Stainless steel
Stainless steel belongs to the most hygienic materials, easy to clean and suitable for contact with food as it neither absorbs nor retains the odours or flavours of ingredients. As it is resistant to bacteria, it can be sanitised very quickly.
It is also resistant to corrosion and rust, moisture, food acids and stains, making it a durable and 100% recyclable material.
Thanks to these characteristics, it is ideal for worktops that may include welded sinks or hobs in the same material, but can also be used on doors for a contemporary style.
Stainless steel is usually combined with natural materials such as wood, which adds warmth to the room and contrasts with the cold appeal of steel. Standard TM Italia finishes include polished steel, satin and circular brushed.
Metals
Among the metals that can be used for TM Italia design kitchen doors are Corten metal, Peltrox, Copper, Anthracite metal and Antique Bronze.
Corten metal, for example, is a special type of steel with controlled oxidation that is stabilised by acquiring resistance to air and humidity while having a ‘rusty’ appearance by nature.
The creation of Corten metal requires a specific steel alloy that is composed mainly of iron and a percentage of chromium, nickel, copper and phosphorus.
These elements give Corten its distinctive rusty appearance. Wisely combined with other materials, such as travertine as in the Petra concept, it creates original and sophisticated environments.
The Peltrox finish, as its name suggests, recalls the cloudy charm of pewter. It can be achieved through various techniques, including the application of special paints or the use of controlled oxidation processes.
These methods aim to create an oxide patina on the surface of the metal without compromising its structural integrity. This process results in a durable material with old-world charm.
Copper is a metal with a unique and elegant appearance due to its intrinsic characteristics. Its brilliance, reflective effect and warm rose tones make it suitable for use in various design contexts.
In addition to its aesthetic characteristics, it is also a metal that is resistant to corrosion and rust and therefore very durable. Its antimicrobial properties make it suitable for kitchen applications.
Copper is also highly recyclable and can be reused without loss of quality or properties. In combination with cool shades, as in the Miuccia model, copper offers a pleasant touch of warmth and brilliance to kitchen compositions.
TM Italia’s standard finishes also include painted metals, such as the Antique Bronze finish, used in the Neolite concept, with a surface striping effect that recalls the tactility of brush bristles.
Applied to the handles and open compartments of the Rua model, Metallo antracite with its dark grey tones gives a modern and elegant look to the kitchen, evoking industrial atmospheres and the charm of large lofts.
Metal foil
Metal foils are thin layers of metal of about 0.3 mm that are used for decorative or artistic applications. They can be made of different types of metal, such as gold, silver, copper or bronze. In contrast to solid metals, which are cold to the touch, metal leaves do not generate thermal variation.
They can be made of gold, silver, bronze or copper and their application requires great manual skill. Squares of 60 mm leaf are carefully applied to the surface of the doors to create a sensational luminous and reflective effect.
Metallic lacquers
TM Italia also offers special metallic lacquers that are made by mixing resin with metal particles to give brilliance and iridescence.
They are lacquers to all intents and purposes but with a more sophisticated result and a velvety or micro-roughened hand.
Among the standard finishes, TM Italia offers lacquers that reproduce the appearance of, for example, oxidised steel, titanium, oxidised copper, brass, corten or dark bronze.
Among the advantages of metallic lacquers over solid metals is their flexibility of application, ease of maintenance and lower cost.
Appliances
In a kitchen with metallic effects, it is good practice to also match appliances in line with the overall mood of the room to create continuity of materials.
The market offers a variety of designer ovens with a minimalist look or refined aesthetics with touch control panels or digital displays.
They can be made in shades of black or white with stainless steel or copper details to be easily matched with any kitchen mood.
Impexa
An excellent example of a kitchen with metallic effects is the Limited Edition Kitchen Suite Impexa, presented on the Salone del Mobile 2024.
Its side and front panels are made of steel processed using jewellery techniques to obtain different surfaces and effects of light: two super-gloss finishes (dark gold and nickel tones, a tribute to the warm reflections of the sun), combined with a super-matt finish (brass tones, a tribute to the icy surfaces of icebergs).