EUROCUCINA T REND R EPORT April 2018 Milan, Italy MARATHON HARDWARE marathonhardware.com
EuroCucina has brought the world together in Milan since 1974. The biennial Internetional Kitchen Exhibition and companion FTK (Technology For the Kitchen), are the leading high-end kitchen design showcases in Europe and the world. Bringing together hundreds of top kitchen manufacturers with over 230,000 sq.ft of display exhibits, there is so much to take in and see for the 300,000 visitors from the world of design. Our Marathon team attends EuroCucina, and other global kitchen design events, in order to understand the ongoing evolution in design, technology and functionality. All the exhibits embody contemporary design, technological innovation, next generation performance, energy efficiency and ease of use. New shapes, colours and materials help mark out the kitchen as a place for living and enjoyment. We consider EuroCucina a must-see event so we can search for those new concepts and ideas that we must bring back to our customers in North America. Now for the first time, we have published our findings in the EuroCucina Trend Report. We aim to continue the series to ensure that Marathon stays on the cutting edge of global design trends and offers you access to innovative hardware and new technology for the kitchen. MILAN, ITALY APRIL 20, 2018
Walking the halls at Salone del Mobile Milano EuroCucina/FTK brings the best of contemporary design, technological innovation, next generation performance, energy efficiency and ease of use.
EARTH TONES EVERYWHERE! Designers are using natural tones in their material selections. Natural earth tones have become an overwhelming trend across kitchen design in Europe. Some repeated colour options appear as earthy Taupe and stone-grey Greige, along with the continuing trend in moodier darker colours such as Anthracite Grey and Matte Black. You are finding these shades and tones across all parts of cabinets, countertops, sinks and appliances. Decorative elements such as handles and faucets have moved in a direction to compliment these tones, as you see more natural but complimentary finishes such as Golds and Coppers, along with darker finishes like Stone Grey, Bronze Champagne and Matte Black, specifically to compliment the shift in base colours. These softer matte earth tones are more subtle and natural in their appearance. High gloss surfaces are still appearing but not seen in primary colours or flashy designs. 4 marathonhardware.com 800.840.1228
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BRASS & COPPER STILL IN LOVE! Designers still loving shades of gold while crushing on copper Brass and Gold finishes are still the darling of the world's leading designers but you are seeing more Copper elements being included. The world has moved away from aggressive Polished or Shiny finishes, instead you are seeing a morph into more subtle tones that compliment the earthy trend like Natural Copper, Subtle Gold, ith Bronze or Champagne highlights. It s not just in handles or faucets but especially in accessorizing elements like flatware and cookware. 6 marathonhardware.com 800.840.1228
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OPEN SHELVES EVOLVE UPPERS The trend towards open shelves in kitchens is really changing the look and feel, as well as functionality of your upper cabinets. Upper cabinets are evolving with a range of innovative options on display. The trend towards more open and accessible shelving is the clear winner with so many ideas around how storage can be improved and functionality of your work area supported. The result is visually exciting designs that give personality to kitchens which should be very appealing to a the home renovation consumer. 8 marathonhardware.com 800.840.1228
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BACKSPLASHES REINVENTED Innovative storage spaces added to bring increasing functionality The backsplash area has been reinvented with designers showing off intelligent integrated storage options and unique prints and patterns. The integrated shelving is a standout in terms of how accessibility can be improved for frequently used kitchen items while working within the space constraints of the space available. Of course it's important to keep in mind that European standards are different but the basic premise to include functionality and storage could be a trend to watch. 10 marathonhardware.com 800.840.1228
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MIXED METALS AND FINISHES Designers keep pushing for innovative ways to combine elements and finishes with the trend to mixing over matching. Mixing metal finishes seems to be a popular trend with different colours and finishes being incorporated strategically across a project often with stunning results. Matte Black is a popular coordinating colour as it can be used on metals like shelving frames or faucets yet still mixed with on-trend finishes such as Gold or Copper. 12 marathonhardware.com 800.840.1228
NATURAL WOOD ELEMENTS Designers continue to love to incorporate natural wood elements into their design Wood continues to be popular as a natural compliment in kitchen design. Raw edge slabs carefully finished or simply beautifully formed pieces can add a warm and inviting aspect to any design. There is just something aesthetically pleasing about seeing wood in a semi-natural state that works so well in modern contemporary design. 800.840.1228 marathonhardware.com 13
EUROCUCINA T REND R EPORT MARATHON HARDWARE marathonhardware.com