Wednesday, March 1, 2023

2023 TRENDS IN KITCHENS - THE HEART 0F THE HOME

A lot of what we see has been around for a little while in some cases and a long while in others but the kitchen is heating up in 2023.

Islands are taking on different shapes and colours. We see stools either facing each other or along one side and around the end so you can sit and talk easier than just all in a line facing one way.  Islands continue to be at times a different material or colour as well as the countertop than the perimeter cabinetry. Many islands are completely different from the perimeter and are free standing and look like furniture pieces, some are rounded at one end. Islands are available that are made of different material than the perimeter cabinets.  They can look like a piece of furniture and some can even be moved.

Perimeter cabinetry can be two different materials between the upper and lower, also incorporating a mix of a painted surface and a natural wood for interest. Open shelving continues but you need to be very tidy or it will drive you nuts if everything is messy. The white kitchen will always be popular and in style, as well as a gray, but many of us have wanted to change to more dramatic cabinet colours like deep Green, Navy, Charcoal and even Black. To achieve a kitchen with colour without going too intense we see greyed blues and greens.

When renovating a kitchen it seems that everybody wants an island and the bigger the better. In reality not every kitchen has the needed space for an island when considering the rest of the kitchen.  You need space to open cabinet doors/drawers, appliances nearby and of course stools. There is a resurgence of the kitchen table in the middle of the room much like what we would have seen long ago before the island invasion. Tables can work for meals but also for prepping and other tasks. Many people select a table that is counter height with stools.

Some popular styles are - Modern rustic style – Natural wood and natural stone

Elegant farmhouse style shaker style cabinets still very popular, apron sinks, stone  backsplashes 

Modern Spanish style – terra cotta floor, island with butcher block, hand painted backsplash tile

The opposite to going dark and dramatic are the warm and soft palettes – Natural light wood cabinets, bronze and brass, light flooring such as a white oak. Wood can live well in a kitchen 

Some of the changes are Commercial style faucets, hands-free/touchless faucets, workstation sinks which have a professional look, and include straining, chopping, drying etc. in a variety of sizes. Again the apron or farm sink and faucets can be stainless, fireclay or now there copper options, oil rubbed bronze. Many kitchen renos add the pot filler over the range. Wine fridges and refrigerator drawers are gaining popularity. 

Induction cooktops - are becoming more popular as they cook quicker and more evenly. They heat up the cookware rather than the stovetop which also is more energy efficient.  Many types of pots and pans can work, however its best to check your cookware with the options that will work.

I could go on and on about all the amazing kitchen options available but this short post gives you the ideas to start thinking about a kitchen change even if only a small update.

Good lighting is very important in every room, but even more so in a kitchen.  There are so many options available that would be another post.

                                    

Dark base cabinet with shelving rather than uppers

Dark wood perimeter cabinets with white waterfall island
Light pastel blue/green cabinets with wood flooring
White perimeter cabinets with dark wood island

Dark blue/navy white countertop

Green lower cabinets with white uppers and white peninsula

Charcoal cabinetry with furniture style wood island

White with freestanding island with shelving



Rounded end of island with seating facing across and the eating portion lower

Farmhouse/modern rustic style featuring wood beams

Natural wood cabinets with wood ceiling beams

Matte black commercial style faucet

Hands free/touchless faucet

Pot filler



Different materials for Farm/Apron front sinks


















Friday, February 24, 2023

2023 PAINT TRENDS and SUGGESTIONS

I thought I would follow my last post on colour with the suggested colour trends.  If you are looking for a change this is the year. As we move out of the Covid years somewhat, we may be bored of our homes having spent so much time inside.  Some of us may have used that time to do a few projects if we were able to get the necessary supplies/materials. If not we can start now.  I have been cruising through magazines, TV  decor shows, on line and home furnishing retailers and colour and lots of it is everywhere.

Here are some of the themes/ideas -- 

Greens – they bring the outside in, the darker greens are strong, however we see green pastels as well.  Kitchens are gaining colour in cabinetry which will be discussed in my kitchen post.

Brown and green speak to nature and bringing nature into your home is being mentioned a lot.

We will continue to see pink from the past few years especially a dusty pink which  is soothing

Dark navy is a sophisticated rich colour and by paring two dark unexpected colours is dramatic , for example – chartreuse and dark blue.

Pairing any shade of blue with white and silver is crisp and fresh. Blue and white are classic and work well in any style

The neutral combination of black, white, gray ,neutrals paired with black and white are always in style

Purple is back especially in bedrooms as it looks peaceful, luxurious and romantic.

Black and white are timeless. They create drama and a wow factor.

Brown and blue are on the way back and work in either a modern or traditional look and are more saturated than previously used.

Going dark like black or charcoal can create a space that is contemporary and dramatic, however I believe mixing black and antiques with some gold would be amazing. It can be restful.

The light neutrals will always be in favour for their ability to be used throughout a home to create a continuous flow through the rooms, as well as a calming effect especially with open plan homes.It gives the opportunity to experiment with pops of colour.

Lighter beiges, creams and white are still popular, especially if there is texture. For example a light, warm gray, or a warm white can be sophisticated and refined.



Pale gray

Blue & White
Charcoal gray
Blue and White
White
Charcoal
Dark and dramatic
Black and white
Deep Blue
Neutral throughout
Purple lavender
Black
Bright purple & Chartreuse
Soft neutral
Dark & cozy
Focal wall

Check back to see additional decor posts featuring kitchens and baths