The designer shared her top picks from the innovative kitchen products event.
By Elisa Fernández-Arias
As part of NKBA | KBIS’ trip to Eurocucina 2024 and partner event FTK (Technology for the Kitchen) held in Milan, Italy, April 16 – 21, the association asked select designers in attendance about their preferred brands and products. Toni Sabatino, AKBD, of Toni Sabatino Style, shared highlights from the show and her favorite picks.
“I loved the entire show!” Sabatino said. “Salone Del Mobile presented life as art! Integrated lighting and texture and artist collaborations made for some exciting products in kitchen and bath. Wellness and sustainability were a big part of the product focus and recycled materials are being used more than ever in the manufacturing process. I am feeling very inspired!”
The designer’s top finds ranged from cabinetry solutions to plumbing fixtures to an impressive kitchen island.
- Efficient Storage Solutions from Various Brands
Sabatino chose Cucine LUBE as one of her top choices from the event for its whole home integrated modular cabinetry solutions with integrated lighting and hidden storage. She also pointed to Febal Casa’s modular cabinetry with sculptural fronts as one of her favorites from the event.
According to the designer, these brands, along with bulthaup, Poggenpohl and schüller., featured cabinetry offerings, “all proposing beautiful storage solutions for the whole home that were both streamlined and detailed. The mix of closed storage and open shelving created a clean but personal backdrop for easy living. The luxury of simplicity was evident with innovative use of sliding doors and pockets to create a place for everything, even compost! Additionally, the thoughtful placement and integration of appliances created ease of use for people of all ages and abilities.”
She added, “Miele showed new finishes and both vertical and horizontal ‘stacking’ capabilities for more creative placement and design options. Interestingly, while the shapes may be minimalistic, the warm nature inspired finishes, textures and sculptural door offerings create a sense of intimacy and luxury that we are ready to embrace in our market.”
- Plumbing fixtures from GRAFF
Another brand Sabatino highlighted was GRAFF, for its “mix and match shower heads and lighting, for an amazing showering experience.”
- Appliance Details from Bertazzoni
The designer was also impressed by Bertazzoni’s “new warm metallic finishes and textures used to create a more intimate feel, resulting in artful appliances.”
- Chandelier Shower Head from Kohler
Additionally, Sabatino spotlighted this product from Kohler, which includes not only the design itself but also music that plays while one is showering. “The shower head was presented by Kohler to give the user a thoughtful experience that evokes beauty,” said the designer.
- Kitchen Island from OFFICINE GULLO
Another standout product for Sabatino was OFFICINE GULLO’s metal island design, which she described as “glorious.”
An award winning kitchen designer, Toni Sabatino started out in the K&B industry working with a kitchen cabinet manufacturer, and has since added more than 1,000 kitchens to her portfolio, became CLIPP-certified and is a past Star Award winning President of the NKBA Manhattan Chapter.
