An Emperador Marble kitchen

by Alice | May 22, 2020 | KITCHEN, LIVING AREA, LIVING THE HOUSE, PRIVATE APARTMENT, STYLE TIPS, WORK IN PROGRESS

A monolithic kitchen, entirely covered in marble, shows all its elegance in a project that emphasizes such a precious and distinctive material. Walls and surfaces, in Emperador marble, are recognized for their very dense and varied white and beige streaks on a warm gray / brown background. Such a sophisticated design line can only be accompanied by modern and innovative mechanisms.

THE PROJECT

The renderings provided by Tanya Kutzmina, a cosmopolitan Russian designer we had the pleasure of working with, immediately show the intrinsic characteristics of the project. The concept of the master kitchen, part of an open space, encloses high walls and monolithic surfaces in an ambivalent environment, inert at first glance but able to transform itself into an equipped and representative kitchen for the guests of the house when needed. Two types of marble alternate in this large space. On the one hand, Emperador dark marble, which symbolically defines the functional parts of the kitchen, becoming a scenographic setting for “acting”. On the other, Emperador light marble, clear and bright, which amplifies the perception of the environment by reflecting the light of the large windows and embodies the essence of everyday life. Living and acting therefore become the reading keys not only of the stylistic composition of the rooms, but also define the way to relate to them.

THE COMPOSITION

The structure of the marble kitchen is an island and the central monolith opens with a drag mechanism that becomes a snack corner. Opening, it also shows a cooking area with three different types of fires: induction – teppanyaki – grill. On the internal front there are drawers entirely covered in the same marble and equipped with cutlery holders, crockery holders and potholders. Above it stands a splendid custom-made hood in stainless steel, as large as the island, equipped with filters and LED lights. All made with laser cuts and remote engine preparation. The dark marble of the island spreads into the floor and flows into the back wall. An ingenious book system opens the central doors folding up into two side compartments and revealing a broken interior that houses a sink, a dishwasher, baskets inside the doors, an oven column and exposed shelves with underlying LED lighting. The stainless steel top and back give a touch of modernity between the eternal elegance of the Emperador dark marble with which the surrounding surfaces are covered. On both sides, two large and spacious refrigerators enclose the central block of the kitchen. The covering of the Emperador light doors continues along the entire adjacent wall, hiding an access door to the second service kitchen. At the center of the room, a huge table stands for several diners in dark Emperador with bases made to measure in stainless steel and marble. These counterbalance both visually and physically the grand plan.

THE REALIZATION

Creating this kitchen was a new, arduous and stimulating experience. We accepted the challenge by finding solutions to the various executive problems that immediately arose. Among these, the union of two materials, wood and marble, so different in finishes, weights and typological characteristics. Obtaining the dynamism of the kitchen, with mechanisms suitable for the fluid movement of the parts and the arrangements on site for their perfect functioning with different materials and systems, required a lot of attention and an active collaboration with Tanya in Moscow, who followed the construction site. The marble, which was provided to us by Marmi Galli, a company with which we have been collaborating for long time, was used in 2 distinct thicknesses: 20 mm with 45° cuts to cover all the structures, and 5 mm thick screened for the application on the retractable doors to guarantee the functioning of the mechanisms with respect to the weight. We have taken great care of the quality of the mechanisms and the guides, both manual and motorized, especially for the doors of the shelf and the island snack top. We leave this video of Tanya the task of accompanying you in the living area and guiding you to the kitchen. Seeing it accomplished is a great emotion for us and awards our commitment.

The Moscow marble kitchen project fits perfectly into the series of single-material projects we have made. Among them, a kitchen entirely covered in steel.

← We are back in work! Discovering Scandinavian style: essential and functional →

An eclectic apartment in Parisian Style

by Alice | Dec 4, 2017 | LIVING AREA, PRIVATE APARTMENT, SLEEPING AREA, STYLE TIPS

An eclectic, bohemian but also essential apartment, finds its harmony in the Parisian style of a bygone era while being in the heart of contemporary Milan.

DEFINE THE STYLE OF A HOME CONTEXT THE PARISIAN STYLE DETAILS OUR WORK

DEFINE THE STYLE OF A HOME

The house is the mirror of the people who live there. Those who enter in our house get an idea of us even just by seeing where we live and which objects we choose, it is therefore important to bring out coherent thoughts and emotions. There are such particular environments that are really difficult to classify because they are born from people’s lives, which enrich them with objects they care of. These built an eclectic scenario which does not define a real prevailing style but give a fragmented image that can sometimes seems comfusing . To maintain a predominant and tasteful style it is always advisable to follow the basic rules of the style that fits us best. If in doubt, however, the help of a professionist never hurts.

