Kitchen Trends from Milan’s EuroCucina Design Week

Kitchen Design, News & Trends

EuroCucina: Highlights and Kitchen Trends from Milan

I start this post with a sincere thank you to Blanco for generously sponsoring our trip to Milan for Design Week’s Eurocucina  — one of the most important kitchen trade shows in the world where European kitchen manufacturers gather and share inspirational interior design and furniture trends. Ken and I traveled with fellow Blanco Design Council members and were fully immersed in EuroCucina’s grand-scale design experience. We took over a thousand photos and will be sharing thoughts and highlights throughout the coming months. Be sure to read my fellow bloggers posts as they will be sharing their photos and perspectives as well. Marilyn Russell (DesignMagnifique), Kelly Morisseau (Kitchen Sync), and Gloria Graham (Kitchens for Living)

Here are 15 design trends from EuroCucina we spotted in Europe…

1. Today’s Kitchens Are All About The Kitchen Experience. The kitchen has clearly become the most important room in the home, so the design focus is on lifestyle and enjoyment. Yes, the space is about cooking but it is also about atmosphere, socializing, and beautiful, functional design.

 

Kitchen Design Trends EuroCucina Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly

 

2. Mixed Kitchen Materials and Mixed Textures. We saw artistic combinations of glass, stone, rare marbles, wood, metals, porcelain, laminate, and concrete. The mixing of materials brought an energy to the space. Some of the timber textures were just brilliant when combined with non-scratch/non-stain metals like Blanco’s new Steelart countertops and integrated sinks.

Blanco Durinox New Stainless Steel Surface Much harder and more durable

 

Kitchen Design Trends EuroCucina Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly Mixed Materials and Textures

 

 

3. Nature-inspired Design. There was an infusion of nature and earthiness within the kitchen design. We saw herb walls and in counter herb planters with long troughs allowing you to place chef’s seasonings at your fingertips. In counter or on-counter composting systems are also being incorporated in the kitchen.

 

Nature Inspired Design at EuroCucina Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly Photos

 

4. Outdoor Kitchens and Living Environments. There is growing interest in bringing the comfort and hominess we love indoors outside. At Kitchen Designs we are also noticing a major upswing in demand for creating outdoor environments, especially outdoor kitchens as seen in an increase in sales for our Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet line of grills, pizza ovens, and outdoor cabinetry as well as in our SubZero Wolf grills and outdoor kitchens.

5. Innovative Interior Storage with Illuminated Cabinets and Drawers. Interior options were limitless, and most of the cabinets were illuminated with LED lights that automatically come on when the cabinet door or drawer is opened.

 

LED lighting in cabinets and outdoor cabinetry photo - Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly at EuroCucina Milan Italy

 

6. Hidden Sinks, Hidden Storage, and Hidden Cooktops. Streamlined looks were created with sliding counters that fit over cooktops and sinks to hide kitchen elements. Kitchen island  lifts raised the counter to reveal hidden shelving storage underneath. Appliances hid behind sliding doors and clever cabinetry. Caesarstone had  a remote-controlled  sliding countertop in their booth. There were plenty of designs to make things disappear. Ken is demonstrating a sink cover below.

 

Kitchen Trends - Hidden Sinks Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly EuroCucina Photos

 

This video illustrates  some interesting features we saw:

 

 

7. Open Kitchen Layouts and Interesting Room Transitions. The lines are being blurred between the kitchen and living space as larger multi-purpose rooms are being created. Combining the kitchen and lounge areas resulted in a fluid transition between the spaces. We saw several kitchens designs that included couches, comfy chairs for reading, and televisions.

8. A Blending of Vintage and Modern. Contemporary looks were blended with antiques and retro decor to intentionally age the space incorporating vintage elements into a  modern design. The top photo is a retro aesthetic from Marchi Group.

 

Kitchen Design Trends EuroCucina Milan Italy Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly's Photos of the Trade Floor - Retro and vintage kitchen photos

 

9. Personalization: Spaces and fixtures that reflect individual personality and wish list items such as graphics on door panels or sinks with custom-selected inserts like the Blanco One.

 

blanco one sink with custom personal options

 

10. Technology in the Kitchen: Home automation systems included in-counter touch-screens with internet connections. These high tech countertops doubled as built-in tablets shown here on the Toncelli booth.

 

140616_kitchendesignsEuroCucina7ToncelliCounterTablet

 

 

11. Cubbies & Open Shelving:  I saw open shelving being not only being used in the kitchen, but also being used to connect the kitchen, dining, and living spaces. There were interesting suspended room dividers made of metal cables and glass that beautifully connected the spaces.

12. Handleless Doors:  Handles and in many cases groves are omitted in the cabinetry design for a seamless, streamlined aesthetic. We saw plenty of push touch technology or finger grips for opening and closing cabinet doors. Here Ken is pushing in at the top of the vertical door panel so his fingers fit inside to pull the cabinet open — a sleek minimalist look.

 

Kitchen Design Trends Handleless Cabinetry and Open Shelving photos of Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly at EuroCucina in Milan

 

13. More Matt than Glossy Finishes: Cabinet finishes were more matt than glossy this year and included cabinets with glass fronts.

14. Kitchen Island Pendant Lighting: Artistic kitchen lighting pendants over the island created a particularly wonderful ambiance–especially the ones that varied height placement.

15. Splashes of Bold Color Against Neutral Backdrops:  The natural color combinations and even the tone-on-tone designs were elegant and warm when splashes of bold color were thrown in the mix.

 

Kitchen Designs Trends in Color EuroCucina Milan Italy 2014 Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly photos

 

Here is our impromptu ‘Design Council’ video Lori Dolnick shot at the show.

 

 

and some of our candids in Milan…

 

blanco design council at EuroCucina Milan Italy 2014 - photos via Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly

More “Hottest Trends” posts here…

 

 

Posted by Grace Kelly in Learn, Trends, Kitchen Design |   © Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc, Showroom: 26 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 516-746-3435 | Editors’ Finds for your kitchen 

Choose a Topic

Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly Logo

Welcome to Our Blog

"Every room uniquely tells the story of its owners who live and find comfort in the environments we create."

kitchen designs owners photo

Our blog is a record of useful and inspirational kitchen and home remodeling tips. We showcase the work of talented designers, kitchen contractors, architects, interior designers, and builders. We are dedicated to keeping you up to date with new products and technology, providing “real living” solutions for your home, and helping you create your dream house. We even throw in a few favorite cooking recipes every now and then. The beauty of good design is in the details, and we are so glad you chose to journey with us!

Archives

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This