FLORIDA HOME BUILDER, April 2002
WHAT TURNS YOU ON?
By Tamara Tennant
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Home furnishing trends follow current fashion trends and it is interesting to note that kitchen and bath designs are following suite. Today's fashions are more casual and undersate4d, yet elegant and luxurious. In 2002, we are seeing that kitchens and baths are contemporary, transitional, or Old World.
Just as in women's fashions, where ever skirt length is acceptable depending on what you like and are comfortable with, so it is with the design of the kitchen or bath.
Most people are extremely busy. Whether they are working or raising a family, or both, life can be a challenge. People want their lives and their home surroundings comfortable and visually appealing. In talking with Nick Rossi from Irpinia Kitchens in Boca Raton he said "We are designing more contemporary kitchens and scaling back from heavier Old World to designs that are more transitional."
Paul Courchene of Courchene Development in Boca Raton said, "We are using cleaner, classic lines in our homes."
Joyce Rothacker from Downsview Kitchens in DCOTA said, "We are still doing a tremendous amount of Old World kitchens and baths. Because we offer very unique and custom painted finished, clients are able to get a kitchen that is different." And Greg Jones from Kitchen Art in Coral Springs said, "We install 60 kitchens a week for mainstream America. They want what they see in magazines. They love the Old World look with corbels, hearths and a furniture look. Kitchen design is esoteric. There is an acceptance of each person's individual style." The buyer does not need to worry that their kitchen or bath is going to look dated in 10 years.
So what is selling? As far as color goes, in the upper end of the market we are seeing deeper colors on wood like mahogany and cherry. Paul Courchene just used a deep burgundy color on cherry for the kitchen of his multi-million dollar model home in Stone Creek Ranch, Delray Beach. But there is also a strong demand for finishes that are painted and glazed, brush stroked, and/or distressed. It is quite popular to finish the island and a detail like dental on the crown molding in a different color.
We have recently finished several projects with the island, the butler's pantry, and the family room entertainment unit being a darker finish and the rest of the cabinetry a lighter color glazed with the darker color. When a complimentary granite top the look is smashing. Another interesting look is having the top cabinets a different color than the bottom. And for the people who are not afraid of color, consider using a distressed green for the center island.
The items that make your home different and current: Using an armoire for the refrigerator, a furniture base around the island, and base molding at the sink in both kitchens and bathrooms give more of a furniture look. Use an antique or reproduction chest for the powder room that holds a simple inexpensive Bates sink or have a piece made to look like furniture and use an interesting metal sink. The style are endless. Consider French, English, Asian, or Italian. Whatever, you choose it should be intesting, as it becomes the focal point.
Stainless is very popular, but paneled refrigerator and dishwasher doors are much easier to maintain and hide fingerprints. Satin nickel faucets are also popular, but just like David Yurman jewelry, it is very hip to mix gold and silver. Again pick what you like. Glass panels in the kitchen are wonderful for the family that likes to display collections and frosted glass for a more contemporary look breaks the monotony of all doors. Downsview is offering doors that lift up and disappear, and four-foot wide drawers for pans and organizers. Everything is extremely functional.
Another great look to add to the kitchen is a chandelier over the island or pendants over the breakfast bar in lieu of recessed lighting and using sconces on each side of a decorative mirror in all bathrooms gives more of a furniture look. It you have the space, consider using a decorative mirror that is approximately 48 inches wide by 106 inches high to lean against the wall on the bathroom floor for full-length view. Also, using a free standing vanity gives a lot of character to the bathroom or dressing area.
Bars are being hidden in armoires that are custom made to have a furniture look but contain refrigerators, wine coolers, sinks and storage in either the living room or family room. The doors can bi-fold or pocket back leaving the area open.
Backsplashes are where additional creativity can be used. This is a great place to add color with tiles especially mosaic tiles. Alexander Morgan in Orlando and Boca Raton offers one-inch tiles with a combination of stone and granite, or stone and glass, or combinations of different tumbled stones that are great for backsplashes for either Old World or contemporary kitchens. Stainless steel and mirror give more depth to the space.
Do not be afraid of using granite counter tops, mosaic tile on the surround of the cook top range, and another stone or different element on the backsplash. In powder rooms and bathrooms using the one-inch mosaic tile as borders on the walls and the floors creates unexpected visual interest. Another component of making a kitchen and bathroom interesting is the choice of hardware. Top Knobs has a most interesting line that ranges from traditional to contemporary in an array of wonderful finishes. The choice of knobs is like wearing the right jewelry with an outfit.
With people spending more time with their families at home and entertaining there as well, it is important that their homes and especially their kitchen and bathrooms, be well designed and beautiful. These spaces should be restful, relaxing and enjoyable . . . true reflection of their individual tastes.
Tamara Tennant is the president and owner of Tamara Tennant Interior Design in Boca Raton. |
