By Judy Penz Sheluk
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There was a time when
work stations were reserved for restaurateurs, when stainless steel appliances
were found only in the kitchens of gourmet chefs, and when faucets with a
vegetable sprayer were state-of-the art. Times have changed.
What hasn't changed is the age-old desire to make the kitchen the heart of
our home and now, more than ever before, homeowners are looking for a space
that reflects their personal taste and simplifies their lifestyle.
Janet Hogan of Northern Custom Millworks, a family-owned business in Newmarket,
Ontario since 1995 that specializes in custom kitchens, tells us what that
means.
Ditch
the Dining Room
Unless it's been converted into a home office, the dining room is frequently
the most underused room in a house. Ironically, this space typically reserved
for holidays and special occasions is often not large enough to seat guests
when the big day arrives.
The solution? Knock down that partial wall and merge the kitchen and dining
room into one large family-friendly space.
Tips: Designs should accommodate a variety of seating options in addition
to the traditional table and chairs. Corner breakfast nooks, island stools
and room for a comfy sofa all promote nesting. Built-in benches placed under
windows can provide extra storage space for cookbooks and magazines.
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Making
it Work
Kitchens have traditionally been designed with the refrigerator, stove and
sink forming a working triangle. This approach is now taking a back seat to
designated work stations, with appliance garages hiding everything from microwaves
and Mix Masters to coffee makers and toaster ovens.
Trends: Cappuccino/coffee bars; islands with feet and a furniture-look;
washing up stations; family food prep area; baking station; double ovens;
undermount sinks; single-hole, single-mount faucets with hi-arc spouts.
Still Hot: Stainless steel appliances, followed by black; movable islands
or islands with built-in cook top and/or sink; pot lights and task lighting.
Surfacing
Solid surfaces - basically anything but laminate - reign supreme, with granite
the king of the countertop. However, it's important to let homeowners know
that some granite will need to be resealed occasionally. This protects the
stone and helps to repel spills. Maintenance-friendly solid surface alternatives
include quartz and Corian.
Affordable Alternative: Made in Canada, Hard Rock is a solid surface countertop
of acrylic modified polyester resins and natural fillers, with the added benefit
of invisible seams. Available in more than 100 colours, Hard Rock offers a
10-year limited warrantee, and is less expensive than other solid surface
products currently on the market.
Cabinet
Fever
Whites, creams and rich, dark woods... regardless of the colour choice, today's
cabinets are all about paint effects, from elegant tone-on-tone lacquers to
gently aged surfaces. Inside-hinged, European door-to-door styling is gaining
favour over the more traditional frame-on cupboards. Range hoods have gone
from functional to focal point. Mantle hoods can match or make a statement.
Trends: Bin pulls, matching panels to cover dishwashers and/or refrigerators,
and bulkheads hidden with extended fronts.
Still Hot: Glass doors, under-cabinet lighting, tip-outs, pull-out
pots and pans drawers.
HB
