Читать книгу Contemporary Asian Kitchens and Dining Rooms - Chami Jotisalikorn - Страница 6

contemporary asian kitchens and dining rooms: culinary yin and yang

To quote American writer Arnold Lobel, "All's well that ends with a good meal."If the dining room is the heart of the home then the kitchen is the pulse that feeds it. Today's kitchens are finally making their own bold design statement: stylish, streamlined and full of character. Innovations in quality products and materials make the modern kitchen a functional yet visually stunning space. And, just as paintings and artwork contribute greatly to the harmony of a dining room, so the plethora of modern gadgets and utensils are introducing an artistic element to the workspace of the house. Few kitchens today would be complete without at least one modern designer accessory.

The concept of an open-plan kitchen and dining room is a relatively new one in Asia. Historically, the kitchen was seen as a no-frills, utilitarian place where maids and cooks rushed around preparing meals, and where little thought was given to the decor. It was a place to be hidden from view, away from the guests.

The 1950s saw a transformation in kitchen design in America, and Europe. Overnight, women whose apron strings had been securely tied to the kitchen sink had access to all the mod cons they could wish for and both food preparation and mealtimes underwent something of a revolution. The dream kitchen of the '50s had all a woman needed for an easy, streamlined lifestyle and as more women worked outside the home in America, the TV dinner gradually became the quick and convenient way to eat.

Not all cultures embraced this American dream. In the more traditional countries of southern Europe and in Asia, where an extended and strong family unit was the norm, mealtimes—and by default the kitchen and dining rooms—were still the core around which family life was focused.

In the past, many Asian homes featured two kitchens—the "working kitchen" often situated outside or behind the house where messy stir-frying was done and the "dry kitchen" where plates and utensils were kept and food was assembled before serving. This is sometimes still the case today.

Over the years, the kitchen has evolved from being just a functional adjunct to the main house to an entertainment center and showpiece. And where once Asian designers and architects were very much influenced by the West, many firms featured here, including aKTa-rchitects, HYLA and Eco-id, are now creating kitchen and dining spaces with a more Asian sensibility while exploiting western technological inventions.

Beginning in the 1980s, major innovations were introduced in restaurant design. Fusion cuisine and celebrity chefs—television's new heartthrobs—changed the way we thought about eating and cooking. Terence Conran helped revolutionize the modern restaurant with his cutting-edge "kitchens on view" such as those at Quaglino's and Mezzo in London while Ed Tuttle created a graceful and new Asian style at the Aman resorts. Increased global travel and changes in restaurant design naturally had a trickle-down effect on how domestic kitchens were designed.

More recently, Japanese designers like Super Potato's Takeshi Sujimoto and his protege Yasuhiro Koichi have been instrumental in creating restaurants that are both the ultimate in contemporary design yet also reflect their eastern locale. Mezza9 in Singapore's Grand Hyatt, La Scala at the Sukothai in Bangkok and The Cliff at the Sentosa Resort and Spa in Singapore are just some examples of the groundbreaking new Japanese style of restaurants.

Changing trends in Asian cooking have also determined how kitchens are designed. Where once a gas stove would have sufficed for wok cooking, more people are turning to "cleaner" options such as electric hobs and specially—and often aesthetically—designed gadgets including electric woks and rice cookers. This development has in turn affected the culture of dining and entertaining in Asia. As one Singaporean homeowner said, "when we first met with our architect to talk about the house that we wanted to build, one of the earliest and most exciting points of our discussion was about designing the kitchen, dining and living rooms as a contiguous space complete with a long table spanning the kitchen and dining area. Since cooking and entertaining feature quite prominently in our lives, and given that I'm always stuck in the kitchen when guests arrive, this would be a brilliant way for me to cook and entertain our guests at the same time without them having to come into the kitchen."

An immense cascading wall of water frames this floating dining platform at The Cliff at the Sentosa Resort and Spa.

Orbit Design gave this bachelor's dining room in Bangkok a slick and sexy look with metallic wall paint, stainless steel and glass.

Freed from the conventional restrictions of four walls, the dining room is also becoming more experimental in layout and design. Asia's tropical climate has inspired many designers in Singapore, Bali and elsewhere to incorporate the outdoors with the indoors. Dining rooms seamlessly merge with gardens and pools providing avenues for balmy al fresco dining.

The generous kitchen counter and roomy benches double as additional dining space during parties in this Bangkok loft.

Accessories in fruit colors add whimsical charm to the white-on-white dreamscape of this minimalist kitchen counter in Thailand.

Vibrant reds provide a dramatic contrast to the biscuit and black palette in this al fresco dining area at The Club at The Legian. Mother-of-pearl inlay on the table introduces a delicate touch.

International design companies such as Boffi, Miele and Arclinea now pave the way for variation and experimentations in our kitchen designs—with the help of product designers and renowned architects like Antonio Citterio. New brands are increasingly available at Asian showrooms such as Kitchen Culture and Cream 136 in Singapore where customer demands for functionality, style and innovation are paramount.

With the wealth of design shops in the region, homeowners are spoilt for choice when it comes to decorating their homes. However, there is a growing trend for custom-made furniture specially designed for a space which also reflects the owners' individuality and personality. Many Asian homeware designers, like Pesamuan and Jenggala Keramik in Bali, have turned tableware into an art form with crockery and accessories that are imaginative and stylish. In keeping with the region's eclectic and diverse cultures, the emphasis in the design of kitchens and dining rooms is on tastefully blending eastern and western elements to create a "fusion" style.

