Not so very long ago, if a designer wanted to get creative with
countertops, there weren’t many materials to choose from. But those
days are long gone. Today, designers can achieve a vast array of
looks and functional benefits, using everything from granite, solid
surface and engineered stone to tile, butcher block, stainless
steel and even concrete and new choices are being added all the
time.
With this wide array of choices, kitchens are increasingly
taking on a mix-and-match theme, to create unique, personalized
designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but cost
effective and easy to maintain as well, according to kitchen
dealers and manufacturers surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design
News.
Countertops Combinations
“When looking at
trends in kitchen countertop design, we first look at how people
are living in their homes, as product design generally follows
lifestyle trends,” reports Gin Guei Ebnesajjad, Color Manager for
DuPont Surfaces, in Wilmington, DE. “The primary lifestyle
evolution we’re seeing is that people are spending more time in
their homes with their families and friends, building larger
kitchens and using them as activity centers. Because of the
increased traffic in the kitchen, homeowners are looking for
‘smart’ materials those that are high performing, easy to maintain,
aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. Because
homeowners also have a stronger sense of style, they’re looking for
materials that give them the freedom to personalize their space.
They’re open to mixing materials and selecting from large color
palettes, and they often seek custom edges, inlays, sinks and/or
backsplashes as accents,” she states.
The Odenton, MD-based Nevamar’s Terrie O’Dell, senior design
manager, and board of directors of the Color Marketing Group, sees
the same trend. “Probably the most exciting trend in kitchen
countertop design is the use of mixed materials to not only create
a personalized style but to save cost while doing so. This current
trend of mixing materials will lead to the desire to explore other
materials that have not necessarily been used as countertops or
even considered for use in residential countertops. It will also
lead to the development of new materials. Consumers will become
less risk-adverse and will desire materials and colors that will
allow them to create a unique, customized space that’s affordable
to the average homeowner.”
According to Monica Canales, director of marketing for the
Stafford, TX-based Cosentino USA, maker of Silestone quartz
surfacing, “Homeowners are combining a variety of materials and
colors, like stone with ceramic or brick, to get an array of
natural hues and textures in the kitchen.” Canales adds that
“plastic, artificial looking colors and surfaces are definitely on
the way out.”
The current trend toward the mixing of materials has grown not
only out of the desire to save costs but to humanize and
personalize the kitchen space as well, manufacturers agree.
According to Pam Beam, National Sales Manager/ Countertops for John
Boos & Co., in Effingham, IL, “Our figures for 2002, coupled
with feedback we’ve received from our dealers across the country,
indicate that fewer buyers are looking at one main countertop
material throughout the kitchen, and are instead looking to ‘zone’
the kitchen based on functionality. We’re seeing a lot of butcher
blocks inset into various countertop materials, including natural
stone, composites and laminates, metals and other surfaces. This is
occurring not only around traditional food preparation areas such
as sinks and next to ranges and cooktops, but also in what are
becoming ‘presentation’ areas, where various meal elements are
placed just before serving. These insets are being done in a lot of
shapes and sizes we’ve not seen before, which we believe indicates
these buyers are looking at the insets as both a functional cutting
surface and a design element.”
“The kitchen has become the activity center of the home; it is
the family gathering spot and the entertainment spot as well,” says
O’Dell. “Formal inclusive kitchens are becoming a thing of the past
as today’s kitchens open to family rooms to create the Great Room.
Inside-out, outside-in is a growing trend, and more kitchens either
open to the outside patio and yard or outdoor kitchens are added to
take advantage of the exterior environment.”
Limitless Possibilities
Both the wide
array of material choices and new advances in technology are
enabling manufacturers to create distinctive materials with unique
and unlimited possibilities. However, whether used throughout the
kitchen, or just used in one area, granite remains a big favorite
with consumers, many report.
“More and more customers are using granite because of its
performance, its resistance to heat, and the perception of luxury.
Granite is still considered the ‘ultimate,'” says Tony Caciolo,
president of the Philadelphia, PA-based Monticello Granite,
Ltd.
John Scott, v.p./Fabrication Products for the St. Louis,
MO-based Swanstone notes, “We’re seeing more granite style
countertops and more mixing of countertop materials such as granite
and solid surface.” Scott adds that one advantage to granite is its
ability to match and complement stainless steel sinks and
appliances.
However not all manufacturers believe that the granite trend is
likely to continue. “Granite has been extremely popular, but its
overwhelming popularity may be peaking,” notes O’Dell “It will
always be in demand, because it is a classic material. But concrete
is the countertop material that is currently getting all the
attention and creating a buzz.”
O’Dell sees concrete as the next “hot” material, and she notes,
“I think demand for it will increase, especially as consumers
become more familiar with it and understand how to care for it.
From a color and design perspective, it is so versatile and you can
create a signature look with it through color, texture, finish or
by adding inclusions like pieces of glass, metal or just about
anything else you might want to add.”
