Chaos contained
Precision, hand delivered
The art of less
Inspired by Picasso. Refined for real life.
Our design strategy for the Melrose collection started with a bull. Or more specifically, a series of them – Picasso’s famous study in reduction, The Bull, which strips form down to essence, one line at a time.
That was our brief: distil the modern water bottle to its purest elements. No excess, no noise – while still delivering a beautiful, tactile drinking experience. Simplicity, not as style, but as substance.
The little black bottle
Understated. Elevated. Always Ready.
Melrose is hydration’s answer to the little black dress – versatile, timeless, and designed to work wherever you go. From yoga class to client meetings to date night, this collection slips seamlessly into every part of your day. Nothing loud, nothing over designed – just confident, quiet utility with style to match.
Modularity, mastered
We designed Melrose as a system, not just a series.
Interchangeable handles in solid colours, translucents and even elevated metal. Glass and stainless steel body options. A single lid architecture built to support them all.
The result? A customisable hydration experience that feels tailored without being complicated. Effortlessly modular, intentionally minimal.
Beauty that had to be earned
Getting that clean, minimal silhouette to function across materials and formats wasn’t just design – it was engineering. We rethought the lid architecture from the inside out to make the whole system work: leak-proof, satisfying to use, and seamless to assemble.
Behind the soft curves is some seriously hard problem-solving.
From chaos to cohesion
Alongside the product, we helped craft a refreshed colour palette that unified the broader KOR range.
Melrose became the anchor – setting a tone that was elevated, restrained, and unmistakably modern. The result was more than a new product. It was a visual reset for the entire brand.
Heritage Rewritten
Before sketching, we decoded the KOR design language. We softened the performance cues and introduced a more refined, fashion-forward aesthetic. Our early concept work set the tone for a new era – one that honoured KOR’s expressive roots while evolving it into something sleeker & more elevated.
These early studies also explored a modular system of interchangeable lids and accessories – a flexible ecosystem built for lifestyle shifts. One bottle, many expressions.
It was KOR, reimagined – still bold, just dressed better.
“Bringing Melrose to life was a journey I'd gladly repeat, but only with Alquemy. Their starting point was our Kor brand ethos, ensuring every decision reflects our Kor DNA. This meant they became part of our team, sharing our vision and walking with us through every challenge and celebration. To co-create with design experts in such a purposeful way is rare, and to have fun while doing it, priceless!”
ANNEMIE FOURIE /// CEO, KOR WATER
Making dough
This thoughtfully designed range of pizza and pasta tools helped grow the Williams Sonoma private label program by over 400% in just four years.
With a focus on stylish design, exceptional in-hand feel, and highly functional, task-specific tools, the collection brought new energy to classic Italian cooking – proving that great design sells as well as it performs.
Modern made Italian
In collaboration with celebrated chef Giada De Laurentiis, we developed a range of specialist tools designed to bring the spirit of Italian cooking into everyday kitchens.
Each piece was crafted to empower home cooks to explore authentic techniques with ease – combining Giada’s culinary insight with modern design sensibility for tools that feel as good as they perform.
“I really am excited about the tools, because they're super stylish. They're so easy to use and I feel like it might help people get a little more confident in the kitchen when it comes to making pasta. Regardless of whether or not you're actually going to make ravioli or use the cutters or use any of the tools, they look so stylish in your kitchen that it makes you look and feel like a pro. That's half the battle. Half the battle is getting to enjoy your time in the kitchen.”
GIADA DE LAURENTIIS /// CELEBRITY CHEF
Form meets flavour
Great Italian cooking is all about precision, and so are the tools behind it.
From ladles to ravioli stamps, each piece in the collection was designed with a deep understanding of every step in the preparation process shaped by extensive user testing and insights-driven research to deliver exactly what home cook needs, right when they need it.
Tools of taste
Every tool in the collection was designed with a clear purpose where precise function drives form, and refined aesthetics elevate the experience.
From oversized ladles to compact ravioli stamps, the design language adapts across sizes and proportions while maintaining a cohesive, unmistakably modern look that unites the range.
Where ideas simmer
We didn’t just design for the kitchen – we designed in it. Early sketches, foam models, and CAD prototypes were put to the test alongside real recipes and hands-on food prep. By cooking with our concepts, we uncovered friction points, refined ergonomics, and spotted moments ripe for innovation.
Through every splash of sauce and turn of dough, we found the insights that shaped smarter, sharper tools.
