Inspired Craftsmanship
Uniting Form and Function in the Kitchen
How Brizo® design and product experts combine practicality and beauty
Form or function? It’s an age-old question. But when it comes to interiors, choosing between style and substance is a needless pursuit. Nowhere is this truer than in the kitchen. An inspired culinary space should combine beauty and utility, transforming practicality into a poetry all its own.
We asked design and product experts how they embrace both form and function in the kitchen. They shared their methods for uniting convenience and aesthetics to create an harmonious space.
Featuring the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet. Available Winter 2023.
Featuring The Odin® Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet.
Reject the False Dichotomy
“Form and function are married,” says Judd Lord, Brizo® Senior Director of Industrial Design. “Sometimes people think a practical kitchen can’t be beautiful—or that a breathtaking kitchen can’t be designed for real use. That’s simply not the case.” Designers can reject the either/or mindset, instead selecting every piece for both practical and aesthetic appeal.
“We never sacrifice form to accommodate function or vice versa.”
“We never sacrifice form to accommodate function or vice versa,” Lord goes on. “Our portfolio springs from artistic inspiration, but we marry that with the needs of designers and consumers.”
Chris Wilson, Brizo® Product Marketing Manager, agrees. “When it comes to product, we give designers the freedom to think beyond these categories. Every detail should be beautiful, and every beautiful object should serve the overall purpose of the space.”
Featuring The Rook® Kitchen Collection. Available in Brilliance® Polished Nickel beginning in Winter 2023.
Set a Clear Intention
A kitchen is the heart and soul of a home. Tailoring it to your client’s intentions is key. “Kitchens are functional spaces by design and that function isn’t always cooking and cleaning,” says Wilson. “They can be gathering spaces, conference rooms, content studios.”
“A client’s lifestyle and passions should guide the design,” adds Lord. “If they’re entertainers, maybe it’s a chance to make a statement with a wet bar. If their kitchen is more of a cozy, meditative space, maybe you add inviting chairs and an instant hot faucet for tea.”
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to tailoring a space. Wilson recommends probing beyond the surface to understand each client’s patterns. “Lots of people entertain,” he says. “But does that mean catering, hiring a personal chef or preparing the meal themselves? Are they serving small plates at a kitchen island or transitioning to a formal dining room? All of this informs design.”
Featuring The Artesso® Instant Hot Faucet.
Choreograph the Culinary Experience
The ideal kitchen space orchestrates more intuitive daily rituals, from preparing food to tidying.
“Good design removes friction.”
“Good design removes friction,” says Wilson. “The problems are easy to intuit. A gathering space without adequate seating. A single sink that’s creating a bottleneck. A faucet without SmartTouch® Technology when your hands are covered in flour.”
“Consider the concept of mise en place,” Wilson goes on. “A place for everything and everything in its place. It’s not just true of ingredients but the entire flow of the room. An organized kitchen is an efficient kitchen, and an efficient kitchen is thing of beauty.”
For example, the Semi-Professional Faucet can elevate tasks with its extended reach and high-pressure spray. “You get all the functionality, flexibility and maneuverability of a commercial faucet without the bulk and awkwardness,” says Lord. “It’s the perfect centerpiece—marrying ergonomics and performance with a distinctive, sophisticated aesthetic.”
Featuring The Odin® Kitchen collection.
Consider All the Senses
“I love designing for the kitchen because it’s a room that truly incorporates all five senses,” says Lord. “Not just taste and smell, but sight, sound and feel, too. A countertop, a cabinet pull, a faucet—that’s something you touch every day. It should be just as inspiring as the food on your plate or the soundtrack you cook to.”
Tactile details, such as the wood handles in the Odin® Kitchen Collection or the knurled pattern in the Litze® Kitchen Collection, can add to the sensory appeal of the space. And varied textures create a sense of irresistible complexity. From smooth stone countertops to luxe dish towels and enameled cookware, each adds to the experience.
Featuring The Rook® Kitchen Collection.
“We’re always asking: What can we do to surprise and delight?” says Wilson. “How can we create a product that is captivating, that draws someone in from across the room? Once we’ve caught their eye, how do we reward that attention? It’s a holistic pursuit.”
