Sustainability and integration are the top trends in kitchen and bath design according to the latest Design Trends Survey by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Architects will generally see trends several months before builders. Depending on your area and the calibre of local decorators and designers, you may find trends flow to architects from their design collaborators or vice versa.
Three (3) parallel island-like areas form an integrated kitchen / dining area, but clever built-ins hide everything that shouts “kitchen.” Oven, micro, coffee maker, toaster, etc. hide away in the column at the end of the open shelving. (Photo via houzz.com)
Integration Leads Kitchen Trends
In the kitchen, functionality and organization is tantamount, with a secondary focus on sustainability. (Scores are computed by subtracting those who say demand is decreasing from those who say it is increasing):
Computer area/recharging station: 43%
Integration with family space: 42%
Renewable flooring materials: 36%
Recycling center: 35%
Adaptability / universal design: 34%
Larger pantry space: 33%
Renewable countertop materials: 31%
Drinking water filtration systems: 29%
Natural wood cabinets: 14%
Eco countertop by Cosentino in White Diamond.
Water and Energy Savings Lead Bath Trends
LED bathroom lighting . (Photo from topstail.com.)
Not surprisingly, environmentally friendly features are even more important in the bathroom than the kitchen. Everything from lighting selection to faucet and fixture selection is looking at long-range impact and savings rather than immediate cost. The top bath trends as reported by AIA:
The original house had become a home to birds. Though aged and crumbling in some areas, the foundation was solid.
Most people would immediately think “tear down!” Fortunately, Haworth Tompkins saw beyond the ruins to envision the possibilities. Rather than tearing down the structure, which blended so nicely with the British countryside, they opted to use the brick component as a layer to their overall design.
The prefab component of the home was literally craned into place.
Prefabricated off-site, they designed a metal clad, wood-lined building that fit within the shell of the standing ruins. In this case, site “construction” meant simply craning the new building into place and then fitting it with windows and doors.
The finished home… small in scale but both rustic and edgy.
A retro-inspired piece for those who remember the cassette tape, the Mixtape Table was designed by Jeff Skierka Designs (JSD). The prototype table is an exact 12:1 scale replica of a cassette and is reversible, featuring both an A and a B side.
The one-of-a-kind prototype Mixtape Table.
Currently, the one-of-a-kind piece is made of reclaimed maple, walnut, and lucite. JSD expects future versions to be machined from a variety of high-grade plywoods and glass.
Thanks to its lucite base, the table appears to float.
I love the look of the table and can think of at least one application where I would love to incorporate into a future project. My only request to JSD… please keep the reclaimed wood and lucite!
The “inner working” details of the Mixtape Table truly capture the essence of the old cassette.
Samsung’s new ES8000 Series 8 Smart TV HD LED television comes in 40″, 46″, and 55″ models. The size is only a small part of the design. The part I love, aside from the commercial that I had to share (link below) , is that it will help eliminate the mad clutter of remotes many households seem to collect.
The ES8000 features Smart Interaction, meaning you control it with your voice and various gestures. There is a built-in camera with face recognition technology that will enable you to login to your Smart Hub and personal accounts without passwords or IDs. In addition to watching, you can also chat, surf, or share via Smart Content. You can also enjoy 3D with One Design
Another great feature is “Smart Evolution.” package that will update your TV regularly so as to prevent the need to buy an upgraded model and add to the electronic pile at the dump. As per Samsung, rather than replacing your TV, you can transform the ES8000: “Keep your TV up-to-date with the latest technology is now a reality. Samsung’s Smart Evolution completely re-engineers your TV without having to replace the whole set. Simply insert the Samsung Smart Evolution Kit and let it work its magic. Transform your TV’s dual core CPU to the faster generation of quad-core technology. Heighten your viewing experience by shifting your VOD resolution HD TV to the wondrous picture quality Full HD has to offer. Add more functions and reinvent your television with more contents. Access a whole new world of interactive contents and new features, your TV will never be the same again. Smart Evolution Technology truly gives you a new TV every year.”
No remotes and less of a drain on the environment, all in one slim, sexy little package that will provide unlimited hours of entertainment is a definite must for the smart home!!
Some people hear “salvaged” or “reclaimed” and automatically think “old,” “beat up,” or “ready for the trash.” But I find reclaimed wood has a distinct look and lustre not attainable with virgin wood without excessive amounts of production and work. What follows are several examples of furnishings made from reclaimed wood.
Made from wood reclaimed from a former water tower, Bellwood’s lounge chair looks rich and inviting. Photo by Joshua Dalsimer.
From Brooklyn, New York, comes Bellboy. Though most of their products seem to be made from new, locally sourced wood, the low SAW0021201 lounge is made from Old Growth California Redwood reclaimed from a New York City water tower.
Organic teak benches from Adrianna Shamaris.
I’ve featured the wonderful offerings of Andrianna Shamarispreviously. Though the furniture line is imported, the company is known to have “the largest collection of petrified wood available in New York.” Both of the benches shown above are made from organic teak; the upper piece is white washed.
