At 210 Design House, we’ve created and installed thousands of kitchens in every shape, size, and aesthetic. While every 210 kitchen includes high-quality materials, thanks to our brand partners like Snaidero and Plain & Fancy, each is completely unique, designed to reflect the homeowner’s lifestyle and individual taste. “The client always dictates the design,” says 210 Senior Designer Alexander Adducci. “From appliance placement to the sizing of each design element, we determine a flow and function that will work for the client. We consider and customize every detail.”
The design process typically begins with evaluating the space, then choosing appliances and determining cabinet placement to fit within, says Adducci. “It’s critical to commit to those foundational elements, and then we can focus on all the details that ensure the kitchen is efficient, stylish, and easy to maintain.”
From unique storage options that add functionality and aesthetic appeal to new technologies that increases ease of use — and can even elevate a client’s cooking ability — 210 focuses on bringing the latest and greatest in kitchen design to every project. Keep reading to learn more about the subtle, yet impactful details that take 210’s kitchens from average to extraordinary.
Unexpected, Hidden Storage Solutions
Cabinetry has evolved past the typical pull-out drawers and base and wall cabinets. “There’s so much innovative design now,” Adducci says. “We can really think outside the standard upper- and lower-cabinet boxes.”
The team recently incorporated innovative pull-out storage cabinets beneath the countertop, akin to a sliding pantry but with a unique twist—they extend from both the left and right sides. Additionally, pop-up counter storage solutions featuring hidden compartments and containers, seamlessly integrated within the kitchen island, provide functionality while maintaining sleek aesthetics when not in use.
More traditional hidden items — namely integrated trash receptacles and appliances — are also a 210 design staple. “You’d be surprised by how many people forget about garbage containers when they’re designing their kitchens,” Adducci says. “And even if a client likes the look of exposed appliances, I always recommend adding an integrated dishwasher. The visual impact is huge.”
Snaidero Kitchen at the Residences at St Regis, Chicago
New Tech For Greater Efficiency
New technologies in kitchen design and appliances are making our most lived-in rooms more efficient than ever. “We can now integrate elements into countertops that charge your phone or seamlessly transform it into a cooktop, and appliances are becoming more connected than ever,” Adducci says.
He points to Miele’s Con@ctivity function, which allows a ventilation hood to communicate with the cooktop below. The hood uses the data to automatically select the correct fan setting and create the optimal room climate. The brand also makes an island hood that raises and lowers with a push of a button, allowing for sleeker, unobstructed views when it’s not in use.
Smart cooktop in Snaidero Kitchen at 210 Design House
Adducci also recommends Gaggenau’s new Cooking Sensors, which attach directly to a pot and automatically determine the temperature inside, then signal to the cooktop to raise or lower the heat accordingly. “It makes cooking that much easier and almost fool-proof,” Adducci says.
Functional and Stylish Design Details
From durable, faux-lacquer finishes to illuminated, magnetic backsplashes and sliding stone backsplashes, new kitchen designs are more innovative and stylish than ever. Case in point: Snaidero’s e_Wall system, which includes multiple customizable components that can be attached to a backsplash for additional storage and organization. “The system offers a linear light strip so that it looks like it’s glowing from within, eliminating the need for under-cabinet lighting,” Adducci adds. At another 210 project in Wisconsin, Adducci designed a custom stone backsplash that slides open to reveal hidden storage. “The installation had to be meticulous, but the end result is pretty incredible,” he says.
Wisconsin Project with sliding backsplash by 210 Design House
Snaidero also offers new cabinet finishes — including a newly released mirror finish in style Elementi — that are as visually appealing as they are durable. The brand’s Tech finishes are made of melamine that’s engineered to look like wood, metal, or matte lacquer. “They’re very smooth and resistant to fingerprinting, making them a great choice for families with children at home,” Adducci says.
No matter your individual needs or style preferences, 210 has kitchen designs that will make your home — and your life — more functional and more beautiful than ever before. Stop in our River North showroom to learn more about how subtle design details can transform your kitchen.
