A crowd chatters excitedly in hushed tones; the light dims and two men walk on to the stage and take their places at the piano. In unison they lift their arms, arched like a stalking cat in preparation to strike ebony and ivory. The sounds of classical music fill the air and I settle down in the darkness – the world of kitchens, bedroom and bathrooms certainly takes you to some wonderful places.

I’m in Milan at the world-famous Teatro alla Scala Opera House. Elevated on the stage in front of me is the pianist Lang Lang, proclaimed a genius by his contemporaries, and accompanied, rather bizarrely to my mind, by Herbie Hancock – known to me by the Beverley Hills Cop soundtrack; known to those with a little more musical refinement as the multi-Grammy winning artist and ‘best jazz pianist alive’.

As I become mesmerised by the hypnotic sway of the conductor’s baton, it strikes me – as it probably has you by now – how strange it is that an interior’s journalist would be enjoying a night at La Scala. But then I am here by kind invitation from Scholtes – a premier appliance brand that is really going places.

This fact is reinforced when the lights crescendo to blinking brightness for the first interval and I join the throng of theatregoers jostling for the bar. There I see a familiar face amongst the well-heeled and coiffured – Spanish design superstar Patricia Urquiola. As my eyebrows lift quizzically my hosts display no surprise. She is a guest of Scholtes, I am told, and is designing its new ‘Centre of Excellence’ in London’s Wigmore Street (see image above). Note to self, must get that little scoopette in print first! Impressed and sated, I return to my seat, which is when I spot a small LED screen on the back of each chair with the words ‘Scholtes’ emblazoned in glorious Technicolour. I check the theatre brochure. Yes, Scholtes joins the likes of Rolex and BMW on the sponsor list.

The remainder of the night is a very swish affair. There’s an after show party. Lang Lang and Herbie drop by and join the select few cradling canopies and champagne in the midst of a grand hall – where just of few of the appliances are subtly displayed to show whose name needs to be sound checked.

By now I should be bowled over, but the fact that this brand should host such an event is no longer a surprise to me – there’s something big happening in the appliance world and it’s all about reflecting the lifestyle and aspirations you hold, dear readers. The proof is in the pudding, as they say; so let me introduce you to Scholtes’ ‘Luxury World’, the initiatives it is undertaking as it promotes itself in the UK as the up-and-coming must-have brand. First golf and its sponsorship of rising international golfer, Matteo Manassero – precision and professionalism reflect this brand’s values the glossy brochure states. Next to Rome and the sponsorship of a Vincent Van Gogh exhibition – true artistry is maybe the message here. Finally to four Michelin-starred chefs, Team Elite, as they are known collectively, including Alexander Gauthier, Andrea Ribaldone, Moreno Cedroni and the UK’s very own Sat Bains. I think this says it all, don’t you…

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With so many wonderful people doing extraordinary things in the world of design, the word ‘wow’ is not something I utter very often. Yet, this is the only phrase that came to mind when two separate invites dropped into my inbox for two very special events courtesy of Electrolux.

First came a casual invitation to Brussels – a quick jaunt on Eurostar to visit The Cube, a temporary, mobile dining concept organised by appliance giant Electrolux. ‘Interesting’, I thought, ‘a pop-up restaurant would generate of a few column inches for our food loving fans’. What I found, however, had me scrabbling for my note book with relish – a modernist structure worthy of The Tate perched high on the top of the Parc du Cinquantenaire, one of Brussels most influential and historical buildings (a coup in itself), playing host to a master of molecular gastronomy, the Michelin starred Sanghoon Degeimbre.

Giving a taste of Degimbre’s own restaurant L'Air du Temps, The Cube is not simply about fine dining, it is a magical experience created by this talented resident chef that takes you on a journey of discovery through food, light and sound, while offering a unique bird’s eye perspective on the Belgium city. The experience inspires, enlightens and allows diners to interact with the professionals that trust the Electrolux brand. The Cube concept will be ‘popping up’ in selected cities across Europe – each with its own resident chef so that you can share in this incredible food odyssey. (Grab your hot ticket at www.electrolux.be/cube)

I leave you with that taster as an even bigger surprise was about to be revealed – an invitation to the 64th Cannes Film Festival. That is probably the first time I’ve exclaimed ‘wow’ sat wide eyed at my desk, at which point I grabbed my car keys and headed home to pack – well I only had a week to load my suitcase!

