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April 2015 | ForResidentialPros.com | 35 rary – that enjoys a touch of nostalgia or vintage here or there – seems to be growing in popularity across the globe. European Contemporary kitchens featured such craftsmanship, typically seen in a special cabinet or in a weathered wood countertop in a room otherwise flled with smoothly fnished cabinetry. Many settings showcased wood veneers that had rusticated fnishes, such as wire brushing or other design efects to add texture. One European manufacturer featured a room created by a Japanese architect, which had a decidedly "complex simplicity" design aesthetic. AN APPRECIATION FOR OPULENCE A third trend (that makes me smile) is the defnite appreciation for opulence. This was particularly noticeable at the 2015 Toronto Interior Design Show and the Paris Maison & Objet Show. Interior designers, often in the acces- sories displayed, celebrated the power of sparkle. Mixed metals or crystal chandeliers in pared-down Modern environments, for example. At the Paris show, accessory bowls were carved from a single slab of Ital- ian marble. This might have been seen in Paris as an accessory, but think of all the beautiful vessel bowls that are now available. Sometimes, our practical nature gets the best of us – we worry about the special fauce- try needed, the maintenance of the countertop and other functional and maintenance concerns. However, we may be working with a client who just wants to exuberantly have fun in their powder room or master suite with a spectacularly carved, painted or glazed lavatory bowl and a very special faucet. While I believe we will continue to see silver, chrome and stainless as three metallics used consistently in the kitchen – warmer metals such as gold, copper and bronze are being launched in decorative hardware, light fxtures, appliance accent strips, chair detailing and accessory highlights. Move beyond brushed nickel! Another interesting thing I have seen lately is a movement away from all metals in a kitchen or bathroom matching one another. Mixing matte and gloss fnishes, mixing a bronzy gold at the island sink while polished nickel is featured elsewhere injects energy and "vibe" into a kitchen. Interestingly enough, in tandem with the products introduced in Paris, I saw some elegant, whimsical, beauti- fully detailed crystal cabinet hardware at KBIS. I urge all designers to revisit their hardware sources – and take a look at several new ones – searching for very special crystal hardware for luxurious bathroom settings. THE EXPANSION OF MID-CENTURY MODERN Mid-Century designs continue to be popular, resulting in a series of reissues from noted industrial and interior designers as far as furniture. These pieces gained recognition in the 1950s – that is why it is called "Mid-Century Modern." However, the author of a recent ar- ticle in Metropolis suggests we should embrace the aesthetic as a style not aligned to a time period, stating, "Mid- Century Modern no longer simply refers to a static period in time. Today, it is a design theory – a discipline that is no longer tied to the 20th Century post World War II design world. It is a theme that uses man-made products, beautifully sculpted woods, vibrant colors – all set in a setting with quietly restrained decoration." DETAILS TO CONSIDER » » Wallpaper that wows. I have been watching this reemergence of wall- paper for several years. In Houzz's "Trend Watch: 13 Kitchen Looks Expected to be Big in 2015" by Houzz Contributor Natasha Sorca, wallpaper was again highlighted. A popular installation is to feature over-scaled, heroic wallcoverings A beautiful kitchen display at the 2015 KBIS featured solid matte cabinetry surfaces combined with almost construction-grade, naturally fnished wood drawer fronts, creating a beautiful horizontal stripe throughout the cabinetry. Note the curved shape of the cabinetry end panels and its intersection at the thin countertops: a beautifully executed space! A very functional pass-through countertop separates the kitchen from an adja- cent living space. Beautifully detailed custom glass doors on an overhead sliding system provide a design element when open, and privacy when closed. This is an excellent example of a highly personalized space. New, intriguing uses of metals are seen in these two bathrooms created by Diamond Spas. The shower pan is fabricated in stainless steel in one example, and copper in the other. Copper and stainless steel are appropriate for such a surface because of their durability and hygienic properties. A beautiful surface to consider in a very personal bathroom. Photo: Courtesy Diamond Spas, www.diamondspas.com; photography by Brent Bingham, Brent Bingham Photography, www.brentbinghamphoto.com Photo: Courtesy Diamond Spas, www.diamondspas.com; Interior Designer: Linda Schutt; Photo: Brent Bingham, Brent Bingham Photography, www.brentbinghamphoto.com Photo: Real Sliding Hardware, www.realslidinghardware.com and REcreateNW, www.recreatenw.com