The Galley is, indeed, a sink, but it is much more besides. Cutting boards,
colanders, a drain rack, and stainless bowls slide above and below each other on two tiers
inside the sink. Equipped with the Signature Galley Accessories, it is the place for food preparation, clean up, and serving.

The Gallery is available in three lengths: 7’, 5½’ and 4’,and can be installed indoors or out. Add an
induction or gas cook top and you can use it for just about everything. If only we had a video to show you how it works. Oh… that’s handy!

The Galley Sink from The Galley on Vimeo.

It is a lovingly crafted wooden desk with a substantial stainless steel work surface with a serious gas hob and a prep sink. What else could you need?

The handmade solid wood table has a single drawer to fit most important utensils. A cutting board and knife rack are available from within. The counter-top is 1.5 mm thick stainless steel. The gastronorm-sized sink is by Gaggenau with the KV1-tap  from Vola. The gas stove-top is also by Gaggenau. Lots of other variations are available – as is a range of appliance cabinets and storage.

All of this stunning, functional, simplicity is designed by the thoroughly charming Kaisa Luukkanen who graduated from the University of Art and Design in Helsinki in 2010. When we met her at the Stockholm Furniture Fair she was modest charm personified. Her straightforward lack of pretension perfectly reflected in her work.

If you were lucky enough to own one of Kaisa’s kitchens and you were moving house, we are guessing you would want to take it with you. And that would, of course, be no problem. But what if you were not moving but had, for some strange reason, decided the kitchen was no longer for you? Well the Scandinavian Carpenter Collective commit to buying back any of the furniture they sell, restoring it and selling it as ’2nd hand’. Can someone please give these people some sort of environmental award? Or maybe a sainthood?

Top two images by Modenus, others by Scandinavian Carpenter Collective.

]]> http://www.modenus.com/blog/kitchendesign/a-very-simple-kitchen-extreme-elegance-by-scandinavian-carpenter-collective/feed 0 http://www.modenus.com/blog/kitchendesign/bulthaups-new-b3-drawer-organizer-system-beyond-perfection http://www.modenus.com/blog/kitchendesign/bulthaups-new-b3-drawer-organizer-system-beyond-perfection#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:34:09 +0000 Modenus http://www.modenus.com/blog/?p=164890 Read More…

If you happen to be Tom Hanks or Robinson Crusoe you will probably think that an island is a solitary place, detached, separated and isolated from the rest of humanity.

Sometimes this type of island, if accompanied by 5 stars can provide a unique opportunity for some introverted reflection away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a quiet haven to recharge the batteries away from the distractions caused by human interaction and potential conflict caused by opinionated outbursts.

However, continued separation from the rest of humanity can have a negative effect on the human soul and that is why many 5 star island goers end up packing their bags after two weeks and head back to their chosen metropolis ready for another few months of adrenaline packed human interaction.  It is pretty clear that no man is an island but is it possible that a kitchen can be!

The attributes of the kitchen island are polarised to that of its geographical counterpart as it discourages detachments acting as a magnet, drawing the household together and providing a unique opportunity to practice an age old tradition which helped to mould the society in which we live today, talking!

The modern kitchen island can be described as a functional rock to which the inhabitants of a household are tethered, congregating for sustenance at regular intervals amid the storm of 21^st century living.

An island allows us to become detached from the surrounding architecture, look each other in the eye and enjoy one another’s company.  We no longer need to face the wall while cooking or preparing a meal, turning our backs on conversation and avoiding the type of natural sociability that was first found at the campfires of our ancestors.

A kitchen island presents a unique opportunity to enhance the functional performance of a kitchen allowing walking distances to be shortened and allowing workflow patterns to be specifically tailored to each and every client.

An island can become a functional bridge merging practical performance and functional efficiently while encouraging social exchange between the individuals who occupy the space.  A kitchen island is architecturally liberated, free to probe the outer reaches of the floor space it occupies and because of this it can be seen as a medium for artistic and functional expression.

Client and designer can engage in the freehanded creation of something quite unique, something that can only be described as a personal and functional art installation for the home.  By introducing a complex mix of materials, geometry and lighting an island can provide functional flexibility and design continuity to any architectural space.

