Article and Photos by Deb Seminary
Since this issue is about food, Inspired Woman talked with someone responsible for some of the most inspiring kitchens in central North Dakota. He told us about trends we will be seeing in kitchens around the area.
It’s one of the most important rooms in the house. Anyone who has ever entertained knows the crowd always ends up in the kitchen. This phenomenon has caused many to plan for a bigger kitchen space in new construction or a remodel.
Pinterest, Houzz, and the various cooking channels have also had an impact on the size of kitchens. People are excited to try new things; more family members are involved in the cooking process and meal preparation, so a larger space is needed.
Mike Emmel, owner of Interior Woodworks, has seen many changes in kitchen design over the years.
“Right now people are wanting a cleaner, fresh look,” he says. “The lines are simpler, and we are seeing more cabinets with flat fronts and less detail.”
When asked about color trends, Emmel says white cabinets are still popular.
“People are asking for opaque finishes, cooler colors, and grays,” he stated. “Plus, contrasting colors are still desirable, either with a lighter color for top cabinets and darker color on the bottom, or complementary colors on cabinets and the island.”
And, speaking of islands…
“Since the kitchen is a place to congregate, the island needs to have room for all of that food and for people to gather around it,” explains Mike. “Islands are getting bigger.”
Not only are islands getting bigger, they are starting to look and act more like furniture. According to kitchen trend reports, islands have started extending into other living spaces and have multiple functions.
These larger islands are a testament that the open concept kitchen is still a popular choice for homeowners. The formal dining space is almost non-existent, and breakfast nooks and islands have taken over.
The absence of upper cabinets
and/or open shelving is also a nod to the open concept. Homeowners are adding pantries to make up for the lost storage space.
“Big, practical sinks are what most people want now,” Mike says. “In hardware we are seeing more gold and larger pulls, making a bolder statement.”
Organization is still key. Custom drawers and special spaces for pans, knives, and even paper towels help customize kitchens for each family.
“It is important for everything to have its own space,” Mike states.
A special thank you to the homeowners who allowed us to photograph their lovely kitchen, which features many of the trends mentioned: large drawer pulls, gold hardware, great storage and organization nooks, contrasting colors, and the large island. Also note the SocialCorner Sink in the island, which allows for more work space.
Deb is a Senior Account Executive at Odney and the Executive Director of DisruptWell Summit. She enjoys meeting challenges head-on, learning new things, and a good IPA.