2018 was a year of fun and exciting projects which challenged and sparked my creativity! White kitchens continued to be the hot ticket sometimes with an artful mix of natural wood or with deep rich blues.
I call this the "new traditional kitchen". I had fun working with HW Interiors on this one.
There were difficult situations but always solutions. This video gives you a snapshot of the vast variety of spaces and projects that came my way throughout the year. When you work with me I create these 3D renderings in Chief Architect Interiors X10 so you can get a sense of the space because visuals are everything! I am deeply grateful to my clients for placing their trust in me. Wishing all my readers the best in 2019. Maybe this will be the year we create your new space! xoxo
I always love to attend the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) each year. It's so much fun to spot the patterns and trends that are always evident. Somethings have an extremely long shelf life such as white cabinets and stainless steel appliances. I continue to see those items but then there are some new things that just blew me away! This year's show was held in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the International Builders' Show (IBS) January 9-11. I was not only on the spot but I have been spot on in my recent observations and blog posts. Read on to see what I found!
KBIS2018
Photo by Sabrina Brunk
Our first stop on day one was the Champagne and Cupcakes event hosted by Modenus and sponsored by LG Home Appliances and Signature Kitchens. This unofficial kickoff event of KBIS has become an annual institution for social media influencers, designers and media to celebrate the beginning of KBIS with champagne, cupcakes and buzz! We were honored to be included in this invitation-only event.
Back to Black
I called it! Remember this post? It was all about black, the new neutral and go-to for everything including countertops, appliances and plumbing fixtures. Matte finishes, in particular, are hot. It's definitely the new neutral. What about grey? Don't panic, grey is still strong but it's morphing into a warmer version, closer to taupe.
The Galley, black faucet
Natural Wood
Those taupier greys are a beautiful complement to all the natural stained wood which, I think is a reaction to so many years of white and dark espresso finishes. The hot stain colors are browner and less red. Think walnut as opposed to cherry. The finishes are light to medium allowing you to appreciate the beautiful movement and visual texture of the wood grains. The only exception to this was seen at mid-ranged Wellborn Cabinets. They state that 70% of their business is still in painted finishes, but not just white. With their Be Inspired option, you can go crazy with color and create a very personalized space. The example below was designed by Joanna Gaines.
natural wood, kitchen, black accents
Are You Feeling Blue?
Speaking of color, if you're feeling blue you're on trend. If there's an accent color I noticed in the kitchen it's a deep rich blue. A blue island can be the perfect accent but don't do it unless you love the color and it blends seamlessly with your space. That way it'll be timeless and not just a passing fancy.
Mixed Metals
Never have I seen so many metal finish choices for plumbing fixtures and hardware. The bronzes and brushed brasses that came out last year are stronger than ever. The best thing is you can mix more than one metal in your kitchen and bath, just make sure you tie it into another element in the room. For example, you could have stainless steel appliances but a brushed brass faucet and matching brass cabinet hardware. Kohler definitely took this trend to the next level with their Vibrant Ombré faucets!
KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens
Photo by Sabrina Brunk
The New Traditional
Even though I wrote about this a year ago, right here, I was amazed at how many displays I saw that were definitely leaning towards traditional. Today's traditional is fresh and updated but still classical. In addition to this sort of "new farmhouse" example below, I saw detailed door styles with moldings and raised panels. I was surprised to see that!
KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens
Not Your Grandma's Formica
Formica's new surfaces feature the most updated technologies in laminate materials. At the show, they were touting writable surfaces and new patterns to rival the beauty of marble. Maybe this material, which has always had a big following in Europe, is worth another look. It's being used on vertical surfaces too, not just countertops. They also showed a shower in all Formica, not sure I'm into that though.
