Kitchen of the year goes to Marbodal

A statement from the jury described Gallery as "a unique kitchen by a unique designer. A brave choice by Marbodal – the entire kitchen shows forward-thinking design." Marbodal first began cooperation with Irinarchos after one of its designers visited her exhibition at Beckman's College of Design, where she received a BA in Product Design. Gallery was first presented as a concept kitchen at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in 2007. 

"Marbodal is naturally very proud and pleased to have had the opportunity to cooperate with Anna," says Björn Block, product designer at Marbodal. "It was love at first sight when we first came across Anna and her kitchen at Beckman's."

Irinarchos says she is flattered to receive the Elle award, and hopes that it will take Gallery one step closer to production. "It means a lot," she says.

The idea behind the project began while Irinarchos was sitting in her own kitchen. She says she collects porcelain items she buys at secondhand stores and antique shops, and for a long time displayed her collection on open shelves in her kitchen. When the shelves began to overflow, she asked how kitchens could be better designed to display objects at the same time they could be effectively stored.

Her solution with Gallery was to create closed cabinets with cut out sections. She plays with contrasts; the doors are open and closed at the same time. "Today, you have to choose between having open shelves and closed cabinets. There should be some other way. I found a way to show off your favorite things. You can create your own style in your kitchen," she says.

Irinarchos works as a freelance designer in the Wis Design group. She says her favorite Marbodal designs are Gunilla Allard's Torö kitchen and the new Grappa kitchen.