The Coffee machine. Photograph courtesy of Smeg x Dolce&Gabban. Thermomixes. Coffee machines. Air fryers. In recent years, the number of kitchen appliances taking up prime real estate on bench tops has expanded well beyond the trusty toaster and kettle. This surge can largely be attributed to the cooking craze that took the world by storm during lockdowns. If you weren’t perfecting banana bread in a bright blue KitchenAid, you were likely experimenting with new recipes in a shiny new air fryer.
Whether it’s finally time to upgrade your well-used 2020 investment or you’re hesitant to add another appliance to your stable, there are several brands producing colourful and quirky collections that are actually worth having on display. Below, find kitchen collections that are guaranteed to add some fun to your cooking — and your kitchen.
Breville’s “Aboriginal Culinary Journey” collection,
When looking to invest in a new kitchen tool, it’s hard to overlook Breville. The Australian brand has established itself as a world leader since it was founded in Sydney in 1932, by Bill O’Brien and Harry Norville (its name a merging of its founders). The appliance company is best known for inventing the jaffle maker and over the years has innovated to include a wide range of products, from countertop ovens to espresso machines and beyond.
Breville’s new “Aboriginal Culinary Journey” collection pays tribute to its roots. Founded on Gadigal land, Breville has collaborated with First Nations people to create a six-piece assortment, donating 100 per cent of profits to three important causes. These includes support for the National Indigenous Culinary Institute to help aspiring chefs with employment opportunities, the “Indi-Kindi Program” by the Moriarty Foundation to promote better childhood nutrition and share Indigenous food culture, and initiatives at the University of Technology Sydney to help create pathways for careers in engineering, technology, and design.
The artworks are exclusive to the appliances, with each artist receiving a royalty for their contributions. The coffee machine features a dot painting by Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri from the Kiwirrkura community in Western Australia. His artwork, “Tingari Men and the Ancestral Snake at Wilkinkarra,” honours the rituals of the Tingari, ancestral beings of the Dreaming, linking coffee to a modern ritual for many Australians. Other artists involved include Lucy Simpson, whose works “Women’s ceremonies at Marrapinti” adorn the toaster and “Fire stick farming” is on the oven. Meanwhile, Yalti Napangati painted “Women preparing Piruwa tea at Kiwirrkurra” on the kettle and “Dreaming at Ngami” on the juicer; and Ukultji (Nolia) Napangati’s “Women’s ceremonies at Marrapinti” covers the Barista Pro™ coffee machine, making this collection not just functional but deeply meaningful.
Our Place, the Titanium Always Pan® Pro
Our Place launched in Australia last year with its colourful pots and pans, quickly earning a spot in the kitchens of top Australian chefs Julia Busuttil Nishimura and Jessica Nguyen — and for good reason. Not only do these pieces look fantastic, but they are also incredibly versatile, literally catering to all your one-pan needs. The Large Always Pan comes in six tasteful colorways, ranging from lavender to sage, and is available in various sizes and bundles. Beyond pans,the US Brand’s offerings extend to pots, bakeware — including stoneware and oven-proof dishes — as well as utensils.
If colour isn’t your thing, Our Place has released the Titanium Always Pan® Pro in sleek gold and chrome options, proving you don’t need pastel hues to embrace your bright side. What sets this design apart is its innovative no-coating nonstick technology, free from harmful chemicals. If there’s ever a time to invest once and invest for life, it’s with this cooking tool. The brand is so confident in its quality that it offers a lifetime warranty (though, we don’t think you’ll need it).
Titanium Always Pan® Pro, $365, fromourplace.com.
Smeg and Dolce&Gabbana, Blu Mediterraneo collection
Smeg and Dolce&Gabbana are no strangers to collaboration. The brand’s first partnership produced “Sicily is my Love,” a vibrant collection celebrating the flavours of southern Italy with hand-painted citrus motifs and traditional Sicilian designs. Now, they’ve joined forces once again for “Blu Mediterraneo,” a tribute to the sea and the joy of morning rituals spent over baked goods.
For this new collection, the brands enlisted Italian artists Matteo Bazzicalupo and Raffaella Mangiarotti, who have adorned each appliance with geometric and floral motifs. Each piece has been meticulously reproduced from the original prototypes, ready to delight their new owners. The collection features toasters, juicers, kettles, an espresso machine, a coffee grinder, a milk frother, and a mini fridge — each guaranteed to bring a touch of luxury and summer vibes into your kitchen year-round.
