Whether you want to furnish a mountain kitchen with a rustic or modern style, there is no shortage of options regarding cooking appliances. To make your wishes come true, products with a minimal style can be choosen, which fit well into any environment, or retro-style appliances, which however have advanced technologies capable of guaranteeing advanced functions to support the user while cooking.

Induction technology with Dual Max Power zone
Thanks to its essential style, the induction hob integrates into any context, allowing to exploit the advantages of this cooking method. The FSH 905 ID WT BK model by Fulgor Milano (90 cm), for example, is in glossy black glass ceramic and has 5 induction areas. It is characterized by Wave Touch Slider controls and stands out for having the Dual Max Power area in the centre, i.e. two concentric areas of different sizes and powers: it therefore adapts automatically to pots of different sizes, making cooking easier. Furthermore, the product is equipped with Flexi technology (Automatic Bridge) thanks to which it is possible to combine the 4 single zones into 2 large vertical ones, allowing the use of large trays. In addition, the hob has 9 power levels + booster, preset temperatures (40°, 70°, 90°) and end of cooking timer. As regards safety, it is guaranteed by a system that includes the pan detection sensor, the touch control block, the residual heat indicator and the automatic switch-off with temperature sensor. Finally, the appliance is also available in matt black glass ceramic.

The charm of the past lives again
Bertazzoni’s Heritage Series is inspired by the products created by the company at the beginning of the twentieth century, but enriched with contemporary technologies. In particular, the 60 cm F6011HERVPTAC oven is available in matt black or ivory with chrome or copper details. It has a 76-litre cavity and 11 functions for cooking at medium-low temperatures, with static or ventilated cooking, or for browning with the infrared grill. The appliance is controlled via the knobs and the TFT display, thanks to which it is also possible to manage the thermometric probe and the Bertazzoni Assistant which supports the user during the cooking process. The Total Steam function, on the other hand, allows to steam cook and the water tank can be removed and filled without having to interrupt the cooking program. A further strong point of the oven is the cleaning by pyrolysis, which allows to easily clean the appliance using heat, without the need for detergents. Finally, the door has a quadruple athermal glass which guarantees safety and efficiency.

Combined steam oven
For those who love contemporary style, there are several options that also integrate well into the kitchen of a mountain home. Among these, the ICBCSO30TE/S/TH combined steam oven from Wolf E transitional series (distributed in Italy by Frigo2000) allows you to use the benefits of steam for cooking. The product is characterized by a modern stainless steel finish with a tubular handle and an electronic display. It is 45 cm high and has an internal volume of 51 liters and 13 cooking functions, including Gourmet automatic steam with temperature and humidity sensor, Automatic delicate cooking at low temperature, Food warmer (80°C) and Degree-controlled steam cooking from 30°C to 100°C. Furthermore, it also has the function to regenerate already cooked food and includes 14 automatic recipes, as well as the possibility of recording personalized cooking modes. Finally, the oven is in A+ energy class.

Professional equipment
The 150 cm P15FSNE3/BUG cooking block is part of Ilve ‘s Nostalgie collection, which interprets tradition in a modern key. The Burgundy Red color and the brass finishes of the handles, knobs and frames create a retro effect, while the latest generation technologies are able to satisfy the needs of even the most demanding users. The product, in this configuration, features a gas hob with 7 burners (including a double crown burner and fish rack), Coupe de Feu and Fry Top plate. Furthermore, it is equipped with two electric ovens: a main one and a secondary one. Ilve ‘s P15N cooking blocks are available in various configurations and with different colors and finishes. Furthermore, they can be completed with the ladle holder panel and the hood. In addition to the 150 cm blocks, the Nostalgie range includes smaller appliances, with one or two ovens and also with an induction hob.

Refrigerator is an indispensable appliance for any type of home, even when it’s a second home, for example at the seaside, where people spend holidays especially in the hottest season. Keeping food and drinks fresh is not a problem, indeed the most recent models of refrigerators are equipped with technologies that preserve the freshness of food for a long time and, depending on the appliance, also allow the dispensing of fresh water and ice. Furthermore, the variety of available proposals (in terms of dimensions, aesthetics, etc.) makes it easy to find the most suitable solution for any type of kitchen.

More space in the same footprint
Designed to fit 75 cm niches, with a height of 193 cm, Grundig Himalaya 75 offers more capacity than a standard fridge-freezer. Thus, it satisfies the needs of those who want more space for storing fresh food, without having to give up a built-in model. The appliance is equipped with the latest generation technologies, such as the VitaminZone drawer which preserves the vitamin contents of fruit and vegetables. Inside, a special alternation of light stimuli simulates the natural 24-hour solar cycle: the colored lights follow one another (4 hours blue light, 2 hours green light, 6 hours red light and 12 hours dark) to allow vitamins A and C and the nutrients to be stored longer. Furthermore, the presence of two separate and independent cooling systems maximizes product performance by guaranteeing a correct level of humidity in the refrigerator compartment and a dry environment in the freezer.

Coordinated aesthetics
With Ilve ‘s Nostalgie collection it is possible to design a kitchen environment that is homogeneous in style also with regard to the main appliances. The side-by-side refrigerator combines retro aesthetics and advanced technologies: it is available in different colors and with various finishes for the handles, and is equipped with electronic control and a water and ice dispenser. It offers a large internal volume (the fridge compartment has a net capacity of 336 liters and the freezer compartment of 152 litres) and features the Super cooling and Super freezing functions. The subdivision of the spaces allows to stow food and drinks in an orderly manner: the refrigerator has 4 glass shelves, 2 drawers for fruit and vegetables and 5 balconies on the inner door, while the freezer includes 2 drawers, 4 glass shelves and 2 balconies. Finally, the appliance is energy efficient.

Filtered and also flavored water
Water and refreshing drinks without the need for plastic bottles: Samsung refrigerators with Beverage Center allow to obtain fresh filtered water both from the dispenser and from the integrated carafe which is topped up automatically (thanks to the Autofill function) and which allows to flavor water with fruit, vegetables and flavourings. Furthermore, the Dual Auto Ice Maker, positioned inside the refrigerator, fills up independently and produces two different sizes of ice cubes: the Ice Cubes (useful for refreshing water) and the Ice Bites (smaller and ideal for juices, soft drinks and cocktails). Another plus of the product is the Smart Conversion function which provides 5 different ways to convert the freezer compartment into a refrigerator, according to needs.

Professional design and technologies
The stainless steel exterior and interior give a robust and professional design to the refrigerators of the PRO line by Sub-Zero (built-in and freestanding), distributed in Italy by Frigo2000. They are equipped with a double refrigeration system (one for the refrigerator compartment and the other for the freezer) and a triple evaporator which allows to set different temperatures in the upper compartment of the refrigerator and in the refrigerator drawers. Furthermore, the Air purification system (technology invented by the NASA) reduces bacteria, viruses and the amount of ethylene gas that is emitted by some foods. In particular, the ICBPRO3650G model is characterized by the triple glass door resistant to UV rays. The fridge compartment has, among its equipment, a drawer with a lid that keeps the humidity level high and 2 removable stainless steel containers; the freezer, on the other hand, is equipped with an automatic ice maker with a removable steel container and the Max Ice function which increases the ice production by 40% in a 24-hour period.

The Italian culture of good cooking finds its equivalent in Made in Italy appliances, designed to prepare both the simplest and the most elaborate recipes in the best possible way and with ease. The combination of craftsmanship and innovative technology has made it possible to create appliances that are aesthetically beautiful and, at the same time, able to guarantee the best cooking results. Quality materials and refined finishes are the distinctive features of freestanding ovens, hobs and cookers that are characterized by attention to detail and sturdiness. In addition, the multiplicity of proposed solutions is able to satisfy the most varied customization needs.

Seven induction areas The Sofia 48" Pro All Glass induction cooker (model F6PIR487S1) by Fulgor Milano has 7 cooking zones, including the Dual Max Power area, located in the centre, and an area composed by two inductors which can also operate in Bridge mode and be used with Teppanyaki plate, grill or large trays. Furthermore, through the professional knobs it is possible to have precise control of the induction, adjustable on 9 levels + Booster. Further product features are the residual heat indicator, the pan recognition, the child lock and the easy-to-clean glass ceramic surface. The cooker is also equipped with two ovens (a main appliance with double ventilation and a support oven): these are multifunctional and self-cleaning products, with soft closing doors and a telescopic grill for each oven. Other pluses are the meat probe and the rapid preheat function. As for the aesthetics, the cooker is available in different colors and finishes; in addition, the plate with the company logo can be customized.

