Designer kitchens

Five questions to... Stefan Aldrink

Luxury kitchen manufacturer SieMatic this week launched its latest design in Dubai. These ultra-modern units with their aluminium frames and stone worktops will set you back almost Dh1 million. The company's Managing Director Stefan Aldrink explains to Emirates Business why you need to get a piece.

Is this the most expensive kitchen ever made? It's one of the most expensive and has a combination of elements that make it special: It's super minimalist but also very high tech. The computer and multi-media system that can be built in is unique. It allows the kitchen to do all its normal functions but the built-in screen can be used to surf the Internet, plug in an iPod, play CDs or watch DVDs while cooking. The kitchen is the centre of the house and this allows people to have all sorts of practical functions. For instance, it can tell you how long the washing machine has to go before you leave the house.

How many have you sold? We have sold the most individual ones in Germany and the surrounding countries but I expect it to be popular in Dubai as people always look for the "wow" factor here. But 25 per cent of the business is project work, like the the villas in Al Barari in Dubai, who have our kitchens.

Is it now the right time to launch something of such opulance when house prices are falling? $250,000 is the top of the range, which has everything included but there are other cheaper versions available.

Given that kitchens and bathrooms are generally regarded as the best home investments, will customers get their money back on it when they sell their house? A new kitchen can prove to be a positive purchase in a difficult economic environment as people look for products that will bring them a premium. Homeowners who instal our kitchens often find it will raise the value of their property.

What trends should people consider if they are thinking about upgrading their kitchen? Trends do not really change as two designs have always dominated. There is the minimalist style on the one hand and country style on the other, which both sell well. Modern kitchens with aluminium doors, like our latest model has, sells well in new build homes but those in Europe with older houses prefer a kitchen that fits in better with its heritage..

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