QUINTESSENTIAL KITCHEN DESIGN ON SHOW AT DECOREX JOBURG

“Where once they were simply functional, separate rooms in the house, today’s kitchens are a key aesthetic feature of the modern home’s design.”

Clinton Soutter, National Sales Manager for Franke South Africa, sums up the evolving role of what has become the indisputable focal point of the home. As sponsor for the second year running of the ever-popular Franke Kitchen Design Project at Decorex SA, the globally renowned kitchens-systems supplier brings to Africa’s largest décor, design and lifestyle exhibition over 100 years of expertise in the design and manufacture of cutting-edge culinary zones. And this year is no different.
Appropriately named the Franke ‘Heart of the Home’ Kitchen Design Project, the enormously interactive stand planned for Decorex Joburg, which takes place from 5 to 9 August at the Gallagher Convention Centre, sees Franke partnering with four of the country’s leading kitchen manufacturers to showcase the very latest trends in kitchen design.

“The Decorex platform enables the consumer, interior designer and architect to engage with our brand as well as our customers under one roof,” says Soutter. “The Kitchen Design Project is focused on allowing kitchen companies to demonstrate to these key players just what is possible within the culinary-design realm.” Franke’s new Fragranite and Sinos ranges will be on display at Decorex Joburg 2016

The Project’s four participant companies – Milestone Kitchens, Lifestyle Kitchens, Kraftmade Kitchens and Eurofit Kitchens & Cupboards – will present a riveting display of beauty, function, fun and design brilliance at the Joburg show. “We are expecting these designers to really the push boundaries and express themselves in this project, giving the homeowner inspirational ideas that are not only functional but that complement their living style and aspirations,” adds Soutter.

“We will be showcasing a state-of-the-art modern kitchen featuring PG Bison’s new timber colour ranges,” hints Pierre Theron of Pretoria-based Lifestyle Kitchens. “Our cupboards will be finished with Caesarstone countertops and top-drawer Grass ironmongery. Franke sinks, prep bowls and mixers will also be on show.”

According to Theron, earthy, natural colours, as currently seen in Europe, are high on the modern kitchen agenda. “The full spectrum of greys is very popular, as are clean lines and simplistic design. Lighting, too, plays an increasingly influential role and combining LED strip lights with glass elements creates a striking finish. And space efficiency is key; more and more, clever pullout corner units and innovative storage solutions are being incorporated into kitchen design.”

Echoing Theron, Silvia Miles of KwaZulu-Natal based Milestone Kitchens says that smaller homes mean less space for food preparation and, for many, that large place once reserved for expansive countertops has given way to cost-cutting and convenience. According to Miles, who will be showcasing her innovative Kitchen In A Cupboard at Decorex Joburg, kitchens are moving towards simplicity. “Clutter is no longer a prerequisite for an extraordinary space. I expect the idea of having kitchen units that are freestanding will become ever more appealing as a result of their exceptional fluidity,” she says.

Functional workflow is also central to the designs of Benoni’s Kraftmade Kitchens. “We have developed a unique storage and access application that will be showcased for the first time on our stand at Decorex Joburg 2016,” says the company’s Rory O’Donovan, who adds, “The way the kitchen connects and communicates with all living areas is essential. Architecturally, new homes are being designed around the kitchen, the guiding principle now being to achieve unrestricted and sequential workflow within the kitchen and, at the same time, to allow open interaction with family and friends. The design of the kitchen area has a direct impact on the entire home.”

Like Lifestyle Kitchens’ Theron, O’Donovan places a premium on good lighting: “Much more thought is now being applied to effective lighting applications in kitchens. In addition to task lighting above work areas, there is an increase in specialised internal lighting systems available for drawers and storage cabinets. These systems are being widely used in Europe and are now becoming an important part of creating a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing environment in the South African kitchen.”

Visitors to Decorex Joburg will also be treated to the very latest product ranges from Franke. “Our newly launched Specialist Range, which received a great reception at Decorex Durban and Cape Town, will be on display,” says Soutter, who explains: “Each sink – be it a traditional favourite or a trendy new design – has been carefully selected to ensure that customers find the ideal fit for their cooking styles, personal styles and lifestyles. We’ll also be showing our stylish Fragranite range, which boasts a number of unique properties, including germ-, scratch-, stain- and heat-resistance. The new range includes a choice of sinks which have multiple installation methods, giving one the freedom to select the option best suited to his or her specific kitchen design and tastes.”

To see Franke’s brand-new ranges, not to mention the very latest in kitchen cabinetry, appliance and product design, don’t miss The Franke ‘Heart of the Home’ Kitchen Design Project at Decorex Joburg 2016. For more information visit www.decorex.co.za.

Decorex Joburg details:
Public Access Decorex Joburg: 5 – 9 August 2016 5 August Time: 1pm to 6pm 6-9 August Time: 10am – 6pm
Ticket prices: R110 for adults; R90 for pensioners and students; R80 for trade; R20 for kids under 12 Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre Trade Access Trade-only preview morning: 5 August 10am-1pm Trade focused day: 5 August To register as trade or to find out more about the trade programme visit www.decorex.co.za For more information, e-mail decorexsa@ThebeReed.co.za Visit: www.decorex.co.za 
 Facebook: Decorex SA 
 Twitter: @decorexSA Decorex Joburg forms part of the Decorex SA portfolio and is owned by the Thebe Reed Exhibitions.