Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli unveiled the world’s most expensive kitchen last night – complete with a Swarovski Crystal chandelier, solid copper walls and handcrafted appliances. The ‘Fiore di Cristallo’ kitchen, by leading designer Claudio Celiberti, took more than a year to craft from the pure crystal of Murano and the finest stone. But such luxurious cooking space comes with an eight-month waiting list because of the bespoke design work involved and a hefty pricetag of £1m ($1.6 million).
The kitchen was launched at an exclusive party co-hosted by Mr Zilli at One Mayfair in London. Buyers can choose opulent finishing touches, including copper lining, on the 27 cabinets, which cost over £400,000 to design and come with a 9mm crystal door and handle. The centrepiece is a unique ‘crystal island’ worth £36,850, illuminated by a £26,400 Swarovski chandelier. The basin is also made from crystal and costs £2,680, while the Philip Starck taps, chrome clad in crystal, are valued at £1,600.
Then you’ll need a stretch of stone worktop at £6,850 and some handcrafted German appliances from Gaggenau at £24,000. The fridge alone is £5,000, while extras including a wine climate cabinet and an espresso coffee machine are £2,762 and £1,714 respectively. Its designers say the kitchen ‘aims to push the boundaries of what is possible in design’ and is the ‘perfect masterpiece using striking design qualities, exquisite natural materials and fine craftsmanship.’
The ‘Fiore di Cristallo’ on display last night is currently the only model available in the world but prospective buyers who want the kitchen designed to their needs must join the eight-month queue. Speaking at the launch, Mr Zilli said: ‘Claudio, in my mind, is an inspiration to all interior designers out there, whether you’re designing a kitchen, a whole house and indeed one of my restaurants. ‘As far as I am concerned this kitchen, the ‘Fiore di Cristallo,’ to me is the equivalent of a kilo of white truffles on my pasta.
‘In other words, Claudio has combined innovative design with functionality faultlessly. This is ultimate luxury at its best.’ Mr Celiberti said: ‘As a visionary designer who is committed to perfection, I wanted to create a bespoke space that pushed boundaries, exemplified beauty and defined ultimate luxury. ‘The end result is a kitchen that is not only functional but also a work of art with each cut, component and flourish being nothing short of perfection, even down to the finest detail.’
The name derives from the ‘Cristallo di Murano’, the world famous gems made using a complex and closely guarded technique on the Italian island of Murano. Copper linings were chosen because the mineral is acknowledged to have hygienic qualities as it counteracts harmful microbes. The chandelier is specially designed to bounce light off the reflective crystal surfaces on the worktops, drawing attention to the kitchen. – Dailymail
