Written by: NKBA K+B Insiders Alberto Villalobos and Mercedes Desio,Villalobos Desio, New York, NY
If anything has a major influence on the design duo and NKBA K+B Insiders Alberto Villalobos and Mercedes Desio’s approach to their work, it’s their diverse cultural backgrounds, travel and education that spans the globe. Alberto, born in Colombia, and Mercedes, born in Italy, both call New York home but always make travel a priority to stay inspired and on top of the latest trends. Their 2016 travels include Salone del Mobile and EuroCucina in Milan, Barcelona, Colombia, and Iceland.
Similarly to the fashion industry, European design continues to have a major influence on the kitchen and bath space with materials, trends and aesthetics that soon surface in North America. Mercedes and Alberto teamed up to share their favorite 2016 European kitchen design trends, taken from their own studies and recent trendspotting efforts abroad:
1. Mixing Materials to Create a Personalized Kitchen
Europe leads the charge when it comes to mixing finishes and materials such as glass, stone, rare marble, porcelain, wood—even leather—a trend that continues to inspire us. I still think back to my visit to the Minotti Cucine showroom this spring in Milan’s design district. They highlight materials through symmetry in kitchen design by adding stone or porcelain to the vertical or horizontal surfaces, and wood or leather to cover cabinets, as pictured below. Visual cohesion and symmetry can be created through the right mix of materials; it also creates a unique sense of visual texture to satisfy a more personalized taste.
During Milan Design Week, NKBA K+B Insiders Alberto Villalobos, Brian Patrick Flynn and Young Huh explored kitchen and bath showrooms in the city’s Brera design district to uncover the latest European design trends—check out their top picks.
2. Integrated Design
If we had to choose one design trend to copy from European kitchens, it would be smart and innovative use of space. Kitchens do double-duty for food prep and entertainment, but that doesn’t mean our appliances and mess from meal prep have to be out for all to see! While certain European design practices come from necessity due to their small footprints, larger kitchens can also benefit from innovative storage solutions that create a clean, streamlined aesthetic by hiding appliances, shelving—even the kitchen sink—so the kitchen can quickly transform from cook zone to a sleek space for entertaining. We’ve also seen European manufacturers introduce movable components, like slide-up panels that hide infrequently used kitchen accessories. Valcucine, an Italian kitchen manufacturer, recently released their Air Logica System, which maximizes kitchen functionality and conceals all necessary kitchen equipment—a great example of a highly innovative, beautiful kitchen.
3. In-Kitchen Growing Stations
Even though technology is becoming a very important aspect of kitchen design, European designers are bringing nature back into the space and empowering homeowners to grow their own produce and herbs year-round in their very own kitchens. There is also an increase of in-counter or on-counter composting systems. These solutions bring a strong element of nature and life into the experience of the space.
DESCRIPTION: Every other year during Milan Design week, the city hosts EuroCucina — a showcase of the latest in kitchen products and design from around the globe. NKBA K+B Insiders Alberto Villalobos and Young Huh attended to uncover what’s at the forefront of kitchen design and narrowed it down to their favorite finds.
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. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends with #KBInsider on Twitter and Facebook, and through the K+B Insiders’ guest blog posts on the NKBA blog.
