WARMINg
TRENdS
What's cooking in designer kitchens
by Pat st. germain – Photos courtesy of urban effects by norcraft cabinetry
>> The kitchen has always been the heart of
the home. It's just expanded its horizons in recent
years.
The con-
t i n u i n g
p o p u l a r -
ity of open-
c o n c e p t
l a y o u t s
means the
kitchen, eating area and great room tend to flow to-
gether, creating one large space where friends and
family congregate. and most often, they're gather-
ing around a kitchen island.
"One of the top wish-list items when people are doing
kitchens is having a nice large island," says gino Vadacchi-
no, sales manager for urban Effects by norcraft cabinetry.
Maximizing functionality is a high priority as well, and de-
signers are always cooking up new ways to ramp up visual
appeal. On that front, Vadacchino is seeing a trend toward
incorporating familiar, homey pieces that add personality.
he says clean, contemporary designs are beautiful to look
at, but they can feel cold and impersonal. Introducing
rustic elements such as reclaimed wood, exposed beams
or a brick feature wall are nice ways to add warmth and
character.
'One of the top wish-list items
when people are doing kitchens is
having a nice large island'
Cont'd on page 44
Parade of Homes Spring 2015 43
