Tag: milan

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Bedrooms Competitions Designers Travel

From Milano and Palermo, with love…

Sponsored by Nespresso

Is anywhere more known for its coffee than Italy? Probably not! Having visited Milan, Venice, Tuscany and Rome last year, I can tell you it’s all true what they say! From city to city, Italians enjoy their coffee in different ways and with different traditions, but like the English do tea, they all take their hot beverages just as seriously!

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In 2013, Nespresso celebrated this diversity through the cities of Naples and Trieste, with two unique and contrasting coffees. This month, they continue to pay homage to the rich heritage of Italy’s coffee culture with two new Limited Edition ristrettos, inspired by the emblematic cities of Milan and Palermo.

Last year, I visited Milan for the famous Salone del Mobile furniture fair and with so many huge halls to traipse around, a regular caffeine fix was high on my agenda! Remember though, no messing around with your coffee when you’re in Italy, Il Culto del Caffè is a serious business and you don’t want to get laughed out of the cafe! No cappuccinos or other milky coffees after breakfast, in many places expect to drink standing up, and as any purist knows, no flavoured syrups or any of that nonsense. Oh no, not in Italia!

Here in Australia, we’re lucky to benefit from the knowledge of our many Italian immigrants, whether it’s around coffee, fashion, style or food. I thought it would be fun to look at how you might take inspiration from Milan and Palermo in your interiors.

MILANO

Milan is Italy’s city of finance, business and fashion. Some would say it’s the global capital of fashion! My Milan-inspired interior would super sleek and high end but relaxed enough to be fashionable. Think elegant lines and great bones like timber floors, panelled walls and tall windows. It’s grand like the huge Milan Cathedral and the stunning Galleria shopping arcade and impressive like a da Vinci painting! But a little undone like a young, off duty supermodel!

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Image via Fanuli Furniture. Click through for details

Tribute to Milano (Intensity 9) is Nespresso’s interpretation of the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city of Milan, where coffee is enjoyed at a fast pace, whilst standing at the bar. Inspired by the perfect balance of elegance and intensity at the architecturally impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Tribute to Milano is also a perfect equilibrium of elegance and intensity. A highly aromatic ristretto, Tribute to Milano transports you to a traditional gelateria in the heart of Milan with its fine fruity aromas and sweet cereal notes.

PALERMO

For all Milan’s sophistication and gloss, Sicily’s Palermo is altogether more relaxed and sunny, but just as bustling. My Palermo interior would be casual and colourful to reflect the city’s richness of culture, music and food. This interior is perfectly imperfect and a little rough around the edges. Raw materials and natural light feature heavily in this look. Furniture is mismatched in a charming way.

Image via Air Bnb. Click through for details.
Image via Air Bnb. Click through for details.

Nespresso’s Tribute to Palermo (Intensity 11) is inspired by the relaxed and social coffee culture in Palermo and pays homage to the Sicilians’ love of a strong coffee. It is a powerful, intense and full-bodied ristretto with a silky texture reminiscent of a leisurely afternoon in the sun. Nespresso’s coffee experts were also inspired by the vibrancy of the Sicilian outdoor markets, alive with colourful spices, fresh produce and flowers so the cacao aromas and spicy peppery notes evoke an experience in amongst the locals at the market.

Image via booking.com. Click through for details
Image via booking.com. Click through for details

COMPETITION

To celebrate the launches, we’re running a competition over on Instagram. To enter, you’ll need to style and take a photo of your own tribute to Milan or Palermo and hashtag it either #tributetomilano or #tributetopalermo and tag us and @nespresso.

One winner will receive the new Nespresso Pixie Clips machine and a 10-sleeve Limited Edition Italian Inspired Assortment Pack, with additional accessories. Enter by midnight on 30 September 2015.

Order Nespresso online.

Categories
Kitchens

Matt, moody and metallic: trends from Milan, now at Freedom Kitchens

Inspired by the recent EuroCucina in Milan, Freedom Kitchens have been quick to introduce new kitchen products to the Australian market, taking on these global trends but with an Aussie spin!

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“A major source of inspiration for our team is EuroCucina,” says Jenny O’Connell, Freedom Kitchens store planning and design manager. “It’s the largest kitchen trade fair of its kind, showcasing global trends in kitchen design. With our factory located locally here in Australia, Freedom Kitchens has the advantage of quickly turning concepts into reality, keeping Australian homes on-trend with the rest of the world.”

For Freedom Kitchens, the first trend you’ll be seeing is their matt cabinetry; something with has proved extremely popular in Europe for its timeless, sophisticated finish. “Advancements in technology mean that fingerprints, often associated with matt cabinetry, may now be a thing of the past,” says Jenny. “Our new range is available in a stunning colour palette and will suit those seeking a contemporary, high-end designer look.”

