Environmentally friendly issues were among the top discussion points at a recent kitchen design exhibition, it has been revealed.Thomas Johansson, Electroluxs design director, claimed that many of the manufacturers exhibiting at Eurocucina in Milan had looked to incorporate green ideals in their kitchen designs by using sustainable materials, energy saving appliances and eco-friendly manufacturing practices, Jazzou.com reported.He also noted that a number of the kitchens were based on the idea of concealment, with sliding fronts revealing kitchen appliances, shelving and well-planned storage options.These kitchens had a sleek and subtle design allowing homeowners to reduce, or even eliminate, hanging wall units and handles, transforming the kitchen in to a refined extension of the living room, commented Mr Johansson . There was also a shift from a completely minimalistic design to softer aesthetics.Elsewhere, he noted that authentic wood had been cleverly combined with contrasting materials like glass quartz, marble, corian and laminate. Elegant wood dcor would also complement stylish fixtures like a stainless steel kitchen sink or set of taps. Meanwhile, a recent article by the International Business Times claimed that kitchens designs are often reinvigorated by unique, decorative touches.