The design of kitchen appliances and tools is quickly evolving, transforming into more aesthetic products to match people’s tastes and interior designs. What was once considered to be exclusive to luxury appliances is becoming more common, shifting to products that are not only smarter and more powerful but also more elegant and pleasing to look at. For some reason, however, it seems that most of these designs still lean toward dark or metallic aesthetics, as if black, silver, and an occasional touch of white were the only colors that fit the kitchen.
This espresso machine begs to differ and adds more than a splash of color to its design. It is, in fact, full of color and uses plenty of geometric shapes that give it a completely different vibe from your typical coffee machines. In fact, it’s almost as if it’s a Fisher Price kid’s toy, and it definitely adds a more playful ambiance to your kitchen or living space, at least if you’re the type that goes for bright and cheerful hues.
Designer: Burcu Irmak Kuzey
There’s no hard rule about what colors kitchen products should use, of course, but they have to at least match the color scheme of your interior. Most kitchens go with dark or white motifs, which is why the common design is to use “safe” colors like black, white, and silver. Except for white, these colors also happen to be more forgiving of stains, dings, and discoloration that would lessen their aesthetic value over time.
KOIRO is a concept for an espresso machine that throws all that out of the window. Unlike common designs that utilize sleek forms and curved shapes, it embraces blocky geometries that further strengthen the association with children’s toys. It also has very simplified icons for operating the machine, as if it was made for kids.
The most striking aspect of its design, however, is the use of bold colors. Together with the simple geometric shapes, KOIRO gives off a Bauhaus art vibe, establishing its presence as a design object more than just an appliance. It’s also a bit reminiscent of Sicilian architecture characterized by those same basic shapes and the use of vibrant colors that sometimes contrast and clash rather than complement.
The KOIRO espresso machine concept definitely shatters the convention for this type of kitchen appliance, eliciting a sense of childlike joy and playfulness. It doesn’t, in any way, detract from its functionality, though you do have to wonder how difficult it will be to clean up once the coffee stains have taken hold of those colorful surfaces.
