Image courtesy National Kitchen & Bath Association
Mixing classic and contemporary styles is extremely popular in kitchen design this year, as illustrated in this winning entry to the 2013 National Kitchen & Bath Association Design Competition.
Whether you’re creating a new kitchen from scratch or adding some on-trend touches to your current culinary space, local kitchen designers and retailers recommend these 10 additions as “must haves” for an up-to-date kitchen. From fuss-free countertops and reclaimed flooring to multi-tasking gadgets and contrasting cabinetry, these popular trends and innovative products are worth mixing into your kitchen design.
1. Contrasting Cabinetry
2013 could appropriately be called “the year of contrasting cabinetry.” Many homeowners are mixing classic colors with more contemporary shades throughout the kitchen. There are, however, some colors that are popping up more frequently. “While white has been, and will continue to be, the most popular, grey is coming on strong,” says John Petrie of Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry in Mechanicsburg; Petrie is the 2013 President-Elect of the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Jack Lorish, of Schaefferstown’s Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry agrees: “Grey tones in solid enamel finish as well as grey stains with glaze finish are becoming popular choices for kitchen cabinetry.” For example, grey base cabinets may be paired with an upper level of white wall cabinets. With timeless natural woods like cherry, a surprising color complement has been noticed. “Pale greens are making a comeback,” according to Steve Keener at Keener Kitchens in Red Lion. “[We are even] working on a bright chartreuse with distressed finish.”
2. Old-Fashioned Flooring
With the recent popularity of “vintage” and “retro” styles in home décor, it’s no surprise that old world materials are making their way into the kitchen. But can antique flooring really hold up to newer and seemingly more durable solutions? Genna Antes, of Sylvan Brandt Antique Flooring in Lititz, explains: “Our flooring is made from reclaimed wood, so it has all the beauty of aged, reclaimed material, plus the benefit of stable and strong virgin growth lumber.” The reclaimed lumber that Sylvan Brandt uses has been drying and stabilizing for almost 200 years, making it an ideal material for areas with more moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Families with pets and small children can also rest assured knowing antique flooring is one of the safest wood products that is available today.
3. Carefree Countertops
Granite—the hottest product in counter surfaces for the last decade—has a new competitor. “Granite has amazing colors and should not be overlooked, [and while it remains] strong, we have seen a sharp increase in the use of Quartz products over the last couple of years,” says Dave Warmingham of Henry H. Ross & Son, in Lititz. Quartz is a stone surface that never requires sealing, polishing or reconditioning. “People like the minimal maintenance,” explains Warmingham, “and the color choices look very much like granite now.” Quartz products are produced by several brands, including Cambria, Zodiaq, Silestone, Caeserstone, Hanstone and Geos—all carried by Henry H. Ross.
4. Innovative Islands
Gone are the days of the empty-centered kitchen. Look through any recent home décor magazine, designer showroom or Pinterest board, and you’ll notice that nearly every kitchen has a multi-functioning island. Islands allow homeowners to expertly expand the amenities of their kitchens without adding to the square footage of the room. “Kitchen islands can house sinks, cooktops and extra storage,” says Ronda Kuhn of Keener Kitchens. “They are also great for extra seating and to be used as a space divider.” Whether they are small, repurposed dressers used for extra workspace or room-spanning built-ins with prep sinks and ranges, this smart trend is at the top of the list for 2013.
5. Smart Sinks & Facuets
According to Warmingham of Henry H. Ross & Son, Corian is more popular, not as a counter surface, but as a sink within a stone countertop. Its non-porous and food-safe properties, as well as the fact that it does not require pesky grout lines, make it an attractive option for a kitchen sink. Kitchen faucets took a technological leap in 2013, with the entrance of the motion-activated faucet. “Motion activated faucets are great upgrades to the kitchen, especially for those interested in conserving water,” explains Petrie. With this product, placing your hands or an object in front of the sensor activates the flow of water. Once you remove it, the water stops, saving gallons of water. In addition, “smart faucets” are perfect for keeping messy hands out of use. Sarah Baker of Swartz Kitchens & Baths in Harrisburg recommends Delta Faucets with Touch2O Technology. “[In this line] there are some great, trendy faucets that are now easily operated with the touch of a finger and, in some cases, even the wave of a hand,” she says.
