Küchenmeile | SHOW REVIEW


'The buzz was uplifting.My mantra of ‘people buy from people’ felt very pertinent'


Bodie Kelay, UK managing director of Störmer, reflects on the importance of Hausmesse and how the pandemic has highlighted how we all thrive on social interaction to showcase our brands and their relationships


ausmesse is the indus- try event of the year in Germany, held every September to showcase the latest kitchen innovations, design developments and concepts to trade visitors from across the globe. 2021 marks another successful show, my 34th in fact, and for many retailers, it has become their annual


H pilgrimage over past 40 years.


Hausmesse celebrates German kitchen design and invites dealers to experience the latest trends and styles


along the Küchenmeile,


where many leading manufacturers showrooms in the Löhne region are all in proximity off the A30 motorway. In 1987, I attended my first home show working for Läger Einbau- küchen. Compared with today’s standards, it was a small in-house factory fair, featuring that era’s interpretation of modern German kitchens and standalone furniture pieces displayed in a purely functional setting. In the Nineties, the shift then focused on incorporating the lifestyle element, with a stronger emphasis on pre- sentation


to


showcase the form and function of living kitchens. As we hit the millennium, manufacturers have sought to create an interactive retail theatre – grand show-stopping sets at every turn to highlight new design and technology innovations. The transition over the decades


the


and effectively catch their breath. In 2014, Störmer Germany


created Forum 26, a purpose-built showroom


and training facility


designed to take our Hausmesse to the next level. Fast forward to 2020, and we witnessed a very different show, where Covid restrictions severely limited social contact. At Störmer, we rose to the challenge and held our event while reaching out to those unable to attend through a virtual showroom tour.


Social buzz


As I take a moment to reflect on the 2021 event, I am glad to report the appetite for social contact has resumed, albeit with more elbow bumping. We were delighted to greet a large cohort of UK dealers, who were determined to jump through every Covid-testing hoop possible to make the trip happen. The buzz was uplifting for us all. My mantra of ‘people buy from people’ felt very pertinent on this occasion and underlined the significance of face-to-face communication.


I always feel


Covid has also reinforced the importance of showrooms as an integral platform for both manufacturers and retailers to present their businesses


represents the true progression of the entire industry to anticipate and meet the needs of consumers and constantly look ahead to future- proof all our lives. Over the years, I have also seen the role of the manufacturer organically develop from supplier to partner, with Hausmesse representing the changing


dynamics and offering


retailers a stronger supporting partnership. In my experience. It is the one time of the year when dealers step away from their busy showrooms to build new collaborations, share knowledge


November 2021 ·


energised after every show, although this year it has been particularly rewarding to see more people in person and, using our digital tour, instantly reveal our launches to our Far East customers, and beyond, that couldn’t travel. Hausmesse has been just the tonic for retailers to get ahead and develop their showroom portfolio at a time where the home-improvement boom shows no sign of slowing. The KBB industry has seen many changes over the decades, although I am delighted to say the long- standing tradition of Hausmesse has continued to evolve to deliver world- class kitchen design. So let’s raise a schnapps to the enduring appeal of this German showcase and continue to make it one of the industry's most valuable events of the year.


Guests to the Nolte factory were welcomed to its new exhibition space, and attendance figures were said to be around 80% of pre-Covid levels. A central theme of Nolte's in-house fair was showcasing the versatility of its


Nolte Küchen


furniture and how it can be used in multiple rooms in the house. Basically speaking, the kitchen displays were designed to highlight different room sizes – from the compact to the large and open-plan – and showcase how its furniture can also be used for home offices, utility rooms or even bathrooms. Among the displays were The Cube (pictured) – which has been designed with open-plan layouts in mind, and Basic, which highlighted how you can fit everything – from a kitchen, living room, home office and bathroom – into a 40sq m space. The Tiny display demonstrated the smallest spaces, while the bathroom collection, Nolte Spa, was showcased with its colour-coordinated décor and waterproof edges. Among the new products launched at the fair were its classic country-style Proto door range and the introduction of new colourways such as the Graphite and Oak shades.


Leicht


Anticipating that more people will use their kitchens as a multifunctional living space, many of Leicht’s new collections are based on the open-plan living trend. The new M8 range (pictured) has been designed to be used in a variety of ways in kitchens, living rooms and even in the bathroom. The design is said to blend form and practicality with a sleek profile and concealed functionality. It has an 8mm carbon grey subframe made from powder-coated steel and, says Leicht, unlike conventional frames, the guiding rail is not positioned at the side of the drawer but underneath the base.


Another new addition to the Leicht portfolio is the new silky, mother-of-pearl shimmer-effect door. The finish is said to be both eye-catching and discreet as the colourway is light, but the subtle glitter reflects the light, which catches your eye. The surface can be used throughout the whole kitchen design or added as an accent finish. Leicht recommends pairing the pearl shade with a darker kitchen for a contrasting effect. „


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