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By Susan Rich

More than a place to cook, eat, and do the dishes, today’s kitchens have evolved into the top hangout room in the house.

Creating a kitchen community fell out of fashion in grand homes built in the 1800s. Even middle-class homes, constructed after World War II, eschewed family gathering in favor of narrow kitchens with no seating area, save for a formal dining room.

While each passing decade has increased the emphasis on creating a functional, family-friendly kitchen, it wasn’t until the surge of new housing developments in the latter part of the 20th century that kitchens became larger extensions of the family room. The trend towards “great rooms” has now carried over into the grand manses of yesteryear.

No matter the size of the house, today’s kitchen remodel no longer means re-finishing surfaces and putting in a new floor. Updating now includes demolishing the room down to its studs, moving doors, enlarging windows and creating a haven for hospitality inside the home.

This reflects a return to Old World values when family, friends, and weary travelers gathered around the hearth.

Kitchen Colors Nurture Nature
Earth tones are in, says Scott Gregor, certified kitchen designer and president of Kitchens of Distinction. Because these are neutral colors, blending cupboards, floors and countertops with countertop accessories and appliances becomes a fun exercise in mix and match, creating endless possibilities in the kitchen.

“We used to do black, purples, and reds, more of a contemporary look. Now the walls are painted in greens and yellows. There is a movement towards using greens and browns on the countertop, cherry finish on cabinets,” he says.

“We’re seeing a mixture of elements,” Gregor adds. “In the late 1990s and into 2000, it was granite countertops and backsplash. Now we’re seeing jewel-tone tiles (glass with metalic speckles) in the backsplash. It’s a nice look, it brings more color, more life, into the kitchen.”

There is a drive to make the modern kitchen look furnished, not static. Standalone pieces, like an island or a desk, are coupling up with columns and corbels to increase visual texture. In some larger kitchens, the island and storage bins are on wheels. The ability to rearrange the kitchen furniture allows for flexibility in cooking and entertaining, while making cleanup easier.

Robin Rigby-Fisher, certified kitchen designer and owner of Pegasus Design, notes a rising interest in minimalism, a leaning towards “clean and simple lines, tall pantries.” The risk of minimalism is ending up with not enough countertop or storage space. “People considering this approach should hire a designer,” she says.

Rich Tones Color Cabinets
Cabinets are, as always, an important consideration. The trend is towards darker, richer, cherry-like finishes. Dark colors like these were common in the 1970s, but the difference today is in the mix of colors, materials, and improved lighting.

Glazed finishes on cabinets are becoming popular, Rigby-Fisher says. The technique is to stain or paint the wood, rub a glaze on top of it, then wipe it off. This brings out the grain pattern in the wood, “gives the cabinet more highs and lows,” she adds.

No matter how you paint, stain, or otherwise treat the wood, quality counts. Cabinets made of high-quality wood can be re-finished and will last for years, Gregor says.

Counteract the Common Granite
Top-selling granite is a natural, durable product. Its popularity stems from its heat resistant qualities, strength, and rich colors.

If your taste leans away from granite’s speckled look, there are alternatives. SlateScape and Richlite® are environmentally friendly, durable products that come in a wide range of solid hues. These products can be cut in any shape or pattern and can be blended together on the same counter surface, says Karla Martin, sales and marketing manager for Nu-Art, a custom countertop company. Both are comparable in price to granite.

SlateScape is a cement-based slab material made from recycled newspaper and silica fumes — also known as ash fly — from steel factories. Oven-to-countertop will not damage SlateScape, Martin says, and cleanup is easy: Soap and water works for the anti-chemical crowd, and a mild abrasive can be used sparingly. Like granite, the surface is sealed. However, SlateScape is somewhat porous and will develop a patina with time.

Richlite® is a recycled paper-based product that is soaked in resin and compressed into solid slabs. More stain-resistant than SlateScape, it is also less heat tolerant. The Richlite® color, “Baguette” has been certified by the FDA for use in commercial kitchens, making this a safe choice for home-based chefs.

Then there is Ice Stone, a new product offered by Pratt and Larson. “It looks like terrazzo tile. It comes in beautiful colors and is jewel-like,” Rigby-Fisher says. “It wears really well, and you don’t have to be as meticulous about maintaining it. You don’t have to seal it as often as you do granite. It doesn’t stain or scratch easily, so it’s a nice, fun product.”

Before choosing a topper, consider using countertops of various heights. “It used to be all countertops were thirty-six inches,” Gregor says. “Now we do all sizes.” A taller countertop is a natural barrier between the kitchen and surrounding areas. Not only aesthetically pleasing, counter heights can be used to create an ergonomic workspace for people of all heights and physical abilities.

Appliances Still Shine
Professional appliances continue to top the list for high-end kitchen remodels, Rigby-Fisher says. New finishes, such as platinum and titanium, compete with the perennial favorite, stainless steel.

Subzero recently came out with a line of refrigerated drawers that go under the cabinet line. “These are very ergonomic and user friendly, great for people with physical limitations,” she says. Also available in a drawer: Dishwashers and microwave ovens.

Custom-built ventilation hoods built into the cabinetry mimic the hearth concept. “Old World style is going into contemporary projects,” Rigby-Fisher says.

Ceilings: New Focal Point
No longer the holding station for light fixtures, ceilings are becoming a focal point in today’s kitchen or formal dining room. Ceiling white paint has given way to bead board or paneling, with some homeowners installing embossed tin to add texture and color to the room, Rigby-Fisher adds.

Floors Finish the Look
Natural products are popular, Gregor explains. This includes stone, slate, and travertine tile. Marmoleum, also a natural product, has a different look and offers creative flexibility, like patterned inlays. Cork, with its soundproofing properties, is also a nice choice.

“Bamboo is huge, so are wide plank oak floors that are stained ebony or chocolate brown,” Rigby-Fisher says. Exotic details such as inlays or hand- scraped woods, or steps taken to create a primitive or old look, are also common. “I’m seeing a juxtaposition of formal and informal.”

Before You Start
Be honest about budget. Some people keep this a secret, and it only complicates the process, Gregor warns.

Do your research. It can take eight to ten weeks to plan a kitchen remodel. Visit kitchen decorating centers and talk with kitchen designers or other experts in the field. Go to open houses, talk to realtors about ways of amplifying your home’s resale value.

When you’re ready to begin, “Start with showing pictures of what you want, even if you can’t afford it,” Gregor says. This way your vision is clear to you and the people doing the work before the first hammer blow is struck.

Although a high-end remodel is a dream for many people, if the project is approached with patience, honesty, and a willingness to be creative, Gregor and Rigby-Fisher say almost any look can be achieved.

Susan Rich is a freelance writer. She can be contacted at RichWriting 503-341-6674 or by email at richwriting@yahoo.com. For more information visit www.richwriting.com.

For more information:
Robin Rigby-Fisher, owner, Pegasus Design 503-630-3395 or visit online at www.pegasusdesign.net.
Scott Gregor, president, Kitchens of Distinction 503-292-2677 or visit online at www.kitchensofdistinction.net.
Karla Martin, sales and marketing manager, Nu-Art 503-452-7642 or visit online at www.nu-art.us.

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