Kitchen design trends to watch according to industry leaders



 

KDC_17-18_Bayfront-Rustic-Hideaway_Erika-Powell_08_Medium_Resolution.jpg
2017–2018 KDC Global Winner, Bayfront Rustic Hideaway, Erika Powell of Urban Grace Interiors, Inc.
 
It’s a rare occurrence when the most innovative minds in kitchen design are all gathered in one place, but that’s exactly what happened at the Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Kitchen Design Contest Winners’ Summit and Gala. Deemed the best out of more than 1,800 entries in a blind contest, these 29 professional Finalists represent the cutting edge of luxury kitchen design. We had the privilege of sitting down with these industry leaders to hear more about their winning designs and their perceptions of the future of kitchen design. During the interviews, the Finalists pushed aside notions of fleeting trends, focusing instead on two broader shifts to expect in the coming decade.
 
KDC_17-18_Brookhaven-Residence_Karen-Ferguson_09_Medium_Resolution.jpg
2017–2018 KDC Finalist, Brookhaven Residence, Karen Ferguson of Harrison Design
 
No one will argue that the kitchen has increasingly become the center of the home. It’s the backdrop for a wide range of goings-on, not just preparing meals. One such activity: entertaining. KDC Finalists emphasized that the kitchen will continue to develop into the hosting hub. Thomas B. Wall of Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design (St. Louis, MO) remarked, as kitchens have evolved from mere service spaces to the central entertainment space, “I think we’ll see more and more kitchens become more like living rooms—TVs, couches, fireplaces, things like that, in the kitchen itself.” Laura Lee Samford of LLS Furniture and Interior Design (Richmond Hill, GA) recognized the same shift, noting that it has affected the entire spectrum of homes, even the most formal. “Kitchens are getting far more sophisticated. They are not just boxes hanging on walls. They are spaces that families, friends, and colleagues gather.” In tandem with this trend, the desire for secondary, catering kitchens and butler pantries has exploded. Karen Ferguson of Harrison Design (Atlanta, GA) noted the growing number of requests for these spaces, saying, “When you’re entertaining, you can hang out in your beautiful kitchen while you put the mess and dirty dishes in the kitchen next door.” Unsurprisingly, this industry shift is likely one that is here to stay, constantly adapting to the ways clients live and entertain today.
 
KDC_17-18_Mecsay-Condo_Sandra-diaz-Velasco_07_Medium_Resolution.jpg
2017–2018 KDC Finalist, Mecsay Condo, Sandra Diaz-Velasco of Eolo A&I Design
 
The other change to watch: technology. Clients are seeking ways to ease and simplify life, and, as a result, kitchens and appliances are becoming more technologically advanced and integrated. Erika Powell of Urban Grace Interiors, Inc., (Santa Rosa Beach, FL) predicts, “A move towards technology-driven products: appliances that you can turn on remotely from the office before you get home.” Similarly, Sandra Diaz-Velasco of Eolo A&I Design (Miami, FL) emphasized the importance of integrated technology in her client-driven approach. “The more we keep up with it, the better prepared we are to respond to our clients’ needs.” The influence of technology is not only reserved for appliances; Heidi Piron of Heidi Piron Design and Cabinetry (Chatham, NJ) noted technology’s impact on her clients’ purchasing decisions. “I find that the sales process is happening faster and, more often than not, it’s happening in a digital format even before they pick up the phone and meet with us.” As technology continues to infiltrate every other aspect of modern life, it is no wonder equally innovative advancements are gaining traction in the kitchen.
To learn more about the Kitchen Design Contest, see winning designs, and to enter your own projects, visit subzero-wolf.com/contest. The 2019–2021 contest is now excepting entries—enter today for your chance to claim your space among the industry’s best!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tri-Brand_4-Color_Badge.png

About Sub-Zero Group, Inc.
Sub-Zero Group, Inc., headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, manufactures best-in-class appliance brands Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove. Founded in 1945, Sub-Zero, Inc., is the leading American-based manufacturer of refrigeration, freezer, and wine storage products. Sub-Zero, the preservation specialist, pioneered the concept of dual refrigeration, ensuring that food stays fresher longer. With the acquisition of Wolf Range Company in 2000, Sub-Zero Group, Inc., added the industry specialist in residential cooking appliances, with products including ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, warming drawers, and ventilation equipment. In 2018, Sub-Zero Group, Inc., launched the Cove brand of dishwashers, the specialist in all things clean. Cove joins Sub-Zero and Wolf, establishing the brands as corporate companions and a complete kitchen family. In its third generation of family ownership, the privately held company also operates manufacturing facilities in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and Goodyear, Arizona. Sub-Zero Group, Inc., is continually recognized for the highest achievements in appliance innovation and customer satisfaction. For more information about Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, visit subzero-wolf.com or follow us at facebook.com/subzerowolf or on Instagram @subzeroandwolf. For Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Customer Care, call 800-222-7820.
 

| 7/27/2020 9:33:09 AM | 0 comments
Add Blogs to RSS FeedAdd Blogs to RSS Feed