Sunday June 28, 2009

Kitchen developments

Story and pictures by GRACE CHEN

Sunday Metro looks at the latest in kitchen furniture from Aino.

THERE was no doubt about it – the kitchen worktop was actually singing!

Our puzzled looks must have tickled Mathilda Lindy Wong, Aino Kitchen’s head of products and business development, who laughed as she revealed the little trick she had played on us.

The sleek look: Note that the absence of handles gives this kitchen a minimalist look and eliminates the danger of injuries caused by their protrusions.

The latest in Aino’s line of kitchen gadgetry, the worktop featured a dock connecter on its side and she had plugged her Ipod in it, she explained.

A worktop that also works as a speaker so that the cook can cha cha to the sound of music while minding the stir-fry: Now, how handy is that?

Though Wong did not divulge the details, we found out that this marvel is credited to the latest in sound technology – acoustic drivers about half the size of a coffee cup which channel audio vibrations to a solid surface, turning the entire object into large speaker.

One might argue that a CD player would work just as well at providing music in the kitchen, but if you have the cash for the latest gadgetry, why not flaunt it? It is a worthwhile lifestyle statement!

Make work look like play: Wong rests upon a worktop made with natural stones encased with resin.

“The kitchen has evolved in the sense that it is no longer only seen as a place to nurture the family,” Wong pitched. “It is now part of a lifestyle statement which recognises it as a place for the family to gather, to laugh, to celebrate or share confidences. As such, it has to be a comfortable space, with all the amenities of daily living built in to facilitate such needs.”

Modern kitchen talk, Wong added, is not only confined to discussions about refrigerators and oven hobs. Today’s designers are looking into making better and more efficient kitchen furniture.

One example is to maximise usage of small space, and this is reflected in Aino’s range of extendable worktops, which won first prize in the Kitchen category at the MIECO Designer’s Choice Award during the Malaysian International Furniture Fair in 2008, she highlighted.

Another is to address the direct needs of a disabled and elderly population. This has led to the development of a range of handleless drawers where a single touch of the hand, knee or foot will trigger an electronic opening and closing mechanism. This feature has far-reaching benefits for those with arthritic backs, and wheelchair dependents who, in the past, have had to manoeuvre bulky wheels while grappling with a heavy drawer. The touch feature is also handy when both hands are full.

Hear, hear: The ‘singing’ worktop that was transformed into a speaker with the plugging in of an IPod.

Aino, Wong said, has also turned to German technology for slides that are integrated with dampeners to ensure that drawers are able to slide open with ease and with the least possible friction and noise.

The movement of these slides is made possible with steel ball bearings built within the device, which can withstand 50kg loads for each drawer.

This same principle also applies to another idea known as the magic corner solution to address storage of items in hard-to-reach places in a kitchen cabinet.

For a touch of colour in the kitchen, Aino features a vibrantly-hued range of the Baumatic line of cooker hoods and built-in ovens. Julia Roberts, the Hollywood actress, is said to have one in her kitchen.

“The idea is to inject a touch of colour in the kitchen for a lively atmosphere,” said Wong.

For those who prefer the natural look, Aino also has a range of resin-based worktops with real stones encased inside for a touch of whimsy.

These, revealed Wong, are manufactured locally.

What Aino has in mind is to create the dream kitchen, offered Wong who has a degree in architecture and design from Trisakti University in Jakarta and has spent close to 11 years in the designer kitchen business. Of Indonesian origin, she came to Malaysia after marrying a Malaysian who works as an insurance adjuster.

“We have this mission to inspire non-cooks into taking up the culinary cause and we are creating the atmosphere for them to do so,” she said.

When it comes to designing, there is no lack of inspiration from the traditional Asian kitchen, Wong maintained. But, she said, it has the cluttered look of wetness and plastic bags that she does not favour.

“For example, what I personally look for in a kitchen is cleanliness. Stepping into a wet kitchen does not appeal to me,” she said.

Wong, who often cooks while her two-year-old toddler watches from the safety of a baby chair, prefers a dry kitchen, saying it is more conducive for children in terms of hygiene.

She revealed that she has a dream kitchen at home. Built in warm woody beech tones, it cost almost RM16,000 to have it done, she said.

It looks like it was worth every sen she paid for it when she said: “For every thud of a heart’s beat, think of the nutrition that has kept this organ working. For every morsel of food that has gone into your mouth, thank the cook and don’t forget the humble kitchen.”

For enquiries, Wong can be contacted at lindymathilda@ainokitchen.com. To visit a showroom nearest to you, call 03-7880 1555 for location details.

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