Renowned design leader unveils 11 ambitious new showroom concepts
Mick de Giulio is one of the world’s top kitchen designers. Beginning in the 1980s, he’s been among a handful of individuals responsible for the transformation and elevation of the kitchen from a utilitarian space to what it is today: the soul and heartbeat of most homes. This is due, in no small part, to his ability, with each successive project, to consistently advance bold new ideas and artistic visions for warmth, comfort and style.
De Giulio seems to especially push boundaries in the arenas of product and showroom design for brands like Kallista, SieMatic, Sub-Zero/Wolf and others. His 2002 Beaux Arts inspired kitchen for SieMatic is widely seen as an important design milestone in the industry.
Late last year, responding to a challenge put forth by long-time client, the late Bob Abt, owner of Abt Appliances in Glenview, IL, de Giulio took the wraps off a series of 11 interconnected kitchen vignettes at Abt’s 100,000-sq.-ft. location, resulting in Inspiration Studio. Each vignette highlights the possibilities that can be achieved using 11 different brands of appliances: Bosch, Dacor, Gaggenau, Jenn-Air, La Cornue, LG, Monogram, Thermador, Samsung, Sub-Zero/Wolf and Viking. “The spaces were designed on a continuum, with each space flowing into one another,” notes de Giulio, who consciously avoids declaring standard design boundaries like traditional and contemporary. “I wanted to challenge conventional design and inspire visitors to think differently about kitchens and appliances.” Mission accomplished.
