Löhne, November 12, 2024 

Warm chestnut and earth tones, honey-coloured oak wood, playing with light and shadows – anyone who loves autumn walks will feel at home in this kitchen straight away: “Autumn Walk” is one of three design concepts of the Villeroy & Boch kitchens which were presented for the first time in September 2024.

Lights out, spotlight on. RWK & Kuhlmann caused a real stir at this year's in-house exhibition in September with the atmospherically illuminated première of the Villeroy & Boch kitchens, which were developed under exclusive license. The in-house team of developers had set itself the target of transferring the DNA of the world-famous brand from Mettlach into the spatial experience of individually designed kitchens. Now specialist visitors from all over the world have been able to see for themselves that the project has been a successful one.

The “Autumn Walk” concept plays with colour combinations which have been inspired by nature and characterise the entire Villeroy & Boch product range. Olive and earth tones give the room depth, providing an attractive contrast to the bright tall cabinets made from honey-coloured cracked oak. The worktops and fronts that shimmer in copper red are made from ceramic, the material with which the history of Villeroy & Boch began more than 275 years ago. As well as the harmonious interplay of colours, the desired lighting atmosphere can be created in an instant: For example, dimmable lighting elements radiate beneath the worktops and in the display cabinet with glass roller shutters, which is eye-catching even with the lights switched off.
Historical references to living culture icons

The kitchen presentation “Playing with Dice” invokes another milestone from the history of Villeroy & Boch: In this case the fronts take up the principle of the “Mettlacher Platte” (Mettlach tile), the first ceramic tile floor with which Villeroy & Boch influenced living culture all over the world from the mid-19th century. The development team at RWK & Kuhlmann Küchen decided on a geometric motif with an illusionistic effect, which gives the kitchens a distinctive look, and even occasionally challenges the sense of touch. Many visitors to the première took the opportunity of running their fingertips over the surface structure. Here too, the colour palette was chosen deliberately. The special green tone corresponds to the new ceramic colour of “Morning Green”, in which the ceramic sinks from Villeroy & Boch are also available.

Interaction with fittings

The third example is “White Glamour”, which represents the combination of ceramic, metal and glass, and is therefore another stylistic device from the multifaceted product world of Villeroy & Boch kitchens. The elegant frame consists of stone-grey tall cabinets with visually and haptically unusual fronts made from frosted glass and unconventionally arranged electrical appliances. The stage is left to the two blocks for the hob and the sink, which appear to be literally floating on their gold-coloured pedestal. The fronts and work surfaces here consist of bright ceramic. Gold-coloured handles and metal edges provide emphasis and reinforce the sophisticated material appearance of the Villeroy & Boch fittings. 

The highest standards of durability and functionality

RWK & Kuhlmann, a traditional company which has had its roots in East Westphalia for more than 100 years, stands for the fact that the inner values of Villeroy & Boch kitchens are also impressive. The workmanship of the furniture manufactured at the Löhne site is high-quality and designed for durability, as can be seen in the eight millimetre thick cabinet back panels and the scratch-resistant coated shelves made from tinted glass. 

The functionality has been well thought out, and is suitable for everyday use down to the last detail. Everything from cutlery to large bulk packs finds the right place in the drawer systems, some of which are multi-layered. Even a small utility room can be seamlessly integrated into the kitchen if suitable wooden fronts are used, as shown by the “Playing with dice” concept. After all, this is also part of the DNA of Villeroy & Boch: The timelessly aesthetic products appeal to all of the senses, and prove themselves in a wide variety of usage situations at the same time. Villeroy & Boch kitchens should also be a place where family and friends like to get together every day to seek inspiration and enjoy each other’s company.
Villeroy & Boch kitchens will be available from selected specialist retailers from December. 

About RWK & Kuhlmann Küchen GmbH
Established in 1923, RWK & Kuhlmann Küchen GmbH has developed from a former joinery company into a specialist for system and fitted kitchen furniture. The company, which is based in Löhne in East Westphalia has been family run to this day and manufactures for its own Kuhlmann brand, under license for Villeroy & Boch and the OEM and tailor-made area. Its regional ties, innovative strength and commitment to outstanding, sustainable craftsmanship are crucial in the development and manufacture of the products. The company now has 120 employees worldwide, and exports to more than 30 countries via its network of dealers and partners.

About Villeroy & Boch 
Villeroy & Boch is one of the world’s leading premium brands for ceramic products. The family-run company, which was established in 1748 and has its headquarters in Mettlach, Germany, stands for innovation, tradition and style. As a prestigious lifestyle brand, Villeroy & Boch is represented with products in the bathroom & wellness and dining & lifestyle areas in 125 countries.