“Haute couture” cookers finally have a showcase on a par with their elegance. Recently opened in Cannes, the boutique Cook & Toques presents two brands that are essential for anyone wanting to install the Rolls Royce of ovens in their kitchen. First, Aga, which just celebrated the 80th anniversary of its first model, second, La Cornue, whose career began in 1908. Today, they share the same showroom, together with their last-born. From Aga, discover “L’Hybride”, a combination of a traditional cooker which accumulates heat in its cast iron and a conventional cooker or “module”. Which gives appreciable flexibility in everyday use and the possibility of roasting, simmering, braising, frying… The latest offering from La Cornue called “Château 150” boasts two vaulted ovens, one gas, the other electric. Awarded top marks by chefs all over the world ! 30 boulevard de Lorraine, 06400 Cannes (04 93 68 71 61).

With this new label, Arthur Bonnet ended the year in style. Kitchens show themselves off and show every facet combining style and functionality. The latest model, a real eye-catcher, is “Harmonie Noisette”, a prototype of the real kitchen you life in and with. Next to it is “Emotion”, user-friendly and subtle, “Rivoli”, sober and linear, “Poésie”, warm and sweet, and “Sérénité”, elegantly designed in natural materials. They all share the same mandatory requirement of user-friendliness and shareability. Nothing superfluous, clear spaces and clearly outlined areas. And an ultra-clear response to our wants and needs. Zone Cap 3000, angle Léon-Béranger/Maréchal-Juin (04 93 56 81 66).

Leicht has got the message : kitchens have to meet the most diverse needs, in practicality, communication and good looks. The “Largo” series, LG and FG, are prime examples of what one expects for the 21st century : modern, congenial elements, pure white or colour, with functional layout. The same goes for “Avance”, RK/LG or HI/KG. As for “Esprit”, a classic in its kind, it alone sums up the Leicht philosophy.
Sales at Ambiance Cuisines, 3 rue Eugène-Emmanuel, Nice (04 93 88 50 80).

If one had to find a synonym for Allmilmö, it would definitely be elegance. Up to the minute, even ahead of fads and fashions, hi-tech of course, but above all, elegant. Take “Interstreamline” (photo) : refined curves, grooving for drawers in the low-level elements, translucid glass… In brilliantly-lacquered, aluminium-tinted oak veneer, “Tip Tec” has no handles. Ditto for “Linea” : pure lines with handles integrated into the structure. Allmilmö gives kitchens forms, functions, elegance and refinement, all in contemporary and custom-made layouts. The designers anticipate changes, aware that kitchens must be both attractive and practical. Opening up to the rest of the home, they play their part in overall decor.

Varenna proposes a wide array of kitchens to suit all tastes - and cooks ! With “Alea” (photo), you can share these moments of real conviviality. “Line” gives pride of place to white and plays on minimalism. “Planet” offers a really exceptional amount of storage and a choice of finishing touches. "Habit” symbolizes brightness, spaciousness, warmth and youth.
In sales at Design Cuisine, 28 avenue Général-Maizière, Antibes (04 93 34 77 45).

“Modus” clears the stage for a live-in kitchen with an architecture rich in symbols and total transformation of conventional kitchen space. Binova.

“High-Teck” proposes a kitchen with brand new architecture advocating streamlined, rhythmical lines. Teak goes hand-in-hand with lacquer, steel and Corian. Salvarani.

“Edito” isn’t one to hide its personality. Sober and refined, it plays on the horizontal aspect of its design and a blend of materials (natural oak and shiny white laminate). One discovers its practical side in the all-out opening of its cupboards and drawers. Comera (02 51 45 75 75).

The doors and work surfaces of “G.Box” are covered in glass (resistant to thermic shocks). And a “peninsula” in satin stainless steel plays host to cooking plates or serves as a breakfast bar. Here, it’s essentials that count, with intelligence, practicality and a great sense of esthetics. Schiffini (04 76 21 65 02).

Porcelanosa. This black granite work surface has a cooking plate and a sink in stainless steel. It is part of the “G720” kitchen, a model combining American oak with contemporary design (door and drawers). Its central island provides lots of practical storage space. Porcelanosa, N° 01 69 75 40 00 and www.porcelanosa.fr

Cuisines Philippe. Offering reassuring modernity, “Largeau” is a kitchen for city living, young at heart and easy to live in. It’s also intemporal. With its lacquered doors in a choice of colours, you can opt for a shiny or satin finish. As for style, it is discreet but efficient, providing maximum storage and playing on the transparency of some of its units, allowing one to guess what they contain. The long sleek handles further accentuate the feeling of lightness. And the central island (sturdy, in contrast), offers spaciousness for rinsing and preparation. A congenial kitchen where cooking is fun ! Cuisines Philippe, 400 allée des Terriers Nord, Antibes (04 93 74 38 54).