Furnishings by Uhuru.
Uhuru is another company I’ve mentioned in the past. Many of Uhuru’s pieces are customizable and allow you to choose the frame material, main wood type, and accent wood type(s), as applicable.
An interior application in Goat Town, NYC (above) an exterior application in antique pine (bottom), both by Sawkill Lumber Company.
Sawkill Lumber Company has thirty (30) years of salvaging and milling experience, re-manufacturing salvaged wood to spec for furnishings and architectural settings.
Rotsen designs (from top to bottom): Tela Dining Table; Mandala Console; Walnut Dining Table; Natural Live Edge Reclaimed Wood Floating Desk.
Offering both ready-to-ship and custom items, Rotsen Furniture is yet another favourite for reclaimed pieces. The pieces are both warm and modern, all while possessing that earthy feeling. I would love that floating desk in my office!!
Are super high gloss, lacquered wall finishes preparing for a comeback? Though I’m not aware of any such trend in Toronto, in the last week or so I’ve seen a few examples of mirror-like finishes from New York-based designers.
Tom Delvan, Creative Director of Gilt Home, held a showcase of Gilt products in his home, which features laquered white walls.
The entrance hall of Tom Delvan’s Greenwich Village town home. Photo by Quintessence.
Though I have not been to see it myself, this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House at The Aldyn Residences has multiple rooms with lacquered wall finishes in bold tones.
Thom Filicia’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House space. Photo by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic.
The foyer to the home was designed by Thom Filicia. The space sits between the entry, dining room, living room, and hall to the library, yet it features a deep green lacquer on the walls and ceiling.
Bedroom space by Alexa Hampton for Mark Hampton LLC. Photo by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic.
Alexa Hampton’s bedroom space in the same show house, described by the designer as a “study in contrasts,” features charcoal grey lacquered walls.
I know some people refuse to wash a single dish by hand. For those who don’t rely solely on a dishwasher, Fluidity mixes form with function in a completely new way.
Fluidity Dish Rack Planter by DesignLibero.
Designed by DesignLibero of Milan, Fluidity uses the water typically collected in the bottom of the rack (or that runs down the drain) to water plants or herbs.
The process is simple. And as long as you dishes fairly regularly, you’ll never need to directly water your plants!
Fluidity contains two (2) plant pots with perforated bottoms. The pots, which are filled with clay pellets and coconut fibre, sit on a fluid base design that directs the runoff water to the plants.
Fluidity in use and from different angles.
Even those with tiny kitchens and/or no outdoor space can grow their own herbs without sacrificing precious space!
A hammer may not be something that immediately comes to mind when you think of interiors and design, but since it’s a holiday Monday in Canada and many prefer DIY when they can manage it, this might well be of interest…
Neo by Jung Soo Park
The concept of Jung Soo Park’sNeo is simple: it is a magnetic hammer. Not the head of the hammer, naturally, but the “tail” or end of the handle. Rather than sticking a bunch of nails between your lips (I’ve done it a million times) or in a pocket where you have to dig them out, the Neo’s magnetic bottom attracts and carries the nails for you. Simple. Brilliant!
Muro (top) and Si (bottom), also by Jung Soo Park
Take a look at Jung Soo Park’s other practical but stylish designs, which include furnishings and household items. Case in point, the Si, which relies on the natural elasticity of silicone to tell you when a plant needs to be watered and how much water is required, is great for those lacking a green thumb. The Muro is a great combination alarm clock, charger, and music player in a fun package.
I always love options that allow for versatility and that can transform to suit multiple spaces. Scale Living, free form carpet tiles from Vorwerk Carpet and designer Hadi Teherani, definitely provides options.
Bloom
Available in three (3) shapes – Bloom (shown above), Cut (shown below), and Mesh_S – Scale Living comes in leather, brushed stainless steel, and cut pile options in a multitude of colours. By selecting the shape, colour, material, and layout in which to arrange the tiles, the options are only limited by your imagination!
Cut
The tiles feature a specially coated self-adhesive backing for secure placement on smooth “subfloors” such as ceramic, stone, or laminate. The tiles can also be easily removed and re-positioned without requiring additional adhesive.
Leave it to Ikea to come up with an all-in-one solution for entertainment components, wiring issues, storage, and aesthetics: Uppleva. Not only do you get the TV cabinet, but the TV, the sound system, the Blu-ray player, wiring channels to hide the mass of connections, and one single remote.
The soon-to-be-released Uppleva from Ikea is a home theatre – stand and all components – in one.
Like almost all things from Ikea, Uppleva is customizable. You can choose to upsize the TV from 40″ and opt for a straight, swivel, or angle neck on the TV. You also select the cabinet components and finish. As per usual, the cabinetry requires self-assembly, but the TCL-manufactured electronics are pre-assembled.
Multiple options exist for the base stand unit. The size of the TV can also be modified.
MeCC Interiors Inc.