In the modern home the kitchen island now sits centre stage, inviting social interaction and artistic adoration while expressing its whispered influence onto everything surrounding it.  The island is now the focus of our open plan living spaces with integrated technology allowing it to serve many purposes beyond its primary focus.  The island can create un-formal architectural division, breaking a space into zones without ever introducing walls!

It now seems clear that the kitchen island, or islands, help to define the modern kitchen with taller cabinetry elements being absorbed into the surrounding architecture and designers and owners expressing themselves in new and interesting ways.

Can you imagine your next kitchen without one?

When we chatted recently I stated by asking him “why kitchens?”  Darren  reels off a list  “It is an aspirational product” he says, “it gives scope for self expression, its about people functioning and it’s a window into the essence of people’s ‘self.” And there you have Darren – in one sentence running the gamut from aspiration to personal insight.  “And it allows people to let their imaginations to run wild”, Darren adds. And that’s interesting because Darren’s kitchens are notable for being different. I had always thought it was Darren’s own imagination that was making the difference but maybe it is also his ability to set people free to find and express their own ideas.

Interestingly, Darren’s original training was in economics and finance. He was looking after a company’s accounts but found himself much more interested in the kitchens they were selling. He cut his teeth in the showroom and, in his words, was “bitten by the bug” when he saw how kitchen design can influence people’s lives.
Darren’s chosen way of working is as an independent designer, as he says, “free from the tyranny of selling boxes.”

I remind Darren about the  Jona Lewie song “You’ll always find me in the kitchen at parties”.  (Go on – there’s some great 80′s style to see.) He laughs. Darren really does love kitchens

“Kitchens have stepped onto the main stage – the limelight”, he says “The client can come to me without the pollution of kitchen sales, it purifies the process. I do think that in the past, design has been overlooked as part of the process.”

“I do think the kitchen was architecturally isolated for too long.” Say Darren,  “It was removed to keep smells and cooking activities away.  Extraction systems weren’t so sufficient but now people are embracing open plan living.” He clearly approves. “Why force the people who are preparing the meal to be isolated?” Why indeed? I ask him if he cooks. “I would love to but I don’t have much opportunity, my business is very busy. But I do believe you have to understand cooking and understand people to design a kitchen . You have to understand how people tick.”

We talk more about kitchens, of course. Darren loves talking about kitchens almost as much as he clearly enjoys designing them. “You have to break it down to our five senses,” he says, “for example the smell and memories of happy times and happy thoughts.  You go back into the time as a child when you felt warm and comforted. When you see pictures of kitchens and people think they look cool but they aren’t getting the other senses – such as the sounds of conversation”.
So Darren considers and caters for all the senses in his kitchens. He also considers how people live, what they do and what is important to them. And while his kitchens are undeniably beautiful and often starkly original, they are also always highly functional. As Darren says, “There is no point in a fabulous car with a gear stick on the roof. If something doesn’t do what it is meant to do there is no point. It is about having an empathy with the client and their family – and we are all different.

Designers are a guide for people who want to express themselves. There are multiple layers involved.” And that’s both interesting and refreshing. Someone with Darren’s undoubted creativity also has the humility that comes with confidence to respect and acknowledge the role of the client in the creative process. Indeed, when I ask him about his influences his first response is that his biggest influence is the customer. When he isn’t designing kitchens Darren spends a lot of time writing about kitchens for Modenus and many other publications and can be found on his blog and twitter.  His role, he says, is “driving it forward with a passion so the client is astounded”.

I ask Darren about the project he is most proud of. “The next one”, he says  “I think the next one is going to be better. You never look back. You look forward. Every idea is embryonic and develops. You never know what you are going to come up with next.” And you can hear the excitement in his voice, not just at the thought of a new creation but also by his relationship with the next client. “You are part of someone’s life for a short period of time. “ And then, somewhat contradictorily, “Its great looking back.” But we know what he means.

While a spot over two thirds of Darrens work is in his native Ireland, his reach is global with recent projects in Saudi Arabia and Australia. As he says, “Design is not isolated by geography, particularly with the technology we all use these days.”
But you could never accuse Darren of becoming grand and putting on aires and graces. We talk about a recent client, a young couple with a limited budget and what Darren describes as a “not ideal space”. But, as he says, they brought him a problem and went away happy with a solution. Something which also, clearly, pleased Darren.

