SMEG Launches Stylish Small Appliances

Smeg, the family-owned Italian brand started by Vittorio Bertazzoni the elder in 1947 has branched out from its major appliances core into the world of small domestic appliances.

Faithful to the style of the company, Smeg’s new collection of small appliances harkens back to the era of the 50’s with stylish appeal.

Created by Matteo Bazzicalupo and Raffaella Mangiarotti of Milan-based design house deepdesign, the small appliance collection features curved lines, Smeg lettering, and comes in a palate of colors taken from the 1950’s.

There are two toasters, two kettles, a blender and a mixer. A coffee machine is in the pipeline. The range will be available in the vivid colours made famous by Smeg’s range of FAB fridges. There’s baby blue, understated pink, bright red, traditional black and white, and a stainless steel so redolent that it acts as a mirror.

“This is an exciting new avenue for Smeg, designed to meet the rising demand for our iconic Smeg retro-style designs. Now, you can now choose to complement your existing 50’s-style fridge freezer or washing machine with a matching kettle, toaster or small appliance. The products are inspired by colours, icons, objects and designs of the retro era and there are up to seven different colours available. Each shade will match with the Pantone color of existing Smeg appliances, for those who wish to co-ordinate. This new collection is also perfect for those who aspire to own a larger appliance, as they can still afford to join the artistic Smeg following with a stylish mixer or blender. ” –Mike Giddings, Managing Director

There are two toasters, two kettles, a blender and a mixer. A coffee machine is in the pipeline. Unlike Smeg’s ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers and hobs, this small appliance range is not and will not be manufactured in Italy. Due to the competitive business nature of small appliance manufacturing, the products will be assembled in China.

These new products are being shown at the Smeg booth (stand B15-B21 in FTK, Pavilion 11) in Milan at EuroCucina 2014 April 8th-13th.

To coincide with the small appliance launch, on April 7th Smeg launched their new retro-style website revised vivid graphics and content. A special area on the site has also been created for SMEGazine, which will contain periodically updated content devised to retain users and uncover some of the curiosities from around the Smeg world.

March 16, 2014

FLOwer Power

FLOwer Evolution is a unique vessel concept from GlassDesign, an Italian Plumbing Company in the heart of Tuscany. Designed by Marco Pisati, the organic inspired tub and sinks draw inspiration from the Calla lily.

With the calla lily’s distinct shape, the faucet is reminiscent of the pistol, promoting an exotic and extremely artistic design. The series is manufactured with state-of-the-art materials such as VetroFreddo, Pert, and Inox, which enhance its artistry.

VetroFreddo (CoolGlass) is an innovative material composed of glass pigments and resin. Its major characteristics are its versatility in adapting itself to any form or shape imaginable. The material’s unique characteristics are expressed through colour, which is available in transparent, semi-transparent or opaque form.

VetroFreddo is temperature resistant up to approximately 100°C and can be worked with and carved just as marble or glass.

All fixtures manufactured with the VetroFreddo can be cleaned with any type of non-granular soap, using soft sponges or towels. To remedy scratches, the damaged area should gently be rubbed with a cloth soaked in olive oil. In case of deeper scratches or damage, a special replacement glass paper is available from the manufacturer for every color.

Pert is a technological polymer of great quality, combining a low specific weight with high mechanical resistance. It is particularly suited to fields where light weight is essential (e.g. in nautical, aeronautical).

It is a material which enables the creation of products of high design, allowing perfectly crafted angles and a smoothly plane surface, with the possibility of choosing among a wide range of colors to suit individual demand.

Vessel Sinks are available in matt and polished white, matt and polished black, Ferrari red, platinum, gold leaf 3D and silver leaf 3D. Pedestals are available in white, black, Ferrari red, gold leaf 3D and Silver leaf 3D. The bathtub is available fully white , or in bi-color finishes : black mat/white , Ferrari red/white, or with gold or silver leaf and white.

White and chrome pedestal cabinets are also available for added storage while keeping the minimal design aesthetic.

FLOwer is a highly stylish design collection – it’s basically haute couture for the bathroom.

September 10, 2013

Modern Kitchen with Fabric Doors

Demode is offering material doors in their Meccanica Kitchen line for a modern “dematerialized” aesthetic. Created by Gabriele Centazzo and engineered by Valcucine, the Meccanica Kitchen uses less materials in its construction thus creating a revolutionary eco-friendly kitchen system.

The Meccanica Kitchen is characterized by tubular iron (anodized aluminium) frames that create different modular elements which can easily be assembled and dismantled as needed, customizable to any space in the home or office. The tubular pieces are joined with mechanical fasteners so there is no gluing or worry about formaldehyde.

Shelving, drawers and panels can be added into the metal framework in a variety of different finishes. Doors are available in various colors of plywood, sheet metal or even fabric which is stain-resistant (Teflon-coated), removable and washable.

Meccanica has been designed to be 90% reused and 100% recycled. It comes with the Valcucine Life-long Responsibility Guarantee, which ensures that they will take the kitchen back at the end of its life cycle.

The units are shipped flat-packed allowing for more items to be shipped at one time, reducing transportation and fuel costs.

DEMODE by Valcucine redefines a new parameter of the real living culture with real beauty that is simple, intellectual, engaging and unique design purpose.

Demode stands for Democratic Modern Design. A name that can also be read as Démodé, i.e. out of fashion. Why? Because fashion is ephemeral while Demode is designed to last. Meccanica is the 5th Kitchen Series for Demode, joining Digma, Planca, Integra and Forma. Traditionally associated to the idea of reducing consumption (degrowth philosophy), Demode kitchens embrace minimum consumption of raw materials and energy, long durability, recyclability and non-toxic finishes. Each product is 100% recyclable, designed for reuse, optimization of raw materials and application of non-toxic processing and materials. Demode does not advertise in magazines or on television so they can price their products at a proportional value for the consumer.

(The new Valcucine London showroom will be open during the
London Design Festival 14-22 September.)

June 30, 2013

Fiat and Smeg Collaboration

Leave it to the Italians to create a new appliance masterpiece. Smeg and Fiat joined forces to create a new refrigerator for the FIAT 500 Design collection.

“I’m really happy that, we’re launching this product. It is the result of years of work, and it reawakens a historical collaboration between Smeg and Fiat, and not forgetting the creativity of Italia Independent – says Lapo Elkann – The Fiat 500 is an Italian icon that from now can even be found in another dimension, in bars and peoples living rooms all over the world”.

Starting in June the ‘SMEG 500’ fridge can be ordered directly on the www.fiat500design.com site and will be available in white, red and green finishes.