For the past 55 years, Milan has played host to Salone del Mobile, a furniture fair that attracts more than 300,000 visitors from across the globe, and for one week, transforms the Italian metropolis into a celebration of design, arts and culture as hundreds of design events are hosted across the city. And on even years, the show is even better: EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition run concurrently with Salone, showcasing the latest in kitchen and bath design and technology.
Much like fashion, to get a glimpse of future design trends we often need not look further than what’s gracing runways—or in our case, showrooms and booths—in Milan. NKBA sent three of its K+B Insiders to Milan to report on the latest European kitchen & bath design trends, and what influences they’re most excited to soon see in North America. From more than 300 exhibitors spread out over 450,000 square feet, the K+B Insiders narrowed it down to seven must-watch trends:
Meet the Moody Kitchen Palette
“Crisp, clean white kitchens are everywhere back in the United States, and very often it’s what every client wants. But at EuroCucina, the hot color palette for kitchens was undeniably moody and masculine,” says K+B Insider Brian Patrick Flynn. “Dusty grays and touches of earthy green army tones served as the neutral, juxtaposed with a wide array of accent colors. This kitchen from cabinetry manufacturer Concreta captures it perfectly: Woodsy green cabinetry in a matte finish, black and grey stone countertops and a stainless steel sink create a rich, strong look.”
Beyond the Backsplash: Go Bold, Mod and Retro
“Puzzle, a collection created in collaboration with Italian tile manufacturer Mutina and London-based Barber and Osgerby immediately caught my eye when we walked into the booth,” says K+B Insider Alberto Villalobos. “Graphic tile was hot at KBIS, but this is especially mod. I love how this collection encourages the designer to create a unique pattern by mixing and matching different tiles. Such bold looks may have some a little leery when using it in larger installations, but the tone-on-tone colors, even in a small space when used on the walls and floors, can be a powerful statement.”
Mix Materials, Mix Textures
“I was so inspired by how the booths and showrooms we visited mixed materials and textures to create a layered, rich look—particularly in the Rossana Kitchens booth,” Villalobos says. “It’s easy to commit to a single finish in a space, but finding new ways to create juxtaposition by combining a shiny silver against a matte gold, for example, has become the new way to accessorize a kitchen or bath. Finding the right mix of finishes can be tricky, so make sure they complement the countertop and backsplash materials. This is a timeless trend with a lived in look, one that I don’t see going out of style anytime soon, or ever.”
If You Dream It, You Can Print It
“Technological advancements in the design industry are empowering designers to completely customize materials for projects as they’ve never been able to before,” Flynn says. “The Cosentino booth showcased a series of vignettes from around the globe, including a modern day Parisian bathing suite. The walls were clad in custom-printed Dekton slabs that captured the look of traditional European wall panels and molding. I loved the juxtaposition between the old world look created with an ultra high-tech, ultra-durable material that is completely resistant to moisture or scratches. While custom printing jobs like this are currently only affordable for larger commercial projects, it’s certainly a forecast of how customization will play a bigger role in design.”
Kitchen Transformers
“During our showroom tour in Milan’s Design District and at EuroCucina, we saw a lot of manufacturers showcasing kitchens with retracting and telescoping countertops, and bar cabinets that quickly disappeared behind folding doors,” says K+B Insider Young Huh. “It was the epitome of seamless integration and smart use of space—both appreciated by this New York designer who often works in small footprints. In the Minotticucine showroom I found the Atelier collection; the countertop of a simple base cabinet pulled back too reveal a cooktop underneath, a kitchen sink, and a pop-up faucet. Cabinet doors concealed undercounter refrigeration.”
Induction Cooktops Rule
“A highlight of the trip was getting a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchens at The Mandarin Oriental, one of Milan’s most luxurious and chic hotels,” Huh says. “Induction cooktops have long had a presence in the United States, but in Milan and at EuroCucina they were everywhere—they are quickly becoming the universal choice of professional and at-home chefs everywhere. And after seeing them in action at the Mandarin, any hesitation as to how well one can cook on induction is gone. They decrease cooking time, and emit no heat while still being as sensitive as a gas stove. A favorite find was the Induction Table with Hood from of the La Cornue W. line designed in collaboration with French architect and designer Jean Michel Wilmotte. I love how its furniture design provides visual relief from the surrounding base cabinets.”
Growing systems in kitchens
“People are becoming more aware of the importance of how their food is grown and where it comes from, and this sustainable lifestyle had a huge influence on kitchen design at the show this year,” Huh says. “This innovative concept of in-kitchen food growing systems really surprised and inspired me, especially since I saw a lot throughout the show. Scavolini’s new line with Nendo had growing bins for plants in its shelving and Rossana Kitchens featured a cabinet whose retracting doors revealed a wall of organic produce growing in a state-of-the-art environment, complete with UV light. To complete the concept, Rossana showcased espaliered fruit trees against the walls, which produces a large quantity of fruit in little space.”
To check out more trends from the NKBA K+B Insiders’ trip to Milan and EuroCucina, check out their #kbinsider posts on Instagram.
Throughout 2016, the NKBA K+B Insiders will report on the latest industry trends from across the globe, must-attend events and top industry trade shows. Next stop: ICFF in New York City. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends with #KBInsider on Twitter and Facebook, and through the K+B Insider’s guest blog posts on the NKBA blog.
