Cabinets by Easthill Cabinetry | Design by Violet Interior Design
When you’re investing in a new kitchen or bath, it’s wise to know the latest designs and technology. We talked to pros who have their fingers on the pulse of the market to find out what’s hot now and what’s next.
By Mary Kate Hogan
Kitchen designed by Marsha Pilat Davis, Pilat Davis Architects and Leah Diamond
“People are creating more open spaces, not just a kitchen that’s about cooking and cleaning up, but that’s also a multipurpose space designed as one big space with a family room and seating area. It’s a place to sit and where the kids can do homework or you can enjoy your morning coffee, designed to make the whole space work together.”
—Leah Diamond, Leicht Kitchens
“The Anglophile kitchen is inspired by British social media heavy hitters deVOL, Humphrey Munson, and others. Elements include custom cabinetry with refined millwork details and inset doors; accents of native woods, such as white oak, in medium tones; minimal or no wall cabinetry, sometimes replaced with a ledge or shelf; simple plaster or hearth-style ventilation; fully integrated, panel-led refrigeration; classic cast-brass hardware; and fitted larders (pantries). Popular color combinations are subtle gray/whites with navy/black and wood accents.”
—Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn
“For fixtures and finishes we’re seeing a lot of gold. It’s not the gold of yesterday; we’re seeing a lot of brushed gold, brushed brass. Furniture Guild has some really beautiful bath vanities that mix metal in with the wood.”
—Kymberly Weiner, Best Plumbing Tile & Stone
Photo by Tim Lenz
“People are really starting to think about the functionality of their bathrooms. From recessed outlets with pullout storage units (like the ones you see at a salon) to built in fogless mirrors in the shower for men to shave. Bathrooms are still a beautiful and tranquil escape from reality, but with all the bells and whistles to go with it.”
—Wendy Strauss, Strauss House Designs
“More than ever, myclients are looking for custom storage solutions in their kitchens. It’s the latest luxury in kitchen design that makes working in the kitchen an everyday pleasure. I’ve had clients tell me that when they unveiled their new kitchens to their friends, their friends ran around opening every door and drawer to see how it was designed. A luxury kitchen used to be all about a wow look. Now it’s what’s inside that counts.”
—Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn
Photo by Ariel Camilo
“Everybody still wants the perfect white kitchen, which is timeless, but some people are choosing a light wood that’s being treated to a beige-y gray. It’s appealing and gives a bit of texture. Textures are a great option for adding interest to a cabinet or a space without a big commitment to color. Two-tone options such as wood grains with soft hues in combination with painted surfaces are also popular.”
—RitaLuisa Garcés​, Bilotta Kitchen & Home
“We are seeing a lot of technology in the bathroom. Kohler has mixed Amazon Alexa into several of its products. One is called Verdera Voice, a lighted mirror. It has voice-controlled dimmable LED lights that can adjust to brighter settings for an easier shave or makeup application. There’s also a motion-activated nightlight.”
—Kymberly Weiner, Best Plumbing Tile & Stone
“Clients want organization in their everyday lives. I tend to work with clients drawer by drawer to make sure everything has a place and a purpose. Docking drawers for portable devices continue to be requested. The kitchen is the epicenter of a home — hangout space, eating space, work space all in one — especially with most homes opening up to the family room. It needs to be functional but organized.”
—Wendy Strauss, Strauss House Designs
Photo by Tim Lenz
“People are looking for more modern, clean, and lighter kitchens. Even if the shell of the house is traditional, the interiors are changing toward more open spaces. People also want substance behind the pretty fronts. Everybody’s interested in the details and understanding how the kitchen will serve them. Our clients love cooking, and our modern kitchens (with cabinetry made in Germany) are designed for serious cooking and entertaining.”
—Constantin Oltean, Bulthaup Greenwich
“For countertops, quartz material is topping the market right now, especially with the marble looks. Some people are doing repurposed wood tops, like antique hickory or pine, and also exotic woods. There’s also a trend for the countertop to have more presence, to be 2 or even 3 inches thick.”
—Sam Owen, Garth Custom Kitchens
Kitchen designed by Marsha Pilat Davis, Pilat Davis Architects and Leah Diamond
“Light woods are really popular right now; people are going with the Scandinavian tones with light wood and warm textures. It’s a flooring trend that’s now moving into cabinetry. We see a continuation of the trend of going without handles and knobs and using push mechanisms or grooves in doors for a more minimalist look.”
—Leah Diamond, Leicht Kitchens
Photo by Alyssa Rosenheck
“One really nice way to refresh your bathroom and stay on trend is to install a simple, clean-lined vanity, one with natural elements like this thick slab marble that will stand the test of time. The master bath is also a place to enjoy your favorite wall color. Farrow and Ball’s Calamine is feminine and casts a flattering hue.”
—Raquel Garcia, Raquel Garcia Design
Cabinets by Easthill Cabinetry | Design by Violet Interior Design
“The island is still the focal point of the design; it’s what’s dictating the space. We like to seat on multiple sides of the island, so it’s more of a communal experience. ”
—Anthony Maucieri, Easthill Cabinetry
This kitchen was designed with Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn. Photo by Tim Lenz.
“The use of white bronze continues to grow in popularity, but so does matte black and brushed gold. Farmhouse sinks are still in, but sinks that incorporate cutting boards, strainers, etc. are growing in popularity. I have been incorporating a lot of industrial looks into my designs but using them sparingly to add character.”
—Wendy Strauss, Strauss House Designs