Formica looks like marble
In addition to these big stars of the show, I saw so many great accessories and organizational inserts for your kitchen and bath, sleek and sculptural freestanding tubs and did I mention black?
freestanding bath tub, matte black
There's no way I can leave you without sharing one of the most memorable moments of that show for me. It was attending Modenus' Design Milk Talk on Business Marketing featuring (left to right) Claire Jefferd, Maria Killam, Laurel Bern and Leslie Carothers superstars in our industry. Following last summer's series The Big Move, I was the winner of Claire Jefferd's video training course. Now I'll really know what I'm doing in the next video venture! ;)
KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens
If you haven't done so already, follow my Facebook page where I am posting my finds every day. I'm on Instagram too! If you're in the beginning stages of planning a new kitchen this is a good way to start the process. I am enthusiastically available for in-home consultations in South Florida from Boca Raton to Jupiter if you're ready to take that next step. A big THANK YOU to my beautiful daughter Sabrina Brunk for assisting me on this trip and helping me spot the trends at KBIS 2018 and sharing her photographs. Cheers!!
If you're a die-hard traditionalist the trend towards contemporary and transitional design may leave you feeling lost for fresh new inspiration in the familiar classic look you love, but no more!
As they say, everything old is new again and that couldn't be more true for Traditional design. If you yearn for that farmhouse feel you're right in step with what's going on in the design world right now. Today's country kitchen has been reinvented with design details that reflect the cleaner lines and stepped-up function of today with the welcoming warmth you want. Here's how you can update without selling the farm.
New Direction for Paneling
Traditional beadboard runs vertically. It's called beadboard because in between each plank there is this detail which is called a bead in molding lingo.
The new look is called shiplap and it goes horizontal instead of vertically for a fresh new interpretation. For a cleaner look, you can even remove the bead and have a v-groove or a nickel sized space between planks. This works for coastal looks too since it's actually inspired by ship design details, thus the name shiplap.
Aprons Rule
Apron sinks, also called farmhouse sinks, are all the rage and they come in a large variety of materials from the original cast iron and clay to the newer stainless steel and granite composite versions. They can also be under mounted so you can wipe those crumbs right off the counter and into the sink. Don't overlap the sink edge though or you'll have a concealed seam underneath between sink and counter that can get pretty gross and be hard to clean.
Less is More
One of the hallmarks of a traditional farmhouse kitchen is lots of moldings, legs, bun feet etc. It used to be the more the merrier but that has changed. You can still have your legs and even corbels but they are simplified and clean lined. Speaking of clean, these less detailed versions of the originals are much easier to keep clean. Less detail can also be easier on the wallet. Win win!
Time for Recess
Attractive and innovative framed doors are the perfect choice for the new farmhouse kitchen and we are seeing flat recessed panel doors as a popular alternative to the traditional raised panel styles. In fact simply switching from a raised panel door to what we call a flat panel door is an instant update. If you want to take it even further consider a flat, or slab drawer front which allows you complete freedom when it comes to selecting your pulls or knobs.
More Inspiration
I found these books which are right on topic. Add them to your library if you are looking for more tips and inspiration on how to achieve the new farmhouse look in the kitchen and other areas of your home. A Touch of Farmhouse Charm: Easy DIY Projects to Add
Art can also be a style defining element of your kitchen. Nothing says farmhouse like the quintessential cow. Are you cow A, or are you the more minimalist modern version that is cow B ?
The Farmhouse cows are available through my affiliate Dot & Bo. The books can be found on Amazon. Purchases through the links above can help fund my blog. If you choose to indulge I thank you for your support.
Please keep in mind this is one approach and is reflective of what I'm seeing in the design world.The best advice I can give you is to always design to the style of your home and your heart that way you will never go wrong. It's your investment and you get to choose what you like and leave the rest. I can help you make the best choices for your own unique situation and would love to hear from you. Email me at Gloria@ArtfulKitchens.net to explore how we can work together.
Fashion is a fickle phenomena. What's in today quickly morphs into the the next new sensation. It doesn't matter if it's clothes or cabinets. Granted, interior trends are slower to transition but it works the same way.