My second open-mouthed moment came when our group arrived on the French Riviera and checked into Cannes’ renowned Majestic Hotel. The third was when were duly ushered across the concourse to the main Electrolux Pavilion, the Agora – the biggest at the Festival and the location for the prestigious Opening Gala attended by De Niro, Thurman and Allen and sponsored for the first time by Electrolux.

And that’s how our day continued. Come meet our resident chef. ‘OK’, we chirped happily as Alain Ducasse, recipient of an astounding 28 Michelin stars, was revealed as Electrolux’s resident maestro alongside master craftsmen of cookery serving food influenced by local ingredients of the Cote d’Azur. We were given the stats – 650 guests were served 350 lobsters and over 80 kilos of vile filet mignon at the Gala event all cooked on professional Electrolux appliances (it already supplies 50% of Michelin kitchens worldwide). We ate the food (it was divine), sipped the champagne (it flowed on the beach), all before being told we’d be hitting the official red carpet with Tilda Swinton that very evening – enough already, I’m dazzled.

Oh the glamour and the glitz – the entire event was one swirl of fabulousness. But then that was the point. Electrolux is sending a message about its presence on the world stage. It wants you to know that it is the powerhouse of professional kitchens – particularly those of repute – and a brand trusted by the most talented of culinary gods. With its range of appliances, ‘you too can create the Cannes-like lifestyle in your own home,’ Electrolux says on its glossy literature. I for one would thoroughly recommend it!

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I sit here at the computer feet throbbing and shoulders bruised from the weight of press bags on day four of the biggest bathroom show in the world, Frankfurt's ISH exhibition. It is at this event, dear KBB readers, that the bathroom industry parades the designs and innovations that will enter our homes over the next year in much the same way that fashion takes to the runway – albeit in the never-ending concrete halls of a German Messe and yes, one has survived on a diet of cheese sarnies and beer. No champagne-fuelled parties pour moi.

Still, for those prepared to put in the legwork, cutting-edge design and glamour can be found in abundance. Take my first port of call fresh from the plane, when I made my way to meet über designer Jaime Hayon – a delightful man who happily showed me around his new collection for Bisazza. Known for its stunning collection of mosaics and artful interpretation of design, Bisazza debuted its first complete bathroom collection, Bisazza Bagno, offering a departure from 'the typical' in its assembly of elegant pieces of furniture crafted from marble, ceramics, chrome-plated steel and glossy copper-finished aluminium – complemented, I might add, by gorgeous accessories and lighting. Catch the full Jaime Hayon interview in a forthcoming issue of KBB magazine. As always, this is another hot designer exclusive snatched from the claws of our competitors!

In fact, bathrooms presented as fine furniture collections is a clear trend at the show as a more natural, organic approach to design is embraced and manufacturers side-step away from preconceived notions that boxy units and slabs of white ceramic are the only valid combination for the wet space. A case in point is Armani/Roca (yes, you first saw its debut in KBB magazine some time ago) presenting a collection in line with Giorgio Armani’s home décor philosophy. The ethos being that it oozes luxury with a dual palette of materials and shades: black with tap fittings in the same shade and ceramic wall tiling in a shagreen effect (a rare and precious material that epitomises the Armani style), and greige, with wall coverings in a reeded texture and fluid colours for the sanitaryware and flooring. The latest incarnation of the iconic IL Bagno Alessi One, a design from the mind of creator Stefano Giavionnoni, has the same approach. Presented by Laufen, it features a new velvety matte grey finish for the ceramics softening the look with a beautiful textural feel.

