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40 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | November 2015 Product Trend Report By Elizabeth Richards on the rise. Gerri Chmiel, residential design lead for Formica Corp. in Cincinnati, OH says homeowners are looking for these alternatives in order to express themselves in a unique way. "Wood, concrete and other stone alternatives are desirable for young and/or urban consumers, as they want to use their own eclectic style and individuality to make a statement in their home," she says. Bob Paradiso, v.p./sales and marketing at Hanwha L&C;/ Surfaces in Atlanta, GA says that both consumers and design- ers are upgrading their countertop designs. "People are now making conscious decisions about countertops, while still coordinating with the cabinets, but with more emphasis on selecting the right countertop to ft the overall design of their kitchen," he says. CONTRAST AND VARIETY The wide variety of surface materials, colors and styles avail- able allows designers to provide appealing combinations with unique personality and style. Rather than a blanket of solid color in surfaces, manufacturers say they are seeing a demand for contrasting colors and texture. "We're seeing the use of eye-catching wood looks in con- trasting colors and heavy graining used on the countertop or island to create drama and warmth in the kitchen," says Chmiel. Concrete looks are also trending, she notes, ofering a balance of neutrality and style. "Oftentimes, these surfaces are K itchen countertops are where work gets done – from cooking to eating to homework and more. These sur- faces must be able to withstand consistent use and incorporate unique features that enhance the functionality of the space. The most prominent visual in the kitchen is the countertop, requiring an aesthetic that is balanced in the overall design while helping to tie the whole area together. "Consumers want their countertops and design style to be a refection of their experiences, memories and personalities, but more importantly, they want durable, long lasting and 'live-able' options that are also timelessly beautiful," says Sally Chavez, senior designer at Wilsonart in Temple, TX. She adds that since countertops are one of the most frequently used surfaces in a space, consumers are more likely to splurge on these surfaces than any other item in a remodel. Lorenzo Marquez, v.p./marketing for Staford, TX-based Cosentino North America says that, as one of the most utilized elements of a kitchen, counters need to withstand all varieties of usage demands. "With this in mind, homeowners continue to demand that the highest-performing surfacing materials be used in counter applications. Beyond performance, color and visual interest continue to be key drivers for selecting counter surfacing," he notes. Though stone looks are still popular, other materials are also Mixed materials create countertops that combine visual interest with durability to ft a wide variety of lifestyles, budgets and designs. Wood countertops from Andover Products are available in hun- dreds of standard shapes and sizes, and can be to cut-to-ft on- site. The countertops are available in fve diferent woods, including walnut and mahogany. Circle No. 245 on Product Card Arstar manufactures cultured marble and granite vanity tops in Monterrey, Mexico. A wide range of designer styles, sizes and colors, in both matte and gloss fnishes, is available. Sizes range from 17" to 73", with single- or double-bowl confgurations. Circle No. 246 on Product Card The Metallic Series from Samsung Staron is comprised of all-acrylic solid surfaces in four colors. The collection features Metallic Yukon, Metallic Galaxy, Metallic SatinGold and Metallic Sleek Silver (shown), all with pearlescent chips that provide a distinctive aesthetic and depth of color. Circle No. 251 on Product Card Playing on the popu- larity of wood surfaces in the kitchen, Caron Industries ofers the Top Style Collection of wood countertops with laminated sur- faces. The countertops are available in a range of tones. Circle No. 250 on Product Card Abet Laminati's Stratifcato is a deco- rative, high-pressure compact laminate used for countertops, cabinets, furniture, backsplashes and other laminate ap- plications that require extra strength, dura- bility and design. The self-supporting lami- nate is now available in over 500 colors and digital designs, 30 fnishes, eight sizes and various thicknesses. Its surface is composed of decorative paper impregnated with melamine resin. Circle No. 247 on Product Card The latest Viatera collection of quartz surfaces from LG Hausys is called Musica. The line includes colors with rich combinations of large movements and marble-like patterns that are inspired by classical work. Circle No. 248 on Product Card Ella and Brittanicca are the newest additions to the Marble Collection from Cambria. The company's new proprietary production process infuses veining throughout the thick- ness of the entire slab. Cambria ofers 124 designs, and all are maintenance free. The Ella collection (shown) features a dimensional lattice of dove-gray streams per- meating throughout a cloudy marbled backdrop, while Brittanicca ofers a marbled background of neutral white that provides a stage on which gray streams intertwine with ashen veins dotted with veiled charcoal sparkles. Circle No. 249 on Product Card