Three appliances in one A single 90 cm appliance that combines an induction hob, an integrated hood and an oven: this is the peculiarity of the PROCH94I1ECAT cooker by Bertazzoni (Professional Series). The hob has 4 cooking zones, while the hood located in the center is equipped with 9 power levels + Boost. By setting the hood to the "Automatic" function, the extraction power is set based on the number and power of the induction zones actually used. In the product, the attention to detail is also expressed with the possibility of choosing the type of grid that covers the extraction area: a first solution is characterized by the Bertazzoni logo in brass, while the second by a minimalist design and the flush realization with the induction hob. As for the oven, it has a 103-litre cavity, 11 cooking functions, a digital electronic programmer and a temperature probe. Finally, the Carbon finish is obtained with the same type of paint that is applied to Italian luxury sports cars.

A precious and versatile cooking area In Castone collection by Foster, steel is custom sculpted to accommodate induction technology. The hob, proposed in a linear or angular configuration, has 3 glass-ceramic cooking zones and the relative control panel. The plates are set in the frame obtained from a solid plate of AISI 304 stainless steel, 4 mm thick. In both versions the top is available in satin steel, Foster PVD Gun Metal, Copper and Gold finishes. Moreover, the product has 9 power settings per zone + Powerboost, touch control commands and Pot detector, Heat maintenance, Recall, Pause functions, etc.

Refined and with professional technologies Panoramagic ovens by Ilve are available in different sizes to adapt to every space and need: 60 cm, 90 cm or 76 cm. Elegant and at the same time rational in design, they are equipped with professional level technologies: from Quick Start rapid preheating, to precise temperature control, to steam for more or less humid cooking, etc. The TFT electronic touch display, which allows for constant management and monitoring of the oven functions, is flanked by the large knob with integrated LED, which distinguishes the aesthetics of the Panoramagic collection.

by Patrizia Bianchi

Even those who are not very familiar with cooking can easily prepare an excellent Christmas dinner using the technologies of the most advanced ovens. The availability of cooking techniques and tools derived from the professional world (such as steam and the temperature probe) helps to achieve results that were unthinkable some time ago. Furthermore, the automatic programs allow a guided management of the process in order to avoid errors thanks to the presence of pre-set parameters. Moreover, there are models which in the standard of 60 cm offer a large internal capacity and products equipped with systems facilitating the cleaning operations.

Optimal results with steam Six steam cooking modes, 11 programs and 9 special functions: the Atmos multifunction oven by Fulgor Milano allows to experience the advantages of steam for a healthy and tasty cooking, which preserves meat and fish juices, makes the doughs soft inside and crunchy outside, and allows to preserve the nutrients of the vegetables. The use of the oven is simple: the control panel opens and the water tank (1.5 liters) is easily extracted for refilling, when necessary, without having to open the appliance door. The steam temperature is reached quickly (less than 5 minutes) and the product has an autonomy of over 3 hours for steam cooking at 100°C. Furthermore, the choice of programs is intuitive thanks to the display with icons representing the different types of food. Among the various functions, then, there is also the specific one for cooking pizza, selecting which the oven reaches a temperature of 290°C.

Multifunction cooking in A++ class The multifunction oven of the S4001 series by Foster allows to cook with ease thanks to the different cooking programs. The appliance, with touch control commands, is equipped with Self Cooking electronic programming, a system that allows you to recall a large set of pre-set recipes and also to store them. A further feature of the product is the thermo probe, which measures the core temperature of food in real time to obtain the right point of cooking. In addition, the oven is comfortable to use thanks to the telescopic full extension rails and the soft closing door. Moreover, the rapid pre-heating function allows to reach 200°C quickly. The product is also designed with attention to the issue of efficiency: it is in A++ class and includes the eco ventilated cooking program. Finally, cleaning is facilitated by the cavity with Easy Clean enamel and the Acquaclean cleaning program.

Trivalent oven for combined cooking Available in the Nostalgie and Professional Plus collections, the Ultracombi electric oven by Ilve is a trivalent and compact model (60 cm, 36 liters capacity), equipped with functions for combined cooking with different techniques (hot air, steam and microwave). The operating temperature varies from 30°C to 250°C and, thanks to the 5 single processes and 4 combined programs, it is possible to reduce cooking times, achieving high performance. Using the TFT touch display, you can for example integrate microwaves with grill or ventilation and steam. The product is made of painted steel for the Nostalgie collection (code 645SNHSW) and in stainless steel (645SLHSW) or black tempered glass (645STCHSW) for the Professional Plus collection.

Ilve has recently anounced the acquisition of the Optima’s assets. «We are glad to inform you – the Bord of Directors said – that Ilve Spa, through its subsidiary Officine Venete Srl, has redefined the acquisition of the assets belonging to Optima Srl. Optima’s history, which inherited Terim’s and Fratelli Onofri’s expertise, has its foundations in an industrial district that represents one of the Italian excellences in the design and manufacturing of appliances».

Ilve’s management also added: «A history of positive feedbacks and experiences, has led to the decision that these values are worth of being preserved; Ilve’s goal is to enhance this heritage. This strategic decision fits with Ilve’s current development and growth plans, and matches with the objectives for the relaunch of the brand, with the goal of being increasingly competitive and proactive in the international markets».

Already winner of the Good Design Award 2017, Panoramagic, the range of freestanding cooker realized by ILVE is also winner of the Archiproducts Design Award 2021.The first version of Panoramagic was launched by Ilve during the 1960s. Now, the model has updated its form and offers a full range of solutions to fit into any interior design.

The range of Panoramagic cookers combines the technical features of professional kitchens with the Italian design. Three models are available: 120 cm with a double oven and 90 cm with 6 burners or with an induction hob. They are characterised by tilted control panel, large knobs fitted with integrated ignition and Led lighting and front handle. The design of the cast iron supports and shape of the red position marker on the knobs recall the hexagonal motif of the ILVE logo.

The dimensions of Panoramagic built-in ovens are ideal for every space and need: 60 cm, 90 cm or 30” (76 cm). Both elegant and rational in design, they feature professional technologies to guarantee perfect cooking results: from the Quick Start quick preheating, to the precise temperature control, to the steam discharge for more or less moist cooking. The electronic TFT touch display is combined with the large knob with integrated LED, the unmistakeable aesthetic signature of the Panoramagic collection.

The Panoramagic hoods, instead, are perfectly coordinated with the cooking blocks in design, colors and metallic finishes. They combine an unmistakable aesthetic personality with a wise use of technologies. In addition to filtering and purifying the air in the kitchen, they are equipped with infrared lights to keep food warm, as in professional kitchens.

Among the cooking home appliances crested by ILVE, Pizza Oven is the specific solution for those who love prepare pizza at home. The model is able to cook at 400°C, preparing a crispy and tasty pizza in 2 minutes. This performance is achieved thanks to the special shape of the inner muffle that uses deflectors and air conveyors concentrated both above and below the pizza. The constructive components of the machine contribute to this result and allow it to withstand such high temperatures.

The Pizza Oven, however, also performs all the functions of a traditional oven thus expanding its range of use. By removing the deflectors consumers will obtain a compact oven with the same features of a regular convection oven, with three cooking levels and a temperature adjustable from 30° to 400°.

ILVE supplies Pizza Oven with many accessories, such as 2 deflectors that create the optimal air circulation in the cavity, which is essential for a perfect cooking of pizza; 2 racks, whose purpose is to hold the pizza in position and to allow for a perfect and uniformed cooking even of the bottom. A stainless steel professional peel is also supplied to put pizzas in the oven in a safe and easy way, while the stainless steel pastry board, useful for spreading out and working the dough, is supplied as an optional.

More and more among cookers and increasingly careful to health: today people give great value to feeling good in the kitchen, one of the most lived environments in the home, where the concept of well-being ranges from quality nutrition to quality of the air you breathe.