In Bali, two artists have employed their distinctive and vibrant artwork to spectacular effect in their house (page 60). Modern calligraphy reiterates the theme of contemporary Asian in a bachelor apartment in Singapore (page 96) and in Malaysia, Indian antiques offer an interesting counterpoint to a thoroughly modern space (page 52).

Styling a table is all about experimentation and innovation. In this Singapore apartment, the table settings reflect the linear architecture while also introducing a modern Asian sensitivity.

A condo kitchen in Bangkok's Sky Villas embodies the dramatic new attitude to the cooking space. The custom-designed kitchen counter has the high-gloss chic of a trendy Japanese restaurant, taking snacking to a style high.

Innovations in materials are also liberating the design of kitchens. While limestone and ceramic tiles are still used for counter tops, many designers are exploring solid surface materials such as Cohan for its sleek and satin finish, while durable stainless steel gives a modern and minimalist effect.

Asians are also experimenting with the shape of their dining tables. Whether it is round, square or oval, any shape and size goes as long as it enhances the space. And it is no longer de rigueur for the dining table and chairs to match. In one of the Singapore homes featured in this book, a boardroom office table is used to great effect as a spectacular dining table paired with contemporary leather chairs (page 33) while in Thailand, tree trunks were hollowed out to make benches offsetting the overall modem look of the dining room (page 34).

Asia has always been able to assimilate western innovations while adhering to its own traditions. Whether it is a shophouse kitchen in Singapore that is given an industrial makeover, or a house in Bangkok where the original servants quarters are converted into a stylish dining room, or a kitchen in a Balinese villa that is open to the elements, the dining rooms and kitchens shown in these pages are testament to the unparalleled variety of designs and styles in the region.

The houses and apartments featured in this book illustrate the enormous changes that have taken place in the design of kitchens and dining rooms. The contemporary Asian dining room and kitchen gracefully blends the functional with the stylish, and modern innovations with the oriental charm that ultimately defines the lifestyle we lead. Integration rather than isolation is the key.

These intricately wrought chopsticks, crisp white napkins and silk ties artfully blend Asian tradition and contemporary style.

An inviting entertaining space is all about blending hues, textures and creating stunning table settings. The custom-made pendant by Lightcraft that runs almost the entire length of the dining table fills the compact space, making it appear larger than it is. The dark and subtle tones of the table setting complete the graceful look of the dining room.

shades of sophistication Conceived as a series of bungalows stacked vertically, the clean and restrained architectural style of these Singapore apartments designed by Calvin Sim of Eco-id Architects is reflected in the luxurious open-plan dining area.

Rich fabrics and a muted color palette convey a sense of elegant, understated opulence appropriate for the well-traveled and sophisticated homeowner. Heavy drapes frame full-height glass windows and the abundant foliage beyond.

A Fendi leather console table against Roselle Montclair fabric-paneled walls is a great showcase for this simple display.

play of light The chocolate-and-vanilla interior at the Anantara Resort & Spa Hua Hin's Italian restaurant shows the magical effects of subtle lighting, as hidden light sources lend a glowing allure to the basic palette of wood and cream-colored walls.

Removable patterned runners on the armchairs allow the seats to be dressed up or down for different occasions.

Recessed backlighting and the shimmer of glass create a romantic ambience at this table for two while multiple lanterns lend a sense of symmetry.

Square shapes provide a modern alternative to the usual round plates, a theme echoed in the square vases, given an Asian accent with water lilies.

an open plan Like many large houses in Thailand, the home of Rika Dila has two kitchens: a main cooking kitchen at the back of the house, and a western-style "dry kitchen" inside, used as a pantry and serving area for pre-cooked food and drinks.

When the kitchen is in open view from the dining and living room areas, handsome kitchenware is called for. This Boffi cabinetry is fashionable as well as functional. The stainless steel designer juicers from Habitat keep the look stylish.

The view from the living room shows that there is no division of space among the kitchen, dining and sitting areas. In this open-plan concept, all areas merge into one room, giving a simple ease to living and entertaining.

The clean-cut look of the Minotti table and leather chairs makes the combination a versatile palette for any type of table setting. Behind the table is a painting of a womb by Thai artist Pinaree Sanpitak.

tropical zest When Guz Wilkinson Architects redesigned this old shophouse in Singapore, the main objective was to "get as much light and nature into the heart of the house as possible" by incorporating natural materials against a white palette.

The white floors and walls enhance the airy feel of the core of the house. Bright flowers and the earth-toned crockery add zest to the overall design. The pool, with its abundant foliage and "floating" stepping stones, connects the front and the rear sections of the house.

The rear block of the house was a new addition. Seen here through full-height glass doors in the front living area, the space exhibits a modern style while still retaining the character of the old shophouse. Curved wooden chairs from Space reflect the tone of the wood used for the door handles.

The kitchen plays an important role in Andy and Michele's lives. They were very particular about what fittings they wanted, so Quality Renovations custom made everything according to their specifications. Stainless steel and white Corian make for a fresh and uncluttered look. The open-plan design means the couple are never isolated from their guests while entertaining. The edgy, minimalist bar stools are from Trax.

humor and harmony Clean, contemporary lines make Andy and Michele Wilkinson's kitchen in their Singapore condominium designed by K2LD Architects both a practical space for cooking and a great venue for entertaining friends.

Michele has a self-confessed passion for cows and is an avid collector of all things bovine. Her witty collection includes tea pots, butter knives, place mats and egg cups from all over the world.

Artist Hollis Fingold makes household objects into animal art—such as this fun phone that Andy and Michele bought in Hong Kong.

A cow-inspired jug makes for an unusual container for kitchen utensils and a great talking point.