After talking with Darren for the best part of an hour you are left wanting more. You can read more of his thoughts, and see more of his work, on his blog. His enthusiasm, his joy at designing kitchens is evident and infectious. But there is something else as well. The pleasure he derives from learning from his clients, thinking through the issues and questions that most of us would not even be aware of, and creating something exceptional is evident in his work. And that is just part of the reason why you will be seeing a lot more of it. Darren is a treasure for the kitchen industry. It would do well to nurture and revere what he has to offer.

Hot off the plane from New York City on BlogtourNYC, I am still in awe of the entire week that seemed to have swept me off my  feet like an unforseen tornado. In the midst of being captivated by all the highs of designs and new friendships, I have banked fond memories that I will forever treasure. And, while I am exhausted from jet setting around the spirited city, I am equally inspired by all the design festivities, which I am excited to share with you. So here is the first one……

Our first stop on Blogtour was brunch with BLANCO and Poggenpohl [BlogtourNYC sponsors]. In addition to the great mingling, munching, picture-taking, tweeting, sharing a few laughs and engaging conversation, we were the first to be introduced to some new products by each of these brands.

First up is BLANCO’s CERANA Apron Front Fireclay Sink. Available in three sizes: 33″, 30″ and 8″ (bar sink), this is the first fireclay sink featuring a reversible design and two different corner styling. The CERANA sink may be used in a contemporary or traditional setting, which is the brightest feature of this product.

Crafted with artisan hand-finishing techniques and high firing features, the CERANA delivers a lustrous and durable surface that won’t stain, chip or fade. Further the engineering is the foundation for the “perfect-drain” bowl, which allows for easy draining from the sink with no puddling of water.

We love Crown-Point for their exceptional craftsmanship and the no-nonsense approach they take to working with their clients.

The example above is from the Arts and Crafts range. The style emanates from the turn of the century (not this one, obviously!) as a reaction to overly ornate furnishings. Functional and enduring, vintage pieces are still sought after. Crown Point make them new but honest to the tradition and its virtues.

How lovely is this? From the Crown Point Shaker range. Simple, stylish and functional. We won’t, er, preach about the origins of the style, suffice to say the qualities of craftsmanship and practicality are fully evident and with limitless color options in Milk paint as well as the full palette by Farrow & Ball, even the most color sensitive project can be satisfied.

You just know that food from this Early American Style kitchen is going to be full of traditional home cooked goodness. We love that Crown Point understand and respect the heritage of American kitchens and recreate it in their cabinetry. They also make cabinetry for bathrooms, offices, bars and all those other important places and they work with clients directly which means, no showrooms and no retail outlets. You dream, they design and ship.

Many thanks to Crown Point for their involvement in the Modenus Design Find Photo contest. We hope to see much more of you soon.

Fairly new to the North American marketplace is Scholtes, the Italian manufacturer of innovative, professional appliances for the home. Scholtes is another sponsor of the much talked about Modenus’ BlogtourNYC event, which is just two weeks away.

Scholtes’ diverse product line includes cooking products (built-in electric ovens, gas cooktops and electric cooktops), ventilation, dishwashers, refrigeration drawers, wine cabinets, beverage centers and coffee machines.

THE PRODUCTS:

Gas Cooktop: With its clean design and availability in a 30″ or 36″ width, the gas cooktop offers cooking power and versatile burner configurations. Featuring a useful flat wing above the control knobs to house spoons, spatulas and other utensils, this cooktop is the perfect state of the art tool for the serious cooks.

Ventilation: The Scholtes vent hoods are elegantly designed and boast an ample performance with 518 cfms – superb for your indoor environment. Soft touch elegant controls regulate three speed levels and a vital BOOST function captures the strongest smells in the kitchen, automatically shutting after 10 minutes. Hmmm…looks like I could use this when cooking my curry chicken meals.

Built-in Oven: This beauty features a large 4.1 cu ft capacity electric oven with strong, full glide racks to support heavy pans. We all know how heavy those turkeys can be so this feature is a gem. Aside from the full glide racks, it also has a dual fan convection system that provides an even heat environment; i.e. perfect for baking those red velvet cakes.