CONTEXT

This Milan house was already starting with a precise identity: an apartment in a historic complex with distinctive flooring in elegant black and white tiles positioned at 45°, “French style” herringbone parquet and exposed ceiling beams. All the windows and doors are in classic style with raised strips and frames. A great stylistic work was carried out by Arch. Pierluigi Fasoli, who in close collaboration with the home owners gave useful advice for a small internal renovation and for the choice and insertion of new furnishings.

THE PARISIAN STYLE

Listening to customer requests, strong ideas and clear tastes emerged. The style that has been defined starts from these premises and let itself be guided by some existing furnishing elements.

The Parisian style was the solution. In fact, it is characterized by elegance and splendor, looking for luxurious furniture that give charm to the environment but without exceeding. In this case, the dark-colored velvet sofas and poufs in the living area, combined with a large shaped mirror with golden frame and the multi-arm chandelier in polished brass in the dining area are able to provide preciousness to the rooms.

Another characteristic element of this style is the mix of modern and antique furnishings, elements that belong to different eras combined in a wise way. So in fact we can see, in the dining area, chairs and table with an antique and oriental style while the sofas in the living area with shaped brass feet, clear antiques match with more modern elements, such as an essential bookcase and square crystal coffee tables.

DETAILS

The predominant colors of the Parisian style are always delicate, usually white is used allowing to give a lot of brightness to any interior, even on the grayest days. Here the white of the ceilings has been combined with a light green-gray in the bedrooms and a dove-gray in the kitchen. Note the white frame left between the color of the walls and that of the ceiling. Wall paneling are missing, but all the baseboards, window frames and classic doors have been painted in a warm white. Plaster decorations and ceiling frames have also been added in rooms where white painted wooden beams are not present.

OUR INTERVENTION

As requested by the architect, our creations, some furniture in the living area, in the kitchen, in the bathrooms and in the sleeping area, were supplied unfinished and then painted by the customer. So you can see the varnish passed by hand, with its imperfections that do not hide the essence of the wood below. For the openings and closings of the doors, brass knobs and a sort of made-to-measure wooden bolt have been chosen.

← Work in progress of particular furniture Our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year →

Work in progress of particular furniture

by Alice | Nov 24, 2017 | IN THE WORLD OF DESIGN, PRODUCT DESIGN, WORK IN PROGRESS

Two coffee tables of various heights and a headboard. Details and materials chosen and studied for unique furniture accessories.

FURNITURE ACCESSORIES

Where the offer, in recent years, of furniture accessories of any kind and type is not lacking and overwhelmingly invades the market, we find ourselves having more and more requests for small customized elements. Probably in a saturated market our customers are increasingly feeling the need to have unique objects by their side. In this particular case we realized, on the project of a prestigious studio based in Milan, tables for the living area and a headboard for the sleeping area. Refined furniture accessories to be sent to UK.

BRONZED BRASS

Brass is a very soft and malleable material, for years forgotten and only now back in fashion. Its natural finish is very impactful, its bright, yellowish color and is very difficult to combine inside a house, so are often used different finishes of brass, such as bronzed. Burnishing is the surface coloring of a metal that is practiced either through galvanic baths or with particular stabilizing paints, both allow to provide both protection against oxidation to the metal but also a different chromatic characteristic. The bronzed brass turns out to be darker and more varied, but does not turn absolutely to green, as happens instead to the oxidized brass. Here we can see beautiful tables made with a profile and a base in bronzed brass and in the center, a surface in a delicate powder pink Lacobel and an antique mirror. The cylindrical base of different diameters and heights has been painted in two shades, one medium gray for the highest table and the other black for the wider and lower table.

HEADBOARD

The headboard of the back bed, on the other hand, has been pantographed in a style that is very reminiscent of the Liberty of the late ‘800, characterized by flexible shapes that reflect nature and its sweetness. The wooden structure was then painted in matt black and in its central part there is an insert in vienna straw.

← The beauty of hand-drawn projects An eclectic apartment in Parisian Style →

New corners incoming for the Tiziana Fausti luxury store

by Giulia | Aug 25, 2016 | RETAIL, CONTRACT AND RESTAURANT, WORK IN PROGRESS

After the success of the single-brand corners included in the 2015 set-up, one year later Tiziana Fausti’s luxury store widens its boundaries to host four new brands.

