Design trends may come and go, but the kitchen island remains one of the most crucial (and in-demand) features of any culinary space. For many, the perks of an island are seemingly endless: More counter space, more storage space, and more space to sit. But for German brand eggersmann, which has been perfecting kitchen design since 1908, it’s about time the sought-after island gets reimagined with cutting-edge technology and artful form.
“An island can be more than just storage,” says Evan Soltoff, vice president of operations at eggersmann USA. “It can be so easy to fall into that trap of copying what someone sees on social media, but we’d like to think our clients are more original than that.”
For a deft way to maximize counter space, eggersmann offers its sliding motion worktops, which feature a hidden roller system that enables countertops and tabletops to slide silently and easily. Since eggersmann typically builds the mechanical sliding system into its island, Soltoff says the motion worktops can be tailored to fit a customer’s unique spatial and culinary needs. While some worktops slide out to offer more space for entertaining and meal prep, other applications work hard to conceal everything from sinks to utilitarian accessories like knife blocks and spice collections. “You can hide an element and pick up the space where your sink might’ve been,” Soltoff explains. “As a result, you just have more counterspace.”
But while eggersmann’s motion sliding worktops offer a measured dose of pragmatism, other dwellers might be craving an island that can act as the kitchen’s “wow” moment. Enter the Nami, which means “wave” in Japanese. Designed in tandem with international studio Yabu Pushelberg, the artful island explores the beauty within juxtaposition. Here, the silhouette’s negative space beautifully highlights the rich, robust material—creating an island that commands attention in the process.
“The idea of Nami is to have art that you talk about in your kitchen,” Soltoff adds. “It’s an artistic gathering point: You can sit around it like you would a table—but it also has storage and can even have a cooktop or sink.”
Or, for something that bridges the gap between form and function, look to eggersmann’s Skywalk Cantilevered Kitchen Island. Between the floating form and angled LED under-lighting, this offering takes the typical kitchen island to new heights—literally. “We took the island a step further by looking at it from not just a functional standpoint, but also from a decorative and sculptural aspect,” Soltoff explains.
“We incorporated discussion of taking two separate islands and moving them toward each other so one essentially melds into the other.”
Regardless of which design piques your interest, one thing’s for sure: There are plenty of ways to think outside of the conventional kitchen island. And, since eggersmann prides itself on customizing its creations for its clients, there’s plenty of room for a personal touch. “Let’s show [customers] they can do something different,” Soltoff shares. “[They] can get really different, be creative, and do something that hasn’t been done before.”
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