The notion of the kitchen as the hub of a home’s activity isn’t new. Now, however, designers are taking down the walls to bring the space into the center of the home in form as well as in function. This week, we’re showcasing products with neutral colorways, clean lines, and increased durability that add entertainment, work, and lounging to the list of conventional kitchen activities.
Culina Mini Faucet, Blanco
Tiny kitchens and secondary sinks often must accommodate outsized faucets. Blanco scaled down the dimensions of its Culina faucet to create a version with a 17 1/8”-tall profile. The Culina Mini pull-down faucet’s flexible spout has dual-spray functionality and a 7 7/8” reach. Its solid brass construction can be finished in polished chrome and satin nickel. The faucet comes standard with a 2.2-gallon-per-minute flow rate but is available in a CAL Green–compliant model.
FAB28, Smeg
Designers often specify muted finishes and stainless steel to help appliances blend into a space. Some equipment, however, is meant to stand out. Known for its midcentury aesthetic, Italian appliance maker Smeg now offers white, yellow, and its “Union Jack” flag design to the U.S. market as finishes for its FAB28 line of refrigerators. The units, which include an ice compartment, are 57.5” tall, 23 5/8” wide, and 27.5” deep and offer 9.22 cubic feet of space.
Bola Kitchen Line, Ornare
The Brazilian casegoods maker collaborated with designers, including Patricia Anastassiadis, Marcelo Rosenbaum, and Guto Indio da Costa, on the High Line Collection of luxe kitchens, closets, and furniture. Among the designs, Rosenbaum’s Bola kitchen features brightly colored cabinets whose handles are obscured as a part of the units’ retro form.
Beetle Stool, GamFratesi Design Studio
The Copenhagen-based studio GamFratesi combines the Danish and Italian design backgrounds of its founders Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi, respectively, in the Beetle Stool. An evolution of the pair’s 2013 Beetle Chair, the stool’s curved back and seat emulate a beetle’s shell. For use with bars and pub-height tables, the stool’s seat and back are laminated in a molded veneer and can be upholstered in a variety of materials, including leather (shown), and are supported by conical, powdercoated steel legs.
Harmonia, Best Range Hood
Stainless steel and glass come together in Harmonia, a chimney-venting range hood whose minimalist design and touch-free control panel suit it for open-plan spaces. The four-speed, electronic, infrared heat-sensing unit uses the company’s blower system to remove heat and odor. The control dashboard senses the location of a user’s finger without requiring direct contact.
Della Terra, SantaMargherita
Comprising 93% quartz mined from the Venetian region of Italy, this countertop and backsplash material resists abrasions, stains, and heat. The non-porous surface does not require sealing. Offered in five styles that emulate marble and polished limestone (Lyskamm, shown).
Goldrieff, Poggenpohl
The high-end German casegoods manufacturer adds a mid-market option to its lineup with the launch of Goldrieff in the U.S. The collection of three cabinet systems in contemporary and classic styles features 113 door types in solid wood and veneer with a combined 44 finishes.
