The Acropolis kitchen, which debuted in 2003, breaks from the traditional positioning of cabinetry runs against the wall. But it is about more than just an innovative look. Made with steel and lightweight aluminum, the circular kitchen consists of carefully engineered modular elements that make it easier to assemble and install than many conventional kitchens.
Special joints connect the vertical and horizontal elements in the circular section, and the suspended elements are supported by hollowed honeycomb panels. Wiring to electrical sockets and the vent hood runs through a channeling system in the vertical support poles.
Taking utility into the realm of sculpture, Ahrens says the Acropolis is unlike traditional kitchens, which remain part of the house even when new owners move in. The Acropolis is “like a collector’s artworks; it’s something you take with you when you leave,” she says.
NEW SPIN ON ALL-WHITE Interior design firm Cecconi Simone, based in Toronto, was asked to create a kitchen for a couple who love to cook and entertain.
Although the clients wanted an elegant all-white kitchen, they were concerned that it would be too “plain.” So the designers set about incorporating interesting details that add shade and shadow to create a sense of depth. These include the beveled counter edge profile that wraps down the sides framing the millwork, and the slatted back wall inset with cantilevered movable and removable glass shelves, which hold accessories and personal items to update and refresh the space.
Although the kitchen is open to the adjacent living areas, for the times when the owners want to shield guests from seeing the “mess” in the kitchen, the designers installed a slatted wood screen that can be rolled in to conceal the island.
Other customizing features that aid in the cooking process include pull-out drawers that hold ingredients, a spice rack concealed in the exhaust hood over the range, and tray storage set behind the flat panel TV, easily accessible from the side. White solid-surfacing drawer and door fronts are durable and easily cleaned.
Of course, this kitchen is also packed with appliances, some concealed behind white solid-surfacing panels; others, not. The island houses a dual-fuel range. Adjacent to the island is the microwave positioned below the plasma TV. The refrigerator/freezer and a wine locker are housed beyond the opposite end of the island.
DOING THEIR OWN “THING” Affluent consumers today worry less about resale value than did previous generations, and are opting to make living spaces reflect their own personalities.
Manufacturers have responded to this demand for personalization by offering more options in the colors, finishes, and sizes of their products. This wealth of design choices has made the “one-of-a-kind” kitchen a possibility for a greater number of homeowners.