TOTO, the Japanese manufacturer, also showcased bathroom solutions for a “cosmopolitan lifestyle” with beautiful modular furniture – our fave finish being the solid oak-lined black-gloss cabinetry, while Alape focused on vanity areas as monolithic islands with suspended mirrors above. Villeroy & Boch, meanwhile, took the edge off cold sanitaryware with elements in wood and magnetic fixings allowing you to change the look of drawer fronts as desired in its MY Nature collection. In terms of colour, the palette includes hues of brown (think taupe, beige and stone) and striking graphite grey, while several Hessian-style finishes are to be found injecting texture to neutral colour. And while these are 'safe' shade selections there are a few more adventurous design styles to seek. Look for Vitra's Ross Lovegrove collection, Re-Vision, updating the Freedom and Istanbul range with stunning 3D pattern on the furniture and, back with Villeroy & Boch, the O.novo offering beautiful decors of birds and flowers swirling across a selection of basins plus embossed floral patterns for its My Nature basin range (already a red dot award winner, no less).

Even hotter news for the bathroom, however, is the advent of touch-control technology – think-iPod-style controls for showers, taps and bath fillers and you get the picture. A standout example of this technology is e-Vision from Ideal Standard's Jado brand, where slick, black iPhone-esk panels allow you to control the flow and temperature of showers, taps and bath fillers by touching and sliding your finger across the fascia in the same way as you would use a smart phone. Another notable piece of kit comes from Burgbad. Remember the Tom Cruise blockbuster Minority Report and how they tracked future memories on glass screens with the wave of the hand? Well, this Sci-Fi style technology has arrived for the bathroom in the form of a system that automatically measures weight and blood pressure as you arrive at the basin each morning, while allowing you to select music, TV and so much more by tapping on the screen and scrolling through the choices with the ‘Tom Cruise hand move’. The important thing to mention about this new technology, however, is that it is no gimmick – this is intuitive design aiding function in a new, advanced and exciting way.

Another trend in technology that is impossible to ignore at this exhibition is the advent of the electronic WC. You’ll have definitely tried one of these if you’ve travelled to the Far East. For those who haven’t had the pleasure, these are all-singing, all dancing systems can do everything from automatically opening and heating the seat to washing, drying and self cleaning. Some systems even play music as you pay a visit to the loo! It’s fair to say the trend began with specialist TOTO but the floodgates have now opened with Geberit, Duravit, Roca, Villeroy & Boch, Kohler and many more introducing their own option. For us Brits, the experience of an automatic bidet-WC is an unusual one and time will tell whether we embrace these new-generation super loos. My guess is that it will depend on cost (they are very expensive) and ease of installation once, that is, we get over our typical British reserve.

One last note on technology is the innovation emerging in spa bath design. Everyone loves the idea of lounging in a bath filled with massaging bubbles but it's not quite the same experience when you're lying over protruding jets at the base of the bath or trying to drift away over the thunderous sound of the system. That's why new ideas are filtering into the market. Here, we return to Ideal Standard, which has taken the same technology used in Power Plates to create a vibrating therapy bath called Edenwave. In-Flow by Roca is a bath that uses just 75 litres of water yet produces waterfall-style waves over the body by recycling and purifying the contents of the tub – amazing. And last but certainly not least, Hydrosilence by Teuco and WhisperActiv by V&B bring whisper-quiet operation to the art of spa bathing.

OK, finally to my favourite subject – glamour. If you’re looking for a little luxe in your life taps are the place to start! Key themes include the use of crystal or glass for handles combined with chrome and gold (Samuel Heath, THG and Fantini), along with a new black chrome finish – again seen at Samuel Heath but also at Swiss brassware specialist, Vola. Cubist and large flat designs are clearly in Vogue – check out Dornbracht’s stunning Deque line, while Swarovski-style crystals in fine filigrees and subtle geometric etching also add embellishment across a number of lines. Beautiful pattern in metallic finishes can also be spied on the latest shower enclosures – look out for Studio Paris from Hüppe. And for something just a little different check out the Chapeau by Teuco, a shower 'hat' complete with rainshower that can be used with a number of enclosures, plus Hide & Seat by Roca (featuring hidden storage) and Showerbasin – a vanity unit integrated into the enclosure.

Phew, that’s quite enough for today. Signing off to rest my weary limbs. Waiter! A cold beer and cheese sarnie, danke schön…

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Returning to the office after the Christmas festivities is always a dreary experience – not only as I’m now dependent on a very tall latte (extra shot) to get me through sleepy-eyed mornings but also because my diary is absent of those design dates that usually give me ‘get up and go’. 

