An Interview With Franke SA Kitchen Trends Winner

As first time participants of the Franke SA Joburg Kitchen Trends Project, Micah Kitchens hardly expected to walk away with R10000 worth of Franke SA products, as well as the coveted title of ‘Franke SA Kitchen Trends Winner’. But their modern, clean-cut and minimalistic kitchen design instantly won over the judges as it eloquently expressed the project’s ‘Simplicity in Design’ theme.

After recently watching the project unfold at Joburg Decorex and being impressed by Micah’s flair for design, we decided to sit down with Micah Kitchens General Manager, Matthew Dodd to discuss his experience of the Franke SA Kitchen Trends Project.

Micah Kitchens Show Us What It Takes To Create A Winning Design

Marcia: Why did Micah Kitchens decide to participate in the Franke SA Kitchen Trends project?

Matthew Dodd: We felt it was a good way to showcase our design and style by being a part of something within the Decorex set up. We liked the idea of 4 different kitchen companies being given the same ‘recipe’ and we’re excited about the challenge to see what we could come up with.

Marcia: How did Micah Kitchens prepare for the Franke SA kitchen trends project?

Matthew Dodd: From design to sourcing of products, decorating and manufacturing, Micah Kitchens started the journey in February 2017 already, pre-building our exact show stand in our factory allowing us the opportunity to iron out any small details, making sure everything looked and felt just right. In preparation for the Franke Project, we knew everything was perfect before dismantling the show stand kitchen, ready to install at the Decorex Joburg show.  

Marcia: How long did it take to set up the kitchen design at Decorex and who was involved in this setup process?

Matthew Dodd: The bulk of the main structure was built in 2 days, with the help of our factory manager, Didi van Wyk and one of our top installers Raymond Wilson. With the remaining 2 days allowed for build-up, tying up loose ends and perfecting the overall look.

Marcia: How did your winning design adhere to the ‘Simplicity in Design’ theme?

Matthew Dodd: As the name suggests, the design was simple. Variants in heights and depth of units created an interest to the kitchen, while incorporating different colours and thicknesses of Caesarstone allowed for a more striking look. While being a practical kitchen, it still had a huge element of design and style.

Marcia: Do you have any kitchen design tips for our fans?

Matthew Dodd: The kitchen has become more than just a room in your house to prepare food in, it has grown into a room that families and friends socialize in, and has become an extension to your living or entertainment space. There are no rules in today’s kitchens of what is right or wrong in terms of style, as long as the key elements are there, the kitchen can be whatever you dream it to be. Marcia: Which Franke SA product did you use in your winning design, and why did you choose this specific product?

Matthew Dodd: Micah Kitchens used the KBG 110-340 undermount Onyx sink due to it blending in so naturally with our overall colour scheme. We paired this with the Mirus professional tap which in itself is a great design, complementing the sink and our kitchen design perfectly.

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