The hottest and coolest new trends in kitchens

Bruce Graf of Graf Developments (exclusive interior renovations)

A third generation remodeler from Dallas, Graf has grown from his family roots in construction into Graf Developments, an exclusive renovation business that combines remodeling with true artistry and creativity. No job is too big — or off the wall. A media room to look like the Starship Enterprise? Can do. An bedroom that incorporates an actual wood porch and screen door? No problem. An outdoor patio cover designed to look like a giant butterfly? Done.

In more than 25 years of business, Graf has won numerous awards, including NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) “Contractor of the Year” multiple years in a variety of categories. Today Bruce tells us about the newest trends in kitchens and shares a cool slideshow of inspiration and ideas to add to your “must have” list.

New Trends in Kitchens: The hottest and coolest “must haves”

The kitchen is the anchor to every home. It is the heart and soul and tells everyone passing through exactly who you are. This is where family and friends gather to cook wonderful meals, plan exotic vacation trips, and talk about their lives. Even business ventures have been dreamed up over a pot of coffee at the kitchen table or island. It is also the most important room to be renovated and with good reason; it is the room that brings the most immediate return on investment. Because people spend more time in the kitchen it sees the greatest number of trends. Following are some of the newest trends I see:

Special lighting.
In, under, around, behind – homeowners are getting more creative with lighting for specific task areas, creating a mood or adding an artistic touch. LED lighting has come a long way and continues to evolve. It comes in a variety of options and most are dimmable. It is much more affordable now, uses very little power, and gives off hardly any heat so your air conditioner doesn’t work as hard.

“…it is the room that brings the most immediate return on investment…”

Switching and controls.
The fun stuff isn’t happening just in lighting! Switches, dimmers, and other controls have also changed significantly. Everything electrical throughout the house can now be controlled from your iPad or iPhone and from anywhere in the world at any time. By replacing your existing switches and thermostats, adding in-line modules to corded lights and appliances, and installing a complete control system, you can set the mood in any room at the touch of a button. Window blinds and draperies can silently close automatically, while the lights are dimming to create the perfect, movie-watching atmosphere. From a control pad sitting on your night stand you can turn off the lights in the kid’s bedrooms when you feel they’ve stayed up a bit too long. In the kitchen there are usually multiple lighting “zones”. You can design your lighting according to different needs. An entire article can be written on this topic alone. Lets’ just say these are very exciting times in the field of home electronics.

More televisions.
TV’s are now often found in kitchens and with small flat-screen sets becoming more affordable, they are popping up everywhere, even inside a cabinet next to the stove. Just pull out the TV on its swinging arm so you can follow your favorite chef as they prepare a savory dish. When finished simply fold it back in leaving the kitchen counter un-cluttered.

Vertical cabinet pull-outs.
It’s a great way to clear kitchen counters of clutter. They can be narrow or wide and can accommodate spices, cooking utensils, or blenders. Actually, they can hold whatever you need them to hold, it’s up to your needs and imagination! With electrical outlets located in the back of each, the appliances can stay plugged in for convenience.

“…Even business ventures have been dreamed up over a pot of coffee at the kitchen table .”

Pullout’s behind doors.
These are essentially shelves on drawer guides that are placed behind cabinet doors. They generally have sides and a back, but only come up a few inches depending on what they are holding. They give the cabinets a much less “busy” appearance and are easier to use because they pull out to you! You can reach every item at the back and there’s no need to get down on your knees. They can be sized according to your needs from smaller cooking utensils to large, heavy pots and pans.

Cork flooring.
It’s “green,” beautiful, and far more durable than one might think. Although it’s been around for years, it’s now finding a place in more homes. Some people shy away from cork assuming it’s soft and easy to tear. I have seen cork flooring that has been in a kitchen for 40 years with very few light scratches and no gouges. The wonderful thing about cork is it’s very much like leather in that it takes on a patina over time. The color becomes deeper and richer like fine wine. Even the light scratches or scuffs add to the beauty of the floor. One more benefit is a slight cushiony affect, which makes it great for hours of cooking or standing at the sink. Also, if you spill something you have a reasonable amount of time to clean it up, no need to panic!

Smart appliances.
They use less energy and actually communicate with the power meter outside your home to operate at the best times of the day for a smaller electric bill. Some also communicate with their “creator”, such as GE or Kitchenaid, for periodic check-ups or diagnostics.

Alternative cooking methods.
Commercial kitchens have been cooking with steam (literally, not metaphorically) for years, but now it’s available for your kitchen. It’s a healthier way to cook. Induction cooktops are on the rise. They have actually been around since the early 1900s, but are just now considered affordable. Simply put, induction uses a magnetic field to produce a current through the metal pan. This current heats up the pan, which cooks the food. When the pan is removed the “burner” is cool and there is no heat filling the kitchen. This method also uses far less energy.

More about Bruce Graf:
Married with three children, Graf’s own home in Grand Prairie, Texas, became a pet project. Having purchased the home out of foreclosure in 2005, the family lived in a pop-up camper in the backyard for three months one very hot summer while Graf transformed the home into a showplace, incorporating reclaimed materials from his wife’s grandmother’s original home, including a galvanized tin roof, light fixtures, a water cistern, old wood siding and the front and back doors.

Bruce Graf , CR, CAPS, CKBR
Graf Developments (exclusive interior renovations)
Austin and Grand Prairie, Texas
www.grafdevelopments.com

Appeared on August 7, 2012 – The hottest and coolest new trends in kitchens
http://www.examiner.com/article/the-hottest-and-coolest-new-trends-kitchens