The Kitchen Directory guide to the latest Kitchen Design Trends – Part 2
We last published our Design Trends article in the summer and it was so well received we thought it would be worth another round up before Christmas.
We love to keep you ahead of the trends and we weren’t to be disappointed as the first press release we received was from Schiffini announcing their new striking Mesa kitchen is now available in black ‘rubber’!
First launched in 2009 in a striking copper finish, Schiffini’s Mesa kitchen collection is now available in a unique black ‘rubber’ finish, creating a sophisticated classic kitchen.
“When looking for the latest trends for 2011 the first press release we received was from Schiffini announcing their Mesa kitchen is available in black ‘rubber’!!”
Designed by Alfredo Häberli, the Mesa collection derives from his extraordinary concept kitchen, first shown by Schiffini at Eurocucina 2008. ‘Mesa’, the Spanish word for table, highlights Häberli’s focus on a large convivial table, defining the central role which kitchens play in our social structure.
The new black ‘rubber’ finish is a special matt lacquer with a soft touch effect and is available with or without Mesa’s distinctive 3D design. Mesa is also available in a range of finishes from plain lacquers to glamorous metallics including copper, gold & silver.
So it seems that finish and materials are going to play a big part in 2011 kitchen design and the metallic theme raised by Schiffini seems to be reflected in the uses of greys in colour schemes. Paul McDowell of Corian UK agrees “Key styles will sharp and slender, with ‘shark nose’ receding edge profiles and ‘floating’ effects… and it’s this versatility of Corian® to achieve almost any kind of look that will keep it top of the ‘must-have’ trustworthy brand list.
All shades of Grey look set to be a recurrent colour theme in kitchens, while materials that offer recycled content will be in demand, especially from companies renowned for genuine innovation.”
“Key styles will be sharp and slender, with ‘shark nose’ receding edge profiles and ‘floating’ effects” Paul McDowell, MD of MCD Marketing for DuPont™ Corian®
The floating trend continues in this design incorporating appliances from Amica. Today’s kitchens are about space and sophistication – visually impactful with a refined and charismatic, elegant, uncomplicated and co-ordinated style. And the European influence of banking appliances is continuing to emerge as other built-in appliances such as microwaves and coffee makers become more widely available.
“The European influence of banking appliances is continuing to emerge” Simon Freear, country manager for Amica in the UK
Jane Stewart, Design Director, Mowlem & Co thinks that the “The ‘packaway”’ kitchen with key features and functions (and even the whole kitchen) hidden away behind floor to ceiling doors will become a major trend.
“We are already designing many of our bespoke kitchens this way. Woods will be stained and grey and silver will be key colour trends. Edge treatments on worktops will go sharp and ‘floating’ and matt, textured surfaces will figure strongly. Look out also for interesting and unusual wall treatments, such as the amazing ‘Living Art’ green walls for interiors from BioTecture using Corian® 3D ‘cut-out’ panels to grow an indoor oasis on you wall!”
“Worktops will be sharp and ‘floating’”Jane Stewart, Design Director, Mowlem & Co
Bernard Otulakowski, MD, SieMatic UK thinks simple design will be ‘on trend’ inm 2011 ”The clutter free, clean line aesthetic is still a massive seller for all SieMatic dealers. Due to the fact that SieMatic offers an internal storage system called ‘MultiMatic’ which increases storage capacity in cabinets by up to 34%, these kitchens make an ideal addition to smaller homes. The handle-less look also helps to keep things simple, with less to look at it not only makes the furniture more attractive to look at, but more importantly it stops the design becoming ‘busy’ in a space restricted kitchen.”
“The clutter free, clean line aesthetic is still a massive seller” Bernard Otulakowski, MD, SieMatic UK
Wood has been all over the kitchen catwalks for some time now, and looks set to continue on this upward trajectory throughout 2011. Wood has earned this position because of its natural ability to bring warmth and personality to kitchens of all styles. In 2011 we will see it celebrated both on its own and juxtaposed with hi-gloss doors for a super-sleek, contemporary feel. Wood grains will be horizontal and highly visible, putting the wood at centre stage. In terms of colours we’ll see the full spectrum of shades, from the palest natural woods to dramatic dark stains.
“Wood grains will be horizontal and highly visible, putting the wood at centre stage” Eamon Donnelly, managing director, Uform
Andrea Denison, product manager at Four Seasons thinks colour is going to be a big 2011 story in kitchens.
“We saw rich tones all over the kitchen trade shows in 2010 and anticipate them making an appearance at independent retailers and on the high street next year. Don’t expect to see a wall-to-wall explosion of colour, though. We’re talking about using bold splashes of colour as an accent, for example an island unit with colourful hi-gloss doors teamed with a wall of units in a neutral colour or timber finish. Accent colours to watch out for include grown-up tones of scarlet, aubergine and slate in hi-gloss finishes. This look is glamorous, understated and very easy to achieve in both classic and contemporary kitchens.”
“Accent colours to watch out for include grown-up tones of scarlet, aubergine and slate in hi-gloss finishes”
