Kitchen designers hate talking about “trends” for good reason. The kitchen is not something you can change every year, because you think a certain color or look is gone.
A great kitchen should look as good in 15 years as it does today, says multi-award winning Christchurch designer Ingrid Geldof: “My kitchen is 18 years old, and it still looks good. change it”.
However, it is true that over time, kitchen designs are really changing, and Geldof, who was one of the judges for the NKBA Awards in 2021, credits this to new materials and technology.
supplied
With its solid white oak legs, this 4-meter-tall island resembles a piece of furniture. The kitchen was designed by Stefan Sonntag of Masterwood Joinery, and is located in a Cromwell home.
“Kitchens are evolving,” she says. “There are designers who follow trends, but there are others who do it more cautiously to give their clients longevity. Kitchens cost a lot of money now, and you don’t want something choppy—after three years of track you might get tired of it.
Read more:
* Six of the best kitchens of 2021
*Kitchen of the Week: The influence of Balinese design and boat building skills on Waiheke Island
*Kitchen of the Week: This Storm Houzz has stormed
“Most kitchens will date to some extent; the question is whether or not they will date well. You might put one trendy product in there, but the entire kitchen hasn’t been destroyed in five years.”
Sustainability has a big impact on the design: “Build it once; Build it to last, and you won’t fill a landfill with all that product,” Geldof said. Melamine is manufactured abroad, but it is used here.
supplied
Matte finishes and wood accents are used to great effect in this kitchen by Ingrid Geldof.
“Our industry is just horrible – we cut mountains to take a piece of stone that is shipped to China to be cut into pieces and then shipped to New Zealand. All of this has dramatically increased cost (and carbon miles). Stainless steel and porcelain are also imported. We make wooden tables here in New Zealand, but it’s getting very expensive now.”
Porcelain gets a tick
However, porcelain is welcome for its longevity. Geldof says that porcelain countertops are strong and therefore extremely durable (and should never be replaced). The NKBA says it’s now the table material of choice for designers, with 46 percent expecting it to be in all of their new kitchens in 2022.
Karen Harlin of Bays Joinery in Nelson says the majority of her 2021 kitchens have used porcelain, and she’s even using the product in her next home renovation.
Callan McCloud
For this island, designer Leonie Hamill of Cube Dentro selected Archant Florim porcelain with a polished metallic finish, rose gold custom details and brassware. The same porcelain features on the hood and custom hood.
“There are a variety of finishes – from industrial to classic. This helps you get the look you’re looking for, while keeping the same durable, non-porous, temperature-resistant surface without compromising.”
Fifty percent of NKBA members this year say they will design seamless armor with countertops — using porcelain plates, for example, and it’s all about reducing grout lines.
timber prevail
All designers agree we’ll also see a lot of wood in kitchens — and it won’t be sleek and shiny, says Auckland designer Mal Corboy.
“What we love to see in non-woven finishes is a more natural look and feel, with some definition to veneer. Homeowners don’t really want a super soft look anymore; they want their kitchen to be more natural and natural, and this trend will continue to grow in popularity” .
supplied
An American white oak L-shaped top directly atop a Caesarstone is a key feature of this kitchen by designer Nelson Craig Hooper.
Geldof agrees that kitchens are moving away from completely minimalist looks, as people look for textured finishes and more detail. “I think wood has a longer life. My kitchen is dark wood stained wood, and we’ve been doing that forever. That won’t change.”
Oak wood is especially popular, says Auckland-based designer, Nathalie Du Bois, because it retains its grain when stained. “We still see plenty of heavy-duty, sandblasted and beaded finishes that help give off that rustic feel. And there certainly isn’t a glossy, glossy cabinetry. Now it’s a lot shinier and tactile.”
NKBA designers anticipate that woods will push white away from the lead in kitchens this year. They suggest that the most common wood colors are oak and walnut, but all natural wood finishes are considered “on top”.
Not everything is sharply linear either, says Du Bois. “Organic shapes and curves are desirable, and this stems from a desire for something soothing—the sharp edges give a rougher feel.”
supplied
Three different cabinets feature in this award-winning kitchen designed by Davinia Sutton to reflect a mid-century aesthetic. Display cabinets are fitted with a copper grille inlaid with glass at the back.
Du Bois argues that other earthen products appear strongly with wood, such as concrete.
Julfof says she’s been designing for quite a few mid-century homes. “We pick up the woodwork that’s already built into these homes built in the 1950s and ’60s, and we replicate that in joinery and other things,” she says. “It’s about using the styles and details that appear in other parts of the house, especially if they are personal.”
Where possible, hardware is incorporated, and knobs are flush with the cabinet, although this is changing, with many wood kitchens incorporating identical wood handle details.
What about black?
Geldof believes that black is the color we need to be careful with when using it. “Matt black is a trend, and I’m sure it will last longer. I absolutely love it myself, but I think wood has a longer life.”
Black wares are also still in vogue, along with brass. “There are a lot of different metallic finishes coming out now, and again we need to be careful. They can be very nice in the powder room, but I’d be more careful in the kitchen. Again, that’s the question, do you want something that lasts, or do you You get something very trendy.”
Of course, it is easier to change faucet tools, although you will need a plumber, if fashions change.
Jimmy Coppel / SUPPLIED
Open shelving is a force in newer kitchens, like those designed by Paul Izzard, Rhys Mellor (left), and Ingrid Geldof.
show and tell
Other strong movement designers see the desire to open shelves to display favorite items and antiques, and even everyday items. “Five to 10 years ago, everything was hidden away, and the kitchen had to be seen as orderly,” Geldof says. “Now displaying items is a welcome form of expression. Being able to put some nice things on the shelf is a way to define your own style.”
LED lighting is used to highlight these screens, as well as to illuminate the lower cabinet and downlights on the island facades. But they are subtle, with the goal of ensuring that key features are highlighted and every part of the workspace is well lit.
Bar owners are also in great demand by owners – usually a remote area to one side with a wine fridge and storage for glassware.
Jimmy Kopel
This kitchen by Shane George, in a classic Auckland villa, includes a bar on one side with its own sink, wine fridge, and shelves for glassware. The countertops are Neolith sintered Calacatta Gold Silk.
How much will you spend?
The NKBA asked members this question, and 31 percent said the kitchen would cost $40,000 to $60,000, while 25 percent said they were able to save space between $20,000 and $30,000. Even fewer, 13 percent, said the kitchen cost more than $80,000.
supplied
The 2021 NKBA Design Excellence Awards showcase New Zealand’s best kitchens and bathrooms.