Eurocucina

The interiors of cabinets were illuminated with a system similar to a closet switch so that, when the door was opened, the light turned on. In some cases, these LED lights were in front of the face of the cabinet. They were even more effective when they were placed just behind the cabinet frame.

LIFESTYLES AND CONCEPTS

From a lifestyle standpoint, Europeans, like Americans, have embraced the concept of a gathering kitchen. One of the best examples was a display titled “The Library Kitchen.” In a square space, the back wall was used as a work area facing the cooking island. A walkway then separated a similarly sized bar/table seating island finished off with a long bench across the opposite wall with a bookcase.

The fun of Eurocucina is that it also features a number of concept-only kitchens designed to amaze and stimulate. And while the “marketable” kitchens focused on clean, straight lines, the concept kitchens veered off into the opposite direction of wild and unpredictable curves.

Probably one of the most “far-out” examples of the shared understanding that a kitchen must be much more then a cooking environment was a Berloni exhibit entitled “Not For Food.” It showcased an angled black multi-functional work station and desk top that swooped down behind a white curved lounging area. (Think sectional sofa cloned to kitchenette/desk). It was explained as follows: “Not for food, the new concept kitchen. A multi-purpose space designed for the near future, when relaxation, work and food will co-exist in the same environment.”

Another concept kitchen by renowned architect Zaha Hadid with DuPont Corian was the Z. Island, a curvaceous, undulating white Corian wave-shaped island that looked like a piece of sculpture. Amenities included a nozzle for emitting perfume, built-in iPod and LCD display screen.

The next Eurocucina will be in 2008. For more information, contact www.cosmit.it or e-mail info@cosmit.it.

Leslie Hart is executive v.p. of the Irvine, CA-based Fry Communications and a regular columnist for Kitchen & Bath Design News. She is the former editor and publisher of Kitchen & Bath Business, and she has created custom books, magazines and marketing programs.

Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, is a well-known author, designer, speaker and marketing specialist. A member of the NKBA Hall of Fame, Cheever has authored several design education textbooks and currently manages an award-winning design firm, Ellen Cheever & Associates.