A Cornucopia of Cabinetry

A strong industry rebounds to support a wide variety of cabinetry design options, including grey-toned glazes, rustic looks and 'warm contemporary' styling. 

By Daina Manning

"Innovative styling sells," declares Tom Cook, executive v.p. and general manager for Medallion Cabinetry, Inc., in Waconia, MN. "People are going to go for that custom look in their kitchen. Whatever appeals to them, that's unique to their personality they're willing to spend money on that."

Trends also vary considerably by region, manufacturers report. For instance, clients in Mountain states are more likely to embrace the new rustic looks, while West Coast consumers tend to favor a sleek, contemporary style.

But, whatever style they choose, today's customers want their kitchens to be spectacular showcases of form and function, with cabinetry their biggest purchases and, often, their central focus.

Design Choices
In terms of door styles, "there's two ends of the spectrum," reports Sandra Luttchens, director of design and training for Omega Cabinetry, in Waterloo, IA. "Either there are extremely ornate kitchens with carved mouldings and multi-level finishes, or very clean looks."

Jean Butler, v.p./marketing for Yorktowne Inc., makers of Yorktowne Cabinets, in Red Lion, PA, cites appliqués and onlays that provide an architectural look as important components of ornate, "furniture" styling.
Carla Fish, senior designer for KraftMaid Cabinetry, in Middlefield, OH believes "simplification" is the prevailing trend: "simpler and cleaner door styles, tighter wood grains. Softening colors and glazes also play a role."

The intent is to create a more restful and uncluttered environment to balance out hectic day-to-day schedules. "When [people] get home, they want to relax," thinks Luttchens. "They don't like all the fussiness [of traditional styles], and they don't like to clean all that, so [they prefer] real simple, flat-panel designs."
Mark Conde, product manager for Yorktowne Inc., also mentions "a clean and uncluttered look" that combines the look of contemporary with the warmer, retro vibe of Arts and Crafts as a hot style.
In the past few years, when consumers thought "simple," they often chose Shaker doors. Manufacturers disagree as to the style's popularity in the future.

Angela O'Neill, director of marketing and advertising for Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., in Ashland, AL, believes Shaker is trending down in favor of "the new fresh modern look." However, she adds that sales of Shaker styles are holding steady.

"Shaker has stayed very, very strong, along with the slab door styles," agrees Ray Ducharme, director of marketing for LesCare Kitchens, in Waterbury, CT.

"We see Shaker slowing down, but it's still a big thing for us," says Michael Hommis, CKD, director of marketing and education for UltraCraft, in Liberty, NC.

Fish cites glazing on Shaker doors as a way of giving the tried-and-true door style a new look.
For those looking for a still different look, "we're seeing a lot of rustics," notes David Irion, dealer sales manager for Canyon Creek Cabinet Co., in Monroe, WA. A rustic cabinet combines knotty wood such as hickory, alder or maple with glazes and distressing: cracking, wormholes, bird pecking, rub throughs and sand-overs.

New Finish Options
Glazes have, of course, been the trend of the past few years, lending cabinetry a depth and variety, particularly with ornate, high-end, Old-World styles.

Today, "glazes are [still] hot, and are coming into the stock category at a more universal price point," notes Steve Mangin, marketing communications manager for MasterBrand Cabinets, in Jasper, IN.
Glazes remain strong, agrees Wellborn's O'Neill, who cites cherry tones as new additions to her company's line. "Glazes are getting darker and warmer. Even in the standard finishes, [we're] moving to the mid- to darker tones," she says, citing a miter door style, Savannah, that takes glazing particularly well.
Luttchens explains that the trend towards darker colors reflects a desire for a comforting feeling, part of the increased move towards cocooning post-9/11. Several manufacturers noted pewter, charcoal and other grey shades as a fresh new glazing option that goes particularly well with the ever-popular stainless steel appliances, as well as metal onlays. Hommis also cites black glaze as an up-and-comer.