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If you missed the 2008 Eurocucina (Milan, April 16th-21st), you’ll need to wait 2 years to attend the next one… In the meantime, here are a few highlights.

One of the most interesting comments that you hear from many of the show attendees is that it almost seemed like the entire show is designed by one company… So many of the products are so similar to each other, using the same colors, materials and features that by the tenth stand, you are starting to get the feeling that you’ve seen this kitchen in front of you already.

The truth of the matter is that many of the products are indeed very similar. The first reason is because it is very difficult to ‘re-invent the wheel’ over and over again, year after year, so the amount of innovation and the level of invention are somewhat limited.

Another reason for the similarity between the companies’ products is the fact that they are all influenced by the current trends/colrs/fashion, they are also influencing each other and to some degree copy each other. Therefore, if they do not have a brand new look, a ‘design first’, there is a very good chance you’ll see it everywhere.

Add to that the fact that all the manufacturers are sharing the same suppliers and some of the same sources – that alone will limit the amount of new looks you’ll be able to present.

With all of the above said, some brands are always working harder and are able to come up with something new. It may not be a complete ‘design-break-through’ every time, but at the least it will be an attempt in achieving one. These companies belong to the small and very exclusive group of the ‘trend setting’ brands – they are the ones that set the tone, the ones everyone is watching and the ones that will be copied.

A couple of great examples of the companies that displayed new and exciting designs this year were Marchi and Pedini – one is very tradinional with an ‘old world’ feel, the other is ‘cutting edge’ contemporary. They are always located side by side, at Eurocucina – always showing brand new designs and never disappointing.

Above: Marchi Group

Above: Kitchen Design By Marchi.

Above: Pedini

Above: ‘Dune” by Pedini.

Above: “Dune” by Pedini.

It is not easy to keep coming up with new designs, or to find new materials that can be used to create ‘the new look’.  For that purpose, these companies are hiring the services of very talented designers, architects and design firms. Some are coming from different industries and are making the ‘cross over’ to the kitchen design field from other areas. Lately it is the automobile designers that are entering the kitchen arena (Pininfarina, for Snaidero, Porsche for Poggenpohl and Lamborghini for Pedini.