culture and food in the domestic kitchen. The bar-style counters are a response to the changed dynamic governing meal times.

Starck has banished visible appliances from these kitchen designs. Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, ovens etc are all concealed behind handleless unit fronts. The accompanying exhaust hoods disappear into the ceiling when not in use.

September 15, 2009

Color Trends for 2010

New color trends presented recently by Sherwin Williams reaquaints designers with the past for inspiration in the near future.

Rooted

Rich, earthy colors associated with African, Aboriginal, and Native American cultures. Inspiration comes from members of Ethiopian tribes who paint their bodies with green and red pigments sourced from volcanic ash, as well as weeds, grasses, and shells. The deep teal and ash gray of African wildlife and landscapes, as well as the bright designs of the locals’ textiles and beads, also serves a launching point for new designs.

Simplified

Lines are well-tailored and clear, translucent materials that reveal shape and structure. This is a nod to the Bauhaus style of architecture, with its absence of ornamentation and its harmony between form and function. A current example of this trend is Guggenheim Museum.

Treasured

Elements are weathered and the design is enhance by organic aging. An example is the Rough Luxe Hotel in the United Kingdom, where the original layers of peeling paint and ancient wallpaper are still visible on the walls. This “less-than-perfect aesthetic” also includes the use of distressed leather, vintage tapestries, found objects, and patina.

Refreshed

Bright, energized floral colors that evoke optimism and exuberance. “Flower power” of 1960s vintage, with a hippie spirit makes a return. Lemonade yellow, crisp green, and vivacious violet are among the colors that play into this theme. These vibrant colors comes partly as a response to the challenging times and a need for something positive to balance out the stress many are currently facing.

September 8, 2009May 24, 2017

Folding Kitchen Faucets

When it comes to new trends in kitchen faucets, manufacturers are introducing new designs that are not only utilitarian-chic and of minimalist design, they also fold.

When space is a premium, the Tac Tac geometric faucet by Ritmonio is an ideal choice. For a wall mount option, the folding Karbon by Kohler is the only option. The folding Snake faucet by Nobili Spa discretely has numerous folding options. The Tower Tech faucet by Cascade is similar to the Snake with fewer folding options but it has more finish choices and is more readily available in North America than it’s Italian counterpart.

August 20, 2009

Next Generation Shower Drain Systems

The shower is no longer conceived of as a wet cell, but has become an inherent part of a whole room approach to bathroom design – showering is thus defined more and more by curb-less designs that do without shower trays. This style of showers require a new generation of floor drains to help maintain the boundary between wet and dry zones in your bathroom.

There are many advantages to using a linear slot drain in your bathroom shower. The most obvious is the sleek continuous look your shower floor will have. Removing the shower curb and letting your floor tile cover the the whole area will make your bathroom appear larger.

Quick Drain USA’s high-quality, stainless steel linear slot drains come in various sizes from 32″ to 60″ making it an easy choice for your next project. These 1 1/2″ wide drains have the lowest profile in the industry and are available with both side and bottom drain outlets. This linear channel drain is also very easy to clean. Everything is removable (including the shower linear drain cover and strainer).

For curved shower applications ACO Haustechnik has linked up with Glamu to create a free-standing shower enclosure. The shower drain system holds the curved glass element firmly in place with only one side fixed to a wall. ACO offers designer grates for their drains with 5 pattern choices that can optionally be lit with colored LEDs.

The Poresta Slot Floor Drain by Illbruck is well suited for the most minimalist bathrooms. The grateless 7mm drain positioned directly against the wall gives the shower the appearance of having no drain. Water disappears into a barely noticeable shadow gap.