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8 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | April 2015 Jasper, IN — Cabinet design preferences, a mirror of consumer buying patterns, will refect homes that are smaller, green- er and ofer more casual living space – a trend that will continue to see the inclu- sion of energy-saving technology, as well as custom features with the ability to ac- commodate varying levels of mobility. That's the word from MasterBrand Cabinets, the parent company of cabinet manufacturers that include Aristokraft, Decora, Diamond, HomeCrest, Kemper, KitchenCraft, Omega and Schrock. The Jasper, IN-based MasterBrand recently forecasted a series of trends impacting kitchen design, as well as cabinet purchases, in 2015. Among the key trends noted are the following: Many new kitchens are favoring a streamlined look, featuring large win- dow expanses that incorporate few wall cabinets. Open shelving is popular. Professional-style appliances such as free-standing stainless steel gas ranges, the trend for years, are being challenged by sleek induction cooktops paired with double wall ovens. Under-counter options are increasingly prominent, with draw- ers that double as refrigerators, wine storage and even a pull-out microwave. Today's cabinet styling trends favor "less is more" aesthetics, emphasiz- ing clean lines and simpler mouldings with accents that ofer personalization. Granite countertops continue to be in demand and are being partnered with butcher block, stainless steel and other surfaces in a variety of thicknesses, each selected for a specifc kitchen task. Backsplashes are generally comprised of glossy ceramic, porcelain or glass tile in either subtle or bold color combinations – sometimes a combination of both. Natu- ral fooring materials such as ceramic, stone, hardwood and cork are favored by homeowners, along with reclaimed and distressed wood fnishes in wider, hand-scraped planks. Colors range from gray and charcoal to bone and espresso. "Inclusive Design" features – in- cluding zero-step entries and showers, widened door and hallways, multi-level cabinets and non-slip fooring – will be commonplace in the average home, and will be important for people who choose to "age in place," as well as for families that blend multiple generations under one roof. Color trends are soft, moving away from stark whites in favor of creamy neutral palettes with a hint of color such as gold, lavender, blue, green and raisin. Painted, stained and matte cabinet fn- ishes are being increasingly mixed with wood, usually in earth tones including muted greens, chifon yellows and deep blues, as well as browns, reds, blacks and grays. Open foor plans continue to satisfy the desire for gathering and connecting, while allowing a transition for multi-pur- pose uses – integrating foyer, kitchen, dining and living functions. Glass walls, sliding doors and other transparent fea- tures open the home to patio or garden rooms. Home management is being fa- cilitated by utilizing a service entry that features a message center with key racks, mail slots and individual lockers for each family member. For faucets, the convenience of a pull-out model is a desired feature, as are pot fllers. Brushed nickel is the lead- ing fnish option, followed by pewter, polished chrome and oil-rubbed bronze colorations. French door and bottom freezer drawer refrigerator models continue to dominate the market, and healthy living is a strong trend, with more kitchens featuring steam ovens, induction cooking and warming draw- ers to keep nutritious dinners ready for active family members. Cabinet Trends Seen Refecting Smaller, Greener, More Casual Homes Consumer Buying Trends { Demographics & buying patterns for the home } MasterBrand Cabinets has forecast that large window expanses in kitchens will be hot in 2015, as well as matte fnishes and warm neutrals on cabinetry. Photo: MasterBrand Cabinets SALES GROUP SALES DIRECTOR AND MIDWEST MANAGER Paul DeGrandis (847) 920-9510 • Paul@SOLAbrands.com EAST/SOUTHEAST Joanne Naylor (201) 891-9170; Fax: (201) 839-9161 Joanne@SOLAbrands.com Vaughn Rockhold (216) 272-1008 • Vaughn@SOLAbrands.com WEST/SOUTHWEST Reed Fry (949) 223-1088 • Reed@fry-comm.com PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE/CLASSIFIED ADS Nancy Campoli (201) 690-6898 • Nancy@SOLAbrands.com EDITORIAL Janice Anne Costa, Editor (516) 605-1426 • Janice@SOLAbrands.com Anita Shaw, Managing Editor (631) 581-2029 • Anita@SOLAbrands.com Andrea Girolamo, Senior Editor (516) 398-9806 • Andrea@SOLAbrands.com Contributing Writers Kim Berndtson Joe Dowd Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS Elizabeth Richards Denise Vermeulen Columnists Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS Hank Darlington Leslie Hart Bruce Kelleran, CKD, CPA Stephen Nicholls Ken Peterson, CKD Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, CAPS Sarah Reep, CMKBD, ASID, CMG, CAPS, IIDA Bryan Reiss, CMKBD Eric Schimelpfenig, AKBD PUBLISHING SOLA Group, Inc. 724 12th St., Suite 1W Wilmette, IL 60091 (847) 920-9510 Paul DeGrandis, Publisher Paul@SOLAbrands.com Eliot Sefrin, Publisher Emeritus Eliot@SOLAbrands.com Patrick O'Toole, Editorial Director Patrick@SOLAbrands.com Tracy Hegg, Creative Director & Production Manager Tracy@SOLAbrands.com Marie Snow, Operations Manager Marie@SOLAbrands.com Mike Serino, Circulation Manager mserino@magservgroup.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Kitchen & Bath Design News Circulation Dept. P.O. Box 3007 Northbrook, IL 60065-3007 (866) 932-5904 circ.kbdn@omeda.com MAILING LIST RENTAL Elizabeth Jackson (847) 492-1350 ext. 18 ejackson@meritdirect.com Copyright © 2015 by SOLA Group Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be produced in any form, including electronically, without written permission from the publisher of Kitchen & Bath Design News . ®