M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Owners, Developers & Managers — Industry Experts — December 24, 2021 - January 20, 2022 — 9C Industry Experts
www.marej.com
By Richard Gacek, Gacek Design Group Trends For The Heart Of The Home
D
trending. Pet friendly kitchens: If you have a pet, you understand what a strong role they play in our lives. Pet adoptions were on the rise during COVID so it only makes sense to given them a personalized space in the kitchen. A toe kick can be transformed into a roll out drawer for water and food bowls. An island alcove can be created to for an open pet bed area. Richard Gacek is the principal designer of Gacek Design Group. MAREJ
uring the pandemic, we discovered a new level of appreciation
Subway tile is also a pre- ferred as a traditional style that offers a twist. We are seeing lots of creativity in pattern, size, orientation and color. Appliances: Every Modern and Clean design prefers motion con- trol, touch tap faucets and Smart appliances that can be controlled remotely. Cli- ents prefer built-in appli- ances or those that are hid- den behind cabinetry. Matte black appliances are making a bold statement and Induc- tion cooking is now just as
popular as gas, looking to replace the electric cook- top. We’re also influenced by the side-by-side double sink, which according to the NAHB is the most wanted kitchen feature. Worksta- tions sinks are trending, since they help the hard- working kitchen multitask with multiple faucets, and built-in ledges for colanders, dish racks, ice holders and cutting boards. Color: With the influence of natural materials, we typi- cally design a kitchen with
a neutral palette and a mix of natural textures. Neutral colors such as soft tans and grays, whites and creams help to create a calming, relaxed environ- ment. White will never go out of style, since its classic tone makes a kitchen look and feel bright and clean. Shades of warm gray cre- ates a modern and cozy environment. We often use these tones as a base and use more expressive colors in upper only or lower only cabinets. Variations of blue and green are recently
for our kitch- en space as we l l a s a need for flex - ible living, more surface space, easy to clean ma- terials and t o u c h l e s s
Richard Gacek
technology. With all the new learning that has taken place recently, we would like to share our thoughts on trends we see in kitchen design that can be applied to commercial apartment units as well as residential spaces. Influenced by our natural environment, the preference today seems to be a Modern and Clean design, classic el- ements that do not go out of style. The use of natural ma- terials like wood, stone, and marble take front stage and minimal, functional details are often highlighted. Natu- ral light is important, and the use of larger windows bring the outdoors to the inside making the space feel warm and open. The trend toward upgraded technology in lighting, appliances, and fixtures is evident. Cabinetry: The tree is an impor- tant element in design and stained wood with veining is making a comeback. Mod- ern wood finishes in kitch - ens is trending: picture two-toned cabinetry with white perimeter cabinets and a light wood-stained island. Shaker flat panel cabinetry continues to be the most popular, and float - ing shelves are replacing some of the wall cabinetry. Touch to open systems with no handles work best to al- low placing cabinets outside the box. Counters and Back- splash: A staple in our design portfolio is marble, a clas- sic, clean look that never goes out of style. And to make it more luxurious and dramatic, we recommend the slab backsplash or glass apron to transform a space. A very popular alternative is Quartz, a manufactured material with durability, a wide range of colors, and a non-porous material with nowhere for bacteria to hide!
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software