Kitchen & Bath Trends for 2011

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The National Kitchen and Bath Association recently released its 2011 kitchen and bath study predicting trends for 2011.

1) Open and accessible floorplans for a kitchen. Who wants to be stuffed up all alone cooking?

2) Quartz is quickly gaining popularity for kitchen/bathroom counters. It is beautiful, low-maintence and very durable.

3) Going green - literally. The calming, earth-tone color is being requested more and more for the paint selection in bathrooms and kitchens.

4) Dark natural and deep reddish-brown maples finishes are in this year for cabinetry and floors.

5) With the down economy people are finding ways to pamper themselves at home, and turning up the luxury factor. Such as spa-like bathrooms to multiple shower heads, and built-in wine cabinets.

6) High tech kitchens - french door refrigerators, inductions stovetops, etc.

7) Eco-Aware kitchens/bathrooms. Sustainabilty is becoming more & more requested. Bamboo flooring, LED Lighting, garbage disposals/trash compactors, and sustainable furnishings.

8) Modern industrial vanities in bathrooms, with finished metal and vessel sinks. Dual sinks are a must for master bathrooms.

9) Hardwood and tile remain a staple, but bamboo flooring is gaining popularity.

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* Creamy yellows, warm greys and dark graphite.


* Natural organic woods, such as aged cherry from old rail way ties. Look for pieces with distincitive features marked by imperfections for individuality.


* Splashes of vibrant teal and orange around a room with a neutral foundation. Use these colors in pillows, throws, drapery panels and accessories.


* Textures to soften a modern interior. Try using velvets, mohair, tweeds, and silks.


*Craftsmanship - Less is more. Consumer spending is leaning more towards sustainable, long-lasting furniture vs. cheap environmentally questionable furniture.

2011 Color of the Year

Pantone announced the new color for 2011 - Honeysuckle. Here is what Pantone says about it, "Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through out the year. It's a color for every day - with nothing "everday" about it."

Pantone suggests using it in a entry way for an "upbeat & dynamic" look, or in a dining room it can be a "conversation stimulant". They also suggest using it on placemats & linens, or painting your knobs or drawer pulls this color. They warn that once you try this "arresting shade" that it can become addictive.

HOT...or... NOT

HOT...

- Bold colors in paint & fabric
- Adding your own personality to your space
- Green (environmentally-friendly) products
- Purple, in all hues
- Turquoise & citrine green

- Orange, red, brown, & blue combinations in textiles
- Mixing old with new
- Character

- Bold accessories, throws & candles to finish off a room

- Branch & organic motifs

- Animal prints

- Animal prints in non-tradiltional colorways

- Metallic or glass tiles

- Metallic or embellished wallpapers

- Crystal & mirrored accent pieces

- Mixing wood finishes in a room

- Customized furniture to perfectly fit the space

- Less is more

NOT...

- Quantity over quality

- Using too much of the same fabric everywhere

- Brass

- Tuscany

- "Matchy-Matchy"

- Fussy floral arrangements

- Dusty fake plants

- Over crowding a space

- Crafty decorations

- Formality

But, most importantly...just have fun with your space, and make it your own!!!

Introducing: The Color of 2010

"Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 TURQUOISE, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing." See read the full article click here.

Expect to see turquoise all around you this year - both in fashion and interior design. The great thing about turquoise is that it has both warm and cool undertones so it goes well with a variety of colors; such as: black, grey, cream/white, lime, yellow, orange and shades of pink and red.

Above: Feathersound Bedding (we carry this line, and have samples of the whole collection in our showroom)

Above: Image found on Interior-design-it-yourself.com