Our age is marked by tremendous technological development and innovation that is aimed at improving the quality of our lives. Today, we have so many devices that make our lives easier and more convenient. Home automation is one such technological development that adds convenience and value to the consumer’s life and one of the most popular areas for home automation is the kitchen. We have observed that in the past few years, the trend has been to invest in luxury kitchen solutions such as using built-in appliances. So, to better understand this trend and the evolving consumer behaviour when it comes to luxury kitchen solutions, we got in touch with Ar. Nidhi Vaish, Principal Founder, Yellow Brick Road Designs, Bangalore.
In this enriching interaction with BuildingandInteriors, she talks about her company Yellow Brick Road Designs, her experience of creating luxury modular kitchens, how technological innovations by leading brands like Siemens influence her design, and her most satisfying project till date.
About Yellow Brick Road Designs
The name ‘Yellow Brick Road Designs’ is inspired by the movie The Wizard of Oz wherein the character was supposed to go on a journey and follow the yellow brick road to reach her goal and that is how I feel about all my projects. Every new project is like a new journey we undertake. Although we are a very new firm, I have around two decades of experience in residential design.
Minimalist vs maximalist – Our design philosophy
As far as our design preference is concerned, we personalise each project according to the client’s needs. So, all of my projects look very different because they are tailored to match the style and personality of a particular client. Furthermore, I frequently travel across the world and that experience gives my design a global touch.
As far as minimalism and maximalism are concerned, I incorporate both into my design. I am a minimalist when it comes to designing living rooms but a maximalist when it comes to designing kitchens. However, when it comes to design in general, I am a personalist, because I respond to my clients’ needs.
Also, I’m very excited about the latest technological developments happening in the kitchen automation segment. We have a wide range of appliances available to us now. The latest technology for modular kitchens is upgrading itself based on the products’ functionality as well as aesthetics. So, it really helps us be more flexible and adaptive in our designs.
As an architect, it is my job to ensure that my clients don’t have to choose between aesthetics and functionality. Functionality is essential to a premium project because it adds to the experience. For example, my client won’t be satisfied if his place looks exceptionally beautiful but is not allowing him to live his life conveniently and practically. So, we always try to seamlessly incorporate both aesthetics and functionality into our designs. Fortunately, brands like Siemens offer a wide selection of products to choose from that exhibit a balanced mix of beauty and practicality.
Incorporating built-in appliances into our luxury kitchen designs
My design philosophy is to enhance my client’s day-to-day living experience. That can be done by increasing both the functionality and the aesthetics of a space. Built-in smart kitchen appliances do just that and more. They add a lot of value to our lives by making it easier while simultaneously reducing the clutter and elevating the home decor. Therefore, better efficiency and convenience are offered by these appliances.
Nowadays, built-in appliances are the best option for luxury kitchens because of their practical, space-saving design. The best kitchen appliances provide functionality, seamless kitchen integration, and maximum energy efficiency. Freestanding appliances are great for a variety of reasons, but if we want to go above and beyond to design the kitchen in a seamless and attractive way, built-in appliances are our best bet.
Our experience with premium projects: Essentials and challenges
There are two aspects of a premium project, first is the aesthetic that you see and the second is how you experience that aesthetic in your day-to-day life. In my opinion, premium is not limited to large spaces or aesthetics; it is also about fulfilling the user’s needs. That can be achieved by using the right material in the right way so that it fits the customers’ requirements. Therefore, if any one of them is missing, the project is compromised. For me, premium is artfulness not money; it is the experience, and not what you see. In this area, Siemens has launched a plethora of innovative products that cater to both the functionality and aesthetic needs of the Indian consumer.
As far as the challenges are concerned, I feel Instagram is one of the biggest hurdles you have to face while working with clients because they are bombarded with thousands of beautiful-looking pictures. Therefore, they come with these preconceived notions about what they want which change very quickly. Like I said, each project is like a journey and when you see these images, you don’t know the journey. I keep questioning them about their daily requirements and I help them visualise what they need.
Importance of appliances in a luxury modular kitchen
In our modern lives, we want a wide variety of good quality products that will save us a lot of time. Just like a smartphone adds value to your day-to-day life, modular appliances, do the same for our luxury kitchens. So, these days, kitchen appliances perform multiple functions with precision and some degree of automation. Sometimes they even come with a self-cleaning facility.
Instead of competing with the interiors, the appliances blend into the design concept to create a crisp and seamless appearance. This provides the kitchen with a polished, posh, and chic look that enhances the overall ambience. Further, integrated appliances provide you with additional design freedom. Therefore, Siemens appliances strike the ideal blend between cutting-edge technology and contemporary style to fit any modern luxury kitchen.
Three essentials of designing a modern luxury kitchen
The first thing you absolutely must do is compartmentalise the luxury kitchen into a cooking and entertaining area. Kitchens, nowadays, are much more than a cooking space. Secondly, it’s essential to keep your kitchen counters clutter-free. So, you can opt for built-in kitchen appliances instead of freestanding appliances. Also, you can increase the functionality by going for solutions like warming drawers made by Siemens. Thirdly, incorporating mood-setting elements such as music and lighting helps add to the luxurious experience.
Automated kitchens and consumer behaviour in India
Kitchens, as of now, have not reached true automation. However, smart appliances come with attractive designs, cutting-edge technology, and user-friendly displays that offer more flexibility. Furthermore, they also offer time-saving solutions that support our increasingly busy lifestyles and make our lives easier. There is a lot of research and development happening out there in this segment. The future could be smart devices that can look up a recipe for a particular dish and automatically set the timers accordingly. Basically, any multifunctional appliance that will save consumers time will dominate the luxury kitchen market. A smart fridge that can communicate with the planner and order fresh groceries when needed would be a total hit in the market. Another interesting development could be a burner that would automatically change the flame level according to the recipe’s requirements.
Talking about the Indian consumer, they love technology and are very open to the latest shifts happening in the market. So, when we finally reach complete automation in kitchens, I believe the Indian consumer will enthusiastically accept it.
Siemens – A front-runner in technological and design innovation
Siemens has come up with a lot of multifunction products which they have Indianized to meet the demand of the Indian consumer. The brand definitely focuses on the finer details of everyday life and they constantly upgrade their products accordingly. Also, they are regularly coming up with new and improved designs and automation technologies for kitchens. So, we no longer have to wait for five or ten years for something innovative to launch.
Additionally, they have a great research and development wing because of which they handle the day-to-day issues their customers face exceedingly well. They have updated their products to meet various India-specific demands. For example, they have updated their burners to enable the making of rotis or phulkas. Now, the brand is catering to the region and culture-specific needs of the consumer as well. Siemens has been constantly listening to their customer experiences and trying to find more ways to improve its products and designs.
Our most satisfying project till date
The most rewarding project I have done till date is designing my own home. The hero of my home is my kitchen which is centered around cooking and entertaining. I have used various built-in appliances to increase its cooking and hosting experience. Being an architect with no time for myself and a lot of knowledge about technology and the latest trends, designing my own home has been tough but tremendously satisfying and rewarding.
To get in touch with Ar. Nidhi Vaish and her team at Yellow Brick Road Designs, contact below:
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