Compiled by Peter Sobchak
The Cube│Laboratorio Mattoni
Luca Mattoni, the design brains at Rome-based Laboratorio Mattoni, is known for turning outdoor kitchen units into pieces of sculpture. But his shiny new futuristic invention, The Cube, looks less at home in someone’s backyard and more at home in the galley of the Starship Enterprise. www.poltronafraumiami.net
Neolith Steel Collection│TheSize
With this new kitchen countertop collection, TheSize is aligning itself with the latest market trends for industrial-inspired interiors. For example, the dark grey metallic and reflective tone of Steel Marengo is the perfect alternative to stainless steel, combining a metallic feel throughout the slab with the high-tech properties of sintered compact surfacing. www.neolith.com
Align Spring Faucet│Moen
It seems everyone is looking for kitchen faucets with an industrial-inspired spring spout. But while commercial-grade options deliver on style, they often lack functional conveniences like maneuverability of the hose and spray wand. In response, Moen has engineered the new Align pre-rinse pulldown spring faucet for the residential market, mimicking the look of an industrial kitchen, but with the reach and flexibility required for residential use. www.moen.ca
Pro Grand Range Collection│Thermador
To celebrate a century in the market, Thermador has launched the 60-inch Pro Grand Range, a behemoth equipped with six Thermador Star Burners, and seemingly endless cooking combinations such as grille or griddle, and steam or radiant oven, and custom hood inserts. www.Thermador.ca
Shimau│Panasonic
Panasonic Canada has partnered with Richelieu Hardware to bring Japanese-inspired storage and organization systems to the North American market. Shimau solutions (a Japanese term for thoughtfully storing items) have been designed for many parts of the house wherever dead space is found, for example in the kitchen with a new pull down cabinet system. www.panasonic.com
DGC XXL│Miele
Unveiled at the Interior Design Show in Toronto earlier this year, the Miele DGC XXL is an addition to the convection-steam oven family but features a larger cavity, M Touch, MultiSteam, over 200 MasterChef programs, a motorized lift panel, a roast probe and a PerfectClean cavity. And the name isn’t misleading: the XXL is the largest steam combination oven on the domestic appliance market. www.miele.ca
GE Café│GE Appliances
Consumers have gotten used to getting cold water from their refrigerator door, so GE Appliances has taken the next logical step: hot liquid. And not just an obvious upgrade to a hot water dispenser, but now you can also brew a cup of coffee, right from the refrigerator door, thanks to the new GE Café with an integrated Keurig K-Cup brewing system. www.geappliances.ca
React│Pfister
Pfister’s new React touch-free kitchen faucet activates when your hand or an object passes within its sensor range. The water temperature can be set, and reset, however many times you like and the faucet can still be controlled the old-fashioned way – with its handle. www.pfisterfaucets.com
b1│Bulthaup
In essence a stripped down modular system, Bulthaup’s b1 line is available in island and workbench versions, and the countertop can be fitted with different functions: induction cooktop, water point with a sink made from hot-rolled stainless steel and food preparation modules in various materials such as wood, stone or stainless steel. The food preparation areas can be moved into any position, with free spaces created for storing tools and work utensils such as pots and pans. www.bulthaup.com
Flux Swing│Scavolini
Extensive research and experimentation, beginning 10 years ago with the first Flux model, has brought Scavolini and Giugiaro Design to the new Flux Swing collection. From a stylistic perspective, the distinguishing features are the shaping of the doors, which are either linear or slanted, on the base units and joining elements. www.scavolini.com
Sam Cronos kitchen│L’Ottocento
Unveiled at Eurocucina during Salone del Mobile in April, the new Sam Cronos kitchen designed by architect Samuele Mazza for L’Ottocento sports a large central island complete with six burners connected to a futuristic air extraction system, and a double-workstation hob allowing two people to cook at the same time. www.lottocento.it
GranBaristo Avanti │Saeco
Fully automatic espresso machines are nothing new. But fully connected? If you are yearning to orchestrate your next caffeinated beverage from your tablet, Saeco designed the GranBaristo Avanti with you in mind. Download the app, secure a connection via Bluetooth 4.0 and choose from 18 drink options (yes, the buttons on the machine still work, too). www.philips.com
Foodshelf │Scavolini
With Foodshelf, Scavolini has completely eliminated the pretense of a boundary between kitchen and living areas. Designed by Ora-ïto, the star of the kitchen is the central island, characterized by clean and elegant lines and equipped with a hob, sink and concealed hood. It is surrounded by highly customizable modular elements that play on closed and open spaces. www.scavolini.com