The provision of the exhibition layout design by the architect Marco Costanzi in August 2015 was a great success especially regarding the white boxes of the corners located on the back wall. (if you missed the article, click here) For this reason, the multibrand Tiziana Fausti wanted to expand its woman’s commercial space by acquiring a new wing of the historic building previously occupied by the Ciao restaurant chain. The goal is primarily to add four new single-brand corners with the same approach as the existing ones. To achieve this, it was decided to demolish a wall near the lift and set up new white boxes. THE NEW CORNERS Assigned to the luxury brands of Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent, Chloè and Stella Mc Cartney, they all respond to the same external approach. Full height black waxed iron panels with laser-cut and blacklit logo. For the internal layout, as in the previous white boxes, we set-up internal lighting with directional spots, air conditioning and any electrical outlets. In the event that the furniture provided by individual brands in accordance with their visual identity have illuminated display cases, it is necessary to provide wall-mounted electrical outlets in order to prepare them for attachment. For the air conditioning, recessed ducts have boon arranged in the false ceiling which can sometimes be changed depending on the need. This is the case of the Dolce & Gabbana corner, whose air conditioning system renounces the ducts preferring shaped shells along the perimeter, Even the side walls and the ceilings have to be structured in order to possibly support the weight of internal coverings. Once again, the corner of Dolce & Gabbana offers an excellent example with the veined black marble covering. The preparation and the internal project of the corners are entrusted to the visual designers of the respective brands. Here are some photos work in progress N.B. Photos of the completed corners have been included after the inauguration on 9^th September 2016.

← Total white kitchen in a modern classic setting A quick ovrview of the 40 Years of Modulor →

WIP: organize a shop based on functional macro areas

by Alice | Mar 11, 2016 | IN THE WORLD OF DESIGN, RETAIL, CONTRACT AND RESTAURANT, WORK IN PROGRESS

A breath of fresh air in a shop in a seaside town, which does not live only on summer tourism. The scent of the sea in its center makes you feel on vacation all year round. A shop with very large interiors organized in macro functional display areas that allow the optimization of the environments and the best management of customer flows.

CONTEXT

Lignano Sabbiadoro is one of the most renowned tourist resorts on the Adriatic. Bathing establishment always in vogue, it maintains the retro charm of an urban structure linked to the 50s, the period in which Lignano Pineta develops. In the center of the village, under the fresh porticoes, this shop of homemade objects and clothing tooks place. The amplitude is certainly a point in favor of each shop, but sometimes it risks becoming a critical point resulting dispersive. A logistical order for the arrangement of the wares and a general review of the display furnishings become necessary for our customer at this time. The space, with a rectangular plan, introduce itself as an open space visually divided only by structural pillars equipped with electrical outlets. From these we started in the division into various functional macro areas, each structured with service elements for each type of wares on display.

THE PROJECT: THE PRODUCT AREAS AND THE FUNCTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The main problem of large and visually free spaces is the possible confusion created into the user. In fact, not knowing exactly how to move, he is absurdly discouraged from exploring the shop. For this reason, our subdivision with visual elements into established areas allows customers to move smoothly in the room, directing them to internal use. A spatial division that arises from the arrangement of two equipped walls, from whose asymmetrical intersection four main rooms took place. Two of these were then combined for a wider and more airy perception of the exhibition space, while the storage area is located in the back of the cash desk.

ENTRANCE AND CASH

The checkout functionality defines the first area, in which the cashier certainly plays the main role. Positioned in front of the entrance, it however leave the entrance comfortable and not to oppress space. A large piece of furniture defines this area, which allows the owner to have workspace and better serve customers. To close this area, a column which has a large back that can be used as a goods display and storage point.

LINEN AND HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS

The asymmetrical subdivision of the internal spaces gives rise to a more developed exhibition area dedicated to bed and all household linen. Located at the side of the entrance, it allows a better management of customer flows, as well as a visual hierarchy that identifies this room as the main one in the fruition of the shop. In the centre, a design glass table surrounded by shelf modules is useful for displaying small household items. While, a full-height dividing element visually reproduces the wall elements creating an internal division. A smaller space set up for display where the customer can observe the contextualized products. On the back walls common to the exhibition areas, functional elements alternate whose shelves are organized according to the wares on display. The different distances between each shelf allow the placement of bulky objects or small decorative elements as needed.

CLOTHING

To mark the boundary of this room is an equipped portal, serving the property for the storage of goods not on show. This allows the passage to the remaining area dedicated to clothing. Here, our modules become hangers and the shelves are used for folding. A dressing room for clothing testing concludes this room, which connects directly to the cash desk area. Approaching the showcase, the shelf modules become closer for bags and small prêt-à-porter objects.

project Lignano shop 03 functional areas

MODULES AND STYLE

As far as materials, colors and types of furniture are concerned, we have focused on the modern, gritty and essential style. The two colors that alternate with the white walls are a dark gray with bold tones, which also defines the cash area and the illuminated portal for access to the clothing area and a very light gray tending to blue, which recalls the nearby sea and characterizes shelves and low storage elements. The exhibition modules are of two types: the shelf modules are tall, in chromed steel with a bright internal LED profile with lacquered shelves that alternate with crystal shelves that act as display elements and separate the various areas. The others are low, in steel and crystal and act as an exhibition support for the tall elements. Here some Work in Progress photos, we hope to make soon an holiday in Lignano seafront and return to admire the set up shop!