1956 Trimma Unit

Trimma Unit by Frank Guille for Kandya, 1956

The Trimma range was conceived as a modular storage system for domestic use. The range was focussed towards offering a flexible, modern solution for contemporary kitchens. Floorstanding and wall-mounting units could be selected in a range of combinations, with doors, drawers and glazed units. Referencing the ‘Frankfurt Kitchen’ of 1927 by Grete Schutte-Lihotzky, the Guille design was space-efficient and rigorously planned. The composition of drawers and doors and the use of coloured panels were carefully considered and introduced a new level of modernity to domestic interiors. As a design for kitchen usage few pieces survive due to the cycle of updating Trimma is a rare representation of modernist British design.

The design could be ordered to suit a range of uses and specified to work in different areas in the home. The unit we have is a high specification model with the majority of the surfaces finishes in wood veneers, rather than plastic laminates favoured in the kitchen.

Frank Guille trained at the Royal College of Art and worked for Wells Coates before setting up his own design studio. He worked for various companies, though his designs for Kandya remain highly influential and include other storage systems and seating. Guille returned the Royal College of Art in 1960 to teach, going on to become Head of Furniture Design up until 1992.