O’Dell adds that price concerns, too, make granite less than
viable for many consumers. To that end, she adds, “Laminate will
always be considered one of the most desirable countertop
materials, not only because of its relatively low cost, but because
it is offered in an extraordinary array of patterns and a full
spectrum of colors. It is affordable, and it is [generally] easier
to replace than natural stone or solid surface, allowing the
consumer ultimate flexibility to create an entirely new kitchen
personality by replacing their existing countertop with a hot new
updated color or pattern.”
“While granite is very popular, many people can’t afford it,”
agrees Brenda White of the Temple, TX-based Wilsonart
International. “Laminate is still a very popular countertop
material it comes in many styles and colors, is very durable and
maintenance is low. It allows consumers to get the look they want
at a price they can afford.”
In terms of styles, White says, “Brushed metallics with warm
tones, such as bronze, copper and aged textures, are rising in
popularity.” White also notes sees glass looks, pearlescent and
opal finishes gaining in popularity.
“Consumers want ‘smart’ materials that are beautiful and
functional, and that leave them with no worries,” says Ebnesajjad.
“That’s why we’re seeing a significant growth now in quartz
surfaces and engineered stones.” She notes that these take “the
best of nature and make it better for consumers to live and work
with.” Engineered stones, she believes, is a continuation of “this
trend towards ‘smart’ materials.”
For a more eclectic choice, the Logan, UT-based Green River
Stone Co. has recently introduced to the market freshwater
limestone; a 50 million-year-old fossil stone featuring preserved
fossil fish, which is naturally porous and similar to marble in
hardness. To personalize kitchen countertops for the homeowners,
“We take drawings from consumers or their designers or architects,
then find suitable slabs of stone for their needs,” notes Green
River Stone Co. president Gregory E. Laco. “We are able to select
slabs with fossil fish in specific featured areas, and e-mail
digital photos of the stone to consumers for their approval. They
loved to be involved to that degree.” Laco adds that the fossil
stone is treated to prevent staining.
“With the hectic lifestyles people are living, convenience is an
important factor,” reports Canales. “[For that reason], right now,
we’re seeing a trend toward quartz surfacing.”
Ceramic tile, too, remains a popular choice, particularly for
backsplash applications. According to Jennifer Capasso, marketing
director for the Sylmar, CA-based Walker Zanger, “Even if they do a
laminate or [solid surface] countertop, they’ll frequently put a
ceramic or glass or metal backsplash in tile. People are being more
adventurous, they’re not just doing straight stone. There are more
materials [being used], it’s not just ceramic and stone anymore.
With tiles, you’ll see pewter, copper, bronze, leather, even cement
tiles, and more mixing and matching, for instance, stone tile with
a glass inset.”
The reason for the growing popularity, she believes, is that
tile creates so many design options. “With tile, you can do all
kinds of designs on it, hand painting on ceramic tile or stone,
designs etched in stone, water jet etching, etc.”
She also sees tile as a strong choice for the backsplash, “For
instance, they’ll do a neutral kitchen, neutral cabinets, neutral
countertops, then use a splash of color on the backsplash to make
that a dramatic focal point.”
Nature’s Popularity
Consumers are still
looking for neutral and natural colors that are harmonious with
their surroundings, according to manufacturers.
“Greens and a full range of neutrals are still very much in
demand, and we have seen an increase in the desire for blues,”
reports O’Dell. “Consumers are very comfortable with colors found
in natural stones and materials, and also with patterns that are
mindful of natural materials. We believe there will be an increase
in the desire for natural colors inspired by earth and water, such
as Terra Cotta, softened golds and yellows, fresh ‘comfort’ greens
like olive, tapenade and khaki and a range of blues. Neutrals are
always a popular choice for kitchen countertops, but the new
neutrals have ambiguous undertones that allow them to move
comfortably from one color family to another.”
That’s not to say that consumers are staying away from color
altogether. According to White, colors are much more sophisticated
now than they once were. “They utilize special effects [metallic,
pearl, opal finishes] and layered color to create dimensional
effects even in flat surfaces. Consumers want upscale looks that
are also easy to maintain. Neutral colors are still popular, but
consumers are using more saturated colors. Flat, one-dimensional
color is out. Solid colors have been losing popularity, because
they lack a ‘natural look’ and they show stains more readily.
Granite, stone and concrete looks come in a variety of colors and
go with many styles such as traditional, contemporary, etc.” She
adds that warm tones, earthy-reds, orange and yellow families are
also currently popular with consumers.
“Our most popular colors have been neutrals,” reports Canales.
“We’re seeing a trend towards warm, natural colors and the look of
natural stone. We anticipate that the industry will continue
towards light colors with a more natural look.” Canales notes that,
“Upscale markets are driving the desire for the natural look, but
the look is not exclusive to the upscale market.”
However, Capasso explains that, while the soft water colors and
muted tones still have an audience, “We’re seeing a need for more
‘real’ colors, vibrant colors, real blues, real reads, and real
yellows, not washed out, muted kind of colors. People are becoming
more adventurous with color, and it’s morphing into a different
color palette.” KBDN