Design Awards 2010 update

After a great Gala presentation at Lords Cricket Ground, we came a close runner-up in the awards for Kitchen Design of the Year. Really was a great day and it was nice to receive the award from the BBC's architectural broadcaster Dan Cruikshank.
The Simon Taylor award for Lifetime Achievement was deservedly won by Marc Newson, the iconic Australian designer who we have always recognised as being extremely quirky and original.

Hacker Climber Video

So many manufacturers bring out new products that we all get very excited about, but this one really takes the biscuit! In our design circle, there really isn't a sexier kitchen unit in existence!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hEv9dYffh8

Hacker Trip / Blofeld to Mango yellow !

Every year our design team makes the trek to Rodinghausen, Germany to visit one of our kitchen suppliers, Hacker. Hacker are always at the forefront of introducing new and innovative designs to the market and this year they certainly upped the ante and didn't disappoint. I was fairly excited at this year's offerings after the catching a glimpse of the product line at this year's Eurocucina in Milan and was glad to see that all the concept offerings in Milan will make it through to production. I was fortunate to have the foresight to take photos of all the new products as our amiable hosts have the uncanny knack of plying us with barrels of German nectar over the two days leaving us a little weary and forgetful at the end of the trip ! What really stood out from the trip was the new Emotion range of modular ' ipod ' design stations- simple but extremely striking. The other single element that excited me was the futuristic glass vented 'climber' wall units. The unit opens with a simple touch and all the individual glass vents move individually vertically and group at the top.(you'll understand it when you see it !) I really can't emphasise how sexy and James Bondy this unit is but all that seemed to be missing was the bald fella in the corner stroking his pussy cat ! I've ordered 3 for my studio so give us a couple of months and you can see it in the flesh. Some beautiful door finishes have also been introduced but the one that distinctly stands out is the new Basalt grey ceramic door ( yes - ceramic! ) From a design perspective this door opens up a whole new sharp yet discreet design possibilities for my design team as they also have introduced a matching worktop. So if you can imagine if we made the doors totally handleless and topped it with the matching worktop then islands etc can virtually become like a minimal stone artform in an open plan livingspace - extremely strong statements can be achieved without being 'trendy'.
Not everything Hacker do is flawless and although they got very excited about 2 of their new doors, I felt they had missed the mark with their high gloss lilac and mango yellow doors. Maybe more suited to some high street kitchen sheds but discerning clients looking for sharp German classic contemporary design won't give it the time of day.
I always promise not to eat and drink so much on these trips but these Germans are oh so persuasive ! Thanks to Stephen Fass and his team for looking after us so well !

CW

Kitchen designs from East to West

Being based in Edinburgh, UK and working with my local market for 11years,  it has been apparent that geography really is quite predictable when it comes to kitchen styles and customer's choices. I frequently go on design trips with fellow designers from all over the UK and it always amazes me how certain kitchens sell so much more than others depending on the geographic region. You might think this seems obvious with country kitchens outselling contemporary kitchens in places like York and Windsor and vice versa in cities like London and Edinburgh but this isn't always the case in other continents. I was commissioned to do some kitchen projects in Hong Kong and the Middle East and looking at the cityslick local markets, you would assume that contemporary kitchens would be the main stay and highly in demand. Not so it turned out. English traditional kitchens in Hong Kong were all the rave and all my clients wouldn't look past them, turning their noses up at anything handleless or highgloss lacquered. The same could be said of my Middle East clients. On all occasions I was quietly amused as I designed traditional kitchen furniture into cutting edge apartments- much as I felt it contradicted the architectural design of the buildings and it going against my design principal, the clients were absolutely elated ! Looking back on it, I truly believe that the influence of TV and Celeb magazines in foreign countries portray this fairytale picture book of  'English living', making people want a wee piece of it. The amount of times I have been given a kitchen from a Hollywood movie to replicate is quite astonishing. ( Jack Nicholson's 'Something's Gotta Give' being the most requested )
As a designer, you always pride yourself into being able to predict a client's kitchen style without even entering conversation with them - it's always good to be proved wrong once in a while. Not all clients can be put into nice little stereotypical boxes - that's what makes design so enjoyable !

