Kitchen & Bath Business - July/August 2020 - 48

ALL ABROAD
"Lapitec is used in projects at an international level, and this commercial structure has
made continued sales of the product possible,"
said Francesco Giannini, the company's country
manager for North America. "The East has already resumed business, especially China, and the
strength of having a hygienic material is a plus for
us at the moment."
Forza, a North American-sold appliance brand
based in Italy, is introducing its new products to
dealers in unexpected ways by providing online
training sessions and supporting materials. According to Marco Guerzoni, the brand's marketing director, Forza was fortunate not to have to lay
off employees during the shutdown but instead
hired more support.
DESIGN TRENDS TODAY

Viva L'Italia

Residents are looking at new design
needs as the resilient country slowly
opens up for business

JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD, Italy - one of the nations hardest hit
by the coronavirus - is returning to business as usual. But the new normal is
much different, and companies are operating with an increased awareness of
health and safety. They are upping the ante on the sanitization and disinfection of their facilities, and still a lot of interaction with customers is being
done remotely.
That said, the disruption of the pandemic to the global kitchen and bath
industry is now going from "closed until further notice"to "open for business."
As such, Italian brands and design professionals are getting creative when it
comes to promoting their services and products.
Lapitec, a company that specializes in sintered stone slabs, has been hosting
webinars to engage architects, as well as its distributors and sales teams, with
constant updates. The majority of its sales do not depend on its retail stores,
which was a benefit when those were all closed to the public.

48
48-50_KBB_0720_AllAbroad.indd 48

ABOVE This kitchen by Carola
Vannini of Rome-based Carola
Vannini Architecture features
integrated appliances and
ample space for multiple
members of the household
to use it together. Photo by
Stefano Pedretti

By CHELSIE BUTLER

In addition to learning about how business is resuming in Italy, we also wanted to find out what
have always been popular requests from homeowners in the country and what might change in
light of recent events.
Just like in the U.S., the Italian kitchen has been
the heart of the home for several years. According
to Matteo Thun of Milan-based Matteo Thun &
Partners, the kitchen has become a living space,
and it is the center of all social interaction.
As such, items topping a clients' wish list include a welcoming space with plenty of daylight,
natural materials, integrated appliances, customized storage, durable materials that are easy to
maintain, multi-functional islands and - in some
cases - professional elements.
"In Italy, cooking meals is a ritual of great value,
reinforcing traditions and emotions," said Giannini."People increasingly want to feel like chefs
in their own kitchens and are eager to experiment
with the help of the proper equipment, which is
why they are looking for professional solutions."
In the master bathroom, Italians desire a spalike vibe that exudes relaxation and luxury, and
customization is key.
"Taps no longer come in just a chrome or satin
finish but are available in a variety of colors," said
Giannini."The entire bathroom suite can be chosen from white, anthracite, earthy tones or pastel
shades. It is therefore also essential for surfaces to
offer a wider choice of shades and tactile finishes."
Other popular requests in the bathroom include large showers; hygienic materials that do
not need to be cleaned often, specialized storage,
multifunctional showerheads and saunas. According to Carola Vannini of Rome-based Carola
Vannini Architecture, showers that can be used as
a Turkish bath, which combines sauna, steam and
cold-water experiences, are often at the top â
of the list for Italian homeowners.

/ JULY-AUG. 2020 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)

7/13/20 6:21 PM
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