Island kitchens: beautiful and practical at the same time

3 minutes

Allensbach, Germany

Melanie Raff and Marco Hornung teamed up to make their dream come true: A kitchen that combines both aesthetics and functionality and perfectly reflects their lifestyle. The little town of Allensbach on the German shore of Lake Constance offers a splendid vista of the countryside. Apple trees, rolling hills and meadows on the doorstep and the mountain peaks of the Alps on the horizon. "We both feel very much at home in these surroundings," says Melanie.

IMG1303_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1

Modern kitchen with a direct view of the lake

"The kitchen is the absolute hub of our home," says marketing expert Marco. "It was very important to us to implement our ideas and think through our everyday routine in detail when planning everything. We worked together with our kitchen planner to realise our wishes." Melanie and Marco's island kitchen is stylish through and through: "The minimalist white fronts radiate a wonderful calm," says the model with a smile. She likes things to be natural in her private life and yet it's important to introduce contrasts.

IMG1304_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1

Minimalist fronts, an eye-catching worktop area

The striking worktop area around the sink is a special highlight. "We discussed the material at great length. We didn't want conventional stainless steel because you can see all the fingerprints. We wanted a modern, slightly industrial feel," explains Melanie. The two of them found the solution in Northern Germany. A 5 mm worktop of hot rolled stainless steel that was produced in a single piece.

IMG1308_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1

Everything runs like clockwork

It was very important to the passionate chef to have perfect workflows. The layout of kitchen cabinets has been geared exactly to his everyday routine so that everything is within easy reach and distances are as short as possible. "And we don't get in each other's way when cooking together," says Marco with a wink. Functional solutions provide enhanced convenience and help the hobby cook conjure up delicious dishes.

The large drawer under the worktop in the middle of the island, for instance, provides ample space for kitchen accessories – so they're exactly where they're needed. The worktop between hob and sink has a nice width and depth. There's plenty of space for chopping up vegetables and rolling out dough. Easy!

IMG1310_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1
"Melanie loved the elegant, clear-cut design of our kitchen from the start. And I had to have the practical knife holder and film/foil dispenser."

Melanie and Marco used every inch of storage space available in their kitchen. How did the couple create their dream kitchen?

One-touch opening – with SERVO-DRIVE

What about the waste? No problem. The waste bin pull-out is directly under the sink and has been equipped with the SERVO-DRIVE electrical motion support system. All you have to do is nudge it with your hip, knee or foot and it opens by itself. It closes again softly and effortlessly with integrated soft-close BLUMOTION.

"Ideal for a multi-tasker like me," chuckles Marco. "My hands are always wet or full. So this pull-out really pays off every day." "And if our guests happen to lean against it, it stays closed," adds Melanie.

The couple was so enthusiastic about their new freedom of movement that they even had their refrigerator retrofitted with SERVO-DRIVE flex for handle-less fronts. There is an extra switch for turning off SERVO-DRIVE if you want to – for instance for cleaning.

IMG1306_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1

Elegant drawers with well-thought-out inner dividing systems

The slim, linear design of the LEGRABOX drawers (made of stainless steel with anti-fingerprint coating) greatly contributes to the fine synergy of aesthetics and functionality. And the matching AMBIA-LINE inner dividing system organises interiors beautifully.

IMG1309_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1

Planning is half the battle

"I can't complain about not having enough storage space either," adds Marco with a grin. "When we planned the kitchen, we worked out exactly where everything should be kept." The spice pull-out, for example, is a custom design right next to the hob."

IMG1311_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1

There's just one question that remains to be answered…

Did either of them have to lower their expectations? "No, no," says the couple reassuringly. All their ideas and wishes have been implemented to the full in their new kitchen. "Melanie's sense of aesthetics and my affinity for functionality do not exclude each other. Quite the opposite. Our requirements complement one another to create our perfect kitchen," sums up Marco. And Melanie confirms: "We're simply an unbeatable team!"

All advantages at a glance

  • Workflows taken into account

  • Sufficient storage space included

  • Convenient one-touch opening of handle-less fronts

  • Inner dividing systems organise interiors and provide clear visibility of contents

  • High-quality pull-outs in a linear design

This might also interest you

IMG0990_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1
Design
Italian design meets functionality
Internal storage and design are important in the kitchen as well
IMG1333_AA_FOT_FO_BAU_#SALL_#APR6I_#V1
Kitchen
Kitchen renovations made easy
Modern kitchen/living space thanks to clever planning
Wohnraum_Grafik_Cooking
Kitchen
Mini kitchen, big space
Surprisingly large storage space thanks to clever cabinet solutions
Storage space
Tips and tricks for organising under-sink space 
Amanda helps you to design your perfect sink cabinet
Julius Blum GmbH

Plant 2
Industriestrasse 1
6973 Hoechst
AUSTRIA

Phone +43 5578 705 - 0
About us

Blum is an Austrian manufacturer of innovative furniture fittings.

Find out more
Legal Notice Privacy Policy Cookie Policy