This year’s kitchen is all about color, especially gray with eye-popping flourishes. As a gathering space for the family, kitchens are getting supersized, and a combination of textures like stone, metal, and textiles is coming to the fore. And healthy eating, and a desire to go green are definitely driving some trends of their own.
Color
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Portobello
It’s not quite gray, not quite brown. Schrock Cabinetry offers a rich, dark taupe that will go perfectly with your red countertops, your stainless-steel appliances, or even your distressed, antique wood island. The color is mature and muted, making any kitchen instantly classy without being showy. Prices vary. Available at Cabinets Flooring & More, multiple locations, 314-645-9300, cabinetsflooringandmore.com.
Ruby Red
This eye-popping red, Ruby Reflections, from CaesarStone can turn any kitchen into a showpiece. Bonus: It’s made from recycled materials. Approximately $85 per square foot. Available at Kitchen & Bath Design, 945 S. Kirkwood, 314-822-4100, kbdesignonline.com.
Zebrawood
All right, so zebrawood isn’t a color, nor are bamboo and vertical-grain fir. But these, along with white oak, are part of a line of exotic wood veneers by Dura Supreme Cabinetry that offer a twist on the traditional. Prices vary. Available at Accolade Kitchen & Bath, 13919 Reflection, Ste. 617, 314-991-2284, accoladekb.com.
Layout
Two Islands
If you’re considering expanding your kitchen, think big: Having two islands is the next great leap forward. With companies like Habersham offering beautiful, vintage-look islands like the Continental, you’ll want to make the space. Prices vary. Available at Beck/Allen Cabinetry, 11626 Page Service, 314-677-6713, beckallencabinetry.com.
Focal Points
Stone Range Hood
A stone range hood, like the Marie Antoinette or Cheverny from Francois & Co., is the showpiece extraordinaire: elegant, unusual, and customizable. Not only can you choose the style of hood, the corbels are cast separately and can be mixed and matched to suit your style. Prices vary. Available at Karr Bick Kitchen + Bath, 2715 Mercantile, 314-645-6545, karrbick.com.
Backsplashes
You’re always looking that direction—why not choose a backdrop that’s both traditional and snazzy? Artistic Tile has it with these 13 3/4-inch square Danse Blanc mosaics, which fit together to make a repeating pattern like a damask wallpaper. Around $100 per square foot. Available at brooksBerry Kitchens & Baths, 751 Old Frontenac, 314-872-7720, brooksberry.com.
Copper Sinks
Your “dirty dish holder” may be the last thing you’d think to make the focal point of your kitchen, but a copper sink will certainly catch the eye. Make it an apron-front and it’s all the more noticeable. We love the Farmhouse Duet Pro (see image above) from Native Trails. Approximately $3,226. Available at Henry Plumbing , multiple locations, 314-298-9200, henryplumbing.com. Pair it with a Twisthaus Bridge faucet from Whitehaus Collection and you have a real eye-catcher. Starting around $536. Available at RSI Kitchen and Bath, 9700 Manchester, 314-961-2000, rsikb.com.
Clean Lines
Cabinet Design
Slimmed-down cabinets have always been in if you wanted an ultramodern kitchen, but now they’re showing up in every kitchen style, from Mediterranean to classic. The Arts and Crafts style of Brookhaven’s Bridgeport cabinets offers clean lines and goes well in a variety of design plans. Prices vary. Available at National Kitchen & Bath, 3150 S. Brentwood, 314-962-1800, nationalkitchenandbath.com.
Inset Cabinet Doors
Putting the door of the cabinet in line with the frame may sound like a subtle change, but it can be a big step toward creating a trimmed-down kitchen that looks custom-made. Mouser Custom Cabinetry’s extensive line of available insets also assures it’ll go with anything. Prices vary. Available at Schumacher Kitchen & Bath Studio, 160 Four Seasons Shopping Center, 314-205-1700, skbs.net.
Going Green
Countertops
IceStone’s countertops are the ultimate in recycling, taking old glass bottles and mixing them with concrete to create a surprisingly beautiful countertop with unique accents that’s also good for the environment. Prices vary. Available at Modern Kitchens & Baths, multiple locations, 636-394-3655, modernkitchensandbaths.com.
Reclaimed Flooring
It can be tricky to deal with reclaimed flooring, especially when the wood is coming from a 120- to 150-year-old barn, there’s a limited amount, and it’s all precut to fit another room. But that rustic feel and history can’t be preordered. Prices vary. Available from Carlson’s Barnwood Company, 8066 N. 1200th, Cambridge, Ill., 309-522-5550, carlsonsbarnwood.com.
Induction Stoves
The most energy-efficient way to cook also happens to be the fastest, because with an induction stove, only the pot or pan heats up. The GE Profile induction cooktop not only boils water in 101 seconds, but also looks sleek and sexy while doing it. From $1,499. Slyman Brothers Appliance Centers, multiple locations, 314-352-8845, slymanbros.com.
Healthy Cooking
Steam Oven
Why choose between steaming and baking? With Gaggenau’s combination steam and convection oven, food retains its nutrients because it’s cooked with steam, while the convection heat removes the guesswork. $2,900. Available at AUTCOhome, 11610 Page Service, 314-373-2000, autcohome.com.
