I have always made claims that kitchens look like soldiers lined up for a parade when cabinets are all the same size, when the look is uniform, when there is no change of colors, wood, nor striking details.

My idea of a fun kitchen is exactly the opposite. I like to see cabinets with different heights, some accent colors, some accent wood species, I like to see fenestration with glass and interior lights and especially I don’t like granite counters. So many varieties of stone material, why limit the choice to granite?

The primary characteristic of the kitchen is to store cooking and serving equipment. That function remains in any style, whether it is modern, classic, country, elegant, or funky. If the kitchen function is utilitarian and of service then why not design it with style in mind, with cabinets which give movement and rhythm to the space?

I love to add unique details to coordinate with a personal taste.

 I love to create warm and refined atmosphere, with quality and robust material that will last in time, thus break the monotony of “all alike and uniform” cabinets.

I am a big believer in savings, even when designing kitchens. 

I am showing here a new way some Italian manufacturers design kitchens in the walls. They are called the fitted kitchens. They are beautiful, stylish and made to save space and money.

Basically the kitchen is made only of solid wood doors, interior shelves are also made of wood, but the interior walls are made of usual sheet rock and painted to taste.

Cabinets are recessed and flush with the walls, so they don’t stand in attention.
The interior is as spacious as you like it to be, no need to stay with the standard solutions 18”-24”-27” and so on, doors will follow the interior width.

The idea is to save on material and to attribute a feel of lived antiquity and rusticity while still having all the modernity of appliances and equipment. Of course the choices of style are endless, even contemporary.

The details on walls and hardware will beautify these kind of fitted kitchens, even an elegant chandelier, totally unrelated to the rustic style will look so appropriate, suitable for those people who love to surround themselves with beautiful and exclusive things.

The style of fitted kitchen has been seen only in Europe so far, but if you like to know more about it, or if you would like to install a kitchen in your home like these samples, I am here to help, just place your name below in the box. Ciao,
Valentina
Valentina Designs

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Copyright © 2011 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved

Valentina Cirasola is an Italian Interior Designer with a passion for kitchens and cooking. She operates in the USA and Europe. She loves to remodel homes and loves to turn unattractive spaces into castles, but especially loves to design kitchens and wine grottos. Check out her published books on 
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