60 DEPARTURES LIVING FINER DETAILS Machines for Living Appliances are losing the industrial look in favour of luxurious finishes and sleeker lines – with no sacrifice in performance. By Joe Harper “DESIGNING A KITCHEN is like putting on a suit,” says New York–based architect Stephanie Goto. “It’s the tailoring that makes a difference.” Like many designers, Goto – who designs home kitchens for chefs such as Daniel Boulud – doesn’t want appliances to overpower the space. “I prefer things to almost disappear and only reappear when engaged,” she says. In the past, designers sourced from restaurant kitchens because they had the most high-tech appliances. But most of these proved to be too clunky and industrial for home kitchens. These days companies are scaling down the size of their appliances but adding a sophisticated sheen (as well as the smartest technology) to make the kitchen the best-looking room in the house. < Add a Little Colour Grey stainless steel doesn’t have to be the go-to. Last year True Residential (left; true-residential. com) debuted antiquewhite and matte- and gloss-black finishes, all available with copper, brass or chrome hardware, on its range of refrigerators. This year the brand’s mixand-match options have expanded, with matte-white and cobalt-blue finishes as well as gold and pewter hardware. The new black stainless steel for Bosch’s kitchen line (boschhome.com) protects against fingerprints and scratches. Miele (miele. com) introduced a cool Graphite Grey colour option, while Dacor (dacor.com) added horizontal hairlines, which give texture to the black stainlesssteel models in its Modernist collection. COURTESY THE VENDOR
PROMOTION A Taste of Paradise PALM-FRINGED BEACHES, AZURE SPARKLING SEA … ALL OF THIS AND MORE AWAITS YOU ON BARBADOS. nd this year there are even more reasons to visit this stunning A tropical Eden. With over 100 restaurants from coast to golden coast, Barbados buzzes with a vibrant foodie scene and rightly deserves its reputation as the Caribbean’s culinary capital. 2018 is officially the Year of Culinary Experiences and the ideal time to plan a gourmet getaway. All over the island there’s a mouth-watering array of restaurants, cafes, rum shops and beachfront eateries. Sample the catch of the day overlooking the sea, or discover one of Barbados’s stunning restaurants perched on clifftops overlooking the ocean. The Cliff, Cin Cin and The Animal Flower Cave Restaurant are all known for their fabulous food and breathtaking views, or join the party on Friday night at the world-renowned Oistins Fish Fry where the island comes together to feast on the freshest sea food cooked right before your eyes, before dancing the night away under the stars to Calypso tunes. No visit to Barbados is complete without a trip to a rum shop, and Barbados’s very own liquid gold is celebrated every year at their Food and Rum Festival (18th-21st October 2018). This year’s festival offers a packed line up of events, including the Oistins Bay Gardens Cook Off, food and rum pairings, and the ultimate Beach Party at the Hilton Resort. Barbados knows how to party, and the Food and Rum festival is just one of the many events in their packed calendar. Summer’s Crop Over, a five-week marathon of parties, reverie and music, originated as a celebration of the end of the sugar cane harvest. Expect colourful costumes, great music and delicious street food. After partying hard, take some time to chill at the Beach and Wellness festival in September. There’s nowhere better to kick-start a healthy lifestyle and fitness enthusiasts come from all over the world to join in on the many outdoor events. Explore the island on foot at Run Barbados Marathon Weekend (7th – 9th December), where 5k and 10k courses take runners through stunning Carlisle Bay and historic UNESCO site, Bridgetown. Carlisle Bay is also home to the Open water festival (7th – 11th November) where swimmers race in the crystal waters of one of the island’s most beautiful bays. Whether you’re looking for action and adventure, a laid-back dose of Caribbean R&R or an indulgent week sampling the island’s gourmet gems, Barbados truly has something for everyone. VISITBARBADOS.ORG
