| Author: Rick Young |
What are the hottest trends in kitchen and bath design? For 2006, expect fresh takes on casual and traditional styles.
Casual Redefined
For the bath, think subtle textures and soft, soothing accents.
"The look is going very organic for the bath," said Judy Riley, Moen's vice president of design. "Natural elements, including light woods and sandstone, as well as colors such as slate and rich brown, are expected to be very popular."
The idea is to design a space that eliminates any hard or obtrusive lines.
"For fixtures, rounded edges and brushed finishes continue to rule the day," Riley said.
Moving into the kitchen, the casual trend has a slightly different look, referred to as "Cottage Casual." But don't think of rustic barn woods and dried floral arrangements. This trend is sophisticated country chic, with pieces that are clean and simple. Finishes are weathered and time-tested, like Moen's Oil Rubbed Bronze or Copper.
Traditional Takes a Luxurious Turn
When most people define traditional style they think conventional and mainstream. But in 2006, traditional means glamorous, feminine and sophisticated. Look for timeless pieces inspired by deco and nouveau styles from the 1920s and 1930s. You'll be seeing flowing lines with a hint of sparkle on everything from wall treatments to fixtures to flooring.
"Our Vestige kitchen and bath faucets are a perfect example of this trend," Riley said. "Stylistically, it has a very traditional, classic feel, but little details make it more luxurious. A geometric base and curved, flowing spout provide a touch of sophistication."
Adding to the glamour of the trend is the use of micro-tiles in both the kitchen and bath. These small, shiny gems of color create a mosaic effect on walls and backsplashes. Couple this look with worn finishes like antique nickel or high-shine finishes like chrome.
Purposeful design is also important, with space considerations given for every kitchen task. This means larger sinks in configurations that allow for everything from washing vegetables to chilling beverages to cleaning dishes.
"Pullout and pull-down faucets, like Moen's Aberdeen faucet, provide a sense of style and function that is key to this trend," Riley said.
And what about the details? Try vintage touches like art nouveau-inspired scrolls, or leathers that reveal their natural textures and patterns. These can serve as a surprising accent on cabinetry, wall treatments or accessories. - NU |
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