Thankfully, the interior’s calendar begins in earnest in the latter part of January but until then my thirst for colour, shape and form rests on research and the trends that will influence the designer’s mood board in 2011.

I begin with fashion. Why? Because where fashion and its hip-swinging Amazonian models goose-step, interiors follow in well-heeled footsteps and, increasingly, it walks arm-in arm in setting the style stride.

This synergy is evident across pattern, colour and materials but it is in colour that I wish to confide. So let me start with the observation that Honeysuckle has been declared Pantone of the Year. I use this as my first example as it sums up a strong message that pinks are huge for 2011, especially when you consider other trend astrologers gazing into their crystal balls also site Fuchsia as a rising star. The result is that homes are hotting up for spring/summer whether the preference is for subtle shade or sizzling saturation.

To cool down and complement the palette soft watery hues and pleasing pastels are put into the fashion mix. Note Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2011, which is described as light, airy Citrus Yellow – symbolising positive energy, warmth and a sense of fun. At the darker end of the hot hues hit list, Vintage Wine – a solid, sober aubergine shade – is selected by colour designer, Benjamin Moor.

Accessories sit legs-crossed and arms folded in line with fashion trends this year. You’ve may have heard the catchwords ‘ladylike’ and ‘grown-up glamour’ to describe the cut of cloth for 2011 and interior design is no exception. Think fine china tableware, pretty vintage motifs and elegant wood grains such as walnut for furniture. Wallpaper follows the fashion trend for 70s chic and we’ll see bold graphics as a key theme. Oh and with crochet, lace and macramé also labelled ‘must-have’ by fashionistas for 2011, here’s my own prediction – they will be embellishing your scatter cushions and bedding by autumn!

Kitchen trends, according to professional style selector Trend Bible, will continue to be influenced by the “family’s desire to stay at home.” Yes, the recession has far more to answer for than bringing down city bankers. Yet its big news for 2011 (drum roll please) – the kitchen will be the centre of activity. Now I’m not usually one to brag but KBB nailed that vogue quite some time ago. Can I say, ‘we told you so.’ No, well let’s move quickly on to a very interesting trend pinpointed by the same research – ‘Self Sustain’. Apparently, a quarter of all homes now grown their own vegetables, bakeware (in pretty pastels, naturally) is enjoying a renaissance as more of us knot the apron strings and roll up our sleeves to feed the family, plus visiting the local farmer’s market is becoming a national pastime. What’s more we’re all welcoming the outdoors, inside in our choice of kitchen layout and furniture. Hopefully, the British summertime will reward our eternal optimism!

As KBB can offer a little more insight into kitchen design than most, I would like to add my own top tips to the list. Trend one is a shift away from high-gloss finishes. This is a side step rather than a leap, as high-gloss glamour is mixed with grained woods for a more personalised look. On that note, some specialists are reporting that the warmth and texture of matt lacquer is gaining a design following at the premium end of the scale. Next, look out for highly textural ‘raw’ or ‘untreated’ woods, which are being used to add accents to kitchens in the form of counters, integrated tables, even doors in new collections.  Think freshly sewn slabs of bark as tabletops, trunks honed down to form chairs and you’ll get the design picture as it most extreme. Top tip three is to expect new hidden depths in island design. Look out for concealed larder-style storage that rises from the worktop when required and disappears at a touch of the button. Last but not least, appliance design will inject some colour confidence into homes of the future. White finishes are already making a return to the kitchen – great but hardly bold. However, in yet-to-be-debuted collections strong zesty colour is where it’s at, albeit alongside luxe looks translated by mirror metallics dipped in shades of bronze and gold.   Don’t forget fashion followers – you heard it here first!  

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The Sleep exhibition is a gathering of industry types looking for product to wow in the latest boutique-hotel chain or swanky commercial project. I attend dutifully every November at Islington’s Business Design Centre, as it’s a gem for design – particularly bathroom design. That’s not to mention the gorgeous inspirational room sets and hey, I admit it, a fabulously welcoming wine bar.