Well-being in the kitchen involves various areas and appliances can play an important role in meeting the needs of users, starting with eating well and healthy. Among the latest innovations, a product with very interesting performance is the combined steam oven, which allows to mix heat and steam, with controlled humidity percentages in order to obtain excellent results even when cooking light but tasty dishes. Thanks to this appliance, not only it is possible to cook using steam but, by introducing humidity into the oven cavity, it is possible, for example, to prepare more succulent and not dry meat and fish, as weel as soft inside and externally crunchy bakery and pastry products. Furthermore, the combined steam oven allows to obtain good results even when users want to regenerate previously cooked food. The use of this appliance is not complicated: the preset programs help the user not to make mistakes and to select the correct level of steam.
Even the most advanced multifunction ovens (both the built-in models and those present in freestanding cookers) allow to enjoy quality nutrition without necessarily having to be an expert cook. They are equipped with numerous cooking programs and preselected recipe books: depending on the model, the user can be easily guided in the preparation of pizza, lasagna or the leavening of doughs. In addition, some appliances also have accessories (such as the thermometric probe to measure the core temperature of food or the refractory stone for pizza) that help the user to obtain a perfectly done dish. So it becomes easier to cook at home instead of buying ready-made foods, with the advantage of being able to choose the best raw materials to eat in a healthier way.
In addition to ovens, even the most modern hobs offer functions and technologies for better cooking, enhancing quality ingredients. In both induction and gas appliances, the controls allow users to precisely adjust the intensity of the heat for perfect cooking. Moreover, there are induction models that have automatic programs to immediately have the right temperature to melt, keep warm/slow cook or simmer. Among the latest innovations, then, there are the combined hobs, which join gas burners and induction zones so that it is possible to choose the most suitable type of heat according to the recipe to prepare.
Speaking of well-being in the kitchen, one of the main novelties for the domestic market is vacuum storage/cooking. This tecnique, known for some time in catering, has also been introduced at the consumer level thanks to large and small appliances designed to vacuum pack food and cook them with the sous-vide cooking. Preserving foods with this method allows them to last longer and better preserve their integrity since the deterioration process is slowed down thanks to the suction of air. On the market there are built-in solutions (drawers) or small appliances for vacuum packaging. Both types of products allow to use bags and containers so that both solid and liquid foods can be vacuum packed. Depending on the models, these appliances may have different functions and different vacuum levels, for example for storage or cooking. And regarding sous-vide, it is particularly suitable for favoring well-being and health, because it is based on two fundamental concepts: avoiding the dispersion of nutrients (by eliminating the contact of food with cooking liquids) and cooking slowly, at not too high temperatures, not to ruin raw materials, enhancing their properties. With this type of technique flavors are more intense, while using very little seasonings, which makes the sous-vide ideal even for low-calories and/or low-sodium diets. Also in this case, household appliance industry offers both built-in devices (steam ovens equipped with the sous-vide function) and small appliances such as those featuring a cooking tank, a resistance and a probe for temperature control. In both solutions the process takes place without any particular user intervention, which does not make prolonged cooking times problematic. Furthermore, some types of appliances can also be managed via smartphone and the delayed timer can be programmed.
Another product, borrowed from the professional world and useful for creating a high quality cooking, is the blast chiller. To make this appliance more suitable for the domestic context, some brands have developed multifunction models, able to manage both cold and heat. Raw fish can thus be sanitized (ideal function for preparing sushi at home), freezing at -18°C or blast chilling at 3°C, but also slow cooking and leavening dough is possible. Moreover, by combining the blast chiller with the combined steam oven and the vacuum machine, a real food preparation and cooking system can be created in the kitchen that allows to reach high quality standards. Using the action of these three tools it is possible, for example, to prepare and cook vacuum-sealed single portions on the same day to be consumed throughout the week. The advantages in terms of well-being are many: fresh food is used, food is not wasted because the dishes are preserved better and longer, and people can enjoy the higher quality offered by cooked and vacuum-packed foods: once regenerated they keep their taste and consistency as just made.

Air quality: an increasingly topical issue
The air we breathe is closely linked to our psychophysical well-being, and the kitchen, due to its functional characteristics, is one of the environments in which it can be more easily put at risk: fumes, vapors, odors and pollutants can in fact, be annoying or even harmful to health. To restore the air healthiness in this space of the house, hood manufacturers have developed a wide range of solutions (from extractor models, to filtering ones, to extractor system integrated into the hobs), equipped with advanced technologies and intelligent functions. For example, products have been launched on the market, equipped with sensors, which constantly monitor the level of indoor pollution and automatically activate to purify the air. Furthermore, several appliances are able to connect with the hobs and automatically adjust the suction power according to what you are cooking. On the filtering systems front, on the other hand, among the most advanced solutions there are the long-life filters (which offer high performance and can be regenerated up to 5 years) and systems that use materials of natural origin, such as activated carbon and zeolite, effective in the absorption of organic compounds and water vapor.
Depending on the product, then, the hood can sanitize the air (a topical issue more than ever), helping to significantly reduce the presence of pathogens thanks to technologies that enrich the environment with negative ions. But that’s not all, because there are other areas in which hoods can promote well-being in the kitchen. We think, for example, of appliances equipped with special systems to solve the problem of condensate dripping that tends to form with induction hobs or products designed to be extremely quiet while ensuring high performance. Finally, among the most original proposals, there are hoods equipped with an area dedicated to the cultivation of aromatic plants for having a real home garden in the kitchen, thus combining the well-being of clean air with the idea of ​​favoring a healthier nutrition.
Lastly, a final mention to air purifiers/sanitizers, which represent a possible alternative to eliminate unpleasant odors and substances potentially harmful. Today, many versions are available, designed for spaces of different sizes and with both portable solutions and wall or ceiling installation. They restore air quality, sometimes using the same technologies found in hoods. Furthermore, these products, precisely because they fit into the home environment, are designed with a certain attention to the the aesthetic aspect and some models also work as lamps.

Diversified solutions for every aspect of well-being in the kitchen
The household appliance industry expresses a wide know-how in terms of products developed to ensure well-being in the kitchen. On the one hand, people’s interest in trying even elaborate preparations, in the name of a healthy and higher quality diet, has found – as already mentioned – an answer in advanced appliances, sometimes inspired by the professional world but declined in domestic environment. On the other hand, the experience with the pandemic is increasing the attention to devices capable of purifying indoor air. So, what is the offer panorama in detail? And is the “new normal” changing the users’ approach to well-being in the kitchen and the desired equipment? To answer this questions, we involved some appliance brands.

Lorenzo Baraldi, General Manager of Baraldi
1 In its range of household appliances, Baraldi proposes the AirO’ series of air sanitizers with cold plasma technology which, by exploiting a chemical principle present in nature, is very effective against pathogens.

The products of the AirO’ series do not replace the air exchange in the rooms, which is always recommended and, indeed, indispensable for diluting the concentration of pollutants, but they represent an excellent help to protect our health by significantly reducing the presence of viruses, bacteria, spores, fungi and molds, as well as eliminating odors. We have integrated the system in some appliances (for example the Original Free ceiling hood, the Fortune hanging hood, the Wall wall-mounted hood and the Diamond Flexi induction hob with integrated extraction system in which AirO’ can be applied as an option) and it works independently from the main flow of the suction motor. The hood can be used in suction mode anyway, with the tube connected to the outside, or as a filtering with the recirculation of the air inside the kitchen. When the need is felt, the AirO’ module can be activated enriching the air with negative ions, beneficial to health and effective in a few minutes against any bad odor. AirO’ is designed to last over 45,000 hours without the need for maintenance or external connections. Valid and safe, as it does not release ozone, it helps to have high quality air in the kitchen, giving the opportunity to breathe and live better. We believe that this solution can become a fundamental presence in homes, offices, shops, hotels and any other closed place attended by public.
The principle of cold plasma ionization is very similar to what occurs in nature with thunderbolts. No disinfectants are used and no other substances are injected into the air: a controlled voltage electric field causes the increase of kinetic energy of the air molecules, which collide at high speed, releasing ions (atoms or molecules that have lost or acquired electrons). After this “cold” chemical transformation the air becomes plasma, that is a partially ionized gas composed of a great variety of particles. The ionized oxygen molecules are able to disaggregate many pollutants and damage the cellule membranes of viruses and bacteria, destroying them. The effectiveness of ionization against microbial agents, in particular, is very high: tests carried out by independent bodies have verified that it reaches 95% within a few hours and can exceed 99.5% within a day. Additionally, ionization has agglomerating properties on fine particles, making them less harmful to our lungs.
Today it is possible to exploit the sanitizing action of cold plasma ionization even using portable devices.
2 We are all increasingly careful to what we buy. We are looking for products that use easily recoverable raw materials, less and less energivorous, that can have a second life and can help our well-being. These are choices, on the one hand linked to reasons of health protection, on the other due to a greater sensitivity towards environmental issues and the protection of natural ecosystems. We are interested in having a clean environment even at home or in our workplace, and all the new products that Baraldi is developing are designed to improve air quality in environments where people spend many hours a day.

