Home All-Stars: Kitchen Innovators
January 1, 2006
Bulthaup b3 Kitchen
Designed by Herbert Schultes, this groundbreaking
system elevates the concept of kitchen furniture to uncharted structural
heights. Attempting to achieve “more with less,” Schultes fashioned a functional
in-wall steel skeleton that supports and suspends the cabinets up off the floor.
At the surface, an ingenious rail system integrates wall panels, storage,
appliances and lighting. Always pushing the envelope when it comes to materials,
Schultes maintains a linear clarity by using the thinnest of stone counters and
veneers in white glass, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, wood, bamboo and
lacquer.
Bulthaup, 800.808.2923, www.bulthaup.com; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Bosch Integra 800 Dishwasher
At 44 decibels, this minimalist clean machine
is said to be as silent as you can get. The Integra 800, the latest in a series
of dishwashers valued for their extremely low-energy, -water and -noise levels,
is at the top of the new line introduced by Bosch in its quest to maintain
cutting-edge performance and design. Upgrades include top-flight digital
features, such as an advanced Sensotronic technology that assesses how dirty the
dishes are and automatically adjusts wash time, temperature and water level
accordingly; concealed controls; and–because the unit is so unobtrusive–a unique
InfoLight that beams from the bottom of the dishwasher to the floor when it is
operating. (Click image to enlarge)
Bosch, 800.944.2904, www.boschappliances.com; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Miele Built-in Coffee System
Thoughtful innovations are few and far
between, but Miele, the tony German manufacturer of residential and commercial
appliances, could not have been more perceptive when it pioneered the first
CVA615 built-in home coffee system in 1999. Its cool good looks, ease of use and
installation flexibility guaranteed its instant success. Now the company stands
to outshine the inevitable competition it spawned with its Gen Y model, the
CVA2000–the world’s first built-in capsule coffee system. Designed for those who
prize instant gratification, this Jetson-worthy machine features a
Cappuccinatore for frothed/steamed milk and a rotating carousel holding 20
Nespresso capsules. And all it requires is the push of a button. (Click image to enlarge)
Miele, 888.346.4353, www.miele.com; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
When asked to suggest a name for the prototype of
this ubiquitous stand mixer after giving it a trial run, a 1919 housewife
replied, “I don’t care what you call it, but I know it’s the best kitchen aid I
ever had!” Flash forward 87 years, and the KitchenAid stand mixer–fine-tuned in
the 1930s and early 1940s by renowned industrial designer Egmont Arens–maintains
its superlative reputation. Of course, occasional changes, such as the powerful
5- and 6-quart Professional Series and color options, assure its classic
utilitarian good looks and superb performance are always au courant. (Click image to enlarge)
KitchenAid, 800.541.6390, www.kitchenaid.com
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