Mette magic in the kitchen
In the kitchen tending to a hot stove is usually where I’m happiest — but kitchen design in general fails to move me —that is, until I came across Chop & Change.
It’s what you might term a progressive concept in design, conceived by Bath-based creative consultancy Mette, and which caused a stir at 100% Design 2012 in London.
This sparked a commission from the organisers for the 2013 show, which evolved into Farm Kitchen, utilising Mette’s Chop & Change in a conceptual hub, incorporating micro-agriculture into interior design, alongside a fully functioning 100-seater restaurant.
Its success in turn led to a larger commission for this year’s show, opening next month, called Makers’ Carousel, which has an aesthetic reminiscent of a fairground ride.
“It’s like a play space for contemporary design, where designer-makers can find materials to play with, make something and then communicate it without being constrained by a lab or factory”, says Caroline Santos, who runs Mette with her husband, Nelson.
So how did they arrive at a practice with such variety in design conception and execution?
“My background is graphic and fashion design and its promotion,” Caroline explains. “Nelson’s is interiors and furniture design.”
But it’s clear they’ve a knack for being ahead of the times too and not reliant on what’s in-vogue to feed their work. Caroline agrees.
“What’s new and what’s next is what we’re noted for. Manufacturers come to us for product ideas, but concepts must be tangible and brought to people in an engaging way.”
Currently they’re prototyping Brewbot, a home brewing appliance connected to an iPad so you know when to tackle the various stages of the brewing process. Another is plant pots that tell you when to water.
“In this industry you’re told what’s next,” Caroline says. “Milan has now decreed mixed materials but we were doing that two years ago, pre-trend.”
And it’s true. Chop & Change is a mix of reclaimed timber, concrete and signage-inspired shots of yellow. So what should we be looking out for I ask her?
“Broadly, raw materials and simplicity but not so basic, with an agedness.
“Simplicity isn’t about white and clean anymore, it’s about earthiness and tactility and an element that celebrates craft, beautiful joints, interesting shapes and structures with a high design aesthetic.
“Technology is another to watch and integrating it into furniture. Designers will sell their designs and templates which we’ll be able to download and take to a maker.”
It makes me ask what she’s most excited about and she laughs.
“Well, we have a new little attic studio here in our home in Bath, and our dog Fritz. He’s our chief recreation officer.”
With this unexpected reply, a picture of the lives behind these clever designs and concepts comes into focus, hinted at earlier by the earthiness of Farm Kitchen and the fun of Makers’ Carousel. So perhaps their home isn’t all high tech and designed to the hilt as I suspected.
The Farm Kitchen table from 100% Design is now their table at home she tells me.
“There’s also a table in our studio made from reclaimed concrete flooring. It’s futuristic but has a background story. It’s been walked on, discoloured and has depth and history.”
And with that insight the interiors’ voyeur in me is satisfied, and, of course, the kitchen critic.
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