Alessandra Garbuglia, Elica Brand Manager
1 Air quality is becoming increasingly important, but the concept of well-being in the kitchen is much wider and goes beyond this. We spend more and more time in our homes and the kitchen, often open to the living area, is the most lived environment. In this context, space management becomes fundamental as well as comfort given by appliances able to work silently. Elica’s entire range of NikolaTesla suction hobs was created to combine two usually separate functions: cooking and suction. By its very nature, this product is ideal for optimizing space, as well as ensuring an environment free of fumes and bad smells. This is thanks to the high performance long life filters that ensure filtering thresholds of 80% (compared to the market average of 60%) and can be regenerated for up to 5 years: a perfect solution for those who, in addition to the air they breathe every day at home, are careful to the surrounding environment. NikolaTesla Fit, the new born of the range, contains all the advantages of an extractor hob even in the most compact kitchens, since it can be installed in bases of only 60 cm in width. Small sizes, but without renouncing to flexibility and comfort during cooking: the Bridge function allows to unite two zones, creating a single area dedicated to the largest pans, ensuring a constant cooking temperature. Moreover, thanks to the Autocapture function, NikolaTesla Fit automatically adjusts the suction power according to what you are cooking, maintaining the perfect balance between silence, power and energy efficiency. All that remains is to dedicate yourself to your own recipe!

2 Current circumstances are bringing us closer and closer to our personal spaces, increasing our attention to food, air quality and home space management. We are increasingly attentive to eating habits, we prefer local raw materials and we have introduced healthier and more balanced cooking, to improve our physical well-being. Home has become the space where we spend more time, where we work, have dinner, stay healthy and dedicate to our hobbies. For this reason, multifunctional solutions capable of optimizing spaces are now fundamental elements for the most attentive consumers and air quality becomes an important requirement to better enjoy kitchen. In this context, hood and hobs with integrated extraction play a crucial role, eliminating fumes and bad smells and returning clean air to the house.

Lorenzo Poser, Sales and Marketing Director of Falmec

1 All Falmec extractor hoods are inspired by the concept of quality of air and life at home. Precisely to satisfy this need for indoor well-being, Falmec has developed four types of technologies in particular: Circle.Tech, present in the Dama island hood, which combines suction and filtration in a single motor allowing maximum performance in a small space; the E.ion System technology (as in the Bellaria purifier or in the E.ion Gruppo Incasso hood), which sanitizes and neutralizes odors, irritants and pollutants thanks to a controlled bipolar ionization system; the NRS technology, which reduces the traditional suction noise in the home (as in the Zenith NRS island hood); and finally the Carbon.Zeo filters which, thanks to the absorbing capacity of carbon and zeolite, significantly reduce odors and humidity of cooking vapors.

2 We believe that, in this historical period, we are all strongly oriented towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. For this reason, the achievement of well-being and psycho-physical balance is sought through healthy eating, sports, socializing and feeling good breathing healthy air even at home.

Serena Sorana, Head of trade marketing & Responsible for Faber brand guideline of Franke Home Solutions
1 Interpreting the growing attention paid to the quality of the air we breathe within the walls of the house – where we spend up to 90% of our time, coming in contact with a mix of harmful agents that can compromise our well-being -, we are developing a new range of hoods equipped with a sensor that allows to monitor the level of indoor pollution 24 hours a day. These new models will be able to control parameters such as temperature, percentage of humidity, but also the presence in the home of volatile organic compounds or other harmful substances by automatically adjusting the suction speed of the hood to restore the better air quality. But that’s not all: a special App (available for both Android and Apple devices) will allow to monitor the indoor air at any time, even remotely. An intuitive and smart way to easily improve home well-being, freeing the environment from odors and pollutants and detecting other indices, such as humidity, which can affect our health within the house walls. A special mention also deserves the Onyx-T model, the wall hood of the Onyx line, designed by the Angeletti & Ruzza studio. This model, besides being characterized by the linear and minimal design and by the low consumption that places it in A++ class contains the exclusive Sil & Still technology which, thanks to the Eco Function button, activates the hood operation for 24 hours in ultra-quiet mode, helping to make indoor air healthier with the minimum energy consumption and noise. The green light of the Eco Function button is in fact the only indication that the hood is working. The appliance can be installed in filtering or suction mode and is designed to be connected to Faber induction hobs for automatic and synchronized activation of the hood with the cooking level set on the hob.
2 Certainly the health emergency has significantly increased attention to aspects related to health and at the same time has further increased the centrality of the domestic environment also in terms of the search for well-being within the home walls. A study that we commissioned to Ipsos at the end of 2019 had shown that, even before the pandemic, people were interested in having more information on indoor pollution, perceived the link between domestic air quality and health/well-being and indicated kitchen as the environment where the air quality, inside home, was put at greater risk. Obviously this issue has become even more important in this last year for people, but also for companies. A challenge, that of containing domestic pollution, which is central since within the walls of the house we come in contact with a mix of chemical, physical and biological agents that compromise the air we breathe for many hours of our day and, consequently, our well-being: this can even lead to the aggravation of pre-existing diseases, especially in children and older people. For this reason today Faber continues to invest in research and innovation to eliminate annoying fumes and vapors in the kitchen, and to activate campaigns to promote the change of filters and raise awareness among users on the importance of a correct maintenance – two relevant elements in improving our domestic well-being. The company is also committed to developing solutions and technologies that guarantee a 360° improvement in indoor air quality thanks to the use of intelligent functions.

Paolo Mainardi, Brand Manager of Fulgor Milano
1 In the kitchen environment there are different levels of well-being: from furniture treated with substances that are not harmful to health if inhaled, to the cleanliness of the air guaranteed by the aspiration and filtration of fumes and odors, to the hygiene ensured by specific washing cycles for dishes and glasses, up to the materials used for the construction of the appliances that are in direct contact with food and drinks in compliance with the Moca regulations. Considering our product range, it is possible to identify some peculiarities of our appliances that guarantee a better approach to food health, waste reduction and, in general, a more appropriate diet: steam cooking, slow cooking, storage with vacuum and blast chiller, cleaning the inside of the ovens with systems that have less impact on the environment (such as pyrolysis with a catalyst that eliminates the use of harmful substances and the release of gases that increase pollution in the domestic space).

2 The year 2020, spent by the most of families among restrictions, forced closures, smart-working and fear of infections, has certainly influenced the way of thinking about health and well-being, with greater attention to nutrition, energy consumption, physical and psychological well-being, reactivating many of the latent skills in people, dormant beacuse of the too frantic and stressful way of life. Activities such as preparation of food at home and production of dishes starting from natural and fresh ingredients have reappeared, to the detriment of ready or pre-cooked foods. The need and pleasure of sharing meals also contributed to re-establish a balance in relationships among members of the same family unit.

Marco Guerzoni, Marketing Director of Glem Gas

1 I state that all the products we make are cared in detail not only in the aesthetic aspect but also and above all in their functional aspect. As “Specialisti in cottura” (cooking specialists), in fact, we have the aim of offering concrete, pragmatic products that ensure the user the best experience in the kitchen with excellent performance and maximum ease of use. Let’s take for example the new Specialista cookers line, with ventilated gas oven: the classic traditional gas cooking, combined with the use of fan and thanks to the environment created inside the new cavity sealed without joints, provides excellent distribution and heat intensity on multiple levels. The humidity generated in the cavity during this process preserves the juices inside the cooked dishes and therefore mineral salts, vitamins and nutrients. Another example of products that favour well-being in the kitchen are the new tempered glass hobs included in the range dedicated to the Italian market: they combine a refined design with high heat resistance, easy cleaning and a powerful and precise operation. Thanks to the innovative setting system in the controls, which allows to adjust the power of the flame with precision on 9 fixed preset levels, maximum control of cooking is guaranteed, while best preserving the nutritional properties of food. Finally, I can mention the GHB990IX hood, efficient and with enhanced functionality: it is equipped with dishwasher-safe metal grease filters and with the CleanAir function which allows to renew the air in the kitchen autonomously and without voluntary activation thanks to the automatic switching of the suction system. The hood can be installed in suction or filtering mode, giving the user the possibility to freely choose the system that best suits his needs. It is not necessary to have sophisticated suction systems but it is essential to carefully select the most suitable one for the kitchen to obtain excellent air purification; as well as for the power it is important to choose not the highest one but the right one for the size of the environment.

