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Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/660670
JACLYN WIKE, AKBD, PRINCIPAL STUDIO SWANN CUSTOM KITCHENS & BATHS CHICAGO, IL TOP DESIGN TRENDS Veneers — "I've been doing quite a bit of walnut veneer – especially natural fnishes and fat-cut walnut – and a bit of wenge. Without even pushing it, I've done about four kitchens in the last six months. All of a sudden, everyone wants walnut. It's a bit unexpected, but I love it!" Bold tile and wallpaper — "My clients have been taking more risks with kitchen backsplash and bathroom tile, whether it's bold colors or large geometric patterns. I'm also seeing an increase in the use of wallpaper, either as an accent wall in a kitchen or in the bathroom as well. Blue-green colors — "Black, white and gray are still really strong, but I've been seeing more blue-green, anything from a soft seafoam to a bold turquoise." REGIONALLY DEFINING TREND Lack of glazes and granite — "I would say it's more what we don't do anymore…such as glazes and granite. I just took on a new cabinet line and instead of ordering all of the samples, I selected the ones I thought I would use…and none of them were glazes. "Granite is also gone. I've been using much more quartz for countertops in kitchens and baths. It has come a long way and it is much more accepted, especially in contemporary spaces. Quartz is 'it!' It's what we're doing in every project." DESIGN INFLUENCES Downtown vibe — "For us, infuences come from our environ- ment. People are constantly walking downtown. There is so much around us for inspiration, including so many beautiful showrooms that have the 'latest and greatest' in their windows. "Travel also plays a part, especially in some of the patterns I'm seeing in tile. There is defnitely a Moroccan thing going on. I'm also seeing a bit of Mid-Century modern with geo- metric prints." "We're also movement into gray…what I call the 50 shades of gray. I'm seeing it become the main color. It creates more drama and, with better lighting these days, people aren't afraid of the deeper tones." Deep wood tones — "In addition to the gray tones, I'm seeing deep tone woods like walnut. It used to be an accessory color, like an island or hood. Now it's becoming the reverse, where it's used as the perimeter cabinetry with a lighter island, foors, walls and ceiling. If everything is light around the dark cabine- try, the cabinetry is more dramatic." LED lighting — "People can now light cabinets in so many diferent ways that used to be difcult. LED is in its infancy and we're going to see more interesting concepts for how to design with it." REGIONALLY DEFINING TREND Traditional design — "I moved here recently from the Chicago area and we are about 10 years behind as far as design. This Midwest market has always been very conservative, but even traditional here is more tailored, without all the frou-frou." DESIGN INFLUENCES The economy — "The economy has been the biggest driver of trends – or evolutions, as I prefer to call them – and how it has shaped design. Almost immediately after the crash, people realized they didn't need everything on the cabinets. Now there is a wonderful tailorization of a space where the clients and their lifestyle are more apparent. "People are also thinking about turnover diferently. Now they think about how long they will be in a home and how much enjoyment they will get from it versus making a design 'vanilla' enough to fip the house. Now clients care more about what they want, and that is afecting design." Jaclyn Wike's clients are taking more risk with kitchen backsplash tiles, often including bold colors and geometric patterns. This trend was also evident in a kitchen she recently designed for the local Whole Foods Cooking School. Historically, oak has been a huge driving force in Jim Dase's market. However, many clients are now moving toward white, which works well with oak accents. Photo: Kaskel Photo April 2016 • KitchenBathDesign.com 37