Kitchen Design Think Tank

This design is bold and it is brilliant.   Exploring alternating depth and the physical translation of rhythm this design re-writes the rules of contemporary kitchen design. The calculated 3D profiling exposes the beauty of precision cut stone, a beauty that has been hidden for too long within benign contemporary kitchen design!   The deliberate punctuation used along the length of this monolithic structure also presents an interesting canvas onto which natural light and shadow can dance a seasonal influence! The Mogul approves!

There is a lot going on in this design with the basic contemporary format delivering above and beyond the call of duty!   There is an introverted and narcissistic approach to this design with the mirrored door panels delivering a voyeuristic vision of the kitchen allowing the featured crisscross door pattern to become more subtly amplified. Have the reflective qualities of these particular doors been positioned in order to enhance the aesthetical impact of the design or is it something to do with the lap dancing pole! The classical styling of the posts and legs add some friction to the design but balance is restored by having these features finished in smooth, flashy chrome!   All we need now are some blue lights, a glitter ball and the supersonic sounds of the 70’s!   Queue the dancers! Note to self!   Mirrored doors are becoming a trend – possibly a by-product of continued population growth and smaller living spaces, or are we becoming more selfishly cosmetic with our aest

This design is simple but it manages to ignite our human curiosity with things that look a little peculiar.   We may question why the island looks off set, asymmetrically unbalanced and wonder why we find it interesting?   A closer examination of the design satisfies our inquisitive nature as we discover some crafty functionality integrated into this monolithic configuration!   Ornate detailing can be exquisite, showcasing flamboyant flair and inherited craftsmanship but simple shapes can be equally inspiring.   The simplicity of this island takes centre stage surrounded by an architecturally embedded and arguably impotent kitchen backdrop.     It is interesting that the mirrored panels around the oven housing reflect the island, allowing its influence to resonate throughout the architecture. Sometimes softly spoken words can deliver tremendous consequences.   The same can be said of this design!

This kitchen is like a functional thread, using its smooth curvature to stitch together polarised architectural styles.   The kitchen is being used like sophisticated design cartilage, preventing friction and using its irregular and undulating shape to soften the sharp distinction between architectural styles.       This approach works well using contemporary cabinetry as the minimal nature of the design allows the period features to shine though without fear of being up-staged.   Likewise the understated detailing flows seamlessly into any minimally styled room. Great job!!

This off set cantilever is certainly impressive but you can see how it may have some practical limitations.   Creating an angled feature like this can create a nip point which limits the seating on one side.   The angle also allows the feature to reach beyond its natural position allowing it to become a potential obstruction! Looks great though!

This kitchen is unplugged from the fast paced human existence that has blurred our judgement and systematically detached us from detail.   This design has opted out, rejected the rat race and embraced the idea that simplicity can deliver exceptional results. Light is allowed to penetrate the design, showcasing the warmth of the natural ash framework and enabling the angular cabinetry to display an effortless beauty. The simplicity of the design appears to invite the chaos of function, presenting itself for personalisation in a way that requires indulgence. The Mogul loves this fresh and enlightened approach!

Resembling a lunar landing module this compact kitchen will allow any would-be astronaut to enjoy the pleasures of home cooking while exploring the far reaches of the galaxy. No matter what the aesthetics, architectural or planetary backdrop, if you introduce some human animation and some gastronomic aromas you’ve got yourself a homely kitchen!!

This concept combines the warmth of wood and the strength of steel by using artisan techniques to entomb brushed pine veneer in liquefied metal. The aesthetics are impressive with the shimmering finish exposing the beauty of nature, lusting after light with the onlooker being beckoned to experience a truly unique tactile sensation. Fantastic!    