2 Surely due to the pandemic in progress, but also due to the environmental crisis that we are facing, user has become more sensitive to these issues. The constant search for healthier, zero-kilometer and quality foods, together with the desire to cook them at best with your own appliances to enjoy them in your own home, led the kitchen to be the central place of the house once again, a place to live fully and share with loved ones, where to live experiences, feeling at ease and safe.

Gianluigi Freschi, Ceo – General Manager of Ilve
1 At Ilve we are convinced that “cooking well” means loving yourself, it is in our DNA and is clearly expressed in our mission as well. By “cooking well” we mean that set of actions that involve consumer, from the choice of raw materials to the methods of preparation, cooking and conservation. Today Ilve has a combined system that associates three different devices and is called Colonna Stellata (Starry Column). In a single set it is possible to have 3 machines: multifunction oven (convection, microwave and steam), blast chiller and vacuum machine. In particular, the Ultracombi multifunction oven is equipped with cooking probe and allows to have up to 9 combined functions, two by two, among convection, microwave and steam; moreover, it is possible to cook with steam from 40° to 100° and temperature is adjustable on any single degree. As for the blast chiller, this appliance has numerous functions (such as positive blast chilling, defrosting, ready on the table, slow cooking, leavening, freezing from room temperature to -20° and rapid bottle cooling), while the vacuum machine is equipped with a professional bell chamber, 4 sealing levels up to 99%, 4 m3/h vacuum pump and marinating function. The combination of these three appliances allows, for example, to cook according to the methods of batch cooking, that is, the serial kitchen which allows the cook to save time: I program my weekly menu, I shop in a single solution and concentrate preparations and cooking in a single phase. I prepare, cook, chill and store: to our customers who use these appliances, we “give back” the most important value, that is time that is translated into quality of life.

Marco Di Leo, Ceo of R.G.V.
1 Our slicers – R.G.V. core business – promote well-being as they allow you to easily use the so-called “products bought by the farmer” in the kitchen, that are quality, zero-kilometer, biological foods. And the advantage is twofold: in addition to enjoy the greater freshness and quality of food, there is also an economic saving. In fact, instead of buying small quantities of product purchased over the counter, more targeted purchases can be made in larger quantities with a consequent advantage in terms of costs. Let’s think, for example, of cold cuts, fruit, vegetables and some types of cheeses: there is absolutely no comparison between products sliced ​​at home and those already packaged. Furthermore, after using the slicer, our range of products for vacuum packing allows to repackage the purchased food, maintaining quality and freshness over time, and consequently avoiding food waste. This can be done by using, for example, the special vacuum bags that we make and which are the first on the market to be totally recyclable: so well-being for persons but also for the planet.

2 Although I have no data to confirm it, I believe anyway that at the moment there is particular attention to issues related to health and well-being. Regarding small appliances, I can say that basically all the appliances we use at home serve in some way to facilitate our experience in the kitchen by making us and those around us feel good. And in particular, the slicers and vacuum products are designed to promote health and well-being with a focus on saving and reducing waste.

The recyclable packaging for vacuum machine R.G.V., in collaboration with the Italian-German company Niederwiesergroup, has given birth to the NextFlex project, that is a new line of fully recyclable embossed bags and rolls for vacuum packaging. These products, composed of a monopolyolefin-based co-extruded, can be thrown into the plastic and then return to having a second "life" in the perspective of the circular economy. In addition, they feature a high perforation resistance and heat resistance and good sealability.

Giorgio Re, Administrator and Product Development Manager of Reber

1 For several years, Reber has been producing vacuum packaging appliances and recently we have also introduced appliances for sous-vide, low temperature cooking: the Gourmet Sous-Vide line. Vacuum improves and lengthens the preservation of food and sous-vide cooking at low temperatures allows to enhance the flavors and properties of food, minimizing waste, the loss of nutrients and the use of seasonings and flavorings. Our appliances have some peculiar characteristics: the absolutely precise temperature control thanks to the sensors inserted in the cooking tank and to the resistance mounted on the bottom of the product that respects the natural movement of water by convection; the possibility to control the appliance with a smartphone application; the programming function with delayed start, which allows cooking start even if the user is not at home so to find the food ready on returning; the efficient use of the appliance (70% space for food, 30% for water); and an absolutely modest electrical consumption when compared with other appliances, such as circulators, or with traditional cooking at high temperatures.

2 During 2020 we have seen a very strong increase in the interest for home cooking products, even for more elaborate preparations that require more time and skills than in the past. Vacuum cooking is absolutely part of this trend, since it allows to significantly improve the final result, both in terms of organoleptic quality and respect for the properties of food. The hope is that these trends will be confirmed even when the health emergency we are experiencing has passed, because some technologies, such as vacuum cooking, are convenient to use even when you are away from home all day, thanks to the possibility of programming the device and finding food ready when you return from work.

Brightly, pale or neutral: the chromatic variants in household appliances are more and more numerous, to provide the best possible integration with the house furnishings and meet the taste of users with a view to greater customization.

By Elena Corti

Today, the color of an household appliance is a far from secondary element. Whether large or small appliances, these products are increasingly “dressed” with an appealing look, with styles able to satisfy the most different needs and tastes. Regarding large appliances, products as ovens, freestanding cookers or hoods now offer a certain variety of colors and finishes. But also the traditionally White Goods (washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators) are proposed in some colored versions to give a touch of vivacity to the environment or to harmonize with the furniture. Even air conditioners can be “transformed ” into elements of color: on the market, for example, products have been launched with prints or photographs integrated into the front panel, becoming like paintings.
On the small domestic appliances front, colorful proposals are not missing. Starting with the kitchen appliances, both for breakfast (for example coffee machines, juicers, extractors, kettles and toasters) and for food preparation (such as food processors, slicers, blenders and mixers). Here the brands really offer a remarkable variety of colors: from bright shades, to pastel tones, up to hi-tech colors. After all, these are appliances that often remain on display in the kitchen and therefore their aesthetic appeal is no less important than their functionality. But also other types of products are increasingly offered with colored details or bright colors, which make these appliances more trendy: for example, appliances for personal care and beauty – both for women and men – such as hair dryers, hair straightener, epilators and razors. Finally, even cleaning products (electric brooms, handheld vacuum cleaners, vacuum cleaners) and irons are made more pleasing to the eye thanks to “touches” of color.
More generally, depending on brands and type of appliance (small or large appliances), you can find bright colors such as red, yellow or orange or more delicate tones such as pink, green and blue. Neutral colors, then, are not missing, such as gray, beige, ivory and cream. Furthermore, even if the color range has expanded, white, black and stainless steel remain timeless proposals. White never seems to go out of fashion and is a solution that in induction hobs can create an effect of perfect integration with the kitchen top. Black, then, continues to dominate for its elegance and essentiality, and is proposed in different finishes: for example material, glossy or in combination with metal parts. The stainless steel aesthetic, on the other hand, is one of the most suitable solutions to enhance the professional and hi-tech aspect of the product, and fits very well within a contemporary furniture. Sometimes, the purity of steel is combined with color details like in some freestanding kitchens with colored handles and knobs. Furthermore, to satisfy the need to better harmonize household appliances placed in the same environment, one of the latest trends is the proposal of coordinated collections no longer just for small household appliances (as sets for breakfast or for food preparation) but also of large appliances to be installed in a column or in line to have greater aesthetic uniformity (for example coordinated collections for the kitchen including different types of ovens, hobs, microwaves, hoods and drawers). Finally, as already mentioned, the theme of color is not only a matter of shades but also of treatments and finishes: from the painting techniques inspired by the luxury sports car industry to the processes such as satin finishing, polishing and chrome plating, there are many possibilities guaranteed by manufacturers of household appliances that combine, in the definition of a product, craftsmanship and propensity for innovation.

