A well-designed kitchen serves many purposes beyond cooking. It's one of the most important rooms in any home, hosting and bringing the family together. Small details like materials, finishes and appliances make a big difference when it comes to beauty and functionality.
It may be tempting to follow trends when designing your own kitchen space, but redesigning (or simply redecorating) your kitchen can be a hefty investment. Classic, enduring designs are often better. But in your quest to curate a timeless space, there's no need to ignore this year's hottest kitchen trends. They're beloved and desirable for a reason. That's where Smeg comes in.
Smeg has been designing kitchen appliances for over 70 years and is known for its stylish and sophisticated kettles and coffee makers. Recently, Smeg's new managing director, Daniel Hadley, said: H&G Whether you follow trends or stick with timeless staples, we'll share how small, well-made appliances can make a big difference in your kitchen.
(Image courtesy of Smeg)
“I took up my post in March, and one of the things that attracted me the most was, [Smeg]”Because it allowed us to be innovative and playful while still staying true to our traditions,” Daniel says, “and I think that's what made us successful.”
Smeg was founded in 1948 by Vittorio Bertazzoni in the northern Italian town of Guastalla, and throughout the brand's 70-year history, it has never forgotten its Italian heritage, expressing it through its premium coffee expertise and culinary prowess. Daniel says one of his priorities as managing director is to embrace the idea of ”being Italian.” “That's who we are, that's what makes us different,” he says.
“We've evolved with generations by being colourful, playful and fun, but behind the scenes we've stuck to traditional design. For me, the important thing about heritage is staying true to yourself. If you try to be a traditional brand without having heritage, you're not staying true to yourself,” he says.
1. Use bright, eye-catching appliances as accent pieces
(Image courtesy of Cult Furniture)
After an era of predominantly gray and white kitchens, designers and homeowners are looking to bring a bit more color into their kitchen spaces. But when it comes to choosing bright, bold colors, our eyes are often bigger than our stomachs. Picking a color and then executing on it can be a bit daunting, causing many to balk before applying a new coat of paint or installing a colorful tile backsplash.
Appliances are often the perfect solution to this dilemma, and Daniel says that Smeg's range and availability makes incorporating light tones less overwhelming. Instead of investing in new countertops or a kitchen island, opt for a bright Smeg kettle or a striking toaster, says Daniel.
“Smeg allows you to add colour to your worktops at a much more attainable price point,” he adds, “and in places where you've probably thought about painting a wall pink but were a bit apprehensive and therefore perhaps avoided it, you can now have a pink kettle on your worktop.”
Danielle agrees that colour trends in the kitchen are changing, saying her parents “never would have bought” the brand's bright orange range cooker, but now bold appliances are appearing more and more frequently. This desire for colour also relates to the growing trend of entertaining in the kitchen: expressing yourself through your kitchen design scheme allows you to show off your personality when friends and family come over.
“When you buy a new home, every home now has an open-plan kitchen because it's the centre of life and people entertain in the kitchen. Drawing rooms are becoming a thing of the past,” says Daniel. “I think it's important to incorporate traditional products into more playful spaces, enjoying and expressing the moment.”
2. Retro style home appliances
(Image courtesy of deVOL)
Retro style is another trend that's been making waves in the interior design world this year, and Smeg's iconic designs fit right in. Daniel says he thinks people are particularly drawn to the nostalgic look in the kitchen. Just like in fashion, kitchen trend cycles repeat, with certain design styles coming back time and time again.
The key to achieving the retro look is to blend old-fashioned charm with a contemporary design sensibility, and appliances offer a great way to achieve this balance. Daniel says Smeg is always looking to achieve this transitional design, allowing homeowners to decide how trendy, nostalgic or modern they want to go.
“For some, it's about marrying traditional brands with more contemporary design and letting people make that choice, because people are going to make that choice. They vote with their wallets,” he says.
3. Create a fun space with carefully selected home appliances
(Image courtesy of Smeg)
Smeg stocks a wide range of appliances from stand mixers to washing machines, but Daniel's current favourite is their latest semi-professional espresso machine.
“La Pavoni is a Smeg-owned brand with a strong Italian heritage,” he says, “and we've combined that with Smeg to create a machine that's easy to use and delivers a very tasty, semi-professional-grade coffee.”
Not only does the machine produce high-quality espresso, it also brings Daniel's friends and family into the kitchen – and this community-oriented approach is becoming a growing priority in kitchen design plans, and is reflected in Smeg's ethos.
“I think more and more people are inviting people into their homes,” he says. “If you compare kitchens of the past to kitchens of today, they're bigger, more expressive and all about entertaining. The kitchen is the heart of any home. We're really all about entertaining.”
“We want to be individual, whether it's drinking coffee or cooking our favorite food for friends. We want to be individual in those things and make these dishes and coffees for our friends,” he continues.
Smeg '50s Retroline Cream 4×4 Slot Toaster
This chic and sophisticated toaster is perfect for breakfast for the whole family, and its high-quality design has stood the test of time. Homes and Gardens When we tried it, we found that it “toasted food evenly” and “was easy to operate with a tactile feel.”
Smeg fully automatic espresso machine
If you're not yet ready to spend on the semi-professional manual espresso machine that Daniel recommends, this one is simpler, more functional, and still brews delicious coffee.
Smeg Cream 50s Retro Style Electric Mini Kettle
This small yet mighty kettle received near perfect scores in our testing, with high marks for quality, quiet boiling, and ease of care.
Whether a retro, colorful look suits your space or you're looking for something more classic, Smeg's selection is designed with functionality and sleek aesthetics in mind.
