A new old.
Older styles are all the rage, making distressed and glazed finish options popular for cabinets. But consider mixing it up a bit. According to Kristy McPhie of McPhie Cabinetry of Bozeman, Montana, “A lot of my clients like the warmth and character of old wood, so we’re seeing a lot of hand drying and wear. But a new technique I’m seeing more than It’s dry brushing: it’s a technique where a dry brush is used in the finishing process to give it a slightly different old wood look.”
Reduce wall cabinets.
Enjoying an open and airy kitchen does not require having a large space. Swap out bulky wall cabinets for other storage options and discover a lighter top half that’s anything but top-heavy. “More and more openness, with more windows, is popular,” says Kristy McPhie of McPhie Cabinetry of Bozeman, Montana. “More homeowners are relying on pantries and base cabinets instead of lots of wall cabinets.”
Demand more from your hardware.
Your interiors should work just as well as your exteriors, and that extends beyond pull-out drawers and cutlery drawers. “There’s a higher level of expectation for drawer accessories,” says Kristy McPhie of McPhie Cabinetry of Bozeman, Montana. “A quieter, self-closing mechanism is in demand. It’s improved and people are liking it.” The introduction of BLUMOTION means the end of slamming drawers, thanks to a piston mechanism that gradually engages and closes the drawer.”
The mission becomes mod.
French country is cool, but Mission is the style of the moment. “The mission is to make a movement,” says Gregg Buzzelli of the CKC Kitchen and Bath Design Center in Morris Plains, New Jersey. “All Mission drive is big. Quarter-sawn oak with hickory corner pins provides a unique look that could put oak on the map.” Wide rails and stiles contribute to a warm, geometric feel that’s both modern and inviting.
Contemporary door glazing.
Just because you’re getting rid of the inlays doesn’t mean you have to be left with a totally bare slab. Consider the glazing. “Contemporary is coming back in a big way, even in our suburban area,” says Sharon Sherman of Thyme & Place Design of Wyckoff, New Jersey. “Homeowners want simpler lines and cleaner things, although glazes on a simpler door cabinet are in vogue. Light wood with glaze will have a different appearance than a stained wood door, even if it doesn’t have accents.” for the glaze to recover.
Cherry continues to compete.
It’s not a new trend, but it seems to be the eternal cherry-champion. “Cherry will always get the nod over any other species,” says Gregg Buzzelli of the CKC Kitchen and Bath Design Center in Morris Plains, New Jersey. “It’s timeless; no one will look at your kitchen and say oh, you made it in the year 2000. If you like wood, you’ll love cherry, with its interesting features within the grain pattern.”
Beautify away.
Plain Jane cabinets are getting a makeover, says Alan Zielinski of Better Kitchens, Inc., of Niles, Illinois. Many homeowners who “grew up without basic architecture admit that they want embellishment in their own home.” Enkeboll moldings, multiple crown moldings, different height cabinets, and built-in cabinets turn a wall of cabinets into an eye-catching display.
Look at Lyptus.
Alder, birch, ebony. Sometimes it’s fun to get away from the oak, maple, and cherry world. And there is no better way to do it than with Lyptus, a sustainable wood that is causing a sensation. “It looks a lot like mahogany but at a quarter of the price,” says Sharon Sherman of Thyme & Place Design of Wyckoff, New Jersey. “It is a wood of renewable origin, since the trees grow again in three years.”