Define the “Lifestyle Kitchen” trend. Today's kitchen is becoming more of a multi-functional space, serving as a dining area, work station, entertainment and gathering place for family and friends. As consumers spend more time in the kitchen, there is a greater demand for features that reflect their style and needs. Through customization – including choosing materials, finishes, styles, surfaces, storage options and appliances – the consumer can create a space that accommodates their lifestyle.
What are some of the most exciting developments in this category? Many luxury kitchen manufacturers are developing spaces that reflect the homeowners who live in them. One of latest developments in this trend to hit the market is the Porsche Kitchen for Men from Poggenpohl. After extensive research revealed that an increasing number of men are interested in kitchen and cuisine, Poggenpohl, an internationally renowned kitchen brand, teamed up with Porsche to create this sleek, technologically advanced kitchen to fit a man’s lifestyle. The Porsche Kitchen for Men boasts an AV system, Flat Screen TV, low maintenance touch drawers and a streamlined design. Aluminum profiles of different sizes, which permit individual styling, constitute the basic framework of the new kitchen. Within the aluminum frames, customers can position cabinet elements any way they like. The result is a modular, spacious and extremely innovative kitchen for men.
Why are people becoming interested in this category now? Consumers are interested in personalizing their kitchen to reflect their personal style and living habits. They no longer want their kitchen to look like everyone else’s on the block, and with today’s technology and range of luxury upgrades, consumers can create the kitchen of their dreams that reflects their personality.
What can we expect from this category in the future? As our interests and needs continue to evolve, manufacturers will develop new products, colors, finishes and features to meet these needs. LuxeHome’s 30 luxury kitchen and bath boutiques offer cutting-edge products and trend-setting designs that set new standards in the industry. Consumers can look to brands like Ann Sacks, Poggenpohl, Wood-Mode, de Guilio and Valcucine Chicago, among others, to see the latest products on the market. Additionally, LuxeHome offers the widest selection of products to fit all lifestyles, from contemporary to traditional and everything in between.
If someone is interested in incorporating this trend into their home, what tips would you offer? My first piece of advice is to determine what your personal style is. Do you prefer contemporary, country French, traditional or transitional? Visit www.viewrooms.com on the Merchandise Mart website to see photos of different kitchen styles. It’s the ultimate design resource for style-inspired room settings.
Next, what are the primary functions of your kitchen? Is it for cooking, entertaining, working, playing, or all of the above? Personalize the kitchen to make it a “living space” suited for your individual needs. Interview by Cassandra A. Gaddo
The Ascent kitchen collection features three undeniably modern faucets with excellent utility: a pullout, pulldown (shown here) and bar/prep faucet. All three faucets offer contemporary styling with high-arc spouts and crisp lines to enliven any kitchen décor. The pulldown bar/prep faucet is the first from ShowHouse to offer a multi-function setting.
Entirely handcrafted and hand painted in a small Bend, Oregon studio, Gallery tiles from Ann Sacks use relief and multicolored glazes in an unusual manner. The result is a unique and stunning ceramic art tile.
Research has revealed that men are showing an increasing interest in developing the kitchen as part of their habitat. To that end, Porsche Design Group and Poggenpohl Mobelwerke created the P’7340, the breakthrough Porsche Kitchen for Men. Aluminum profiles of different size permit individual styling and give the kitchen an innovative and technical look. A special highlight of the design is the fact that all cabinets can be opened without handles, thanks to built-in high-precision systems that respond to a light touch.
The South Hampton kitchen from Smartrooms, Inc., features Wood-Mode’s 42 Series, traditional framed-construction cabinetry. This kitchen features a Regent Inset, a new 2008 door style; Essex Inset Maple Cabinetry painted Alpine White; and a Cherry Hutch with accents in a Black Forest Finish, a new shade for 2008.
If you’re a wine lover, check out Sub-Zero’s 430 model wine storage unit. The unit is perfectly set for ultimate temperature, light, humidity and vibration control, and can hold up to 147 bottles.