Kitchen suplliers you should know

Selina Denman , August 17th, 2010

The kitchen has evolved into the heart of the home. Where food preparation used to be confined to a separate space away from the rest of the house, it has now become a key social activity – and kitchen design has responded accordingly.

Befitting its newfound status as the hub of the home, the kitchen is becoming bigger and more design orientated.

Current trends favour curves, islands and high-gloss finishes, according to Tony Lamb, managing director, Under One Roof. “Curves are currently extremely popular to create a flow to the scheme, often in contrasting colours to the main kitchen for added interest,” he noted.

Islands, meanwhile, are “an invaluable place for storage, food preparation and cooking. Simply position some stools and you can dine, read, chat or simply chill out,” he said.

Cherry, maple and white alder remain popular choices when it comes to cabinetry, but there is a growing trend towards combining colours in the kitchen space, agreed Mohammed Junaid, head of sales at Palmonade. “Mixing and matching colours is also very much in vogue, for instance designing a kitchen in dark oak veneer with high-gloss white lacquer doors,” Junaid explained.

With sleek and streamlined kitchens proving popular, the trend is also towards intelligent design and gadgetry. Recessed handles, pull-out larders, swing corner cabinets and glass bottom drawers are all becoming increasingly prevalent.
Sustainability is also having a notable impact in the kitchen. “Energy-saving light fixtures have made great strides, as seen in CFL and LED fixtures. Water-saving faucets are in vogue with the standard ones phasing out and the pullout and pot-filler faucets stealing the limelight,” noted Mohd Omar Shareef, assistant manager, sales and operations, of Mac Al Gurg.

Over the next few pages, Commercial Interior Design speaks to leading kitchen suppliers about these trends and asks them to unveil some of their latest offerings.

CID speaks to Julia Dickerson, interior designer, Obegi Home.

Tell us about your company.
Established in 1973 in Lebanon, Obegi Home has been a cornerstone of design for over three decades. Since opening its Dubai showroom in 2007, Obegi has forged a unique reputation, partnering with the world’s leading manufacturers and designers of quality contemporary and classical/contemporary furniture for the home, as well as kitchens, wardrobes, lighting and outdoor furniture.

Obegi Home is committed to only working with manufacturers that produce an all-encompassing level of quality and design, providing the highest levels of comfort and durability over time. These brands include Baker from the US and Giorgetti and Poliform from Italy.

What kitchen products do you offer?
The 100% made-in-Italy Varenna kitchen collection by Poliform comprises six different contemporary styles and, within this, a plethora of finishes, colours and materials. It offers a freedom of composition and personalised solutions for different lifestyles.

Latest trends?
The kitchen is an ever-evolving part of the home – from the era of being outside the house, where food preparation happened completely independently of the family, to now where we see the open plan kitchen taking hold. It is the hub of the home, a place for all to gather, where cooking and food preparation is an event for the whole family. Varenna offers the range, selection and flexibility to create a kitchen that not only functions for the unique needs of individuals but features materials that truly reflect personal styles.

What’s new?
One of the latest additions to the Varenna family is Twelve, designed by leading international architect Carlo Colombo. This new solution from Varenna is a unique design that features a 12mm thick worktop, including glass top, and components, pioneering the slick slimline trend in kitchens. Moving away from the traditionally chunky kitchen, Twelve’s essential concept boasts minimal horizontal thicknesses and maximum width of surfaces. With a notable absence of handles, Twelve functions with an intelligent electronic sensory opening system.

How do we contact you?
Visit our showroom on Umm Al Sheif Road, off Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai. Tel: +971 (0)4 394 8161; email: dubai@obegihome.com; website: www.obegihome.com.

Catching up with Mohammed Junaid, head of sales at Palmonade.

Tell us about your company.
Palmonade is Dubai’s first kitchen emporium. It is the first company in Dubai to bring three famous European brands under one roof: Valcucine and Ernestomeda, which are both Italian, and Keller from Holland. Palmonade is not just a kitchen company, it is the UAE’s foremost kitchen specialist, and going forward we aspire to be the region’s foremost kitchen specialist.

We offer a full circle service, from home survey, design and planning to final home check upon completion. Palmonade has an ever-growing reputation for its customer service and this is unmatched in the market.

Best-selling products?
Since we have the three brands, which were chosen strategically to cater to any price point, we can offer a kitchen to pretty much fit any sensible, decent budget. Prospective clients looking for a new kitchen do not have to look any further.

Any recent developments?
We launched Palmonade, Dubai’s first kitchen emporium, in November last year, and it has been an enormous success. Footfall had been excellent and customer feedback has been very encouraging. We are already identifying new emerging markets to launch our next branch in.

Latest trends?
The latest trend is minimalist kitchens that are sleek and streamlined. Mixing and matching colours is also very much in vogue. Handle-less kitchens, or recessed handles, are also liked by many customers. A kitchen user always loves gadgets like pull-out larders with chrome baskets, pull and swing corner cabinets, glass bottom drawers and glass worktops.

