I learned about Rebekah Zaveloff and her firm KitchenLab from the always wonderful Strange Closets blog, which was featuring her home.
I used one of those photos in my post about my 2010 inspirations and was so moved by her style that I asked her to write a guest post for The Design File looking ahead to 2010 kitchen design trends. She even provided photos of some of her own projects, including the first photo below.
I'm thrilled that she said yes and know that her post below will really get you thinking!
Kitchen Trends for 2010 by Rebekah Zaveloff
I don’t know why, but the term “trend” has always bothered me … possibly because the word has been disconnected from its meaning by overuse.
So just like in grade school, I started by looking up the definition and the
synonyms got me much more excited than the root word. My guest post is going
to focus on “trend” as inclination, direction,
course, tendency and less on “trend” as fad,
rage, newest thing.
One of the reasons for avoiding trends in kitchens and baths is that so much of what we do is permanent … and expensive. Flooring, tile, cabinetry, countertops, holes drilled for decorative hardware – so much more permanent than paint color, throw pillows, rugs, lamps, and accessories.
That said, the one prevailing trend that I see everywhere right now is a more sophisticated version of the "cheap thrill," the spruce up, the makeover – whatever you want to call it.
Unless a homeowner is in need of a full gut-remodel, or in the position to afford one, a lot of people are looking for a way to re-work and re-arrange what they already have. Combine that with it being a new year -- and the human psyche’s need to get a fresh start -- and you have a compulsion to redecorate at the very least.
So, with that in mind, I’ve listed a few of
my favorite ways to do upgrades around the kitchen if you aren’t looking to do
a full-on remodel right now.
- Take some risks that are easily reversible…. So many people were focused on resale value for so long – it’s your house, have fun and let it reflect you and your personality while you live in it.
- The cheapest, cheap thrill available: paint. Go light and bright, neutral and soothing, dark and moody, bright and gutsy – whatever you’ve been dying to do, but kept putting it off for the big remodel or for fear of making a mistake. The only downside is that if you get sick of it you have to muster up the energy to re-paint when it becomes tired, dated or dull. Try to pretend you 20 and in your first apartment (and that you’re landlord will let you paint) – get creative.
The photos at right and below are both here compliments of Apartment Therapy.
Add a wallpapered feature wall. Or do the whole room!
- Update cabinet hardware. There’s no excuse for boring and functional anymore with so much available. Go modern, glam, or romantic – there are tons more styles to choose from than there once were.
- Upgrade appliances. If you’re in the market for new appliances… this is a great time to take advantage of sales and floor model discounts. Check carefully that the sizes are compatible with your existing space or you could get yourself into that full on rehab you didn’t intend.
- Carve out a casual sitting area, like the one above in the room by Levenson McDavid Architects. Analyze the space in your kitchen and see if you can squeeze in a table and 2 comfy chairs for guests.
- Freshen up light fixtures. I’m amazed at how many of us don’t notice the light fixtures we have unless we’re doing a full-on remodel. I’m guilty of this as well. Put in a fun modern pendant or chandelier, create contrast, break rules, buy something because you love it – not because you think it ‘matches’. Then call that electrician and get his butt over there to hang it. While you’re at it, have him put all those lights on dimmers.
The photos below are from Light Locations.
- Paint your windows and doors an accent color, or black! It gives the kitchen that industrial look or warmer/ European climate look to any kitchen. The photo below is from It's Complicated on Remodelista.
- Add vintage pieces that have patina. This
adds character to any kitchen and makes it feel collected. Get that old beat up
farm table you’ve been eyeing, or that tall rustic cabinet that you couldn’t
find a home for. Find new uses for old things. I
pulled an old tall cabinet out of our basement, gave it a coat of black paint, and re-purposed it as an extra pantry. It doesn’t match anything else in the kitchen and I love it.
- Install some open shelves and start a collection. Find some unused space on a wall or 2 and start collecting dishes, small objects, travel items, books, kitchen related or not. Personal items tell a story and make a space more inviting. The photo at right is from Macinate on Flickr.
- Change out the countertops: This is
something I typically warn homeowners to avoid unless their existing cabinets
are in decent shape. Even if they’re dated, oak cabinets – paint them if
they’re decent shape
and you don’t have any doors or drawers falling off! Then install that new countertop!
- Install a backsplash. Now we’re talking about a little more commitment….but nothing changes a kitchen like a great tile backsplash that reflects your personality. I am a tile nut, all shapes and sizes. This is the single most important thing to add character to a bland kitchen.
The photos at right and below are KitchenLab designs.
