The top European kitchen manufacturers are facing an ongoing dilemma – year after year, to come up with something new and exciting . The kitchen industry is really a fashion-driven business, and just like the clothing designers, kitchen manufacturers are doing whatever they can to  be different and to pioneer a new look, one that will set them apart and get them noticed.

One of the ways these manufactures are trying to stay original, in the last couple of years, is to use unique materials – not just wood, laminate, glass and lacquer anymore but stone, concrete, leather and even paper are showing up on the scene and we are not talking about the counter tops…

a courageous plan to use a new material derived from recycled paper, eco-friendly

. The PaperStone ® is a material made from fibers derived from recycled paper and resins not derived from petroleum.

A kitchen from Key Sbabo – the material derived from recycled, eco-friendly paper… PaperStone ® is composed of recycled paper fiber and non-petroleum-based resins. Meticulous attention has-been paid to details – even the sink is made of PaperStone ®

Kitchen design made in Tuscan

Leather doors and drawer faces, leather drawer sides...

How about an entire kitchen, made from marble and leather…? Why not…? Toncelli Cucine.

Sturdy, but light enough - not just the counters, but the entire kitchen!

Steininger Kitchen in concrete

Steininger – an entire kitchen made of ultra-thin concrete – light, strong and safe.

The companies who seem to be effected the most, by the world recession, are a few of the largest companies. Perhaps their sheer size, makes it so much harder to adjust to though times and make the unnecessary adjustments quickly.

If you look at the 10 largest European Companies, you can see the effect of the global economy – Nobia, the largest European kitchen group (at least in 2009), already sold off  Pronorm in 2010 and  is now reported to pull out their Poggenpohl brand from the up coming Eurocucina…

One other German industry giant – the Alno Group, is also reported to be in rough waters. The ever so needed capital, from new Swiss investor, Mr. Max Muller is hopefully going to help the company who has reportedly have gone through several changes in middle and upper management lately and allegedly is in the middle of a pending law suit by the previous CEO over compensation.

In Italy, the recent bankruptcy of the 50+ year old Salvarani and the rumors of many brands in financial difficulties have the industry in buzz…

It will be very interesting to see what the Milan Fair  and the Eurocucina show will look like next April. Rumor has it that Cosmit, who is the organizer of the show,  is working very hard on convincing companies to return to the show next year.

The main problem is that granite is simply ‘played out’… People are just tired of it, after using it in kitchens for so many years and it’s not just in the kitchen – you see it everywhere – on the side of city buildings, on the bank’s floor, and even in public bathrooms…

The good news is that there are many great alternatives! The fastest growing segment of the counter top business is quartz – brands like CaesarStone, Silestone (Cosentino), Zodiaq (Dupont) and many others, from around the world are gaining in popularity for years now – they feel like stone but are stronger and maintenance free.

Quartz counter top by CaesarStone

Non-granite stones, like marble are being used more, especially with the introduction of new sealers that are making them a bit more practical.

Marble counter top - Minotti Cucine

Then there are glass counters, stainless steel, ceramic and unlike in the US, in Europe you still see some solid surface counters, such as Corian.

Glass Counter top - Pedini Cucine

Corian counter top - Pedini Cucine

SplinterWorks have a particular affinity with developing work that re-thinks how we prepare, cook and experience food. They bring the activities of the kitchenout of the grid shaped room at the back of the house and into the living areas creating works to be enjoyed socially, physically and visually.

The majority of their works are unique commissions where every element, from the intended location and practical elements, to striking a personal resonance with the commissioner, can be considered and accomplished.

cunKitchen … take your kitchen to where you live

take the kitchen to where you go

onto your terrace, to your garden, alongside your swimming pool, and – last but not least – in your kitchen  … or use it …for elegant front cooking, the professional demonstration kitchen and exclusive event cooking.

cunKitchen … take your kitchen to where you live

the versatile combination possibilities make cunKitchen become a mobile kitchen not bound to a static room.  … whether classic gas or innovative induction technique, there are teppanYaki griddle, hob, oven, fridge and sink … … available in european hornbeam, teak, white corian®, or full stainless steel

several finishes are available for the cunKitchen

cunKitchen … a modular system … for your inviduality

joko is a family run company of industrial – handcraft manufacture in the south tyrolean alps in Italy

the versatile combination possibilities make cunKitchen become a mobile kitchen not bound to a static room

the team of Josi and franz Kosta, who have been supplying butcher blocks, cutting boards and working tables to the professional market, under the Joko brand, have brought their passion for the kitchen, to the domestic market, several years ago.