Electric Cooktop: Available in 30″ and 36″ widths, the electric cooktop features include ease of an electric smooth-top cooking surface (clean-up and care), a large spectrum of performance options and sleek aesthetics (stainless end trim and a hint of Scholtes branding). BRILLIANT!!

Bottle Wine Cabinet: With the option of a 24 or 36 wine cabinet, this stunner is designed to provide the ideal climate for preservation and storage of fine wines. Both units are cabinet depth and built-in to minimize the footprint. Special care has been given to precise temperature ranges, anti-vibration, humidity control, light minimizing and advanced circulation for pure air.

Dishwashers: You want variety, Scholtes’ dishwasher comes in stainless steel and panel-ready models. Silence is golden – new hydraulic circuits and insulated water tanks ensure silent operation and energy efficiency. Want more options: from half-load function to duo-wash for the most challenging loads that allows delicate wine glasses to receive the same proper attention as heavy pots. WOW….I think I’m in love.

Refrigeration Drawers: This is just pure genius – I need one built into my desk. Both cooling drawers, at 36″ wide, offer different temperature zones to accommodate different types of food and beverages. Scholtes offers a new concept in refrigeration for space efficiency and effective preservation. Placed under the counter for flexibility in kitchen design, and engineered for clever and adaptable storage configurations. On a serious Design note, this appliance would be perfect for the Ultimate game room ManCave.

Scholtes, thank you for being a BlogtourNYC Sponsor. I’m looking forward to meeting you at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in a couple of weeks.

Cheers,

Marilyn

PS:To keep up with the BlogtourNYC team, follow our PINTEREST BOARD + read our BLOG POSTS as we share our previews, covers and recaps of this wonderful event.

BLANCO’s zest of Appeal = Style + Luxury + High Quality

Since 1925, BLANCO has produced more than 40 million sinks and is the only supplier in the world to produce its own sinks from start to finish in three materials. With quality as its vanguard, every sink is closely inspected many times before it receives the BLANCO name.

BLANCO is the brand of choice in the luxury sink and faucet category for its unparalleled quality and an inspirational breadth of design possibilities. From the precise craftsmanship and artistic creativity of its STEELART brand to the stunning durability of its ground breaking SILGRANIT collection, BLANCO has proven that the sink is far more than a mere functional element in the kitchen.

BLANCO SILGRANIT II Truffle sink collection

BLANCO PURUS I with metal side spray

BLANCO - THE CULINA (Semi-Professional Faucet)

BLANCO Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet - Chrome

BLANCO SOLON Compost System

After last weekend’s post on the Poggenpohl Porsche Designed Kitchen in the Imperial Suite in Paris, I’ve got the Ritz on my mind! In fact, do you want to know what dishes are stored within those gorgeous Poggenpohl cabinets? Haviland’s “Imperial China Collection”. This pattern with its 24-karet gold patterned rims, taking a cue from the decorations throughout the hotel, was created specifically for the Paris Ritz. And believe it or not, the place settings – and all its accompaniments – are for sale online from the Ritz Boutiques in Paris!

I love the idea of decorating my home with diva-style after the décor of the Ritz Hotel in Paris. If it’s good enough for the Ritz… then it’s good enough for me! But I couldn’t consider buying those Haviland Ritz dishes without considering a cupboard worthy of storing them! Lucky for me, not only are the Ritz dishes for the sale but the Ritz kitchens are also for sale! You too can custom order your very own Poggenpohl kitchen just like the Ritz Paris!

My mouth is watering at the thought of someday installing a Poggenpohl kitchen in my own home and my husband is practically revving his engine at the thought of the Porsche Design.

Poggenpohl is the world’s first kitchen manufacturer to use carbon fiber for styling cabinetry fronts. Laminated and applied to a glass front, the lightweight composite adds a three-dimensional appearance, is durable, temperature-resistant and widely used in aerospace and automotive engineering.

All this has got me thinking… with our 16 year wedding anniversary just around the corner, perhaps we should order his & her Porsche’s??

A Poggenpohl P’7340 kitchen for me and a Porsche Carrera GT for him!

Gute Fahrt & Gros Bisous! (Good Drive and Big Kisses)
The Antiques Diva®