6. Beautiful Backsplashes
No longer a ho-hum solid surface to keep splashes at bay, the backsplash is now becoming a focal point within the kitchen. As Keener of Keener Kitchens puts it, “backsplashes are the jewelry of the kitchen.” He goes on to explain, “They can be understatedly elegant like a tumbled marble subway tile, [or] more showy using glass, either as a decorative border or for the entire splash.” There are no hard and fast rules for backsplashes, either. Mixing materials, sizes and tile direction are all popular ways to add visual interest, and perfect ways to insert personality into your kitchen.
7. Low-Energy Lighting
LED is now the go-to for lighting. In addition to overhead lighting sources, LEDs are now found throughout the kitchen. “LED strip lighting installed under cabinets, [or] inside glass doors, as well as door and drawer-activated interior lighting, is in demand in many of our kitchens today,” says Lorish of Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry. What makes LED worth the extra expense? He goes on to explain: “The new LEDs provide even light with no hot spots, are cool to the touch, [are] energy efficient and have triple the life span of incandescent lights.”
8. Surprising Styling
As evident by this year’s trends in cabinetry, transitional styling is a must in today’s kitchens. Whether it’s combining pops of neon colors with classic white, adding bold industrial elements to an otherwise airy space or designing with a new style altogether—like “modern farmhouse”—we’re seeing lots of mix-and-match kitchen designs in 2013. Wondering how to pull off this classic-meets-contemporary trend in your kitchen? Petrie of Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry provides some wise advice on transitional styling from cabinets to décor: “[It’s] not 100 percent traditional or contemporary, but the right blend that fits your style.”
9. All-Purpose Appliances
The Vitamix Professional Series Blender has been one of the most talked-about products of the year, and for good reason. This product, available at Williams-Sonoma within Lancaster’s Fountain Shoppes at Park City Center, can do a whole lot more than blend a breakfast smoothie. The versatile Vitamix makes soups and sauces—and even nut butters, pesto and hummus—at the touch of a button. Additionally, the line carried at Williams-Sonoma includes the most powerful and quietest models yet.
10. Multi-Tasking Tools
“We have found that many of our customers are looking for innovative, useful tools that perform multiple tasks and take up small space for storage,” says Sharon Landis of Zest! in Lititz. One popular product is the Charles Viancin Silicone Lid, which creates an airtight seal when placed on any round bowl or baking dish. Eliminating the need for clunky plastic storage containers and matching lids, these reusable lids are flexible and take up very little space to store in a drawer or cabinet. They can take the heat, too; they’re microwave, oven and stovetop safe. According to Landis, another popular product at Zest! is the Full Circle Smart Dish Rack, an eco-friendly collapsible dish rack that can be adjusted to fit any configuration of dishes. Unlike dish racks that take up precious counter space, this one can be folded flat and stowed away.
Resources: Henry H. Ross & Son, Inc. | 121 Koser Road, Lititz | 717-626-6268 | www.hhross.com
Keener Kitchens | 560 Boundary Avenue, Red Lion | 717-244-4544 | www.keenerkitchen.com
Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry | 5309 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg | 717-697-0949 | www.mhcustom.com
Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry | 2550 Stiegel Pike, Schaefferstown | 1-800-447-9006 | www.plainfancycabinetry.com
Swartz Kitchens & Baths | 5550 Allentown Boulevard, Harrisburg | 717-652-7111 | www.swartzkitchens.com
Sylvan Brandt Antique Flooring | 756 Rothsville Road, Lititz | 717-626-4520 | www.sylvanbrandt.com
Williams-Sonoma | The Fountain Shoppes at Park City Center | 354 Park City Center, Lancaster 717-291-1495 | www.williams-sonoma.com
Zest! | 30 East Main Street, Lititz | 717-626-6002 | www.zestchef.com
