kitchen design trends
While kitchen design trends continue to encompass styles from traditional to contemporary with something for every taste, but industry observers say preferences seem to be for either contemporary dark cabinetry or white cabinets. Amanda Sweeney of Just Design This says she has noted a growing trend toward simplicity in appearance with more interest created through colors and textures.
The inclination toward white kitchens is a nationwide trend identified by several local kitchen designers. “We are definitely seeing a move toward different shades of white kitchen cabinets,” says Annah Hill of Brentwood Granite & Cabinet Design Center. “And while the furniture style still appeals, our customers are interested in flat-panel Arts and Crafts style doors. Kitchen islands continue to be the focus of many kitchens, and occasionally take the place of the kitchen table.”
Predicting a continuing crossover of ideas and details is Carla Taylor, CKD, of Hermitage Lighting Gallery. “The trend is toward simplification with less ornate moldings, carvings, and similar details,” she says, adding, “We have seen a strong interest in white painted cabinetry again, usually combined with a simpler door style to create a clean, crisp, transitional style. We are still comfortable combining finishes in the kitchen—it just takes careful planning with attention to scale and balance.”
Saying that combining finishes has become very popular, Robbie Barnhart adds that he sees predominantly wood-finished base cabinets with painted upper cabinets. “Islands are often quite different in style from the perimeter cabinets and there may be three or four different styles and finishes in the same kitchen. We find that a blend of traditional and Shaker or farmhouse is more popular than contemporary styles,” he says.
Lisa Casserly of Mark Casserly, Inc. reports her clients still favor kitchen cabinetry with a furniture look. “Many clients are mixing finishes such as a stain and glazed wood island with a paint and glazed finish on the perimeter cabinets. Distressing and rub-throughs are options that create a very warm and inviting atmosphere. Those who ‘take the plunge’ and add more color in their cabinetry are very pleased with the dramatic result. We find more and more clients leaning toward that trend, even if for just a single statement piece of furniture or cabinetry in their kitchen.”
According to Laura Gunter Nickens of Gunter Woodworking, “Our clients are all about blending their cabinetry with their everyday living. They want their cabinetry to be functional and stylish. We offer many ways to give cabinetry the furniture look with decorative pieces such as posts, moldings, feet, panel details, and more.”
Nickens agrees with those who say that adding a glaze to white cabinets gives depth and definition to an otherwise “stark” room. “It softens the overall look of a kitchen, and combining wood tone finishes with painted cabinets is a must to achieve the most in style.”
Dupree-Kewley says Nashville’s diverse population leads to diversity in its homeowners’ choices of cabinet styles and finishes.
“Growing trends are rustic alder and hickory in various finishes and styles, chocolate cherry, medium maple or a cinnamon spice with a chocolate glaze, painted woods in white or gray-white.
Jackie Cox of Chris’s Custom Cabinets says, “With the kitchen serving as the heart of the home where family and friends gather, space is important. We recently designed a spacious kitchen that includes two of everything to meet the family’s lifestyle. Red and black create an exciting palette of color for the whole room.”
“One of the biggest and hottest trends in kitchens is increased and stylish storage,” says Amy Hebden of ReVived Spaces by Amy. “From overhead pot racks that hang from the ceiling to drawers built to stow away the microwave oven when not in use, storage plays a huge role in kitchen design.”
Saying that clients want to add features that make kitchens functional, Sweeney adds, “The most commonly requested items for the cabinetry are spice racks, pullouts, revolving shelves, and built-in dividers. I often recommend an adjustable work surface, undermount sink, a built in oven.”
Shari McPeek with Rev-A-Shelf reports that she hears requests for pull-out pantries to accommodate large items or non-perishables bought in bulk. She attributes the demand for storage products to the growth of warehouse stores.
There are a number of sources for kitchen design in the Greater Nashville area including:
Brentwood Granite & Cabinet Design Center
Brentwood
615/ 376-6122
Celebrity Status Designs
Smyrna
615/ 445-0087
Chris’s Custom Cabinets
Nashville
615/ 385-4044
Designs by Anna Aycock
Brentwood
615/ 794-7561
Elite Countertop Products
Hendersonville
615/ 264-9370
Gunter Woodworking
Murfreesboro
615/ 893-5722
Hantel Kitchens & Baths
Nashvillle
615/ 292-3020
Hermitage Lighting Gallery
Nashville
615/ 843-3310
Just Design This
Murfreesboro
615/ 578-4738
Karnal-Skillington
Nashville
615/ 460-7197
Mark Casserly, Inc.
Franklin
615/ 794-8045
Nashville Custom Woodworks
Nashvlle
615/ 226-3075
Rev-A-Shelf LLC
Louisville
502-499-5835
ReVived Spacs by Amy
Spring Hill
615/ 509-3148
VM Designs LLC
Nolensville
615/ 714-4590