EuroCucina review: Graham Robinson, Halcyon Interiors
EuroCucina is one of Europe's largest trade shows, and visitors were treated to reveals and demonstrations from some of the sector's biggest brands. But what did Graham Robinson, showroom manager at Halcyon Interiors, think of the event?
Having been a regular adventure for us, including the volcanic ash year, it was great to be back in Milan for Salone and EuroCucina and it was certainly the best and boldest yet.
The overall colour palette was neutral and a lot softer than in past years. Stone, ochre and muted terracotta tones were used a lot, mixed with natural woods and textured stone surfaces.
Wood was present in all shades with added fluting or raised ribs to create interest and tactility and help with the transition from kitchen to living space.
Lots of subtle details helped the kitchens feel more like furniture than we have seen before, whether it was a door edge or the junction where worktops and cabinetry meet. Ceramic surfaces from Inalco were used on a multitude of surfaces in natural textured colours to create a harmonious and even spa-like feel.
The highlight for us was Eggersmann, the complete natural stone floating island executed to perfection combined with solid brass against a backdrop of a kitchen that could be hidden from view with a series of sliding doors. Front and centre was the island designed by Yabu Pushelberg.
“Eggersmann’s latest passion project collaboratively created with YP is nami, a cantilevered island design. In Japanese, nami means wave and also beautiful. The island’s silhouette is reminiscent of the kanji symbol, nami, with delicate asymmetrical lines crowning a substantial base. The fluidity and natural artistic expression of a wave is captured in this sculptural island through a masterful blend of German engineering and distinctive Japanese design influences.”
Appliances were either bold like those by Officine Gullo and LaCornue, or sleek and handle-less like Miele who were proud to show their new appliance colour. Functionality was key, giving people the ability to create restaurant quality food at home. Unox Casa hosted private chef tables to demonstrate some of the many functions. We saw advancements in maintenance and cleaning functions to make life that little bit easier!
We spent the following days in the Brear design district, which was interesting and inspiring in equal measure, again prominently soft neutral colours, sleek backlit stone units from Poggenpohl and furniture-like islands from Bulthaup. Milan with its history of art and fashion inspired many exhibitions to cross the lines in many ways, notably Vzug whose appliances were set in a stunning kitchen and fabulous setting. A short walk through the park led us to the stunning Villa Necchi, featured in The House of Gucci film, to spend time with Gaggenau where we were able to ‘see’ the new ‘invisible’ hob, their brand-new dark steel fridge and glimpse the future of their ovens.
We look forward to seeing more timeless kitchens with maybe a softer feel than those we have seen in years past.