The kitchen is the heart of every home, and designing a space that balances form and function is an art.
The AEG SaphirMatt Induction Cooktop (NIK85M00AZ), with its sleek and innovative design, is a perfect statement centrepiece for any kitchen, contemporary or traditional in style.
To help make the most of this exceptional appliance, we've tapped into the expertise of Scott King, Senior Design Lead, to share his insights on integrating the SaphirMatt cooktop into your kitchen layout.
Meet Scott King: The Vision Behind AEG's Design Excellence
With over three decades of industry experience spanning four continents—Australia, Asia, North America, and Europe—Scott King brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the world of kitchen design.
His global design journey has been fuelled by a deep understanding of diverse culinary cultures and the way people live, cook, and eat. Scott's extensive work with Europe's largest kitchen manufacturers and collaborations with world-renowned chefs have honed his ability to anticipate and shape future kitchen trends.
The Design Philosophy Behind the SaphirMatt Cooktop
In today's homes, the kitchen seamlessly merges with living spaces, creating a need for design elements that blend harmoniously across both areas. According to Scott, this integration of colour, materials, and finishes is the driving force behind the growing trend of matte surfaces in the kitchen.
"Kitchens now have this wonderful tactility, previously reserved for living spaces. The matte finishes on cabinetry and benchtops—both natural and engineered stones—create a cohesive look that extends throughout the home."
This trend inspired AEG’s revolutionary matte oven range, and the SaphirMatt cooktop is the latest innovation in this series. Scott notes that achieving a matte finish on ceramic glass, particularly for induction cooktops, has been a long-standing challenge in the industry. However, years of collaboration with key suppliers have resulted in a surface that is both easy to clean and resistant to scratches—perfectly suited for the modern kitchen.
Making the SaphirMatt Cooktop a Focal Point
Designing a kitchen is all about creating a cohesive look, and Scott emphasises the importance of considering the SaphirMatt cooktop in the context of your entire kitchen design.
"We create mood boards to check the compatibility of colours, materials, and finishes. Decide whether you want your appliances to blend in or stand out, not just based on finish but also on their location within the kitchen."
Whether you're aiming for a subtle, integrated look or a bold, contrasting feature, the SaphirMatt cooktop can be tailored to your vision, ensuring your kitchen is as stunning as it is functional.
Optimal Placement for the SaphirMatt Cooktop
When it comes to kitchen design, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, especially as needs change with different life stages. Whether you’re cooking nightly meals for the family or hosting gatherings with friends, the placement of your cooktop plays a crucial role in the functionality and flow of your kitchen.
Scott advises thinking beyond just the kitchen itself, "Open-plan layouts mean that the placement of your cooktop can impact the living space and how you interact with family and guests while cooking. Maximising benchtop space is critical—ensure there’s enough room around the cooktop for ingredients, utensils, and plating."
Complementing Different Kitchen Styles
The SaphirMatt cooktop is designed to seamlessly integrate into modern kitchens, where textured and tactile surfaces have become the norm. However, its versatility also makes it an excellent choice for those looking to create contrast within a more traditional setting.
Choosing the Right Countertop Materials
Scott’s extensive experience with Europe’s top kitchen manufacturers has given him a keen understanding of how appliances interact with various materials. He highlights the importance of selecting countertops that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also complement the functionality of the SaphirMatt cooktop.
"Traditionally, stone benchtops have been polished to resist staining, but this can make them difficult to maintain and prone to scratching. Engineered stones have made massive leaps in recent years, offering grained and textured surfaces that are easy to clean and closely aligned with SaphirMatt's finish”.
This thoughtful pairing of materials ensures that your kitchen is not only beautiful but also practical for everyday use.
