<img alt="" src="/imagedata/2009/jan/kitchen1.jpg" align="right" border="1" />Appliances may be more intelligent, efficient, and feature-packed than ever, but that doesn't mean they're grabbing the spotlight in today's kitchens. What's On peeks into kitchens that fuse style and everyday usability THE kitchen is not a sweatshop. It is a place to bond and a place to unwind after a stressful day. So why not make your kitchen an inviting space, say interior designers. When it comes to art and fashion, Italy is known to come up with masterpieces. No surprises then, that it should also produce designer kitchens. Gilma, the leading kitchen brand, recently tied up with Spagnol Cucine to offer stylish functional kitchens. Gilma Spagnol Cucine's modular kitchens can be crafted to suit the client's needs. The entire unit is imported from Italy. There are complimentary offers of built-in appliances like refrigerators, ovens and dishwashers to the first 50 customers. The designs are minimalist, elegant and sophisticated. The range of designs includes Linea, Glamour, Family, Collection City, Romance and Old Classic in MDF and solid wood.u00a0 Rajendra J Gandhi, managing director of Stovekraft, which owns Gilma Spagnol Cucine, says, "Our goal is customer satisfaction. Gilma has 15 years of experience in the Indian market and Spagnol Cucine has a history of over 200 years, so a combination of our efforts is bound to incorporate the best." What's cooking? Classic and cozy-that's the way kitchens are going. Vintage, French, and Victorian themes are also rather popular. The modern touch comes with use of checkered French wallpaper, tiles with brush strokes, medallions or leaves, etc. Faux finishing is also in. In addition, kitchen counters, tabletops, cupboards, and other kitchen fixtures can be pasted with a faux finish detail to incorporate a similar theme. Faux designs that can enhance any kitchen are stucco and marbleized finishes. At: Kitchen Kraft, No. 1153, 12th Main, Gurukripa, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar. Ph: 98440 60995; and Studio 79, No. 11 &amp; 12, Sahakarnagar, Bellary Main Road. Ph: 99020 14704 From a designer;'s diary Here are some pointers when you design your kitchen Personalised storage: Customise the features according to the space available and your taste. Wine rack on one wall, open shelves on another; countertop-to-floor cubbies and sink near stove are some options. Efficiency inside: Until a few years ago, kitchen cabinets were not so well equipped. Now, storage options are plentiful, ranging from rollout trays to breadboxes. Display space: Your exquisite china need not be kept behind closed cabinet doors or out of the kitchen completely. Make appliances disappear: Appliances may be more intelligent, efficient, and feature-packed than ever, but that doesn't mean they're grabbing the spotlight in today's kitchen. On the contrary, cabinet manufacturers have made it easy to hide dishwashers, trash compactors, and icemakers behind panels that match adjacent cabinet doors. High quality finish: A good finish can help take a cabinet from a piece of wood to a work of art. Distressed finishes are still popular, particularly when they're used to add premature age, but today's look leans more toward worn and well-preserved. Decorative elements: A range of colours, achieved through various finishing techniques and accent pieces, has made it appear that new and unusual species of wood are taking root in today's kitchens. Non-traditional look: Locker-room-style configurations of cabinetry have given way to more interesting arrangements. Instead of lining up units along the top, bottom, and front face, staggered setups are being used to create more eye movement and intrigue. Embellishments: Gone are the days when cabinets were unembellished boxes. Today's most interesting styles take their finishing touches from furniture and architecture.

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Appliances may be more intelligent, efficient, and feature-packed than ever, but that doesn't mean they're grabbing the spotlight in today's kitchens. What's On peeks into kitchens that fuse style and everyday usability

Moving beyond pots and pans

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