When it comes to kitchens & baths, consumers are eager to pull out all the decorative stops. Here are some of the latest trends.
There was a time when the kitchen and the bath were treated as simply utilitarian rooms. Nowadays, the kitchen has nearly supplanted the family room as the primary gathering spot and casual entertaining area, while the master bath has been transformed into an at-home spa retreat. In a soft home buying market, a well-appointed kitchen and master bath can easily make or break a home sale – or at least become a factor in whether buyers can get their asking price or not.
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| The Old World vanity from Native Trails is made from reclaimed barn wood and fences. It is available in multiple stains. | The Tru 8-inch widespread faucet, from Premier Copper Products, complements both traditional porcelain sinks or non-overflow copper, glass, or stone bathroom sinks. |
Here’s even better news: an increased focus on lighting’s capabilities has led to introductions at KBIS last month that have made LEDs an integral part of the design process. According to the results of the 2012 National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) survey, despite the higher initial cost, LED lighting is becoming more popular as energy efficiency remains a top concern. Back in 2010, nearly 50% of NKBA members specified LED lighting in their kitchen and bath designs. That number has jumped over the past year to 70 percent.
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| The Dolce Vita pattern from the 180FX laminate line by Formica® resembles natural stone. | The Galley Sink by Roger Shollmier, whose own kitchen was voted the “#1 Most Bodacious Kitchen in America” by HGTV’s Fine Living Network. |
However, NKBA statistics show that CFLs haven’t experienced the same gains. Although they use roughly one-quarter of the energy of an incandescent producing the same amount of lumens, the perceived poor color quality of the light that CFLs produce and the presence of mercury inside them are preventing CFLs from being specified in newly remodeled kitchens, falling from 36% last year to 26% today.
LEDs were indeed the light source of choice at last month’s KBIS in Chicago. For example, at the Belwith-Keeler® booth, the company debuted Light Integrated Trim™ (LIT), which features LED strip lights incorporated into decorative trim as a modular system that can be used inside or out.
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| The Bamboo collection from Hastings Tile & Bath is crafted from fast-growing, bamboo grass. These bamboo sinks showcase thick cross-sections of bamboo that offer superior strength and a Contemporary, eco-conscious style. | Introduced at KBIS, the Rovato Blue Stone glass sink features Modono™ Glass’ new proprietary color-changing, dichroic thin-film coating. There are several colorations and shapes available. |
Poggenpohl’s booth offered a novel concept called +ARTESIO, which the company designed in collaboration with Hamburg-based architect and designer Hadi Teherani. This unique system provides an all-inclusive solution that integrates furniture design, ventilation, lighting, and sound.
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| Moen added a matte black finish to its new pull-out style Arbor® kitchen collection. The streamlined appearance complements many black kitchen appliances. | Available in an Antique or Brushed Nickel finish, the square lavatory Kohani sink by Native Trails is made from 16-gauge copper. |
The +ARTESIO kitchen embraces the principles of sustainability: LED lighting in the overhead arch, back panels, and inside drawers; and a functional arch with an innovative ceiling element that offers space for audio, extractor hoods, or indirect LED cove lighting that provides general illumination. A horizontal LED strip provides indirect, upward lighting, while a stainless-steel panel makes switches, power sockets, and wall fittings part of the overall concept. The glass cabinetry finishes are recyclable and the glass box within the cabinetry is closed on three sides to efficiently display and protect its contents.
View more Kitchen and Bath product showcases and informative articles by enLightenment.
