May 16 2005
Whether it's the nostalgia of retro-glamour or the clean, sleek lines of ultra-modernism, the latest trends from this week's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show bring high-tech precision and personalized style home.
We're seeing a range of styling -- from 1940's glam with curvilinear shapes to the architectural, clean lines of professional grade products," said Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend forecasting and design for Lowe's. "But what's consistent across all the newest products is a trend of hyper- personalization and using the latest in technology to provide precision performance, in everything from refrigerators and sinks to toilets and towel bars."
Taking Personalization a Step Further
Homeowners looking for new ways to express their style and suit their lifestyle are able to create their own dream experience, with a wide-variety of products to satisfy every whim. Some trends at the annual show included appliances paneled to mimic cabinetry, ovens built-in to look as if they were part of a beautiful armoire or piece of furniture, rain showerheads that mimic mother-nature and ultra- quiet appliances.
Simplification was also a key theme with new products. Doing the laundry is no longer a chore with washers and dryers that have "lifestyle" settings and can be adjusted for towels, baby's clothes, or items typically sent to the cleaners. Convenience was also key, whether it's a kitchen with counters of varying heights for parents and their kids, or customized entertainment bars with wine chillers or a built-in coffee maker.
Taking Innovation Mainstream
Innovative technologies married with design are becoming more affordable for the mainstream. Kohler's new Bancroft Suite covers a spectrum of products where consumers can choose a piece or use the whole collection. Inspired by plumbing fixtures of the early 20th century, the line offers the look of nostalgia with all the bells and whistles of the 21st century, including an undermount sink with a discreet front overflow drain, jetted tubs with a variable-speed motor, integrated heater and lighted electronic keypad. Even toilets are going high-tech with water-saving flush capabilities as well as self-cleaning and deodorizing features.
Color and Material - From Fashion to Function
Bold color and neutrals are emerging in new applications. Porcelain sinks now feature visual texture such as crackle finishes or soft hues. Color is making a comeback in the bathroom with cabinetry and countertops in shades of muted dark blue, sage green, cocoa, sand or biscuit. The laundry room is no longer monotone, with washers and dryers in bold blues, greens and burgundies. Oil-rubbed bronze is getting a new look in light and dark, while metal finishes such as brushed nickel are still popular with additional offerings in whiter, brighter variations with pearlescent finishes. Tile, in glass and ceramic, feature reflective finishes in a variety of shapes and sizes, including elongated rectangles and penny-sized circles.
Stainless is also everywhere with new variations such as lighter finishes and darker carbon versions with textured stainless fronts.
According to a 2005 Lowe's style survey, customers for the first time are selecting stainless as their top choice for appliances (40 percent stainless to 22 percent white). Glass applications are some of the newest trends from opaque to textured to mirrored. Styling of cabinetry in both kitchen and bath is pared down with cleaner lines reminiscent of traditional or soft contemporary designs. Furniture-style pieces are still prevalent, but have been simplified with less embellishment. Mid-toned woods are the choice for kitchen cabinetry with choices such as glass or frosted doors.
"Overall, innovation has gone mainstream, whether it's in new finishes and colors, technology that prevents cabinetry doors from slamming, or functionality that makes products easier to use for a wide range of users, such as under-counter microwaves and refrigerator drawers," said Birdsong.