Leader Cucine. “Naik” deserves to be put in a beautiful space to express its personality. It tempers the sobriety of oak with shiny white lacquer, playing on a contrasting light/dark score. Its wall fittings have “Push” openings while the low-level units have “Naik” handles. In five shades of wood and laminates and fifteen shades for the lacquer, this contemporary kitchen offers a wealth of styles. Leader Cucine, www.leadercucine.it

Arthur Bonnet. “Emotion” comes with frontages in twelve different colours. The shade called “avocado” fits it like a glove, making it very homely. Without, however, neglecting its functional purpose : built-in oven, cupboard and several drawers. Arthur Bonnet, ZI du Beal, les Tourrades, Le Cannet (04 93 34 48 04 80) et 31 rue Benoît Bunico, Nice (04 93 13 90 83).

Zeyko. “Harmonie” invites you to enjoy shared moments of culinary creativity ! Very sober, it goes right to the heart of the matter, softening the apparently cold aspect of aluminium with the warmth of wood. Its imposing central island allows for free and easy movement, and its many storage compartments comprise one of its greatest assets. Zeyko Neyrolle Cuisines, 23 rue de l’Hôtel des Postes, Nice (04 93 13 44 73).

The ambiance conveyed by “Frame” is elegant and refined, as well as terribly tidy ! The wall of cupboards, which open out entirely, is impressive for its depth. And yet far from being cold, this kitchen can also create intimate little nooks and accommodate traditional culinary activities to perfection. Everything has been studied down to the last detail to make it efficient : each square centimetre caters for a precise need. The bonus : total discretion, once the doors are closed. Art for art’s sake ! Elmar, 00 39 04 22 84 91 42.

The “6006” is 45 years old ! What’s new about it ? Its plinths, curved windows and satiny, stripey or shiny hues. SieMatic.

“Omnia” asserts its personality as an innovative kitchen but conceals its technology. The silhouette of a star, and a wealth of solutions for a kitchen to compose on a tailormade basis. Bontempi.

The “b3” planning system with a shiny grey wall panel, white units fitted with the “Touch System”, a central island with bar, table and bench. Bulthaup.

Immaculate and sculptural, “Avance” comes in shiny white lacquer and offers a pleasing example of the kitchen of today. An exercise in style signed Leicht.

De Tonge. “Bastide” is a family kitchen. It appeals for the soft hues of its old-fashioned patina and its furniture in mellow tones. A pioneer in the use of colour in the early ’nineties, this brand was awarded a gold medal in the “Cuisines et Bains d’Or” contest, 2005. De Tonge, 810 route de la Valmasque, Valbonne (04 93 95 80 00).

Hardy Inside. Three features contribute to the success of “Vendôme” : cherrywood, aluminium and a lacquered pastel yellow Panama finish. What’s clever is that the sinks are positioned at the far end of the work surface and allow for storage ; one can then add drainers, bottle racks, cutlery containers… Hardy Inside, sales outlets 0 800 928 800.

Arc Linea. “Artusi” is a flexible, open-ended project based on free-standing elements. Each work unit remains autonomous and adds to the other functions. The star is steel, for hygiene and indestructability. Guaranteeing elegance, the doors have built-in handles and high legs for easy cleaning. Arc Linea, from Artes Domus, 112 cours Sextius, Aix-en-Provence (04 42 96 63 51).

Introducing “Modern Art de Luxe”, a kitchen of very pure design. Its façades with their olive-wood veneer (shiny lacquer and long horizontal veins) propose a warm Mediterranean feel, unexpected from this brand, but highly congenial. All surrounded by shiny lacquer in pale ivory. In terms of practicality, the surprise comes from the drawers. Two metres forty wide, they contain smaller drawers, home to a host of utensils, jars, cutlery… depending on your needs. The result : one almost wants to open them simply for the pleasure of admiring their contents and capacity ! Allmilmö Neyrolle Cuisines, 23 rue de l’Hôtel des Postes, Nice (04 93 13 44 73).

“+Intégration” takes a new look at the kitchen concept. Its esthetic approach banishes compromises in favour of optimized architecture and a new way of living, which incorporate the idea of a concert hall, cinema, library or study in the home. The room thus becomes a real place for meeting up, opening out to the rest of the house. All types of scenarios become possible, and the kitchen embarks upon a new era. Poggenpohl, Interior Future, 17 rue Gubernatis, Nice (04 93 62 07 21).

Pedini. In “Artika”, geometry gets a new spin, practicality and ergonomics are taken into account, and even flattered ! Doors made of European cherrywood, surfaces in Carrara marble, clever storage… Pedini, 5D, les Tourrades, chemin de la bastide Rouge, le Béal 2000, Cannes La Bocca (04 93 47 60 64).

For “Artematica Vitrum”, Gabriele Centazzo has given top priority to clean lines and noble materials (aluminium, glass and stainless steel). Valcucine.

“Zone Kitchen”, a modular system with sliding doors, sink area and cooking ranges, to be installed against a wall or island-style. Boffi.