The distinctive factor that gives personality
Color concurs to give character to an appliances, distinguishes it and makes it special. It is therefore an important factor, which plays a role in the conception of a product, as confirmed by some companies in the sector. «Color contributes to give personality to the appliance – declares Marco Guerzoni, Marketing Director of Glem Gas -. There are models that were born to remain in their original version of professional and timeless product thanks to the use of stainless steel. Others, instead, are born to be developed in shapes, details and functions and to be offered in different colors. Today the appliance is considered the true protagonist of the kitchen and a piece of furniture, whether it is a minimal, modern appliance born to integrate completely in the furniture (and so conceived in the shape and color to marry at best with the furniture until it merges with it), whether it is a device conceived with an appealing personality and color, to attract attention from the first glance».
The nuances launched on the market are sometimes inspired by the latest fashion trends, in other cases they refer to “symbolic” meanings connected to the influence that colors exert on mood and well-being. Consumer is attentive to the symbolism of color – explains Gianluigi Freschi, Ceo-General Manager of Ilve – because he relates the chromatic element with factors such as fashion, taste and style, but not only: Pantone has decreed, as Color of The Year 2021, not one but two colors to underline the complexity of the phase we are experiencing and, therefore, the difficulty in bringing it back to a unique and single chromatic interpretation. The Colors of The Year 2021 “Ultimate Gray” and “Illuminating” are two visual languages that simultaneously suggest reflexivity and hope: color, in this case, leaves the boundaries of pure style exercise to take on a different value role.» The chromatic element therefore has a value that goes beyond aesthetics in the strict sense and this is particularly evident if you think of the kitchen, a space where people spend more and more time and where they want to create an environment capable of reflect the personality of those who live there. «Undoubtedly color is a characterizing element for an appliance, above all because it must dialogue with a kitchen environment that is increasingly developed in a space open to the living area – affirms Tiziana Prosperi, Technician Graphic & Design Manager of Franke Home Solutions -. For this reason, today hood must communicate the same style and also harmonize in chromatic terms with the other components and with their design. Today color no longer has only a purely aesthetic value, but also an emotional and functional value. For all these reasons, it is a fundamental factor during the consumer purchase evaluations.» The wideness of the offer that the home appliance industry is able to supply today responds to the need for customization that emerges from users, interested in finding solutions that fully satisfy their specific desires. «Without any doubt – affirms Paolo Mainardi, Brand Manager of Fulgor Milano – the possibility of choosing between different color solutions with shades closer to the consumer’s feeling is one of the ingredients that can guide the purchase decision.» Personalization is a key theme because the preference for certain colors rather than others is a very subjective fact and every choice in terms of nuance says who we are, as Lorenzo Baraldi points out. «Color – explains the General Manager of Baraldi – is a tool for conveying personality and uniqueness, it is a distinctive element: the choice of the colors of our home is crucial to communicate who we are. And the possibility of proposing different colors orient companies and research towards increasingly personalized offers.»
However, the importance of color in defining a product and in guiding the consumer’s decision can vary according to the type of product itself: it seems in fact a less decisive element in more professional appliances, as underlined by the CEO of R.G.V. Marco Di Leo. «In my opinion – he explains – the fact that the color of an appliance is a distinctive element depends on the product. As far as R.G.V. is concerned, we have always paid particular attention to realize appliances with a strong professional impact and, as such, the most important factor is the material they are made of. If steel, the better. Neutral colors of the alloys, however, have always a great success. For other products, however, I believe that color can certainly make the difference, if it is guessed with respect to the object itself.» Finally, another aspect to consider in relation to the theme of color is the time factor: if you think, for example, of large appliances, these products are designed to last a long time and for this reason they should not tire those who own them. «It is undeniable – explains Fabrizio Crisà, Global Design Director of Elica – that color can be a characterizing and attractive element for consumers. However, a distinction must be made between what is trendy, and therefore by definition appealing for a limited period of time, from what consumer really evaluates at the time of purchase. The automotive world can teach us a lot on the subject: the models are available in many colors, often the most particular are also the protagonists of communication, but then the products that record the highest sales are the classic ones in white, black or gray. In the world of fashion, on the contrary, color becomes the basis of the collections, we live of the “pantone” of the year, and then change, shortly after, the entire wardrobe to adopt the tone of the new trends. An appliance has a very long life, so binding to a particular color becomes a “brave” choice. Appliances are an integral part of the kitchen, therefore the problem of matching with the finishes of the furniture and the environment arises immediately. This does not mean abandoning the idea of colored appliances, but rather finding the right chromatic and material balance. This is what we try to do in Elica: proposing timeless products, in harmony with the environment and able to give a distinctive touch. Another path we are following is thinking of customizable solutions according to the tastes and needs of consumers. For example, the Nuage and Illusion hoods can be coated with drywall and then painted with the same finish as the wall or ceiling. Or the Rules hood, that is available, besides in glass or Dekton black sirius, also in the Naked version, that is without the aesthetic panel that can be added by the consumer by choosing the material and color he prefers. Breaking the mold means proposing new and characterful solutions, adapting them to the real needs and environments in which the products will come to life.» On the refrigerators front, instead, an interesting proposal in terms of customization is that relating to models equipped with an easily interchangeable front panel: a solution that allows to reinvent the look of the product without having to replace it.

A know-how that grows thanks to research and innovation
Advanced painting techniques, surface treatments and innovative materials make it possible to create a very wide variety of colors and finishes. All this is part of the vast know-how acquired by the household appliance industry, a knowledge that constantly progresses thanks to continuous research and technological innovation. The theme of color, in facts, is closely linked to finishes and materials, even in the perception of the end user. «When we buy a household appliance – explains Lorenzo Baraldi of the homonymous company – its finish strongly affects the purchase choice. And thanks to new technologies, today we can offer numerous options to consumers because it is possible to propose ranges of colors or effects that were unthinkable until a few years ago.» The close connection among surface treatment, materials and chromatic elements is also underlined by Fulgor Milano: «The finish is an integral part of the color – underlines Paolo Mainardi – as happens in our induction hobs which have a white shade (CeraWhite) which perfectly matches with the materials of kitchen furniture worktops. In the same way, the new black material finish, proposed with our Urbantech and Cluster Concept series (MBK version), is the result of the application of the opaque color on different materials such as steel, glass or ceramic glass.»
Materials and colors contribute to make an appliance an innovative appliance and the colors and processes themselves are the result of techniques that evolve over time with a view to innovation. «About ten years ago – explains Marco Di Leo of R.G.V. – we started to make a range of colored slicers and today the Red version is the best-seller on the Italian market. Clearly, then, technology has progressed, so that the paints also served to protect the appliance and make it resistant over time, becoming an element of innovation.»
In order to obtain high quality standards in terms of aesthetics and performance, specific tests are carried out to verify the color duration over time, the resistance to corrosion or to high temperatures, as occurs for example in the Elica Propulsion Laboratory. «The selection of material and color – says Fabrizio Crisà – is an integral part of the innovation that distinguishes household appliances, further more for hoods and hobs with integrated extraction system that represent Elica’s business. All the elements that make up Elica products, including materials and paints, are subjected to specific stress tests in the Elica Propulsion Laboratory. High temperature resistance tests are carried out: all materials must be fireproof and self-extinguishing, as well as having to pass the “ball pressure test” to verify the aesthetic fastness of the material at high temperatures. Moreover, the resistance of the materials to corrosion and aging is tested through the salt spray test, in order to guarantee maximum strength over time. The application on Elica products of materials such as wood, technopolymers or paints is the result of careful research and stringent controls to guarantee the solidity and safety of the product.»
There are also different purposes that can lead to the use of color in household appliances: for example, to signal the presence of a certain technology in a product, or to obtain a particular aesthetic effect or to make a material more appealing. «Color – Tiziana Prosperi of Franke Home Solutions says – can be an element of the functional project aimed at emphasizing the use of a specific technology or it can characterize a certain type of material or shape. Furthermore, certain painting techniques such as powder coating, in addition to being very resistant, allow for infinite colors and effects. The same applies to materials, which can be further characterized and emphasized by one shade than another. This is very evident in the Soft Line range, thanks to the Fenix material, and in the Zero Drip range where colors such as sand, dusty blue and black, both glossy and matt with particular acid process of the tempered glass, embellish the material. Otherwise, in the Air-Treatment line the light brown color aims to emphasize and identify a particular characteristic of the range: that of being equipped with innovative sensors for the treatment of indoor air.»
Finally, focusing on color, with original and innovative proposals, is an added value that is appreciated by end users, such as Ilve and Glem Gas emphasize. «Innovation means intercepting unexpressed needs and satisfying consumer expectations: from this point of view, color represents an added value that the market evaluates positively – underlines Gianluigi Freschi of Ilve -. New consumers are carriers of sensitivities that, in many cases, reward unconventional aesthetics and that clear products that convey a more decisive chromatic allegory.» «In our more than 60 years of experience – affirms Marco Guerzoni of Glem Gas in turn – we can say that the focus has always been not to leave out any detail, be it a detail of the installation process or an aesthetic detail of the product, such as the use of color. As “Specialsti in cottura” and Italian producers from Modena, we believe that the attention to every single detail is the real plus we can offer to our users. Each aspect is evaluated and developed to be useful and functional, at the service of the user and not vice versa, so contributing to the success of the product. By introducing more color into our selection of models, we wanted to give the user an added value, expanding the choice not only in terms of size and functionality but also in terms of style for furnishing the kitchen environment. Moreover, we wanted to give an alternative solution to all those who get more comfortable with the cleaning and maintenance of a colored product.»