How do we contact you?
Palmonade is on Jumeirah Beach Road. You can download a location map from our website: www.palmonade.com. Tel: +971 (0)4 3488140 or +971 (0)55 2245631; email: info@palmonade.com.

CID talks to Arturo Manso, managing director, Middle East and UAE.

Tell us about your company.
TEKA Küchentechnik is a German brand that offers a fully integrated range of high-quality built-in kitchen appliances, including ovens, hobs, hoods, microwaves, refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers, along with kitchen sinks and mixers. It has 33 subsidiaries worldwide and 34 factories.

The company covers all different product ranges, in terms of category and price, from the most innovative, modern and sophisticated products to models with basic features. Teka is the manufacturer; therefore it provides logistical and commercial support, without any agent or intermediate, through its regional offices and official dealers.

Best-selling products?
Teka’s best-selling products come from the cooking line, as well as sinks, since we are the world’s second largest sink manufacturer. As specialists in that particular field, we offer more options and variety across models than other brands, providing a seamless blend of design and function. Within the cooking range, Teka’s 90cm ovens and microwaves have the biggest capacity in the market, and its range of cooker hoods have a bigger exhaust capacity, with lower noise levels as well.

Any recent developments?
Teka has recently implemented a green line strategy to promote a healthy environmental attitude throughout the organisation. This process has involved all value-added activities in all our production processes and systems. These initiatives have come together to form the TECOS plan (Teka Environmental Commitment & Sustainability). See www.ecoteka.org. The TECOS commitment is not only an internal policy, as it extends to end
users, partners and suppliers alike.

How do we contact you?
Call toll free 800 TEKA, or contact Teka through its website: www.teka.com or via email: uaeteka@emirates.net.ae.

By Tony Lamb, managing director.

Tell us about your company.
We began with a product called Permaglaze, which is a proprietary glaze that we have exclusive rights to in the Middle East. This product can reglaze a wide variety of items quickly and cost- effectively in a wide range of colours and finishes, including baths, tiles, kitchen cupboards, interior doors and skirting boards, and window frames.

As we grew, our customers asked us to undertake more and more work because they told us they wanted to get everything they needed to improve their property under one roof – hence the name and the concept was born!

We provide a comprehensive service in that we have access to a group of professionals, business partners and exclusive suppliers who can address all property requirements, all from our showroom near Times Square.

From internal and external painting work, structural renovations, bathroom makeovers, tiling or designing and installing your dream kitchen, Under One Roof offers excellent standards of advice and service, and a single point of contact for our customers.

Recent developments?
We are increasingly working with interior designers on their projects as we make their life easier. And as the exclusive Metris dealer in the UAE, we are also delighted that the Metris Wave Curve has won the prestigious 2010 Grand Designs best kitchen award.

Latest trends?
Curves, islands and high-gloss finishes. Curved worktop profiles and curved ends to the unit create an organic look that’s more child-friendly. The trend to open-plan living is raising the profile of the island unit, and it’s becoming the hub of the kitchen, both socially and functionally. Gloss is a leading theme and is now the most popular finish in the contemporary scene.

How do we contact you?
We can be found in showroom 21, Street 8, Al Quoz 3, Dubai. Tel: +971 (0)4 323 2722. For more information, visit www.underoneroof.ae

By Mohd. Omar Shareef, assistant manager, sales and operations.

Tell us about your company.
Mac Al Gurg is a part of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group. From our inception in 1974, we have been a leader in the construction industry. With a head office in Dubai and branches in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Muscat, Mac Al Gurg boasts a diversified product range encompassing Yorkshire copper tubes and fittings, sanitaryware from Armitage Shanks, kitchens, Ductile iron manhole covers and frames, drainage solutions from Blucher and Frost, and pipe joint systems from Viking Johnson. The kitchens division of Mac Al Gurg represents the best kitchen brands from the UK and Italy, and is aggressively involved in project and retail business.

What are your best-selling kitchens?
Our best-selling kitchen models are Softec Cherry, Shaker Walnut and Character Oak. Other than the brands we represent, we also have our own brand, Mac Kitchens, which caters to budget kitchen options.

Recent developments?
We recently formed an association with Aran kitchens, a leader in Italian exports. Keeping up with the MAC fervour, we are also planning to venture into the retail business exclusively for kitchens and sanitaryware, with a new showroom planned for Dubai.

Latest trends?
Traditional designs will continue, with contemporary following closely behind, while the shaker style is witnessing a surprisingly strong resurgence. An open floorplan design concept is in demand and the social urge has made kitchen islands larger.

Cherry remains the most popular colour for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple and white alder. Colours and textures which do not match but blend very well are getting a closer look. Environmental awareness has had an impact on kitchen design as well.

How do we contact you?
Tel: +971 (0)4 2661291; web: www.macalgurg.com; email: mcalgurg@emirates.net.ae or omar@macuae.ae.