Remote-controlled kitchens and other bad ideas

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In case you didn’t have enough remote controls in the house, designers are adding them to the kitchen. At Eurocucina, the biennial exhibition held in conjunction with the Milan furniture fair in Italy, several manufacturers showcased remote-controlled doors that slide to hide appliances or kitchen storage. Others such as Miton premiered kitchen islands with shelving units that popped up or down on cue; Gruppo Del Tongo showed a mirrored-finish island whose faucet lowered so part of the countertop could slide over to hide (partially) the sink. Because what you need more than a Transformers-esque island is a mirrored-finish Transformers-esque island.

Here’s video of one example from Pedini (and apologies for cappuccino-withdrawal shakiness):

The islands-in-motion seem more novelty than necessity, but who knows: Next time I have a burning desire to hide spices, then maybe I’ll consider buying that island. (Or maybe I’ll just put them in a cabinet?) And I’m pretty sure that, as arduous as it will be close a door the traditional way, the process will take less time and energy than looking for another lost remote.

-- Craig Nakano

Video credit: Unfortunately, Craig Nakano