Visions From Abroad

Visions From Abroad

Whether one lives in Boston, Burma or Belize, there are inherent design elements that all clients cherish, say leading design experts.

By John Filippelli

So says Paul Taylor, editorial director for Ellerslie, Auckland, New Zealand-based Trends Publishing International, publishers of Kitchens Trends and Bathroom Trends. Taylor addressed some of these design trends in his seminar, "The World of Luxury: The Language of Design" at the recent Luxury Kitchen & Bath Collection show in New York.

"There are sociological influences that are similar [wherever you live], so when you look at a kitchen, there is a lifestyle decision as to why that [space] exists [that helps define its design]," he offers.

David Peer, president and founder of Far Hills, NJ-based European Country Kitchens, agrees: "People bring in the things that are meaningful in their lives whether it pertains to their ancestry, Eastern European extended families, South American open-cooking hearth styles or Pacific Rim simplicities and ceremonies."

As a result, Taylor says there are several design trends that are finding their way into kitchens and baths across the globe. Some of these include the emphasis on cabinetry as furniture, the integration of his-and-hers baths, and the use of exotic veneers and materials things that speak to consumers on a personal, emotional level.

Likewise, he notes that kitchens throughout the world are becoming more intimate perhaps with a small sitting area connected to create a "Great Room" effect.

He adds: "The framework of [U.S. kitchens] is lightening up, both in the palette and the detailing. In the last few years,
I have seen it change from very dark, heavily carved kitchens to an increase in contemporary."

Wherever one lives, the kitchen design must also reflect the functional needs and lifestyle of the user. For that reason, Joan Picone, senior designer and partner at European Country Kitchens offers: "Many clients have two homes where they can put things in that suit the lifestyle there. A New York apartment has the frenetic pace that demands simple things. You find materials such as glass or poured concrete and terrazzo materials there. I think French Deco is a very big influence in the city dwellings.

"The opposite is true in the summer home, weekend retreat or ski house where they want to get away from anything fast-paced. The materials here are soft, honed and heavily textured."

Peer adds: "The whole idea is based on eclecticism and personalization to be surrounded by things that you collect when you travel to show off your sophistication. [However], the customer [also] wants low-maintenance, highly functional spaces that look good."

Bill E. Cheek, CMG and director of design of Dupo, IL-based American Decorative Surfaces, Inc., summarizes: "People are traveling and seeing information from all over the world, and seeing these things [is creating] a whole new look."

Furniture Finds
According to Peer, "Bringing  in 'found pieces' is one of the biggest trends" of European-influenced kitchens.

"The trends have been pretty evident and constant for quite a while. That is to integrate furnishings both visually and functionally," he offers.

"You can either put in furniture pieces or you give the cabinetry some feature of furniture, such as legs, so it appears not to be just cabinets," Taylor concurs.

But there is a caveat: "It's only when it has been integrated with the countertops, the appliances, the tiles and the lighting that you [have a completed look]," Peer warns. "You're not going to use furniture to make a kitchen because there is too much function that has to be tied together."

Adds Picone: "[There are also] different types of hardware that enable you to open the cabinetry straight instead of left to right. This way, you can close the whole kitchen and make it disappear.

"The other beauty of the furniture-oriented kitchen is that if I have an old butcher block table or hutch, I can take it with me," she continues.