Quiet Luxury Loud Impact: A Rise in Understated Kitchen Design
From on-the-go coffee that kicks off your day to large-scale group dinners, the kitchen is possibly – through no fault of its own – the most chaotic room in the home. Also known as the heart of the home, the kitchen is renowned for bringing together family, friends and anyone looking for a late-night snack. But how do you craft the atmosphere of a space that holds such a dynamic existence? Join Stef Grinberg from Sydney Kitchen + Bathroom Design as she chats to Nino Strangio, director of Betta Style Kitchens & Joinery as he brings insight of the rise in ‘quiet luxury’ in kitchen design.
Strangio first started his journey in the construction industry with apprenticeships in shopfitting and detailed joinery. Then the 90s called, and they brought Strangio a lifechanging opportunity in the form of the sale and his subsequent purchase, of a small benchtop manufacturing company. Strangio would go on to grow the business, later establishing a sister company, The Pre-Fab Group which supplies fully assembled kitchens and joinery to the trade, building and retail sectors.
“The rest, as they say, is history,” he said.
Over the years both companies’ services expanded, and with that growth came the natural progression that today sees the blend of “the two businesses’ respective strengths,” Strangio said.
LET’S START WITH THE BASICS
Crafting that perfect, balanced design within the kitchen is often a challenging process as each decision brings the kitchen to life. These choices make a lasting impact, from the selection of material and the use of texture to the colour of each benchtop, cabinet and splashback. As trends come and go, finding a style that feels like you is what makes the kitchen a long-term investment.
With decades of experience and an established name within the industry, Strangio knows what makes the house a home. Well-designed spaces that are thoughtfully refined and built with care make all the difference in how each space actually feels, especially in what’s often the most utilised room of the house. Kitchen trends are, of course, ever evolving and recently there’s been a rise in ‘quiet luxury’.
Finding that perfect balance of personalised and stylish is all part of the design process as Strangio explains that he “will always encourage timeless designs and choices over trends.”
But how do you know what to pick? Well Strangio says, “this can be done by focusing on daily routines and activities the client follows.” The emphasis, he explains, should be placed on “durability [and] neutral foundations that prevent short-lived trends.”
When asked about his opinion on why the style has jumped in popularity, he said, “homeowners are embracing minimalism.” It’s with this curated style a shift towards softer colour palettes began, as homeowners opt to “bring calmness, peace and balance to their space,” Strangio explained.
MINIMALISTIC, BUT NEVER BORING
Now, this begs the question: what defines a ‘quiet luxury’ kitchen? Is it a specific material or feature? Strangio explains that the style relies on the act of “designing kitchens with a refined approach, focusing on understated elegance paired with the use of premium materials.”
While a carefully curated material selection and a restricted palette often give the space an elegant finish, Strangio would say that “high-quality marble, real veneer as well as embossed timberprint and brass accents,” truly embody the idea of ‘quiet luxury’.
Often, kitchens of this aesthetic are crafted with muted tones throughout, featuring premium, custom-made joinery and expansive benches that effortlessly fit within the room. The style is made of a cohesive selection of materials, along with bespoke detailing that elevates the space with ease.
Colours are often what translates that dream into reality and breathes life into it, “soft shades like ivory, cream, beige, taupe and greige are resonating at the moment,” Strangio said, picking up on the subtle industry shifts he has noted through his extended time in the industry.
Strangio expressed that the small details that create a ‘quiet luxury’ kitchen, are “curved ends and feature panelling” noting that it’s the small design elements that transform the space.
For this aesthetic to truly shine, he would say that “door finishes, high end appliances, hardware and bench tops,” are what homeowners should in invest more of their budget in to achieve this look.
He would go on to explain that door finishes should be “natural veneers or embossed timberprint melamine,” while hardware should be motorised with “pull out mechanisms” and the homeowners should invest in “marble benchtops.”
CRAFTED WITH CARE
Now that the material selection and colours that create that ‘quiet luxury’ aesthetic are fully understood, it’s time to break down the finer detailing. Custom joinery, the detail that expresses the elegance of the home without feeling overwhelming. It’s what makes a home feel well planned and luxurious. Strangio explains that great design with well-utilised space and the “right finishes” is what “balance[s] minimalism with practicality.”
When replicating this style of kitchen, made-to-measure joinery provides accurate and detailed features, while an off-the-shelf alternative leaves margin for error.
In this aesthetic it’s those small details that often hold the most power, providing the space with a clean visual narrative, seamless lines and curated feel. Texture plays an integral part in crafting the understated, yet luxurious space “textured finishes enhance the overall look of the joinery,” he explained.
Strangio explained that its “superior craftmanship, the correct use of space, elevated designs and the selection of premium appliances and materials [that] provide not only an elevated look but also the longevity of the design,” allowing the kitchen to “stand the test of time.”
“I see quiet luxury dominating the industry in the years to come as families are looking for this grounding and relaxed environment at home,” Strangio concludes.
Images courtesy of Betta Style Kitchens & Joinery