New appliances to help shape the future of ergonomic kitchen design

MIELE, one of the world’s leading producers of high-end home appliances, is equipping Middle East homes and establishments with a range of next generation kitchen products that blend on-trend design with superior durability and technological expertise.

At the Eurocucina exhibition, which took place in Milan, Italy, earlier this year, Miele revealed the company’s latest range of built-in kitchen appliances with a series of culinary demonstrations led by internationally acclaimed chefs. 

“Miele’s Middle East customer base is extremely receptive to new product integration in their homes, as well as in a kitchen setting, and we are seeing heightened interest, especially for appliances that incorporate the latest technology,” said Gaby Koudsi, managing director for Miele in the GCC.

Industry observers have also tagged Miele as one to watch, with the company introducing a number of new appliances that are helping to shape the future of ergonomic kitchen design.

Miele’s new Ice, Jet Black and Brilliant White collection of built-in appliances echoes the sustained trend of 2011/12 for a neutral base palette, offset by colour accents to add personalisation. “Kitchen trends are currently centered on monochrome palettes, and consumers are increasingly looking to blend excellent design with functionality in their kitchens, giving a modern and unique, contemporary look to their home,” remarked Koudsi.

The Jet Black collection is synonymous with cool understatement, featuring hardened glass fascias back-printed in jet black, while the Brilliant White range has a striking sleek white gloss finish and white opaque glass oven door.  Meanwhile, the cool appeal of the Ice series provides a lighter alternative, using aluminium, silver rear-printed glass and chrome to accentuate a puristic design statement.

Integration is also a growth area in kitchen and appliance design, with ‘hidden appliances’ featuring prominently at Eurocucina 2012, with trend watchers also reporting increased integration and sleeker modular design of ovens, microwaves and wall-mounted devices.

“In line with this, Miele has released an exclusive next generation high-end slimline hood, cleverly concealed behind an elegant wall unit, with a pull forward mechanism to release the extractor. This aesthetically pleasing and effective approach to ventilation is perfect for modern, easy to maintain kitchens,” said Koudsi.

Undergoing a recent resurgence in the US following similar success in Europe, induction cooking is also back on the menu for homeowners across the region, with energy savings through lower electricity bills a major driver of interest. This is also being twinned with an upsurge in healthy eating, which is seeing steam-based cooking solutions come on line.

The imminent launch of Miele’s new high-tech FlexTouch induction hobs in early 2013 which has three distinct modes, for solo use and multipurpose use, allows up to five pots and pans to be placed anywhere on the ceramic screen, and which adapts to individual consumer preferences, is set to change the way that regional consumers, as well as professional chefs, cook. Using new touch-display technology, the hob unit automatically recognises the size and position of pots and pans and displays their precise position.

According to Koudsi, Miele is even making the washing up easier with the launch of its state-of-the-art ProfiLine dishwasher range. “The fastest fully integrated dishwasher in the world, with the ability to wash loads in just 17 minutes, this range is all about convenience, and that’s something that our customers rate as highly as reliability, durability and the Miele promise of quality.”