Who knew bamboo could look this good? Of late, we’ve seen an array of cabinet fronts designed to elevate Ikea kitchens. Ask og Eng’s of Oslo, Norway, are our latest favorites—and among the only to approach the challenge with high-style green design in mind.
Like so many small workshops, owners Kine Ask Stenersen and Kristoffer Eng tell us they discovered their corner of the market by creating something for themselves.”When we were renovating the kitchen in our first apartment, we were both very specific about what we wanted,” says Kine. Unable to find “beauty, functionality, and sustainability,” all at an affordable price, they decided to build what they were after.
It helped that Kristoffer is an architect. Kine, meanwhile, has a background in environmental geography. She’s the one who suggested applying bamboo fronts to Ikea cabinets. The idea worked, and several moves—and kitchens later—in 2016, they opened their workshop Ask og Eng, specializing in kitchens and accessories all of bamboo that’s been converted into wood-like panels. They offer bespoke services as well as an extensive line of fronts made for Ikea cabinets. Join us for a look at the latter—and stay tuned for more.
Photography courtesy of Ask og Eng.
Bamboo Fronts for Ikea Cabinets
The couple get their bamboo from “certified plantations” in Asia that follow responsible business practices. Not only sustainable but durable, bamboo is actually a grass that grows significantly faster than trees (it typically matures in four to six years, vs. 50-plus years for trees, and after being harvested, it grows back). “During growth, bamboo absorbs more CO2 than is released during production, which makes it CO2 neutral over the complete lifecycle,” explain the couple on their website. “And it flourishes without pesticides, herbicides, or artificial fertilizers.”
All of Ask og Eng’s prices are on request. Kine and Kristoffer say a set of cabinet fronts for a small kitchen project averages €3,560, a medium runs €4,770, and a large kitchen is approximately €6,450. They currently only ship their fronts throughout Europe, but are open to requests.
À la Carte Kitchen Furnishings
Looking to upgrade an Ikea kitchen. Take a look at:
- 11 Custom Cabinet Companies for the Ultimate Ikea Hack
- Steal This Look: A Modern Brooklyn Kitchen
- Kitchen of the Week: A Copenhagen Stylist Reinvents Her Kitchen, Ikea Hack Included
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