Liam Gawne was born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal and grew up in Kloof, north of Durban. After finishing school he took a gap year in London, which was to prove pivotal in his professional career before returning to Johannesburg where he has lived ever since. He subsequently studied marketing via UNISA.
He recalls: ‘I was first introduced to the kitchen industry 12 years ago in London, when I worked in sales for a well-established retailer that specialised in supplying appliances to the kitchen trade. After returning to South Africa I joined Miele, which has proved to be the right choice.
‘Miele has a reputation for producing leading-edge designs that are both unique and timeless. So much so, however, that they are often copied by the competition, but I suppose – as the old adage goes – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
‘Miele’s design ethos is carried over from generation to generation of appliances, yet they don’t seem to age. For example, a Miele oven manufactured 12 years ago will still complement kitchens that are designed and built today. This is an important consideration for any appliance design, but especially for Miele’s models as they are designed, manufactured and tested to last for up to 20 years. The fact that their design lines and their functionality will last for two decades or more offers owners genuine long-term value for money.
‘Personally, I really enjoy the direction that kitchens are currently moving in; with open plan layouts and the focus on ivory, greys and overall monochromatic colour palettes being at the forefront of high echelon kitchen trends. Miele has catered to both these directions.
‘One of the mainstay trends in modern kitchen design is very likely the open plan layout, where the kitchen merges with the living space. Today, a good deal of family life revolves around the preparation and enjoyment of food, and due to this the kitchen has become the most social area of the home. Open plan layouts have promoted this interior to become an integral part of the home’s living space, allowing the cook to socialise with others while preparing meals. Here, the kitchen, dining area and lounge all form one carefully considered open plan space – maximising both the floor area and the multipurpose functionality of the kitchen.
‘As a result of the escalating popularity of this design direction, it’s important that the appliances chosen add to the aesthetics of the interior, as well as being functional. Typically, Miele has catered for this trend with its Generation 6000 range of high-end built-in kitchen appliances. We believe that design encompasses the outward appearance of an object, as well as the experience of using it. This is the principle on which all of our built-in kitchen appliances are based. It results in products that perfectly complement one another within each family in terms of form, function and materials. The Generation 6000 range takes design consistency to a completely new level for a truly seamless and integrated end result.
‘Happily, the days of plain, dull kitchens are no more. As kitchens have cemented their role as the home’s central gathering place, they’re beginning to take on increasingly more interesting colours and finishes. In fact, the kitchen is a key area for such introduction. Being the place where people gather it’s apt to include some mixing and matching of colour to create a high energy impact. So, Miele offers a range of four options: Obsidian Black, Brilliant White, CleanSteel Stainless Steel and the all-new and sophisticated Graphite Grey. And to offer further coordination – or contrast – Miele has introduced colour-coded cookerhoods to its range. Clients can choose from an exceptionally wide range of colours from the RAL colour guide, to ensure that these accessories can become a factor in the overall colour scheme of what are integrated areas.’
For the full article see Habitat #261 September / October 2017
visit: www.miele.co.za
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