Color and furniture trends “Today home is no longer just the place where we carry out our daily activities and that welcomes us at the end of the day, but it is also the place where we often work, socialize and cultivate our interests. People therefore opt for open and multifunctional spaces in which, for example, it is possible to incorporate the office corner among the environments of daily life. Furniture trends place the emphasis on sustainability, pursuit of luxury and individuality, and in this context color plays a significant role. In a house, for example, can not miss the neutral colors (which in our case are translated in the use of steel, which also gives a strong professional connotation): the choice of these color tones means to recreate a particularly intimate and welcoming atmosphere. Furthermore, embossed black is confirmed as one of the main trendy colors and with its character it refers to a luxurious and elegant style. As for the propensity to seek an individual style, this trend pushes to customize spaces, without limiting oneself to specific stylistic dictates but above all taking into account oneself and one's tastes and interests, to create a truly unique and original environment. At Baraldi we respond to this need, for example with our Full Color technology that allows us to permanently print any color, image or graphic effect on metal.” (Baraldi, Lorenzo Baraldi) CUSTOMIZATION IN THE ONE HOOD To satisfy the desire for customization, the One hood by Baraldi can be treated with Full Color technology. Each user can thus choose the solution that best reflects his color and taste preferences, in line with the tendency to prefer a style that reflects the personality of those who live in the house.

The importance of materiality, texture and finish “Color, not only intended as a shade, but also as finish, texture and material, is fundamental during the product design phase. Every project, every shape and every functionality are closely linked to color or aesthetic finish. Currently we are oriented towards dark shades: we use a lot of black with a matte finish and gloss with silk effect, cast iron effect or materials such as Dekton, so not only color but materiality of the elements. The black and white glass are the masters but we have also added pastel gray. Although black is the color of the moment as far as furniture is concerned, white remains the most popular color for kitchens and our answer is the use of silky soft touch paints and materials such as Krion in matt white paste and velvety to the touch. In some cases the winning combination was white with aged oak wood or black with Canaletto walnut wood. The search for new finishes and the flowering of new colors go hand in hand with the use of stainless steel which remains the reference material.” (Elica, Fabrizio Crisà) PERFECT INTEGRATION Illusion by Elica “disappears” in the ceiling. The hood can be finished with a white panel and frame, or with a stainless steel frame and plasterboard panel that can be customized with the texture of the ceiling. In addition, the model is equipped with strip led integrated in the lateral suction areas and with a system that allows to adjust the light intensity.

A mix & match that gives personality “Color is a central element in the development of a Faber hood because it contributes to give personality to the model and at the same time reflects the trends of the most modern kitchens. We are currently focusing in particular on a mix & match that combines different finishes, including glossy and opaque ones, in the same composition, following a trend which is lately very widespread in interior design. We have recently proposed a line with an innovative material for hoods, Fenix, which we have, however, combined with some shiny details to give further modernity and greater dynamism to the velvety surface of these models. In terms of colors, our preference is for ultra-matte shades, especially when we opt for black. A choice that we also decline in the painting of metal and glass. In terms of color palette, we range from shades of matt gray and matt dusty blue for the hoods with young and essential lines, such as Beat, to more classic and refined finishes such as matt black and matt titanium for the premium models.” (Franke Home Solutions, Tiziana Prosperi) The Beat chandelier hood by Faber is characterized by trendy colors such as dusty blue, black, dark gray and white, all in a matte finish. It is composed of two divided panels and a steel element that create a contrast among different materials and different treatments. It is a solution that well integrates itself into kitchens with a contemporary style.

Black, steel and immortal white “The style of design and the choice of materials are intimately connected among them. Some common colors like white are more appreciated on some shapes and less on others. Furthermore, in the built-in appliances that remain visible in the kitchen furniture, the research is to make the combination of different materials more pleasant and impactful to the eye of those who have to make the purchase decision. If the aesthetics in stainless steel are irreplaceable when the product must communicate solidity, durability and ‘strength', and therefore essential in lines such as our Professional series, there are also new trends in the choice of colors such as the use of material black, which dominates in the upper segment of the market and which we propose for example with our new Urbantech series, or as the elegant shades of an intense black which are incredibly attractive when combined with satin metal components such as in our Cluster Concept series, which is a jewel lent to cooking." (Fulgor Milano, Paolo Mainardi)

For a contemporary kitchen environment “Speaking of design with a focus on the Italian market, this year with the Specialista range there has been a more important corporate commitment in the expansion of the color concept in freestanding cookers. In fact, the new concept was developed not only thinking of rustic and/or vintage environment but also of a contemporary kitchen environment. With Specialista ST we have introduced modern opaque colors that are best suited to the furniture design: we are talking about Nero Carbone (Carbon Black), Rosso Pomodoro (Tomato Red) and Bianco Farina (Flour White). While for the SB version, always maintaining the matte finish, other more classic but equally flexible colors have been added besides Carbon Black: the delicate and timeless Giallo Parmigiano (Parmesan Yellow) and the elegant and intense Rosso Lambrusco (Lambrusco Red). Tones always accompanied by our main choice of color and material, the stainless steel version, and enriched in all variants with red details in the knobs, black bands in the ST version and alternations for the creation of plays of light and color between black and steel elements, in different matt and glossy finishes." (Glem Gas, Marco Guerzoni)

A multiplicity of color variations “Ilve uses color as a distinct marketing lever and offers the market, in addition to standard finishes, the opportunity to customize their kitchens using the RAL color palette in 200 variants. This result is achieved because Ilve's industrial platform allows extreme flexibility and each kitchen is built according to customer specifications. The basic coloring can then be combined with aesthetic details that place the product almost in a sartorial dimension. On the company website there is a product configurator which shows, in preview, the result of the choices made by the consumer who can also use augmented reality to virtually place the product within his own home environment". (Ilve, Gianluigi Freschi) ILLUMINATING YELLOW Ilve interprets the 2021 Color of The Year Illuminating in the M15N cooking block. Each year the Pantone Color of the Year is designated: also in 2021 Ilve has accepted the suggestion, transforming it into a product that combines advanced technologies and current trends. The cooking block was also made in Ultimate Gray, also Color of the Year 2021.

Professional opens to color “Our roots belong to the professional world, so our prerogative is tendentially to produce medium-high range products, preferably in steel or aluminum (or alloys) and with little plastic. However, we have still expanded our range to include appliances with classic, traditional colors, and a study is underway to propose more trendy colors, linked to new technologies and new trends: for example opaque solutions, details with very particular colors, etc." (R.G.V., Marco Di Leo)

Our search among companies continues to understand concretely what it means to integrate appliances and kitchen furniture. Trends can be different: from the creation of a perfectly homogeneous environment, to conceiving a space characterized by a harmony of contrasts.

by Elena Corti

The increasing integration between home appliances and kitchen furniture is now an ongoing trend, which can however be achieved by focusing on different stylistic and design choices. There are those who aim at a very uniform effect, with essential lines and spaces designed to best accommodate a growing number of devices that almost “disappear” in the kitchen furniture, and those that conceive the integration as a harmony of contrasts, where the appliance is highlighted and becomes a protagonist thanks also to the new proposals in terms of design. Certainly colors, materials and finishes are key aspects for the integration of the various elements of the kitchen environment, without forgetting the technical factors that allow the perfect installation of appliances in furniture and ensure functionality.

