If I had it my way, renting apartments in the States would be more like it is in Germany, where renters bring their own kitchen components from one rental to another.
If you like the modular kitchen look (whether the intrepid renter or savvy homeowner), here are eight companies offering modular components, including islands on wheels, standalone ovens, and more to create your own kitchen kit.
1. Frama
Frama in Copenhagen offers a series of kitchen modules called the Studio Kitchen. One of the modules is a standing tower that includes an oven, fridge and freezer, and cupboard.
2. Noodles, Noodles & Noodles Corp.
Based in Cologne, Germany, Noodles, Noodles & Noodles Corp. makes kitchen cabinets, shelves, and a sink counter in different units.
3. Alpes Inox
Italian company Alpes Inox makes freestanding stainless steel kitchen systems that consist of ranges and cabinets on wheels, gas burner counters, oven/beverage refrigerator combo, and more.
4. R-Toolbox
Tokyo-based R-Toolbox designs sink and cooktop units along with storage cabinets designed for small, urban kitchens.
Copenhagen company Vipp designs a line of kitchen modules—a wall module (shown), island module, and tall modules—that can be customized with a Miele dishwasher, oven, refrigerator, refrigerator/freezer combo, or a KFN freezer.
5. Vipp
See a US project designed with Vipp modules in Kitchen of the Week: A Vipp Modular Kitchen in the Hamptons.
CPH Square in Copenhagen designs a Travel Kitchen—and other custom kitchen options—to accompany an owner from one house to another.
6. CPH Square
7. My Kilos
In Hamberg and Berlin, MyKilos designs custom kitchens and the MyKilos Kitchen Series (shown) with Miele appliances, cabinets, and drawers on wheels.
Joko Domus in Northern Italy is a family company that started out making butcher blocks and today designs a series of kitchen modules with butcher blocks, cooktops, grills, Big Green Egg barbecues, and refrigerators.
8. Joko Domus