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The re-emergence of wood
According to Los Angeles-based designer Peti Lau, “my clients are exhibiting a lot more interest in wood cabinets and finishes, notably, very lovely natural ash wood, which lends a rustic contemporary atmosphere.” Wood adds layers of elegance to the kitchen despite being earthy by nature and utilized in a more contemporary fashion. “People are looking for a sense of serenity and soothing palettes,” Lau explains. The Los Angeles design team of Cayley Lambur and Lucia Bartholomew of Electric Bowery shares that viewpoint: “A lot of warmth and texture is crucial in the kitchen. Less white is being used overall, and more rich colors are being used. By straying from absolutely neutral color schemes, you can add a deeper, richer tone to the wood.
Little details
Brigette Romanek of Romanek Design Studio, a Los Angeles-based AD100 designer, claims that kitchens are getting as intricate as possible. “That’s excellent news, too. Customers are personalizing their kitchens, choosing what suits them best rather than strictly following the iconic triangle plan (of the stove, sink, and refrigerator). The fine workmanship of the details frequently invites discussion of custom work. Lau continues, “I find that there are more alternatives for customization so that clients and designers can choose various finishes for the appliances. The most common requests from clients are for utility and customization for their daily routines, and there are more configurable façades and covers to pick from. Coffee and juice bars are typical details.
Create a double!
Whether it’s built-ins like islands or workhorse equipment, designers are doubling down on functionality throughout the kitchen. The twin island fad is explained by Houston-based interior designer Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design. This style gives your kitchen more storage and gives you more room to make food and host visitors, according to the expert. Double islands are the ultimate luxury because of their streamlined sightlines and abundant counter space. Lau continues, “Double islands are the ideal social hubs and make a significant impact in kitchens. The genuine luxury item is having room for them. And that’s not the end of it. According to Judy Dunne of the design firm Butter and Eggs in New York City, the bare minimum of today’s must-have appliances are double ovens, two dishwashers, and enormous or numerous refrigerators.
Enhanced Kitchens
Technology advancements are no longer just for sound systems and media rooms; they are also making significant strides in the kitchen. The integrated smart-technology alternatives and systems that support end users’ lifestyles have been revolutionary and appear to advance daily. Today you can have technology built into most functions and equipment, from smart faucets to ovens being controlled by your smartphone to simple touch-closing cabinets. The luxury kitchen design ethos is moving towards smart kitchens, according to Magon. Since the bulk of his clients is spending more time at home, Magon observes that they “want their kitchens to make daily duties easier… Due to technology, kitchen surroundings are becoming more environmentally friendly.
Mix it All Up
According to London-based Bryan O’Sullivan, there is a shift away from the fitted kitchen aesthetic, where everything has a uniform appearance. “We always prefer to modify the various elevations and approach each kitchen and area differently when we create kitchens.” His company is renowned for deviating from the conventional built-in method by using a variety of finishes and materials. “We want it to feel more personal than just built-ins, therefore we used a variety of materials in our London townhouse as an example.
Seeing is Believing
Designer Christine Gachot of New York-based Gachot Studios says, “These days, we’re seeing a lot of requests for a back-of-house, attached kitchen. “Our clients want to be able to organize a dinner party, finish cooking their meal, and engage with guests in a room free of dirty dishes,” says the author. Enter the scullery kitchen, which provides a location for cooking, guest preparation, or private chefs. In the meantime, the party might continue in the main “display” kitchen, which is frequently connected to the house’s common rooms. How a space will operate when entertaining is truly kept at the forefront of most of our design plans, which is why butler pantries and supplementary prep areas are virtually becoming mainstays for customers.
Is That a Kitchen?
As the creative director and founder of M.A.H. Gallery and The Home by M.A.H., Laura Fulmine says, “When approaching kitchen design, I aim to create something as opulent as possible yet that sometimes doesn’t even look like a kitchen. “I take into account how the space will be used and the vibe we want to evoke; my approach to design incorporates unexpected aspects. To produce something wholly personalized, I frequently work with independent designers, artists, and manufacturers.
Down to Earth
These days, everyone is concerned with the environment, as we all should be, according to Gachot. Customers want to include kitchen appliances that will use less waste, electricity, and water in addition to recycling and composting. She adds that SMEG, with their enjoyable retro looks, and both Miele and SMEG offer some fantastic new energy-efficient goods. Moreover, homes are using less plastic: She continues, “Appliances like SodaStream are taking up formerly free counter space, and on one project, we built a permanent water carbonator inside a stainless countertop. Boyd counsels customers to “dream big” while designing their kitchens, pushing them to “show off their taste and flair, and leading them to conscious material choices.
Combining various hardware finishes and designs
The era of identical, cookie-cutter kitchens with similar finishes and hardware is over. Cooking areas full of color have taken their place. According to Danielle DeBoe Harper, senior creative style manager at Moen, mixing “brushed gold faucets with stainless steel appliances, for instance,” is fashionable. The Moen team claims that it is possible to achieve success even when mixing crisp white marble with dark black soapstone countertops. Want your kitchen to have a little more contrast in 2023? Mixing and matching hardware is expected to be popular all year, according to the designers at Alma Homes. Use a combination of knobs and pulls to “increase the texture, character, and visual interest of a room.