Milan Eurocucina 2010- the trends / our views

I decided to take a couple of my designers to this year's Eurocucina at Milan in April this year. Much is always anticipated at this event as it is only held once every 2 years and therefore the world's leading kitchen manufacturers use this event to showcase their cutting trends for the up and coming season. It was going to be the perfect trip but luck wasn't on our side as the dreaded Icelandic ash cloud hit!! (1st of all they snaffled my savings then they landlocked me in Milan! not chuffed!)  Anyway, 3 days- 4 train journeys, 2 bus trips + 1 ferry trip later, and we finally found ourselves back on good old Scottish soil!
Despite all that, our overview of Eurocucina itself was inspiring as ever and the irony of my design summary was the trend for the coming 2 years was simply -  
'kitchens are to be designed not to look like kitchens'
Ironic or crazy I hear you all say but to be blunt, it is something I really believe in - functions like washing/ cooking are hidden behind large sliding understated doors. Materials are more muted and understated with matt finishes looking much classier than the high gloss trends of the past few years. (personally ecstatic about this as kitchens will depend more on good design than bling materials!) With kitchens and living spaces becoming closer and closer in terms of form and function, this trend simply reflects that.
Anyway I will post photos from the show as soon as I work out how to work out these darn photo editors!!

Rational MOW show, Germany, taster...

Have just returned from the 2010 Rational MOW show in Germany. Some really exciting products and designs showcased! (pictures to follow shortly) A really worthwhile trip from a designer's perspective, the new displays were innovative and the added bonus of having a select group of my UK peers to discuss current trends was very refreshing! Once photos have been uploaded, will divulge the up and coming trends to hopefully grace our shores in the near future!  Ross.

P.S. Colin's off to see Hacker's new releases next month. Wonder if their trends will mirror Rational's?

Development Direct Kitchens named as Finalist in 2010 Design Awards

It was great to receive the official letter to announce that we've been nominated for finalist in the 2010 Design Awards!
The nominated kitchen design (designed by myself for an Edinburgh client) was also shortlisted for another design award. Our team at Development Direct are extremely pleased to be recognised in such a high profile event, where previous winners include internationally renowned designers Johnny Grey, Philippe Starck, and Mark Wilkinson. This is the third year in a row we've been shortlisted or nominated for the award  -  fingers crossed third time lucky!
The Design Awards were created to promote excellence in design in the home and are organised by the publishers of Designer Magazine and supported by the majority of leading UK bathroom and kitchen suppliers.
Both myself and Jenny travel to the Gala Award Ceremony, held at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, on the 5th October 2010. Win or lose, I'm sure it will be a memorable day. Wish us luck!

Neff National Excellence Award 2010 for Best Kitchen Design goes to Development Direct Kitchens, Edinburgh!

 

I can't think of a better way to start Development Direct's new kitchen design blog than by making the fantastic announcement that Development Direct Edinburgh picked up the "Best Kitchen Design" Neff National Excellence Award 2010 last week! To be recognised by such a strong and well respected judging panel made the award all that more special!

PRESS EXTRACT

"Scottish kitchen studio,  Development Direct Kitchens of Edinburgh has won a MasterPartner® Excellence Award for the Best Kitchen Design. The Excellence Awards were sponsored by the UK’s built in kitchen appliance brand leader, Neff. 

Design Director Colin Wong and Senior Designer Ross Nimmo of Neff MasterPartner® Development Direct accepted the coveted award for Best Kitchen Design at a prestigious Awards Luncheon held on Wednesday 15th September at the famous Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s Restaurant in central London. The event was hosted by BBC News Journalist, Kate Silverton.

Development Direct of Dalry Road in Edinburgh was selected as the unanimous winner of the Best Kitchen Design category by the 5-strong Judging Panel, which included the editors of two national magazines: Beautiful Kitchens and Designer. The company was praised for demonstrating kitchen design of the very highest calibre, in use of space, colour and layout."

A great accolade, and one our whole team are very proud to receive! The kitchen design itself utilised cutting edge Neff appliances, kitchen furniture by German manufacturer Hacker, and worktops by Dupont Corian.

Great to hear that Ysanne from the Beautiful Kitchens team had as great a time as we did! Check out their blog here.