The kitchen is the heart of the home. We all love this time of year where we gather our friends and family together as we spend more time together. It's not Spring until we start cooking and grilling during the time of year where we are outdoors more often. Haute Residence caught up with La Cuisine's Josu Gaubeka as he discussed the latest trends in kitchens that makes us want a new kitchen for Spring:
Outdoor Kitchens
Luxury condominiums are offering summer kitchens on each unit as part of the purchase price for the unit – including electric grill, ice maker, sink. La Cuisine notes they are seeing an increasing number of appliances and accessories in summer kitchens – warming drawers, pizza ovens, smokers, refrigerated drawers, dishwasher, ventilation, etc. and the use of outdoor special cabinetry in aluminum, stainless steel, and polypropylene.
Examples include Alina Residences in Boca offering La Cuisine kitchen upgrades in ultra-premium packages and outdoor kitchens in all units at Adagio Fort Lauderdale Beach, Quint Collection at 2800 North Ocean Drive and Boca Beach House.
La Cuisine Appliances sees walk-in wine rooms a growing trend – cabinet /wine cellar integrated to cabinets or freestanding units growing in numbers and bottle capacity. Their project examples include Aston Martin Residences which has a Tall wine cellar and Alina Residences in Boca has one from Miele.
Wellness Kitchens Trend + Steam Oven helping value of homes
According to a study by the Global Wellness Institute, wellness real estate is now a $134 billion industry. And while eco-friendly homes have been in vogue for years, the wellness trend is finally reaching the kitchen as well. According to a recent report from Zillow about which listing features can help homes sell for more, steam ovens topped the list at 34.1% above the expected sales price. Josu Gaubeka, president of fine kitchen appliance authority LaCuisine, says ultra-luxury consumers who value healthy eating are starting to demand unique appliances that match their needs, from shock freezers and blast chillers that maintain freshness to steam ovens that help food retain more vitamins and minerals. As conscious consumers recognize that healthy eating consists not only of the food itself but also of the method in which it is prepared, steam ovens are becoming a staple in high-end homes and condos, including at Monad Terrace, 321 Water’s Edge and Aston Martin Residences, which feature the new Gaggenau Combi-steam oven. In addition to steaming, the oven can simmer, bake, cook, braise, Blanche, broil, and reheat food, as well as extract juice and even make yogurt. A new sous-vide cooking mode, with accurate temperature regulation at one-degree intervals from 120°F to 200°F, allows food to be prepared in a healthy manner and ensures the food’s vitamins, minerals, consistency, and color remain unaltered.
