Credits: Beckermann Kuchen & Ballerina Kuchen
What we saw in Europe at IMM Cologne Living Kitchen International Trade Fair was a lot of mixing of materials in the kitchen with rustic barn style elements. Ken and I attended the Living Kitchen in Germany, as special guests of BLANCO along with fellow members of BLANCO’s Design Council.
Kitchen trends in a nutshell: There was timber in the air. What we consistently saw was rustic BARN WOOD AESTHETIC and MIXED MATERIALS (laminate, lacquer, metal, leather, ceramic, concrete, etc.)
Credits: Stormer Kuchen (Terracucina)
MIXED MATERIALS
Kitchen design elements showcased a variety of materials such as concrete, leather, glass, metal, ceramic, and wood with the wood pieces carrying more of a rustic, textured barn-wood feel. Truly a great look and sophisticated design…a newly interpreted blending of old and new.
Credits: The Marchi Group
BARN STYLE WOOD MIXED WITH EUROPEAN LAMINATES & LACQUERS
Many of the “barn textured” elements in the kitchens and islands we saw were not real wood but actually textured European laminates and lacquers. These faux wood elements had an authentic barn-wood aesthetic. We saw particularly creative kitchen designs as we walked through the fair featuring designers that specified mixed materials, high-tech modern appliances, and artistic (practically sculptural) functional fixtures. Blanco, in particular, had some game changers at the show like the Attika sink with its retractable faucet pictured below in this Brigitte kitchen.
Credits: Brigitte Kuchen
The addition of barn board laminates helped warm up the spaces. The European kitchens on display at Living Kitchen 2013 were considerably more warm than they had been in the past. As you look at our photos from Germany, notice how the selections of colors and materials have a natural almost earthy feel as shown in the Nolte kitchen below. In some of the kitchens, we saw a mix of leather, metal, and high gloss lacquer that worked remarkable well together. We’ll talk more about these looks with detailed specifics and close-up photos in upcoming posts.
Credits: Nolte Kuchen
Below Lechner mixed it up with an interesting reverse-painted glass backsplash, ceramic countertop that looks like concrete, and barn-style cabinetry.
Credits: Lechner
I am happy to say this look ties right in to our Bornholm Kitchen line — a Scandinavian style cabinet line ahead of its time. The style of Bornholm connects well with what we saw in Germany and exemplifies warm modern design. Mixing it with Allmilmo, would be magnificent. We are so inspired by this look and are reeling with ideas that have us chomping at the bit to design something in this style. If anyone likes this look, we are ready for you!
Note: The photos you see here were either taken by us at IMM Cologne Living Kitchen International Trade Show or were provided in our press kit. Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly © 2013 All Rights Reserved. Credits: Designers/Manufacturers included in this post:
©Marchi Group, ©Stormer, ©Brigitte, ©Nolte, ©Lechner, ©Beckermann, & ©Ballerina
Related Reading:
Kitchen Trends from IMM Cologne Living Kitchen in Germany
Blanco’s Faucet Technology Breakthrough at Living Kitchen Germany
Posted by Grace Kelly in Kitchen Design, Products, Trends | Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. © 2013, Showroom locations: 26 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 516-746-3435 | Kitchen Designs on Facebook | Kitchen Designs on Twitter
