By Emily Robbins
Less is more. White cabinets are “in” again, as well as brass hardware, but in totally new ways. If you are interested in finding out where design is trending for intown Atlanta, here is a quick overview:
As a kitchen designer to some of Atlanta’s premiere intown neighborhoods, including the Highlands, Morningside, North Druid Hills and Decatur, I have noticed several interesting kitchen design trends.
Over the past decade, I have seen a shift toward more simple and clean design. Clients are requesting far less decorative details on cabinetry such as heavy moldings, spindles and pilaster treatments, and are opting for more simple lines and less ornate designs.
Cabinet Trends – Light cabinetry is popular, and white cabinetry is definitely back in a new and better way. Today’s white cabinets are not distressed and not glazed, but feature plain paint that has the appearance of being painted on site (as was done years ago).
Countertop Trends – Polished granite has taken a backseat to matte finishes. We are specifying a lot of white marble and concrete. Also, zero maintenance quartz surfaces are increasingly popular. We are also contrasting the light wood of the cabinetry with dark solid wood countertops in mahogany or walnut that are used in accent areas such as a side cabinet or on an island.
Kitchen Flooring Trends – Hardwoods are still generally preferred on the main level with an emphasis on building on an “open” concept to connect the spaces. We match existing hardwoods if they are in good shape. When we are specifying new hardwoods, the trend is toward darker stains and wider planks.
Mantle Hood Trends – We see a definite move toward more simple and smaller mantle hoods with an emphasis on metal including copper, bronze and zinc.
Hardware Trends – Brass is back, but not in the super shiny finish that was popular years ago. The new brass is in a matte finish giving it a rich, aged and warm appearance.
In terms of style, most homeowners prefer a transitional design. Clients with older homes typically want to keep the architectural integrity of the house, yet modernize by creating a more simplistic, less hectic environment with less clutter.
Another popular trend is creating an industrial feel to spaces by using light fixtures and hardware in darker iron mental and darker bass finishes that are contrasted with lighter rough hewn wood accents in exposed ceiling beams and in the furniture.
Emily Robbins is a Certified Kitchen Designer and Vice President of Schuon Kitchens and Baths, Inc.
