Max on Top: Women in Kitchen Design

FENIX Verde Comodoro island and cupboard fronts

There was a time when the kitchen was a room people disappeared into. Hidden behind closed doors, it was designed for efficiency rather than experience—a place where meals were prepared before life resumed elsewhere. Today, Max on Top explores the influential women in kitchen design who helped transform this once-hidden space into the heart of the home.

Today, the kitchen is where life happens. Families gather around the island, children complete homework at the table, friends linger over coffee, and everyday moments become lasting memories. This transformation reflects not only changing lifestyles, but the enduring influence of women who reimagined the home as a place of connection as well as function.

The Kitchen Practical – Lillian Gilbreth

Throughout the twentieth century, pioneers such as Christine Frederick, Lillian Gilbreth and Grete Schütte-Lihotzky challenged traditional thinking. Frederick introduced workflow and efficiency into kitchen planning, Gilbreth championed ergonomics and user-centred design, while Schütte-Lihotzky’s revolutionary Frankfurt Kitchen became the blueprint for the modern fitted kitchen. Together, their ideas continue to shape the way designers create kitchens today.

The Frankfurt Kitchen – Grete Schutte-Lihotzky

As homes evolved, walls came down and kitchens opened up, becoming the true heart of the home. Modern design embraces natural light, tactile materials, warm woodgrains, authentic stone-inspired surfaces and soft matt finishes to create spaces that are both beautiful and welcoming. These elements don’t simply enhance aesthetics—they encourage interaction, comfort and a sense of belonging.

FENIX Verde Kitami & Arpa Rosa Bourbon

Arpa Bloom Verde Pino

The feminine touch is not defined by colour or decoration. It is found in thoughtful design that supports the way people live, gather and connect. This Women’s Month, Max on Top celebrates the visionaries who helped transform the kitchen into far more than a place to cook—it has become the space where home truly comes to life. Their lasting influence continues to shape women in kitchen design and the way modern kitchens are imagined today.

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