Aubuchon Strong

By: By TAMMY WHALEY, twhaley@breezenewspapers.com

Whether you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or just updating a few key items to give it that fresh-and-new feel, there are many features and styles that are available which are sure to reflect your personal style as well keep you up to date with the latest trends.
In many homes, kitchens have become more of gathering place for families and they are taking on more vibrant colors and a retro feeL

“The blues and greens are still strong and moving into teal,” said Eva Stulb, sales director for the design division for Evalutions by Aubuchon Homes. “Chocolates have also been strong for the past couple of years and people often tend to throw in pops of color with that, like blues, pinks and limes.” However, Stulb said, the newest and hottest color trend for kitchens is quickly moving towards black and white, or black with yellow or hot pink.

“It’s the black color with a strong contrast of color is what people are looking for,” she said. “I would compare it to the modern, retro dress designs that we are seeing on the streets.”

She added that the color gray is also coming in strong and not just your average smoky flat gray but mink tones and grays with more luster to them. For individuals who want a more pattered feel, wallpaper can be used and the choices offered in today’s market are endless.

“The choices for wallpaper are amazing,” said Stulb. “There is paper with mother of pearl cut into the paper for a more textural feel and even paper with a metallic a background with little clear beads inlaid on it.”

Kitchen flooring tends to bear the brunt of a lot activity and needs to be sturdy. Daniel Duke, owner of Canac Kitchens, said he finds tile is still very popular.

“I am definitely seeing a lot more of laminate wood being requested as an alternative to real wood,” said Duke. “It is easier to maintain and it’s more durable.”

The wood look is not only popular for flooring; it also is creeping its way up to the cabinets.

“I’m seeing a lot of darker colors, for both over the counter and the under,” said Duke. “People are looking for the cherries and the maples but they want them cut to the more contemporary look.”

Duke said consumers are choosing their countertops to contrast with the cabinetry.

“If they are going with the darker tones for the cabinets then they are going with the lighter color granite to contrast with it,” he said. “Granite still seems to be going strong but quartz is making its way onto the scene.”

Linda Whitmore, selections coordinator for Aubuchon Homes Sterling Collection, agrees.

“People are definitely into the granite but there are lots of new products coming out for quartz,” she said. The latest trends in appliances seem to be moving into the more new age era. Whitmore said convenience also plays a major factor.

“We are getting more requests for microwaves which are in a drawer instead the traditional over the range or on the counter,” said Whitmore. “That’s great for the kids and it opens up more counter space.”

Another trend Whitmore said she is seeing more and more of is induction stoves. These high-tech stoves also are being touted as a “green” product.

“They are widely sold in Europe,” said Whitmore. “They are more costly however, in the end, you save money.” She explained the stoves look like the flat electric top style but work like a magnet with the energy converted to heat and then supplied to the cooking vessel. Special pots and pans are needed to use with the system. For other appliances such as the dishwasher and refrigerator, the stainless steel look still remains popular for the contemporary feel however Whitmore said consumers are asking for a more uniform look and are going with the paneled look.

“We are seeing more and more people looking for paneling the same color as their cabinetry which gives it a more uniform look,” she said.

Lighting also is a feature which more and more people are starting to pay attention to in the kitchen as ambiance in this area is what is wanted.

“Lighting is important,” said Stulb. “People are going with ‘task lighting,’ which is under-the-cabinet lighting; they want to illuminate what they are doing. Over-the-cabinet lighting is another feature people are going with.” Duke said before making any major changes to your kitchen or even if you are building new, there is no reason not to take advantage of the new CAD system most builders and contractors have available.

“You can put your information into the computer such as what you want for a floor plan, appliances, even where you want your sink and the system creates a 3D image,” he said. “There is no reason to buy without seeing it first.”