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F
rom pops of color and
smart technology in
the kitchen to soaking
tubs and statement
showers in the bathroom, the
National Kitchen and Bath
Association’s 2019 Design
Trends report shares what
we’ll be seeing this spring.
Bold and blue
Say goodbye to the all-white/
beige kitchen, which gets a
much needed punch of color.
“We are defi nitely seeing
pops of color in the kitchen,”
said Elle H-Millard, certifi ed
kitchen designer and certifi ed
living-in-place professional.
“You will see bold colors —
red, yellow or blue — knobs on
cook ranges. You might see the
pop of color in the cabinets.”
Additionally, we’ll see matte
black fi nishes in faucets and
more raw gold that patinas
over time, H-Millard said.
“Blue is a new neutral
that is becoming more and
more popular in the kitchen
in regard to appliances
and cabinetry,” she said.
“Since people are staying in
their homes longer versus
selling to move into another
home, these neutrals and
small points of color — and
other customizations — are
becoming more popular.”
For more elaborate
customizations, 3D printing
allows homeowners to
custom-design faucet
shapes, H-Millard said.
Cozy and connected
Th e tech-friendly kitchen is
here to stay, with conveniences
like voice-activated faucets,
smart fridges and charging
stations. A 2018 National
Kitchen and Bath Association
study found there was a sizable
gap between what consumers
are seeing and hearing in
the marketplace versus what
they actually have in their
kitchens, but that gap is closing
quickly, H-Millard said.
“Besides the cool factor for
the intelligently built kitchen,
it has a true safety factor as
well, and can be tremen-
dously helpful as people
live in place and grow older
in the homes,” she said.
Th e kitchen island is the
center of the home. Islands
and double islands used to
house the sink, cooktops,
prepping countertops and
even warming drawers and
under-counter refrigeration,
all in one area keep people
together, H-Millard said.
Because of that tendency
to gather in the kitchen,
“cabinetry, fl ooring and
countertops/surfaces are
taking on characteristics
of furniture,” H-Millard
said. In some instances top
cabinets may be replaced
with open shelving for a
modern look, she said.
“Th e idea is that the kitchen
and the open family rooms
look like they belong and
there’s less of a stark contrast
from kitchen to family
room,” H-Millard said.
Making a splash
“Th e soaking tub made
a huge splash in 2018, as a
popular bath remodel was
removing the standard tub
and putting a soaking tub
in its place,” H-Millard said.
“Statement showers, usually
with room for two people
with curbless entry, will
remain popular in 2019.”
Th e wet room, where both
the soaking tub and statement
shower share one space
with one drain, is growing
in popularity, she said.
Also on the rise are the
smart toilet and bidet seats
that can be affi xed to a toilet.
As people move toward
healthier, more eco-friendly
lifestyles, cleansing is
preferred over paper, and
younger generations are
looking to these technologies
for ways to help the
environment, H-Millard said.
“Smart toilets can also
analyze your waste. You move
to the sink to wash your
hands and your smart mirror
KITCHEN
& BATH
trends
DESIGNED
By Melissa Erickson
BATH DESIGNED BY SHEA PUMAREJO
has the analysis written on the
mirror,” she said. “Technology
in the bath — and the kitchen
— will have a big breakthrough
in 2019 as more and more
people are aging in the homes
and living in place and looking
to be healthier and safer.”
One spa amenity that
is making its way into
the home bathroom is
a deprivation tank.
“Th ese are making an
entrance as the tanks are
becoming more beautiful and
sculptured,” H-Millard said.
“Toto makes a deprivation
tank that contours to your
body and, by voice activation,
spills a waterfall of water onto
your shoulders as you deprive
yourself of sound and sight.”
For a unique fi nish, con-
sider an application of black
in the bathroom, with black
stones or surfaces as well
as matte black fi xtures and
faucets, H-Millard said.
Spring Vermont Home, Garden & Auto 2019 • 15