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APRIL 2022 l The Wholesaler l PHCPpros.com
now pops of other colors are pres- ent everywhere in kitchen designs. Greens are big - and gorgeous! Brake agrees about the pop of color and the current focus of bio- philic design - an approach to archi- tecture that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature. Green represents nature, harmony, growth, renewal, royalty, and refine- ment - and homeowners love the shade! she notes. You can always depend on the green color to evoke a feeling of calm and provide the perfect balance of boldness and versatility. Brake expounds on bringing natu- ral finishes into the home: The main idea of the current design trend is what I call 'The Outside on the In- side. Kitchen cabinets and vanities made of earthy wooden stains, green or yellow tones, wood countertops to finish islands, and hammered copper sinks and range hood to ac- cent the design. There is no reason these should be leftoutside. Finishes also are changing with the times. Mixed metal finishes and ma- terials with patterns and textures are trending, Needler explains. Patterned backsplash tile with bold, natural stone countertops such as Arabescato (marble), and textured surfaces such as hardware with knurling, wood- textured cabinetry, and leathered or honed countertops are trending. Sustainability also is a focus. If youve wanted to layer in more natural elements, try sustainable and eco-friendly items, Brake notes. Bringing in hand-made tiles in materials such as terra-cotta and ce- ment is a great solution for adding a little more soul to your space.
What do you see as the newest faucet trends?
Touchless faucets provide ease of use, as well as water savings, and they are here to stay. Its safe to assume that we are washing our hands more these days, Brake says. Touchless faucets are a great option for residential or commercial designs requiring sanita- tion solutions. Faucet trends include more func- tionality as well as beauty. Func- tional designs are hands-free and provide more sustainability as it relates to both manufacturing pro- cesses and day-to-day use, Needler says. Mixed-metal finishes are com- mon. Matte gold tones continue to trend, and we are seeing more dark metals and copper tones. Kimble says: Another trend I see is that kitchen faucets now include a softspray for delicate food items such as berries, as well as incorpo- rating sweep -- targeting hard to remove food and grime. Contrast is making an impact., Be- cause of the current affair with matte black faucets and trims, the new trend of high-contrast spaces is stepping in, Brake says. A mix of black and white is an elegant and welcome tribute to a classic kitchen and bath design.
What do you see as the newest bathroom fixtures and feature trends?
After the infamous run on toilet paper in 2020, there was a focus on what exactly a bidet is and what it does. The word bidet is no longer taboo but rather the expectation among luxury consumers, Kimble notes. Its all becoming more desirable re- gardless of cost.
Needler agrees and says high-tech options such as Toto's Washlet may offer a bidet function, self-cleaning, heated seat, air blower and deodor- izer. These bathroom trends are supporting health and wellness, she says.
And bling is still in. Faucets are no longer functional-only; they are the jewelry for the room, says Kimble. On the functionality side, con- cealed trap ways and easily remov- able toilet seats are a must-have, she states. Other functionalities and luxury de- sires are shower drying systems, such as the product Airmada displayed at the Kitchen & Bath Industry show in Orlando earlier this year. What a fan- tastic product for homeowners who want both a steam shower and easy maintenance, Needler says. Health and wellness are a big part of life. What kitchen and bathroom remodeling trends do you see to take care of body, mind and soul? People want comfort and as our baby boomers age, jetted and air features in the tub are in demand again, Kimble explains. Digital valves allow one to enjoy a constant temperature, no longer a guessing game, and keep your shower less cluttered. In addition, especially here in Wisconsin, having a steam shower is the way to go. Its heaven when its below zero outside! Natural materials such as marbles and quartzites are mixed with warmer tones and mixed textures to promote a home environment that is relaxing, calming and entertaining. Needler sees the biophilic design principles continuing to trend. Bio- philic design is defined by the Inter- national Living Future Institute as the practice of connecting people and nature within our built environments and communities. Mindful bathrooms and calming kitchen environments with better natural lighting and ventilation are trending, she notes. We are seeing more appliances integrating into the space in the kitchen, making the kitchen look and feel more like a living room. In the bathroom, large soaking tubs with all the bells and whistles such as aromatherapy, air bubbles, and large showers with nat- ural light and multiple showerheads, rain showers, and steam are helping to create the at-home spa. Health and wellness always were of great importance in terms of bath- room design, but in light of the past few years, the focus on it is more than ever, Brake says. Nothing says spa-like luxury like a walk-in shower. This type of shower, separate from the tub, may feature built-in benches, larger than regular showerheads, thermostatic or pres- sure-balanced valves allowing users to set their temperature preferences accurately with at least one, and fre- quently up to three, large glass panel walls, she notes. Removable hand showers and side massage sprays are in demand now. Black finishes on these fixtures are the latest in color trends. Brake points out that steam showers inspire comfort by using different therapies. Chromatherapy and aromatherapy diffusers help you breathe easier; adding scents of lavender and eucalyptus invite relax- ing thoughts, she says. They help you unwind after a long day, taking you away from your computer and to your tranquil spa. It all comes down to creating a nook of comfort for body, mind and soul. These are the trends I see that my clients are craving: personalized luxury, Needler notes. Brake adds that another area of focus to keep an eye on is lighting, which more distributors and show- rooms are carrying. While talking about design trends, we need to remember light- ing! she notes. Right now, there is no need to confine chandeliers to living and dining rooms- they are showing up in bathrooms! This is an- other reflection on how much time people are spending at home and trying to make every room as luxuri- ous as possible. One last item for the household? Dont forget about your furry friends! Brake notes that peoples spend a lot of money taking care of their pets: We all love our furry friends, and they love us back unconditionally. During the pandemic, more people adopted pets than ever before, and we in- corporated their needs into kitchen design. This has resulted in window nooks, cubbies beneath the islands or under-sink cabinets that can be an ideal place to stash a pet bed. On a side note, I recently saw a well-known manufacturer advertis- ing its sink positioned as an animal bathing station. We are only limited by our imagi- nation!
Clean lines and a pop of color!
Photo courtesy of The Coveted Kitchen.
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