A kitchen that embodies simplicity, stylistic coherence and quality materials. This is the heart of a recent project by Atelier Auneau, a long-established studio based in Lot-et-Garonne, southern France, specialising in bespoke joinery, kitchens and custom furnishings.
With over forty years of experience and two active showrooms, Atelier Auneau is a key player in the Marmande area. Led by brothers Julien and Xavier Auneau, the studio has evolved while staying true to its artisanal roots, embracing a design approach that naturally welcomes Italian influences.
We spoke with Julien Auneau to learn more about the project and to reflect on where the kitchen market is headed.
What were the client’s main requests?
The client wanted a highly customised kitchen, one that would stand out for its style and quality. Zecchinon’s products offered us exactly the right tools to meet those expectations, thanks to an Italian design language that combines elegance, modularity and a wide range of options.
What concept guided your selection of materials and finishes?
The aim was to create a space that felt restrained yet harmonious, perfectly integrated with the rest of the home. Every element—materials, finishes, proportions—was carefully chosen to build a cohesive and understated visual language. The kitchen needed to engage naturally with the surrounding spaces, maintaining a sense of continuity and balance throughout the house.
The project up close
The kitchen is part of a broader renovation that involved multiple areas of the home. Within this context, the space becomes a true focal point—designed not only to serve a function, but to invite people in and create connection.
The layout favours fluid movement and visual balance. Zecchinon’s kitchen systems were selected for their formal simplicity and refined finishes, and are paired with a ceramic worktop in neutral tones that adds brightness and cohesion.
The working area features an induction hob with integrated extraction, allowing the lines to remain clean and uninterrupted. The faucet, too, was chosen for its technical performance, including instant 100°C hot water delivery. Every technical detail supports an overall aesthetic that is both refined and restrained, prioritising efficiency without losing elegance.
How did Zecchinon’s modularity influence the project?
It was essential to the quality of the final result. It gave us the freedom to compose the space as needed, while relying on the solidity of the materials and the precision of the details. That combination made it possible to achieve a consistent, well-resolved design on every level.
What do you most appreciate about Zecchinon design in relation to this project?
The quality of the materials and the breadth of finish options. There wasn’t one single technical solution that stood out — it was the ensemble that made the difference. A coherent composition, well balanced in its proportions, that allowed the materials and finishes to express their full potential.
What trends are you seeing in the kitchen sector right now?
The most requested trend at the moment is Japandi style: clean lines, natural tones, and visible wood grain, especially in framed doors.
How could Zecchinon respond to these new needs?
By introducing softer forms, perhaps with more rounded volumes or door profiles, while still preserving a clean, formal language. I believe there’s space for modularity to evolve toward a more organic kind of design.
The project by Atelier Auneau is a successful example of balance between aesthetics and function, between local craftsmanship and high-quality industrial production. Thanks to the synergy between design vision and Zecchinon solutions, the kitchen becomes the centrepiece of a home that is elegant, coherent and truly made to measure.
What do you think?