In the beginning we created fire; harnessing a seemly uncontrollable element that had the power to transform our primeval diet and stimulate basic sociability.   The pace of kitchen evolution has been driven by a human desire to do things better, quicker and more efficiently, that is why the modern kitchen has become a console of communication built upon a foundation of function.   This concept by Toncelli illustrates the power and influence of modern kitchen design.   If we simply wore clothes there would be no fashion, if we had stayed at home there would be no cars and if the kitchen was just for cooking we wouldn’t have designs like this!   Featuring an impressive interactive, translucent worktop complete with Samsung tablet technology this design redefines kitchen function by fusing cutting edge interactive technology with primary functionality.   The kitchen is evolving into a design parasite, absorbing furniture, technology and architecture in a way which could mak

There is a simple purity to this design that disguises a cunning technological complexity.    The designers have indulged our innate love of natural materials and geometric form to create a kitchen which can only be described as an exemplary functional art exhibit. This fantastic design has been lovely fashioned from solid ash boards and the functional services have been carefully entombed within the rich warmth of the timber.   The simple shape of the island defies convention presenting a minimal but highly functional preparation and cooking area.   The functional and aesthetical requirements are completely satisfied though the introduction of a socially inviting cantilever which naturally runs off the main surface of the island.   And if the island wasn’t enough, lurking in a background is a show stopping transformer with the visual and functional power to floor any onlooker! This is kitchen design supremacy!

The kitchen pales into insignificance awaiting functional resuscitation within a sanitised architectural space. We see the kitchens functionality diluted and absorbed into the architecture with only the island presenting influence upon the space. Both kitchen and architecture are submitting to the imposing influence of nature.   Possibly a little human animation required here?!

The Mogul has long argued that the modern kitchen can now be defined by its island, with the taller more cumbersome elements being absorbed by the surrounding architecture or being cloaked behind transforming cabinetry.   The kitchen is in-fact an island with some modified architectural cabinetry in support. So it is interesting to see how this design and an increasing number of others are detaching the island from the floor, creating a floating centrepiece which is only tethered to the architecture by the services required for function. This design accepts that there must be unity between kitchen and architecture but it also expresses an understanding that there must be a connection with the other pieces of furniture sharing an open plan space.   The T-shaped island unit is like a functional docking station, able and willing to accept elements that can temporarily enhance the functional experience without permanently polluting the aesthetic influence of the kitchen.     We

There are some interesting features in this design.   Immediately the eye is drawn to an impressive cantilever which extends endlessly across the room only defying gravity by leaning subtlety on a supportive crutch.   This zero gravity feature of fantasy has also been given a shoulder to cry on, a functional support which is designed to take the weight off the burdens that everyday life can throw at us.   The low level storage area which supports the end of the cantilever has been given an extended gable that transforms it into a cosy snug, perfect for casual entertaining.   The wall units mirror this feature by including a high level shelf which meets an extended gable end. These features are impressive allowing this kitchen to traverse the void between kitchen and living space but do these elements dilute the functional capacity of the kitchen.   Is it possible that potential storage space has been replaced by fresh air and that the high and low level cabinetry has become guar

It is interesting to see how this contemporary design has been softened by introducing more approachable geometry.   The underside of the impressive cooking zone displays the aerodynamic qualities of an aircraft wing and could even be likened to the hull of a sea fairing vessel which uses smooth and gradual geometry to cut though the ocean more efficiently. But having the hard edges removed may not only have aesthetical advantages, as cantilevers and breakfast bar areas are notorious hazards for small children who can be unfortunate enough to occasionally pay a painful price for their parents   pleasure of owning a designer kitchen. The breakfast bar of this design also appears to be counter balanced across the lover storage area so it may have been possible to create a fantastic free floating cantilever that could swivel between states of use, rotating 90degrees and resting upon the lower storage area when in a standby position and leaving the living area free from physical obs

This is a powerful image displaying all of the serious style contradictions required to create the perfect modern kitchen.   Contemporary styling has been perfectly counter balanced by the inclusion of some fantastic classical features. The kitchen has become a vortex of style with the ability to fuse polar design elements.  The newly empowered kitchen has become a source of inspiration, an epicentre of artistic and personal stimulation, amalgamating conflicting ideas and styles in a new and positive way. Love this one!  The seating is fabulous!

