DESIGN
Aluminium Kitchens and Interior Design
Aluminium, steel, and other metals are popular choices for kitchen furnishings.
19 September, 2016
Standing up to liquid and heat and easy to clean, aluminium makes durable, eco-friendly appliances.
When Ben Casado found a pristine set of never-used kitchen cabinets in California, he was overwhelmed by the response when he offered them for sale online. Amazingly, the historic steel cabinets had been made in 1948 and were still in their shipping cartons. Ultimately, the entire Youngstown Kitchen – complete with GE Airliner range – went home to the region where it was manufactured 70 years ago, and is now on display at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.
What surprised Casado was the widespread interest in his vintage kitchen discovery, but it comes as no surprise to the kitchen designers who are using metal cabinetry in present-day designs. Aluminium cabinets, in particular, continue to be popular as more homeowners and builders appreciate both their beauty and the environmentally friendly value durable aluminium brings to a busy household.
What surprised Casado was the widespread interest in his vintage kitchen discovery, but it comes as no surprise to the kitchen designers who are using metal cabinetry in present-day designs. Aluminium cabinets, in particular, continue to be popular as more homeowners and builders appreciate both their beauty and the environmentally friendly value durable aluminium brings to a busy household.
Images: 160 Leroy
At Aluniq, a luxury kitchen designer in Miami, both indoor and outdoor kitchens are prized for their sleek design and 30-year guarantee. The company extends its use of 100 percent aluminium cabinetry to other areas of the home, including the laundry room, bath, media room and even smart storage closets.
What Aluniq offers is high-end European design, using aluminium for its superior strength-to-weight ratio over steel. The company uses recycled aluminium to increase its green design impact, applying the material to interiors that deliver better fire resistance with cabinets, drawers, shelves (and even kitchen islands) that hold up better under wet conditions or where insects pose a threat.
What Aluniq offers is high-end European design, using aluminium for its superior strength-to-weight ratio over steel. The company uses recycled aluminium to increase its green design impact, applying the material to interiors that deliver better fire resistance with cabinets, drawers, shelves (and even kitchen islands) that hold up better under wet conditions or where insects pose a threat.
Images: Aluniq
When customers are considering options for their own kitchens, it is worth noting that aluminium cabinetry products are available in a full range of colors. The classic aesthetic is of course the brushed metal look that stainless steel appliances have made ubiquitous in kitchen design, but a splash of lime in the kitchen or a vibrant red face on media-room cabinets can create an aura of warmth and energy. For those looking to combine the best of modern manufacturing with a classic vintage look, aluminium with a retro turquoise flair can deliver both.
Image: Aluniq
The Techno product line makes it possible to design interior spaces with an exciting orange, while Vogue cabinets in purple deliver a rich feel to the room. For purists who prefer the minimalist experience, the Aluniq Classic series still delivers that luxurious kitchen feel in brushed aluminium or a fresh white.
Elsewhere in the home, a custom-built aluminium vanity with ceramic doors is light enough to suspend from the bathroom wall, creating a clean design line without any supports beneath the cabinet reaching to the floor. The company works closely with a manufacturer in Spain to on these styles.
That European approach is, of course, prized by design houses on the Old Continent as well. In Britain, the bulthaup Winchester firm designed a striking aluminium kitchen in charcoal grey that shows off the exposed brick and overhead beams of the old farmhouse, without overwhelming them with any jarring juxtaposition.
Other interior designers recommend metallic touches expressed through objects as they tie together a finished room. Stylish range hoods, lighting and small appliances are elements that bring aluminium home, as are kitchen furnishings and décor items as big as a table and chairs (or as small as a vintage teapot). Switch plates, aluminium cabinet-door handles and other hardware, and even metallic lacquers can refresh the kitchen – and other rooms in the home – when the budget puts new cabinets and furniture out of reach.
Elsewhere in the home, a custom-built aluminium vanity with ceramic doors is light enough to suspend from the bathroom wall, creating a clean design line without any supports beneath the cabinet reaching to the floor. The company works closely with a manufacturer in Spain to on these styles.
That European approach is, of course, prized by design houses on the Old Continent as well. In Britain, the bulthaup Winchester firm designed a striking aluminium kitchen in charcoal grey that shows off the exposed brick and overhead beams of the old farmhouse, without overwhelming them with any jarring juxtaposition.
Other interior designers recommend metallic touches expressed through objects as they tie together a finished room. Stylish range hoods, lighting and small appliances are elements that bring aluminium home, as are kitchen furnishings and décor items as big as a table and chairs (or as small as a vintage teapot). Switch plates, aluminium cabinet-door handles and other hardware, and even metallic lacquers can refresh the kitchen – and other rooms in the home – when the budget puts new cabinets and furniture out of reach.
Banner image: 160 Leroy