Lately I've been giving a lot of thought to the huge love affair with contemporary design. The pendulum is deep into the greys, floating shelves, waterfall counters, clean lines, simplicity, slab style cabinet doors or wide stile and rail shaker fronts. Don't get me wrong, I love it and I think it's going to be many years before these looks become "outdated." If you've followed my advice in the past, you know I believe in designing to the structure. If you follow the styling and architecture of your home when designing your cabinetry your kitchen will never be dated. Then, of course, you have to have what you LOVE! That is numero uno.
But what's next? As sure as the sun rises the pendulum will eventually swing the other way and when it does it's going to be in a completely new direction. I just can't see us going back to the traditional looks of the past with glazes, heavy molding etc. Will the pendulum swing back to Traditional territory and what will the new Traditional look like? What's next on the horizon? “We are all familiar with consumers’ constant desire to see something new, yet they still want, in many cases, to have somewhat of a familiar comfort level,” said Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman – executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. I think she's right. We want fresh and new but we want to feel a connection to qualities we've enjoyed in the past. This kitchen by Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry has got me thinking about what a "new Traditional" would look like.
Clean lines continue but now soft elegant detail makes an appearance
Darryl Minch, manufacturer's rep with the Baronet Group International, Inc., says "I'm seeing less extreme contrasts of color in the kitchen, think softer palettes , white and off -whites used in the same space". My own prediction is that we will see a big resurgence of natural wood finishes. I see hints of this all over. For quite a while white painted finishes and dark espresso stains have ruled. Neither shows the beauty of wood grain. Textured laminates round out the top choices at the moment but how about the real deal?
Take your paneling in a different direction. If you have an island in your plan, chances are you're going to need some paneling to tie it all together. Take the traditional vertical beadboard and turn it for a "new traditional" effect. I'm loving this option for a coastal look as it's reminiscent of ship lap. I started to use this design detail in my projects and now I'm seeing it more and more.
If you're a design lover or savvy pro I'd love to hear your predictions for kitchen and bath design 2017.
Earlier this month trade publication Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine (K+BB) unveiled their 2014 design award winners. Kitchen of the year went to Scott Dresden of Chicago firm , Dresden Design. I love it! He accomplished a masterful blending of traditional with contemporary touches that let you know it's 2014. This kitchen, located in a historic building, was no small feat to accomplish. I mean that literally, Scott's client is 6'11" tall and many of the changes were made to accommodate his height. As a designer, it's always interesting for me to learn the thought process that goes into a design so I contacted Scott who graciously agreed to be interviewed by KFL.KFL- I notice an interesting blend of Traditional and Contemporary design in this kitchen. What was your initial design inspiration?Scott- I wanted to make a modern Model A. I designed a kitchen that could have possibly been there in this 1920’s building but layered in modern nuances. I added contemporary hardware and open shelving so it doesn’t feel like your grandma’s old kitchen.KFL- The K+BB article mentions that you raised the ceiling height, what did you do with those very necessary AC ducts?Scott- I put ducts inside the beams.KFL- Did you have to compromise any aspect of your design to satisfy your client?Scott- No, the client gave me full creative reign- a dream client.Scott mentions there is actually nothing he would have done differently in addition, he offers us the following insights into the project and how it evolved.KFL- What exactly were your client's requirements?Scott- My client is a tall guy- 6’-11” to be exact. Much if the project was about making the space feel more expansive. We accomplished this by using whites, demolishing the existing ceiling and using fixtures that would allow enough clearance. The client, a single gentleman, wanted a stereo system that could be controlled from his i[kpad. It was also important for him to have a very smart solution for lighting. We installed a state of the art AV system and used halogens throughout with a minimum profile to allow us more vertical space. KFL- What were some of the specific challenges and how did you overcome them? Scott- This is a very old building and there were a lot of skeletons in the closet. Every single thing had to be redone. The electrical was a mess and there was no existing laundry room or way to vent a dryer. The building located in Chicago’s Gold Coast, wasn’t able to accommodate our 2000 pound Calcutta Gold kitchen island in their freight elevator so we craned it through the living room window with an inch an a half to spare. We redid all the electrical and created cabinetry that housed a vent less washer and dryer. KFL- Sounds like you addressed all the practical aspects successfully. What are some examples of your innovative design solutions?Innovative techniques came into play with space planning. We accommodated wine storage with a 9”deep cabinet where wine bottles can lay on their sides horizontally so not to take up too much floor space in this small city kitchen. We demolished the ceiling and removed the existing 6” cans allowing us to gain additional ceiling height. We created a beam system that houses small modern halogen lighting. To avoid blocking any natural light we opted to use a Calcutta slab backsplash with floating stainless shelves as opposed to upper cabinetry. We modified decorative light fixtures to accommodate the client’s height and integrated a vent less washer and dryer into cabinetry to create a laundry room.Congrats to Scott on his big win. Not only did he create the ideal environment for his client, he's also sharing a tip or two along the way!