Moody colour palette

Timber is also proving very on-trend, with its application extending far beyond cabinet doors. “No part of the kitchen is immune to timber at the moment with shelving, benchtops, doors and drawers all receiving a timber makeover. The options are endless when you start to play around with various timber, texture and colour combinations.”

Moody colours and metallic accents are similarly getting a mention, with the moody palette of black, dark greys and blues juxtaposed with shiny accents dominating European catwalks and homewares – a sure-fire sign, suggests Jenny, that kitchens will follow suit. “The new range of classic bold colours provide a neutral base that works well with glamorous metallic accents, such as handles and lighting in silver and copper.”

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Clean lines and quartz surfaces round-up Freedom Kicthen’s trends for the second half of 2014, with streamlined, handle-less cabinetry and easy to maintain Ceasarstone benchtops becoming the must-haves in modern kitchens.

To view the latest product range and kitchen displays, visit your local Freedom Kitchens showroom. For a free, in-home kitchen design appointment, head to their website or call 1800 113 733.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Jen guest blogs on Europe and colour trends

I’m guest blogging over at Haymes Paint’s blog today.

Read the full article.

Categories
Interviews The Block

Freedom Kitchens: bringing the latest trends from Milan to Australia within weeks

Last week saw THE event of the interiors calendar Salone Internazionale del Mobile (the international furniture fair) in Milan, and I was lucky enough to go for the first time. Within this mega fair sits Eurocucina, a kitchens-only showcase bigger than most Aussie trade fairs and full of beautiful things (read about the top trends I spotted here).

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A display at Eurocucina in Milan

Freedom Kitchens sent a team of 10 of their designers to Milan to be inspired by Europe’s latest trends, innovations and materials in kitchens. Because they have their own Australian factory, this inspiration can become reality in customers’ kitchen within months — weeks even. This flexibility and freedom to move fast is what keeps their kitchens cutting edge and fashionable, as you may have seen on The Block Sky High.

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Matt and Kim’s Freedom Kitchen from The Block Sky High

At the fair, Freedom Kitchens’ national sales director Susan Hasler said the kitchens at Milan were darker and moodier than last year with a lot of highlights in timber veneers and more matt than gloss finishes. “Some of the Dekton surfaces were very interesting and there was a lot of the concrete look and feel. It’s all a lot about texture. Touch and feel is really important.”

Cabinetry was perhaps more vertical than horizontal with taller pull-out drawers containing several internal drawers. Another trend she noticed was for integrated handles rather than a completely handle-less look.

Large drawer storage seen at Eurocucina
Large drawer storage seen at Eurocucina

Freedom Kitchens will be able to translate these innovations and trends to the local Australian market very quickly, while remembering that not everything will be popular or appropriate to our lifestyle. “We will be able to update some of our designs within a couple of months due to us manufacturing in Australia. We can do smaller runs, move quickly and see if things work and are popular,” Susan says. “It’s really important for us to come here to things like Eurocucina. Australia is sometimes thought of as being behind the times. You’re going to have a kitchen for a very long time so it’s important we’re ahead of the game. You don’t want to invest in something which is already a couple of years out of date. We have 10 kitchen designers here which is a big investment but it’s worth it for what we can bring back and the level of credibility it gives us. It’s about us bringing that fashion look at a value price.”

It’s not as simple as copying a load of ideas and expecting Australians to accept them as the latest and greatest, by any means. “It’s about adapting ideas to the Australian market and our way of life,” Susan says. “In terms of the differences between Europe and Australia, we entertain outside a lot, with kitchens often leading out onto decks or yards, or other entertaining areas. This lends itself well to the single wall and island design of kitchen.”

Kitchens were moodier, with more timber veneers and matt surfaces at Eurocucina
Kitchens were moodier, with more timber veneers and matt surfaces at Eurocucina

While people are often tempted to play it safe on a room which costs a lot of money and they hope to keep for years, Susan says a good kitchen designer can help them to be braver without wasting money or making an unwise investment. Her advice for a ‘safe’ yet fashionable kitchen is to stick to neutral cabinets and be bold with things you can change every couple of years (if desired) like wall colours (wallpaper even!), pendant lights and even splashbacks. You can make a real difference with how you accessorise (the great thing about Freedom Kitchens being that you can pick up Freedom homewares in store too). “We love being able to show customers how to accessorise and style their kitchens with our examples in our showrooms,” Susan says.