Reflective surfaces cause unavoidable introspective contemplation.   With this design there should be no regrets! It is fabulous!

For years kitchen design has been guilty of exaggerating scale, with the kitchen becoming the long suffering victim of an intensive and functionally random infestation of cabinetry.  But the misguided trend of fitting as many kitchen cabinets into an architecturally oppressive space has been replaced.   Now open plan architectural environments have become dominated by large monolithic islands. The Moby Dick kitchen is no exception, flaunting impressively elongated linear styling which has only been interrupted by the introduction of an unusual sink feature.  A feature which could be seen to sympathetically resemble the natural breathing aperture of a Sperm whale! The Mogul is unsure about this feature as it may draw specific attention to the cleaning zone, which on occasion may not be so clean.  It could be argued that in an open plan environment it may be more prudent to optionally camouflage this particular area.

The kitchen is a time capsule, a piece of functional furniture which can become an emotional trigger for our senses, encouraging us to relive our childhood memories and reminisce about people and friends who are no longer with us. It seems appropriate therefore that the adeptly named 1956 kitchen presents a very nostalgic approach to kitchen design. The design embraces some very innocent looking features that could be perceived as being potentially un-commercial in the refined mainstream market.   This kitchen is certainly quirky, with a homemade look, but it is also very different, allowing itself to be openly influenced by nostalgia and embracing the simpler materials and textures of yester year. Are we now going to see the development of an economic and socially influenced trend where mainstream style becomes perceived as being vulgar and kitchen design becomes influenced by re-runs of “The good life”! But no matter how much this design looks over its shoulde

Nature is an inspiration, an awe inspiring portfolio of design perfection which can exude a quiet influence over the refined disciplines of architecture, fashion and interior design.  Powerful natural elements like wind and water can inspire designers to express themselves in an exceptional way, reaching beyond the norm and delivering something which can enrich the senses.     The extended curve of this island design exudes the flexibility of canvas which arcs and moves with the wind.   The inviting and sensually smooth ebony curve reaches a refined climax by cutting though inherited design perceptions like a bow though the waves. There is real beauty in this design and an understated appreciation of feminine charm!  The Mogul loves this one.

The Mogul has always stated that kitchen design can be expressed though an artistic play with functional shapes, but here we see this belief taken literally. The design has a layered and asymmetrical appearance and the mix of textures and materials works really well.  High level open shelves provide a blank canvas for the personalisation of this design with their high level placement allowing the functional hot zone to become unpolluted with personal artefacts.  The introduction of extra tall oven housings provides a connection between the open shelves and the functional elements within the design.  Breaking the shelves in this way also emphasises the asymmetrical styling and quietly expresses this kitchens functional dominance which supersedes aesthetical and personal dressing. The design reaches beyond the norm by introducing a unique visual hook, a breakfast bar that plays tricks with your eyes and prompts you to ask the questions; how?  Why? And where can I get one!

It’s that run down warehouse thing again!  Interestingly in this image the bridged breakfast bar at the end of the island runs right though from the social side of the island into the functional zone allowing it to double up as a preparation area!

Stainless steel is an alloy, a combination of metals that become fused together when exposed to high temperature.  The functional elements of this super hot design are so seamlessly integrated into the work surface and their fusion may well have taken place while the metal was in a liquid state.  But just as the T-1000 terminator was made from liquid metal this design shows some similar weaknesses! Is it possible that this shining example if precision engineering has forgotten its functional obligations and that functionality has been compromised in order to achieve artistic perfection?  The cooking and cleaning zones are the most dynamic functional elements of any kitchen but here we see that an important storage area has been replaced with fresh air with the user being required to travel away from this island hot zone to gather the non-consumable items needed for cooking.  And although not visible in the image is it possible that an exposed sink and waste system could com