As many of you know, the Kitchen and Bath masses gathered in Las Vegas February 4-6 for their annual pilgrimage to KBIS, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. This year the event was part of Design & Construction Week, a new concept, merging KBIS with IBS, the International Builder’s Show. As a result, it was bigger and better than ever. Let’s hope that what happened there does NOT stay there !Maybe I should limit that to kitchen and bath industry products and trends ;) Uber interior design resource Modenus hosted their latest Blogtour group who covered the event in a big way! You can get the entire scoop here.So what is trending, you may ask? Here’s the latest scoop from Kitchen & Bath Design News and KBIS co-sponsors, the National Kitchen & Bath Association:Let there be light. Yes we’re used to lights in the refrigerator but now we’re adding LED lighting to cabinetry as well.
Make that matte. Last year I noticed a growing interest in matte finishes and it’s even more so this year. One such surface is the new Dekton by Cosentino. It's an ultra compact surface including quartz, porcelain and glass. This makes it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, even better than quartz as it's UV resistant and can withstand extreme heat.
Keep it simple. NKBA President John Petrie, CMKBDT tells us, "while transitional styles are still number one, we see kitchen design trending more contemporary this year, with clean , simple lines: less clutter and little ornamentation".Quartz rocks, especially if it’s patterned! Homeowners have discovered quartz but they're not willing to give up the pattern and movement found in natural stone products like granite and marble. New finishes by Cambria let you have the best of both worlds.Cambria's Waterstone Collection captures the depth and beauty of marble and granite while offering the superior strength and performance of quartz. (Here's something for you "traditionalists", they clearly didn't get the message about contemporary in this kitchen!)Gadgets, gadgets, gadgets, We may like our cabinetry look pared down but gimme the gadgets! Technology reigns, ie anything touch operated or digital.The new Temp20 Technology by Delta Faucets boasts a digital temperature display that saves you the shock or injury from water that's not the temperature you were expecting. When the temperature is less than 80 degrees the LED display will glow blue. It's magenta from 80-110 and red when it's above that. You can get this feature on your Delta faucet this spring.A bath to come home to, trends in the bathroom focus on customization and spa ambiance. In the high end markets, free standing tubs are all the rage. They are functional and sculptural at the same time. We are also understanding the benefits of hydrotherapy as in soaking tubs and steam baths.Additional features you may want to include in your new kitchens and baths include the following:-Induction cooktops (and now ranges too!)-Steam ovens-French-door refrigerators (duh, I think we all know that already!)-Bottom freezer drawers (ditto of above)-Touch activated faucets-Electronic (no touch) faucets-LED lighting-Charging stations-Pet stationsI believe all of the above are here to stay, at least in the foreseeable future, and the technology will only get better.
features easy DIY projects for all parts of your home. 
has great examples how to add updated farmhouse details to new or existing homes. Last but not least 
is my personal favorite as it adds a touch of sophistication that could make your farmhouse look totally at home in city or country. This book is not out for a few months yet but if you can't wait, check out 
