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    Month: January 2015

    Top Kitchen Trends for 2015

    Posted on by normandy

    The New Year has arrived, and with it comes the question of predicting the top kitchen trends for 2015. With a host of classic favorites and new concepts for kitchen remodeling this year, our design team weighed in on what they expect to be popular for 2015.  Here are elements they feel will be among the top kitchen trends, in no particular order:

    New Traditional: There is a growing preference for the clean lines of a modern kitchen, but the addition of carefully selected details and appointments softens the hard lines to add interest and texture to the room.

    Mimic nature: Whether it’s porcelain floor tile or engineered countertops, more manufactured items are taking on the look and beauty of natural elements, primarily natural stone.  The advances in recreating the movement, irregularity, and beauty that are found in natural materials have been married with the ease of maintenance in the manmade products, and have grown in popularity with no end in sight.

    Pale gold tones & mixed metals: While the shiny brass fixtures of the early ’90s may not be back, antiqued and brushed finishes in warm golden tones are taking hold. Mixing warm and cool metals together has become common as people pair differing metals, such as oil-rubbed bronze and nickel, in the same space.

    Color: Color is being incorporated into cabinetry, backsplash tile, and countertops in a big way. People are renovating their homes to suit their style, and the years of bland beige kitchens have been left behind.

    Antique Mirrors: Glitz is hot right now with glass tile, glossy cabinets, and reflective surfaces remaining popular. Incorporating old-fashioned elements like antique mirrors helps to create a sense of history in these newer pieces, while still being true to today’s style trends.

    Open layouts: Still exceedingly popular, open layouts are in high demand for their flexibility, which works for entertaining as well as daily family life.

    Butler Pantries: This staging area near the kitchen, which was a staple of kitchens at the turn of the last century, has regained popularity as people find it to be ideal for entertaining and meal prep during a party.

    White: While white cabinetry is a classic element, it has retained its appeal and many homeowners continue to opt for this timeless look.  Dressing up the typical white kitchen with a contrasting island or hutch piece is a way to give white cabinets some personality.

    Quality products: People are demanding quality materials for their new kitchen, avoiding anything that may need repairs or replacing in a few years.  Indeed, quality has become the new definition of luxury.

    Open shelving: You can’t beat the accessibility of having everyday items right at your fingertips, and open shelving has the added bonus of making the room seem larger and airier.

    1.transitional style white kitchen with painted gray island 2.Engineered stone countertop that looks like natural stone
    3.brushed brass refrigerator handles 4.kitchen with red stove
    5.Gray and blue cabinetry with antique mirror door insets 6.contemporary style dark stained wood kitchen with island
    7.Butler pantry near the kitchen 8.white kitchen cabinets with green tile and countertops
    9.Traditional cherry kitchen with black island and green cabinets 10.
    rustic kitchen using reclaimed timber with open shelving, exposed brick, and distressed walnut island

    The Evolution of Kitchen Cabinetry Storage Solutions

    Posted on by normandy

    In today’s kitchens, homeowners are interested in incorporating features that add convenience and ease to their lifestyles.  With cabinetry selections, you are provided with a variety of solutions for making life in the kitchen much more enjoyable and creating a space where everyday items are readily available.

    “With cabinetry, homeowners have the flexibility to create a kitchen that works for them,” says Normandy Design Manager Leslie Molloy, CKD. “Not only are there improved ways to keep the kitchen more organized, but you are also able to completely maximize the potential of storage space as well.” Standard cabinetry has come a long way with improved design concepts. Pull-out shelves and drawers are able to bring kitchen necessities directly to the homeowner with accessibility now more easily than ever. The following cabinetry solutions are just a few ways to take full advantage of the space and organization within your kitchen:

    Blind Corner Cabinet Solutions

    corner cabinet lazy susan Lazy Susan kitchen cabinet storage swing out cabinet shelf on lower cabinet in gray kitchen pull out shelves for blind corner cabinets corner drawers in a kitchen cabinet

    Lazy Susan– “The Lazy Susan concept has come a long way in the past few years,” added Leslie. “Rather than acting as one unit, both shelves can now turn independently.” The top turntable is also reinforced with a supporting shelf to add stability and because there is no longer a central role in the design, you can fit larger household and kitchen items on the shelves as well. There are also customizable options available such as the one shown that’s designed for pots & pans.

    Hidden Corner Shelves- An alternative to the Lazy Susan, these shelves pivot or slide outward in order to make items readily available while utilizing an otherwise wasted space. This can be especially useful for homeowners who are aging in place, in order to avoid excessive bending or reaching into under-counter cabinetry.

    Corner Cabinet Drawers- These kitchen drawers provide the homeowner with a flexible and organized solution for cabinetry storage. “The drawers remain flush with the surrounding cabinetry design, and again bring items to the homeowner, rather than searching for them in the back corners of the cabinet,” says Leslie.

    Kitchen Drawer Dividers and Organizers

    custom pull out spice rack near the range soft close kitchen drawer with a spice pull out Blue kitchen cabinets with pull out organizer utensil divider drawer in Mid Century modern kitchen with walnut cabinets

    Spice Rack Organizer– Spice rack drawers keep items easily accessible and readable due to the angled inserts within. Additionally, narrow shelving and pull-outs take advantage of tight spaces within the kitchen and let homeowners reach for their favorite seasonings with ease.

    Cutlery Drawer Dividers– These inserts help separate kitchen tableware and keep the drawer organized, making utensils effortlessly reachable.

    Dish Drawer Organizer- This solution keeps dishes secure so they don’t slide around when opening and closing the drawers. Drawer pegs further assist in keeping dishes, pots, pans, Tupperware and lids organized and separated.

    Vertical Tray Dividers- Cutting boards, cookie sheets, and platters can be stored more efficiently when turned on their sides, making them easier to access and providing better visibility. Vertical dividers can often be placed in a slim cabinet or over the refrigerator to take advantage of otherwise awkward spaces.

    Peg Drawer for dishes Kitchen cabinets above the fridge with tray dividers

    Overall, the kitchen is a space that is designed to fit the needs and wants of the homeowner.  The combinations of kitchen cabinetry options increase the flexibility and functionality of the kitchen, and now more than ever, homeowners are able to fully utilize otherwise wasted space and conveniently have items at their fingertips.

    Find out more about ways you can upgrade your kitchen cabinets as you plan your remodel, set up a time to talk with a designer. You can also schedule a tour of our Evanston or Hinsdale Design Studio to find inspiration, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

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