In terms of the strong presence of timber veneer at Milan, Susan doesn’t think many Australians will opt for that look in a big way. They may, for example though, choose to do their base cabinets in timber veneer and top cabinets in white, or just their end panels for example. These are all flexible options Freedom Kitchens can offer. “We also have to bear in mind that something that looks great here in Europe may not translate well in Australian light. It’s very different.”

Timber veneers seen at Eurocucina in Milan
Timber veneers seen at Eurocucina in Milan

The previous snobbery about veneer is disappearing these days, due to the huge advances in quality. “The new ones are so good you can’t even tell they’re not solid timber. They’re also more durable and hygienic which makes them a smart choice for kitchens.”

Look out for more expert tips on kitchen storage and how to get the most out of working with a kitchen designer on the blog next week. 

My trip to Milan was hosted by Freedom Kitchens with support from Caesarstone Australia.

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Categories
Kitchens Travel

Caesarstone think outside (or inside) the bench top in Milan

Last night, I went to a beautiful Caesarstone event in Milan as part of the international furniture fair Salone del Mobile. The crowning glory of the installation was a 19-metre long, super sleek and modern ‘island’ for cooking and food prep, looking striking in the middle of one of the historic Palazzo Clerici’s ornate old rooms, with a lemon tree springing from its centre.

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Two further islands, also made of various Caesarstone surfaces, comprised a table tennis table and a stunning bath with built-in record turntable!

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Islands is a collaboration with London-based Raw Edges designers Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay. In their eight years, the young duo have designed for Cappellini, Established & Sons, Moroso, Kvadrat, Stella McCartney, Arco, Mutina, Lema and more, and their many works have been showcased in museums and exhibited in expos in Milan, London, Paris and New York.

The main idea was to look at the Caesarstone product differently; beyond simply a surface that you put things on top of. The main island had cut-outs for sinks, dishes, chopping boards and much more, showing just what’s possible. The only limit is your imagination!

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Caesarstone Australia marketing manager Andrew Dixon explains the idea is to really inspire people to think outside the box, and while it’s unlikely many customers will go as far as putting a turntable in their bathroom, the many possibilities available to customise the flexible and super strong product are not fantasy.

“We’d like people to think ‘do I really need all these cupboards?’ for example. Caesarstone is so user-friendly and so much more than just a bench top. I personally love the idea of creating a raised appliances station on top of the bench top where you keep appliances out, but out of the way of the main preparation surface,” Andrew says.

“Innovation is really important to us and we like to provide the customer with direct inspiration.”

Two exciting new products should hit the market around June/July: Sleek Concrete and the marble-inspired Calacatta Nuvo (I’ve seen it and it’s great).

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I’m in Milan thanks to Freedom Kitchens and Caesarstone Australia.

Categories
Appliances Travel

Smeg launch seriously stylish stand mixer, toaster, kettle and blender in Milan

If there’s one thing Smeg’s known for it’s iconic and stylish design and their latest small domestic appliances, launched in Milan this week, do not disappoint.

On the one hand, it’s entry level Smeg for those of you who have been lusting after their retro FAB fridge for years but not quite able to justify the price tag. Or you may be lucky enough to already own a Smeg fridge or dishwasher (jealous!) and looking to add a complemetary toaster and kettle! You’ll struggle to find more stylish gadgets for your bench top and the big plus is they all come in ALL OF THE COLOURS!

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Together with Matteo Bazzicalupo and Raffaella Mangiarotti of deepdesign, Smeg has delved into the not too distant past to come up with this 1950s style collection. Similar to the adored FAB28 fridge, the collaboration has created much more than simple electrical appliances.

 

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Smeg say they are for those who love to surround themselves with strong aesthetics without compromising high quality and performance. From the 2×2 and 2×4 slice toasters, to the standard or variable temperature kettles, to the blender and stand mixer, Smeg small domestic appliances are tools that ensure excellent performance in all stages of food preparation, and have powerful personalities to match.

I was lucky enough to be at their world premiere at the Dolce & Gabanna Gold resaurant in Milan as part of design week. They are the result of intensive research and Smeg’s continuing ability to express excellence in “Made in Italy” design. If, like me, you want your gadgets to look as they function, look no further.

I also enjoyed tours of two of Smeg’s factories in Guastalla this week. I’ll share more with you about that soon.

The products will be available in Australia later this year. Find out more at Smeg Australia.

milan signoff

Categories
Appliances Travel

Top kitchen trends from Eurocucina Milan 2014

I’ve spent many hours at Eurocucina today, the kitchen section (I say section, but it’s bigger than most standalone trade fairs) of Salone del Mobile in Milan. I thought I’d share the top trends I noticed and some photos from day one.

