Joy Design + Build’s Design Concierge Tara Richmond is here to help you every step of the way to outfit your dream home. Her expertise as a personal shopper makes it easy for you select all the details you want to make sure your home work perfectly for you.
With Covid-19 social distancing days still upon us and many schools choosing to provide remote teaching, the kitchen has become the true hero of the home. And as such, it should be deliberately designed for optimal style and function. The million dollar question is, however: how should you start designing this workhorse of a space?
At Joy Design + Build, our goal is to help our clients make personal and purposeful selections that are both trending and timeless. Some think that following trends is a fleeting pursuit. However Stuart Bunyea, Designer for Stuart Kitchens, eloquently states that “trends are styles that come and stick around, fads are those that come and quickly go.” And for kitchens, cabinets make the biggest visual impact and use the majority of your budget. Thus, we decided to spend some time chatting with Tara and Stuart about what’s trending today in kitchen cabinets.
1. Style Me Pretty
Shaker style cabinets remain the fan favorite with our clients and are the chameleon of kitchen cabinets. They are a great choice because their style blends in with many design styles. Five piece shaker cabinets are a true classic having been created over 200 years ago, but we’re finding that cabinet makers are replacing the standard square door detail with a beveled edge. This variation adds more depth and character and works well in transitional kitchens.
Slab panel doors are extraordinarily popular with our contemporary and modern clients. Although slab panels are new-ish to the US, they have been around in Europe for years. They embody simplicity and sophistication and are marked by an absence of ornamentation. Streamlined, easy to clean and visually undemanding, slab cabinets are the perfect fit for a homeowner that craves a more modern aesthetic.
2. Color Me Mine
It’s hard to believe, but all-white kitchens are no longer the number one choice for kitchens. Our clients are choosing colored cabinets to add their own personality to the space or to make a major impact in their kitchen. Gray and blue neutrals remain timeless choices, but we’re also seeing a rise in deep, dark and even black cabinets adding drama and high end allure. An all-black kitchen with contrasting countertops is a stylish way to guide your kitchen to the dark side.
3. Split Personality
Unified cabinetry is a thing of the past! Two-toned kitchen cabinets are a hot design trend right now- and with good reason. They can pack a powerful style punch that allows you to stay on budget, plus two toned cabinets can make a small room appear larger. This combination can be implemented in a variety of ways. Sometimes, our clients choose to use a different color cabinet on their island. Other clients select base cabinets in one color and a complimentary or contrasting shade for the uppers. Another option would be to treat a section of cabinetry in the same manner. Much like accessories that complete the outfit by bringing warmth and dimension, two-toned cabinets break up the monotony and are a pivotal kitchen design strategy.
Photos: Downsview Kitchens
4. Wood-en it be nice
While we’re seeing wood in an abundance of custom painted colors, natural wood is also having a moment in kitchen cabinets. In particular, wood and white is a striking combination that adds a modern twist on traditional design. The warmth of walnut keeps popping up as accents in shelves, countertops, cabinets and islands adding character and balance to transitional kitchens, thus giving the space more design longevity.
Photos: Downsview Kitchens
5. Nothing To Gloss Over
Instantly elevate your cabinet design from ordinary to eye-candy by choosing a high-gloss finish. A magician at reflecting light, high-gloss cabinets can make a space appear larger and brighter. Additionally, one of the biggest advantages is their ease of cleaning- any stains just wipe off. Plus they have fantastic waterproof qualities without any special sealing or treatments. A contemporary lover’s dream, white high gloss kitchen cabinets add a subtle sophistication to any design without feeling cold or stark.
Photos: Downsview Kitchens
6. As Clear As Day
Clear your calendar for a Marie Kondo kitchen clearing day, because glass cabinets are taking a standing ovation. With the advent of more open floor plans, cabinetry has taken on furniture duty. Today’s trend include a floor-to-ceiling bank of cabinets intentionally designed to display collectibles, pretty dishes or glassware. Sometimes these floor-to-ceiling glass cabinets are created with backlit lighting, turned-legs and intricate detailing to resemble a china cabinet storing the good china and vintage champagne flutes. And yet, other times, the wall of cabinets are used in a less precious way. Regardless of use, glass panels are bringing a bit of transparency and forced organization to modern kitchen design.
Photos: Downsview Kitchens
With Joy Design + Build, designing a kitchen is a very personal experience. Tara and our Design Concierge team is here to define your style, guide you through the multitude of selections and ensure that your kitchen feeds your soul for many years into the future.
All photos compliments of Downsview Kitchens and Rutt Cabinetry.