Glem Gas

1 In our opinion a polarization will be created: on one side we will have the furniture and the appliance that will integrate with each other and will find in the kitchen environment, that is more and more important, a harmonious collocation, while – on the other side – the contrasts will prevail that will lead to make the appliance and the furniture stand out in a complementary way. On the one hand, therefore, we will have the perfect and complete integration of the appliance with the furniture: in this case the tendency is to maintain an extremely clean and essential design where the lines perfectly merge together. On the other hand, we will have instead a real “explosion” of design, where appliance will become the protagonist of the kitchen and where color contrasts will prevail. Here we will have a product that will tend to be more and more customizable and with an extremely appealing design. Colors and innovative style will distinguish it and make it a furnishing item full of character and functionality.

2 Of course, this trend has already been in place for years. We only think of the 75 cm hobs, that were a novelty 10 years ago. Today there are 78 cm induction hobs and built-in fridges higher than the latest standards. We will go towards a gradual redefinition of the dimensions, even in width: for example, we start to see refrigerators for furniture of 75 cm.

3 Unfortunately, in recent years we have seen less and less people able to understand the furniture, its “soul” and its use. We see appliances completely different from the reality and needs of our time. They seem to be designed by people who do not put their noses out of their technical studies.  Fortunately, there are some companies, like ours, that make design combined with practicality their reason for being, combining vision and mission in dedicated projects that, launched on the market, obtain great successes. If I had to summarize all this, I would say that the factor that allows integration is only one: good taste.

Ilve

1 This is a trend that during the latest years has seen the appliance “disappear” in furniture. It is dictated by a choice of minimalist taste, usually associated with a return of the white/gray/black colors that a few years ago had disappeared from the ranges of household appliances, supplanted by the stainless aesthetics, and that today are in vogue. These trends, we have seen, are cyclical and last a few years. Personally I think that the appliance, being the functional part of the kitchen, must be positioned so that it is easy to use and has no limitations in performing its functions. I’ll give an example: flush top built-in hobs have limited burner powers as they heat a lot.

2 For what concerns us, our flagship products are the “cooking blocks” of a professional type, thought however for the home, and I must say that often the design of the kitchen starts just from the cooking block that becomes the qualifying element of the kitchen itself. The appliance (in particular when we speak of cooking) is in fact the part that most characterizes the kitchen. Ilve is used to selling “big” products; the appliances we sell the most are of 90, 100 and even 120 cm with two or three ovens. Kitchen, however, even if the spaces are reduced, becomes more and more a protagonist because the wall between kitchen and living room is often broken down to obtain an environment where is possible stay all together. In addition, the tendency is to see the size of the appliances grow but, above all, to see the number of the same increase, perhaps including a steam oven, a blast chiller or the vacuum machine of which they speak so often in the “star” kitchens.

3 Without doubt, colors, materials and finishes (handles and knobs). Also the measures are important as finally the integrated installation (for example the “flush top” hobs mentioned above). But be careful to “hide” the appliance completely, the risk is to make the kitchen a walk-in closet…

Officine Gullo

1 It is a trend that certainly has an important relevance because the style of a kitchen acquires greater identity when the appliances are well integrated into the environment, making it perfectly homogeneous. Moreover, for a better optimization of the spaces, the furniture is custom-designed on the basis not only of the dimensions but also according to the various appliances.

2 Absolutely yes. Technology is constantly changing and brings changes in the way to design the kitchen space. Increased attention is given to the cooking tools, both in terms of appliances number and type and of their size. It is inevitable that the distribution of spaces changes but not only: the choice of materials also changes, that sometimes must be suitable to support even non-usual temperatures.

3   Making a comparison between a kitchen and a car, we can say that the dashboard of a car masks the internal technology giving an aesthetic perfectly integrated with the bodywork. In the design of a kitchen we see more or less a similar process: household appliances are placed in specifically designed spaces and then uniformed to the environment through the use of aesthetic elements, such as masks or colors, where any detail, perfectly cared, completes and uniforms the entire kitchen space in an excellent way. Exactly like the chrome details of a vintage car.

Sirius

1 We are not very interested in trends or fashions, so I cannot answer. Instead, we are interested in creating products that last over time and that use technology, not for mere marketing purposes, but to improve people’s lives. We follow with great interest the developments that are taking place in recent years in the Information Technology field, above all regarding the artificial intelligence subject. We are aware that in the near future such progress will radically modify the man-appliance relationship and consequently the relationship between man and kitchen space.

2 As mentioned before, the traditional kitchen environment will no longer exist. There will be a changing space that will transform according to the needs of those who live there. Not just the kitchen, but the whole house will be a hybrid space in which functions mix and overlap.

3 More than of integration between household appliances and kitchen furniture, I would speak of a relationship man-appliance-kitchen space. In the future, as already happens in some sectors, it will be possible to communicate with the kitchen equipment and monitor them from outside too. In a less near future, home appliances will be able to make autonomous choices, minimizing the human intervention. I like, therefore, to think of the kitchen of tomorrow not as a minimalist environment with furniture that hide appliances, but as a container of technology at the service of man.

Smalvic

1 It is a trend that will develop further, especially in the high-end range. Here design and technology are the password, and designing the kitchen and living space as a unicum is one of the cornerstones of design. To integrate into the cooking space means, from my point of view, to make the elements coexist in an intelligent way, not necessarily to hide, thus seeking innovative solutions.  Even in the “normal” kitchen the trend is a design that aims to integrate: not devoted to aesthetics in the absolute sense, but looking for practical solutions, easy in every sense.

2 The “non-traditional” dimensions of ovens and hobs have always been in the heart of Smalvic: we have in the catalog since an immemorial time the 90 cm ovens, but also the 45 or 36 cm ones, and for the hobs … we really have all measures! Also for free-standing cookers, our Less kitchen block is produced in 3 sizes: 90, 120 and 150 cm. Our company has chosen to have a wide range of measures and solutions (think for example of the a gas oven) to be competitive in international markets. In Italy the new “out-of-size” measures are also the result of the trend that sees the cooking area and the cooking activity itself as the beating heart of the home and that makes the kitchen the place of the aggregation for excellence.

3 The aesthetic component is very important, but we must not forget some more technical aspects such as the compatibility of the used materials and the measures. The insertion of the appliance must be done in a rational way, taking into account the needs of the built-in and so correct distances, spaces for venting, materials able of supporting a functional combination… for us, integration into the kitchen is not just a furnishing trend.

Zepa-Teka

1 We at Zepa- Teka Group believe that the trend will be directed towards increasingly functional and modular areas, with specialized blocks for cooking, storage and washing. The basic purpose is obviously to pursue the stylistic rigor of the whole. This belief is confirmed by what emerged at the Salone del Mobile 2018 or at IFA in Berlin, where the main drivers were the prestigious materials, the personalization of the spaces and the combination of living and kitchen in general. The classic subdivision of base/hanging furniture has thus been overcome to reach equipped areas, hidden by retractable doors or even integrated into monolithic blocks. And in all this, home appliances become protagonists of furnishing.

2 Undoubtedly. The not “traditional” dimensions first had an impact on the height of kitchen cupboards and worktops. In fact, the traditional depth of the 60 cm bases has reached greater and more ergonomic measurements, and this has happened for a simple reason: increasing the depth of the bases means lowering the wall units that so take on a much more functional position. In addition, the depth of 80 cm allows greater visibility on the work surface and offers the possibility of cooking in a more open space, eliminating the sense of constraint and increasing the freedom of movement. For these reasons, the home appliances world has embraced this new stylistic and functional trend with the creation of larger products than the classic 60×60 cm: just think that the Zepa turnover related to the aforementioned models is constantly increasing by 20%.

3 First of all, we are looking at a transformation of the kitchen that is no longer, as in the past, the place around which the family reunites; in fact nowadays the kitchen is furnished according to the ritual taste of the visit and no longer of the affections. Just like in fashion, there is the search of a total look for the kitchen and for the home, and we start talking about total living. In my opinion, therefore, given this stylistic/functional trend, attention to detail and attention to high quality are very important integrating factors in the creation of a homogeneous environment, as well as the uniformity of style and design.