Bella Cucina: 8 Italian Kitchen Systems

Bella Cucina: 8 Italian Kitchen Systems
By Janet Hall | Remodelista – Wed, 21 Jan, 2015 11:00 AM EST
Here's a look at the latest modular kitchen systems from Italy: practical, precisely engineered, and, yes, pricey. The
advantages? Modular systems offer the entire package, with an all­of­a­piece design so you don't have to cobble together
elements from different sources (cabinets from here, counters from there). And most of the companies featured here have
been in the business for decades and cater to a worldwide market. The drawbacks? You sacrifice a certain amount of
aesthetic control, and most of these designs are pricey. Interested? Here are eight good examples of Italian kitchen
ingenuity:
Alpes Inox
Alpes Inox Kitchen System | Remodelista
Above: Alpes Inox's freestanding, stainless­steel kitchen systems are multifunctional and made to come with you should
you move—none are built­ins, so they can be rearranged as needed, and most designs are available on wheels. See Race­Car
Style Appliances for Compact Kitchens.
Based in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, Alpes Inox is a family­run business; it's been fabricating kitchen equipment since 1954
using high­nickel stainless, which has a durable, bright, white shine. For more information and prices, see Alpes
Inox, and contact Mr. Passalacqua in the company's export department at [email protected].
Arclinea
Arclinea Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: Arclinea's Convivium Kitchen System is an open­living design, a "true center for rapport between the cook and the
others." Arclinea was founded in 1925 in Caldogna, Italy, where it's still based. Since 1986, Italian architect and industrial designer
Antonia Citterio has directed the company's designs. There are 13 Arclinea Distributors in North America, including
Arclinea showrooms in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, DC. Boffi
Boffi Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: The Boffi Aprile Kitchen, designed by Piero Lissoni, integrates rustic materials in the design: Its cabinet doors are
made using wood staves of varying widths and thicknesses. Situated north of Milan and in business since 1934, Boffi has a worldwide presence, including Boffi North American
Studios in Washington, DC, New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In addition to kitchens, it offers
bathrooms, storage systems, and a range of interior items, such as lamps. The company's long list of contributing designers
ranges from Marcel Wanders to Claudio Silvestrin. Dada
Dada Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: Dada's INDada Kitchen System, designed by Nicola Gallizia.
Dada Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: Dada recently introduced the linear Vela Kitchen System.
The region around Milan is home to several notable kitchen system manufacturers, including Dada (which has been part of
the high­end furnishings group Moldeni since 1980). Dada offers seven kitchen system designs, all of which are on view in
the company's New York and Miami flagship stores, and at In­Ex in Los Angeles. Poliform
Poliform Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: Poliform's Artex Kitchen offers ample work surfaces.
Poliform Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: Storage details in a cabinet from Poliform.
Poliform started in 1942 with a focus on bookshelves, wardrobes, and other home furnishings. Situated in the Brianza
region of Italy and still family­run, it added kitchens to its repertoire in 1996 through the acquisition of the Varenna brand
and now offers nine kitchen system designs. Poliform's North America Network includes more than 40 dealers, and there
are dedicated Poliform stores in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Miami.
Schiffini
Schiffini Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: The Cinqueterre, the first all­aluminum kitchen, was designed in 2000 by Vico Magistretti for Schiffini. Photograph
via DesignSpace London.
Schiffini was established in the 1920s to supply nautical fittings to the Italian Navy dockyard in La Spezia and later
specialized in the furnishings of military and civil ships. In the 1950s, Schiffini reoriented itself to kitchen furniture design,
and claims to be the first Italian company to produce a series of modular offerings. Still located near La Spezia (think
Italian Riviera), Schiffini is available in the US through McDuffee Design in Chicago.
Snaidero
Snaidero Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: The Code Kitchen by Snaidero features open, modular shelving, and is available in a range of colors and
configurations. Founded by Rino Snaidero in 1946 as a bedroom furniture manufacturer, Snaidero of Friuli, Italy, has been focused since
1959 solely on modular kitchen furnishings. It offers a portfolio of 18 modular kitchen systems and has several US
Showrooms.
Valcucine Valcucine Logica Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: The fully equipped back section of the Valcucine Logica System Kitchen comes in aluminum or stainless steel, and
can be fitted against a wall or used in an island. Clutter averse? The unit can be fully enclosed with cabinet fronts. Valcucine SineTempore Wood Kitchen | Remodelista
Above: The Sine Tempore system features a modern farmhouse spirit; see more at Modern Italian Rusticity from
Valcucine.
The youngest of the Italian companies in our lineup, 35­year­old Valcucine is known for revolutionizing kitchen
ergonomics with its 1996 Logica Kitchen (picture wall units with lift­up doors and cabinets with removable drawers). The
Logica was updated recently and remains one of the more technologically advanced modular systems available. If you are
looking for something with less drive, Valcucine offers several other kitchen systems, too. Valcucine US Dealers are located
in New York, Minneapolis, Tulsa, Chicago, and Dallas.
For more on modular kitchens and kitchen cabinetry see: Remodeling 101: Five Questions to Ask When Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
Copenhagen's Coolest New Kitchen System
Kitchen: Bulthaup Workbench
And consider the American­made Henrybuilt and Viola Park Kitchen Systems. Binova Regula Ad Kitchen, Remodelista
Above: Coming next? Binova is an Italian to watch. We're hoping its kitchens, including the Regula Ad design, shown here,
will soon be available on the US market. For more Italian kitchen design inspiration, see: 11 Italian Kitchens, Dolce Vita Edition
16 Made­in­Italy Kitchen Essentials
7 High­Style Italian Kitchen Ranges
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