For those who like to croon to music while cooking, the company's latest designer hood, available through KAL Appliances, hits a high note.

'Space' is the first in an ensemble utilising the Elica Deep Silence technology. At an airflow of 500 m3/h, the minimum noise level is reduced, according to the company, by over 35% compared to traditional hoods.

Meanwhile, America's iconic KitchenAid brand, which has enjoyed a cult following since it launched its classic stand mixer in 1919, is introducing its built-in appliances in Ireland through CF Quadrant. The collection includes ovens, microwaves, hobs, cooker hoods, refrigerators, dishwashers and wine coolers.

The latest addition is the KOMP6610 oven, which incorporates multi-flow technology to improve cooking performance through even air distribution in the cavity. There are 16 professional cooking functions . . . six baking, five pastry and five roasting, and 10 special programmes, including defrost and slow cook.

The intuitive blue LED user interface ensures precise electronic temperature control to within 10C of accuracy, as well as giving feedback on cooking instructions. The stainless steel oven mouth and blue oven interior provides large capacity with a child-safe, four-glass panel door cooling system and pyrolific cleaning action.

Hob design is also turning up the temperature. Siemens recently launched a line featuring a sensitive slide-control mechanism. Its touchSlider hobs react to touch. Each hotplate has a touchSlider scale on the front flat surface of the ceramic glass. There are four models in the collection, available as induction and electric ceramic hobs in 60cm, 80cm and 90cm widths. Four cooking zones are provided, with an extra one on the 90cm model. Functions accommodate electronic boil-start which allows cooking to continue on a set power after preheating on maximum power without need for readjustment; control pause which freezes hob settings to allow wiping; boost to facilitate high speed cooking; and child safety to lock and deactivate all functions in case of wandering little fingers.

When it comes to getting chilled out, a whole range of canny cooling concepts is on the market. KitchenAid's sideby-side KRSC 9010 cladded refrigerator with shelving of 80cm wide, boasts sensor technology. This system senses sudden changes in temperature and brings it back to an optimal level. Its fourcheese temperature indicator shows when the compartment dedicated to dairy products and delicate items like milk, prepared salads and bakery products, reaches a temperature below 40C, to ensure perfect preservation. It can also go into holiday mode, switching off the refrigerator but keeping the freezer running.

Serious chefs will covet KitchenAid's double refrigerated drawers that can be placed near the cooking zone so that all ingredients are fresh and well-preserved right where required throughout the process, avoiding the need to move from the working station.

KitchenAid's In-Sink . . . a dishwasher integrated into a double sink with flush and standard installation . . . was designed to provide support while still cooking. Small loads such as glasses, cutlery, cooking utensils, pots and pans of up to 29cm in diameter, can be washed and dried in the appliance that fits inside the sink, in considerably less time than a normal dishwasher, according to the company.

Accommodating five place settings, it offers a 20% water saving compared to a traditional appliance and a 30% energy saving, KitchenAid says. It is also big on flexibility. If you need extra sink space, the rack can be removed and it becomes a normal double sink. Alternatively, close the sink lid for more counter space.

Built-in coffee machines are a feature of more and more Irish kitchens as the Starbucks generation comes home to roost, demanding gourmet beverages at the touch of a button.

KitchenAid's KSCX 3610 includes espresso and milk steaming function for lovely lattes, frothy cappuccinos or indulgent chocolate. There's an automatic grinder, seven grinding levels, and three settings for different coffee volumes, temperatures and water quality.

Miele's integrated coffee machine (CVA 4080, CVA 4085) also has an integrated grinder with adjustable settings. The quantity and temperature of the water can be programmed to ensure coffee strength reflects individual preferences. The aromatic system moistens the coffee with hot water prior to pressure percolation, allowing the aroma to waft.

Sleek styling has extended to that most humble of kitchen kit, the strainer. The design and bold hues . . . green, red, yellow and black . . . of Bo Estermann's foldaway rubber design for Normann Copenhagen makes this often overlooked item sing. It can resist the weight of potatoes or pasta and still flex. It can be folded up in the dishwasher to save space and can even transform into a fruit bowl that will sit prettily on your table.

The brightly coloured silicone revolution has embraced everything from egg poachers to barbeque brushes and muffin pans.

Heat-resistant, dishwasher safe, this modish material is rust-free and microwaveable.

KitchenAid's silicone utensils include a basting spoon, ladle, pasta server, and turners.

For oven or conventional ceramic hob-to-table transfers, Miele's gourmet oven dishes serve up lots of style.

Available in five or eight kilo sizes, deep-sided dishes have a cast aluminum base with Teflon platinum coating with stainless steel lids and handles.

While counter tops are being kept fairly clutter-free, there's a few items like Alessi's 'Juicy Salif ' juicer that demand to be squeezed in. Decorative pieces can easily change a kitchen's look from the Scandi chic of Marimekko linen and white and wooden ladles to Asianinspired elegance in the form of vibrant lanterns, monochrome printed tableware, or vintage scales for a more rustic ambience.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Miele: 01 4610710, www. miele. ie
KAL Ltd: Tel. 01 4136400, www. kal. ie
Siemens: Tel. 01 2162402, www. siemens-appliances. ie
KitchenAid: available at C & F stockists nationwide, contact 01 6305757, www. kitchenaid. co. uk