Interior designer and TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen reveals his impression of design in the KBB industry.
Q: How have you seen design in the KBB industry evolve during your career in the interiors sector?
A: It’s no longer just about cooking. And I think 10 years ago, everything was very industrial. Everything was very Germanic. It was all very modern – very kind of conceptual and intimidating.
Now it’s about softness, it’s about texture, it’s about decoration, it’s about natural materials. It’s also about technology, which is being used in a very discreet way. Not so long ago, design was very much shouting about that very contemporary innovation and about that engineering. Now it’s much more about how the heart and soul of the home looks, and I think that’s incredible.
Q: Has this year’s kbb Show helped change your perception of design in the industry?
A: I hadn’t been to the show in around 12 years. So, I had this impression of an industry that was all about very contemporary, very industrial design. But I’m astonished by just how creative, just how thoughtful, and actually, just how colourful the kitchen industry is now. It’s just amazing to see.
Q: Is there a better balance between form and function now?
A: Aesthetic is no longer the slave to technology, and I’m really heartened by that. Looking at today’s kitchens, the first thing you see is how beautiful the design is, then you think about the technology. As everyone in this industry knows, kitchens are the setting for everything big that happens in any family so I love that there’s a wonderful blend of styles to choose from now. This is extremely important because everybody’s become so design literate that they want to have their own expression.
Q: What do you feel is missing from the industry design-wise?
A: I’d like to see more daring design – daring is exciting, and it’s what moves things forward. Clearly, we’re already moving in that direction, but we need to keep pushing that even further. So, it’s all about momentum and getting more big-name collaborations in the industry. It’s amazing that we’ve got Dolce & Gabbana collaborating on appliances and I want to see more of that.