A la carte lifestyle. Current trends in the design of the interior of the dining room - dining groups, dishes, accessories

Passing the gallery

Leading headings: Elena Prytula

A photo: Evgeny Luchin, Vitaly Nefedov

Magazine: N5 (61) 2002

... No, not the one that became a symbol of Soviet times. The other is the point of application of the world famous designers. These efforts are justified: without a dinner table, a modern house is simply unthinkable. In recent years, a “new elite” has emerged on the social horizon, called the bob generation, which has grown up on high technologies and the Internet in an era of economic boom. Bobo philosophy is an incredible mix of yuppie and hippie value systems, a mix of bourgeois and bohemian, requiring among other things a solid financial base. In accordance with the principles of this new philosophy, it is customary to prepare food at home, in the company of friends. This process turns into a special aesthetic form of pastime, an important part of lifestyle. Interestingly, the new trend came from the United States: it was there, it is claimed, that the “new elite” was formed. The American habit of eating "outside the home" at one time had a significant impact on the functional structure of the interior, in which living rooms combined with the kitchen appeared. The current metamorphosis turned out to be so significant that it brought about changes in the seemingly well-established “hierarchy” of rooms in the house. The kitchen, and after it the dining room, turned from auxiliary premises into a place of communication and rest. Naturally, all these communicative gastronomical delights required exceptional surroundings - dining groups, dishes and textiles. One of the basic principles - the maximum breadth of choice, allowing to show their own individuality. The minimalist trend remains influential. It is presented not so much in its pure form as in a variety of variations on this theme - for example, the models ROLF BENZ, CAPPELLINI, ALTAVOLA or DESALTO. However, today minimalism is far from the only key trend in design. At the peak of popularity, there are trends that use ethnic motifs and methods of Japanese design: this is how MAXALTO, POLIFORM or CALLIGARIS do. In principle, it is allowed to mix almost all cultural traditions, but - unobtrusively and harmoniously. Unusual materials are particularly welcome - as in the AMATI and LA PALMA models. The a la carte lifestyle implies a special, intellectual irony, rooted in the philosophy of the university bohemia of the 60s and 70s. and the opposing quasi-aristocratic rituals of the 80s. Manufacturers such as KARTELL or LONGHI work in this format - their models speak for themselves. On the other hand, classical furniture is also relevant for such a lifestyle: for example, SELVA, WADE dining groups, or an unusual interpretation of the GIORGETTI classic. Given that being creative and at the same time correct in relation to tradition is not so easy, the potential of the new trend is huge. In short, a pleasant stay and - Bon appetit!