I should preface this by saying the combination of swarms of super-keen visitors and lighting designed to create atmosphere and mood, don’t make for the best photos I’ve ever taken!

  • Timber and timber veneer were everywhere, mostly muted cool greige tones which I found surprisingly warm and interesting. For me, this was the most obvious and overarching kitchen design trend at the fair.

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The new timber kitchen is modern and sleek and just a touch industrial. Although the timber finishes tend to be pale, the look isn’t Scandi as you might expect.

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I love the texture and warmth in these kitchens.

DSC_0083-processedTimber and stainless steel was a popular combo.

  • There’s also very little gloss. It’s all about the matt surfaces on cabinetry.
  • Many kitchens incorporated some kind of open shelving. This makes the kitchen feel like more of a dressed room than ever before and not just a functional space. Seeing as it’s the heart of most homes these days, this makes absolute sense!

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  • Large pullout drawers for storage, replacing cupboards, are still big, with many featuring lights which automatically come on when opened.

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  • Touch-open cabinet doors are here to stay with very few doors with handles seen.
  • I saw a lot of glass fronted cabinets (and poor staff constantly polishing fingerprints off them!).
  • Cabinet doors folded up or back on themselves. I loved some of these smart features.

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This looks like a splashback until it lifts up to reveal the storage behind. Neat.

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  • Low hanging multiple interesting pendant lights over kitchen benches and dining tables were popular; another way to dress the kitchen, as mentioned above.

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  • Where I saw a few pops of colour against the timber it was almost always red.

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  • Bench tops were super slim in many cases; just a few mm.

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  • I spotted many gloss white appliances, like ovens, and some black ones too, making a change from steel. Isn’t it funny how appliances (and electricals like TVs) go through colour trends like this? The white works well with the timber, I must say.

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This is my first ever trip to Salone del Mobile and Eurocucina. It is huge and rather mad, especially on opening day. You can feel the buzz of excitement around and there are people from all over the world everywhere. There is a lot of ground to cover. Literally! It was an exciting day, getting a look at what will no doubt become common trends in Aussie kitchens in the not too distant future. Tomorrow, I’ll be chatting to two experts from Freedom Kitchens to get their take on what’s going to be big.

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I’m in Milan thanks to Freedom Kitchens and Caesarstone Australia.

Categories
Kitchens Travel

I’m off to Milan tomorrow!

I’m flying to Milan tomorrow which is UBER exciting, to experience the HUGE international furniture fair Salone Internazionale del Mobile, for the first time. It’s every interiors addict’s dream, surely? My trip will be very kitchen-centric, and I’ll spend most of my time at Eurocucina, so I’ll be bringing you back all the latest trends and products. I’ll also be visiting some kitchen showrooms around the city and going to some no doubt glam parties with Smeg and Caesarstone.

Everyone keeps telling me it’s impossible to envisage just how big it is until you go for the first time. Suffice to say, I’m packing my comfy walking shoes! Looking forward to sharing it all with you very soon.

A huge thank you to Freedom Kitchens for hosting my trip to Milan, with support from Caesarstone.

Look out for my pix on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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Categories
Interiors Addict

Win tickets to the DIA’s colour forecast with Dulux and Colourways tomorrow night

Would you like to be one of the first to see the Dulux Colour Forecast 2014 presented by Andrea Lucena-Orr and hear her interpretations of the latest colour trends as seen at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan? I have 10 double passes to give away to lucky readers.

Hear Kim Chadwick from Colourways present the key trends for commercial and residential interiors, the newest exterior building products and the most directional colours, materials and finishes.

This Design Institute of Australia (DIA) NSW branch event takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 10 September 2013) night from 6-8pm at The Whitehouse Institute of Design, level 5, 2 Short Street, Surry Hills.

The first 10 people to email me will receive a double pass for themselves and a guest. Refreshments will be served.

Good luck!

PLEASE NOTE ALL THE TICKETS HAVE NOW BEEN CLAIMED.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Victoria Cybulski wins Designer Rugs’ Evolve Awards 2012

Victoria Cybulski of Hare + Klein was this week announced as the winner of Designer Rugs’ international design competition, Evolve. As well as having her rug made, she receives return flights to Milan and accommodation during next year’s Salon de Mobile and a trophy crafted by Dinosaur Designs.

More than 100 industry guests and media joined the celebrations at McLemoi Gallery in Chippendale to view the six finalists’ rugs and hear the announcement. It was such a close call between Victoria’s ‘Wattle Blooms at Dusk’ and Bradhly Le’s ‘Escape’, that the judges decided to announce Bradhly as first runner-up. He will also receive his own rug.

Continue reading “Victoria Cybulski wins Designer Rugs’ Evolve Awards 2012”