In fact, if the grapevine is to be believed I was in illustrious company – rumour has it that Deborah Meaden of Dragons’ Den fame and Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave) dropped by for a preview. I saw neither but then I was on a mission to find standout product.

It’s true to say that I had seen most of the bathroom designs before but some are real favourites of mine. VitrA showcased two of its Ross Lovegrove collections – Istanbul (I own and treasure one of the loo-brush holders from the Istanbul collection and let me tell you it is a thing of beauty) and MOD, a contemporary design defined by shallow rectangular forms.

Dornbracht was showcasing another got-to-have of mine, Supernova, a Sieger Design collection of brassware with a multifaceted quality that appears to tilt at an angle as if defying gravity. This was one of the first collections to welcome back gold finishing to taps but is definitely not dripping in the tacky yellowish hue of yesteryear – this is Champagne, a light and rather refined finish that has just the right Midas touch.

Next door and on to Alape, presenting a series of basin vanity units named A3 demonstrating über-contemporary German styling with typical precision of line. We love, enough said.

Kohler, the American company with a background so fascinating it deserves a few column inches of its own, brought along its fabulous Feature Basins. And as I can’t leave you hanging with that teaser, here are a few Kohler facts. Fact A, the Kohler family owns the company that heralds from it own town Kohler, Wisconsin, USA. Fact B, rumoured to have links with the White House, this family own a ranch Ewing style and rear rare horses – this isn’t an exaggeration, I have visited and did expect Larry Hagman to walk out with Linda Gray. Fact C, the family own major PGA tour golf courses as part of a resort including Whistling Straits as well as St Andrew’s Hotel, Scotland. Oh, and they make their own Pecan-encased chocolates called Turtles – divine! But I digress, if your looking for a basin with a point of difference, Kohler should be your first port of call.

Next, a meeting with firm friend of KBB magazine, Aqualux. It presented its latest collection of shower enclosures and trays. If you’re looking for a wonderful walk-in or wetroom look, Aqualux is a great source.

Finally, I stopped by the Chiltern Marble studio – a permanent showroom at the venue – that was throwing a little soiree to end the day. Here, I did discover something new, a tile filled with coloured water that disperses as you step on it. Great for the bathroom I thought. Its collection of semi-precious stones that can be worked into worktops, panels and the like are also a definite must see. I love Onyx, backlit beautifully in the showroom and taking on an ethereal quality. The cocktails and nibbles were also a winner!

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It’s a cold winter’s evening when I set out to view a new kitchen launch by Smallbone but I am prepared – it’s only October yet I’m safely wrapped up in faux fur, boots and my best Luella winter coat.

Thankfully, the star attraction at the Knightsbridge showroom – a new collaboration between Smallbone and designer William Yeoward – instantly conjures up images of a sun-drenched coastal retreat and I forget the sub-zero temperatures outside. 

I join the throng of journalists happily perusing the showroom, glass of bubbly in hand, until I am introduced to William Yeoward and his new aptly named Driftwood paint finish for Smallbone’s hand-painted furniture. The glorious trompe l’oeil depicting a wood grain panelled effect in muted grey is just gorgeous and, I note, something of a departure for this bespoke British kitchen maker. It’s the second ‘Designer Collaboration” I am told and follows hot on the heels of Nina Campbell’s equally divine Gilty paint finish – a repeating honeycomb design that, you’ve guessed it, comes dripping in gold.

My foray inside the doors and drawers of the new design – an activity that has become something of an OCD problem for me, and no, I can no longer pass a kitchen without opening a drawer – is finally interrupted by the smell of food wafting under my nose, which leads me into a working kitchen where Matthew Albert, head chef of Michelin-starred nahm, stands at the island like a conductor before an orchestra. 

Fresh prawns, herbs and delicacies surround this master chef as he begins to fill freshly sautéed specialities from his frying pan into bowls and pass them around the salivating crowd – journalists are always hungry! I decide not to stay. Besides my ever-expanding waistline, I begin to dread the dark, cold journey home and plan a head start to the tube. But then there’s no need to linger – I’m already seduced!

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