After a long (and eventful) trip through the Swiss Alps yesterday, we finally arrived at our hotel in Como much later than planned so I was only able to spend a couple of hours at Eurocucina. Today we have a full day planned and I am looking forward to what I will see.
This morning, thanks to the Sydney Mobalpa team, I had an interview scheduled at the stand with Guillaume Malaise, the export manager for the Australian region. I was also lucky enough to spend some time with designer Antoine Fritsch from Fritsch Associates. Antoine has designed one of the kitchens featured prominently on the Mobalpa stand and one that is due in production later this year.
The design is called Iris and it is beautiful to view. Cabinets of bamboo are off set by a lovely thin Corian top with the sink and cooktop elements in a gorgeous flower pattern. I cannot upload images from where I am but take a look here www.mobalpa.com and search for Iris to see the range of combinations available.
Antoine says the inspiration for this design as to maximise the natural materials used and display a “lightness” within the design. A thick Corian base flows from side to side in a design reminiscent of a boat with a very thin benchtop above into which are set the sink and cooktop elements. The large base allows the cabinets to “float” from the ground. The lower cabinets are separated from the benchtop to allow accessories to be attached that can move along the length of the bench and be positioned where of most benefit to the homeowner.
Atop the island bench sits a custom rangehood that reflects the same natural design elements, very reminiscent of a water drop, and also includes colour and material elements to help it blend into the kitchen space.
The use of bamboo on the lower cabinets allows the designer to make the handles almost “disappear” with a horizontal system of panels that is irregular by design – “in the same way that nature is regular but not perfect” in Antoine’s words.
Lunch with Smeg now and an interview at Snaidero this afternoon so look out for more updates soon.
