The Rise of the Island: Kitchen Trends for 2017
Take a look at how trend-setters are experimenting with neutral colors, transitional styles, and innovative kitchen islands and counters.
Sponsored by DuPont Zodiaq
This is a time of transition in kitchen design, away from traditional colors and shapes, especially among millennials. Browsing the FineHomebuilding.com archive, one can see that innovative ideas and changing tastes are driving the evolution of the way people use and enjoy their kitchen spaces. In colors, the move is toward whites and neutral colors. In styles, fewer are enamored of “traditional” styles, and more are interested in “transitional” styles. Coming up fast: artisanal-like interest in Farmhouse and Shaker styles.
These trends are even more pronounced among younger people, according to a recent analysis in the Washington Post. Millennials like greys, while Boomers like warmer colors. They are also eager to experiment and give new prominence to kitchen islands. In the slide show below, take a look at how these trends are playing out for cabinets, counters, and islands.
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This elegant counter comes with an extra feature, a slot for food scraps that drops right into a removable compost bin below the counter. The custom lid keeps utensils from accidentally dropping in and odors from coming back up.
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For those who want the best of both worlds, this kitchen farmhouse sink combines an exterior of patina-prone copper with a smooth and easy-to-clean stainless-steel interior. The two die-pressed halves are soldered together with an invisible seam, creating a doublewall form that’s filled with foam to muffle the tinny sounds common to metal sinks. The double wall also allows the sink to be mounted on top of the counter as a vessel as well as under the counter, flush, or partially exposed.
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SPONSORED: Introducing Venetia Cream from the Zodiaq® Pietra Collection. The ethereal silver sage Venetia Cream on the countertop adds a lustrous shine to the heavyset island and dark-toned floor, lightening the mood and ensuring the kitchen is the center of attention.
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In the 2016 Fine Homebuilding ProHOME demonstration house, the kitchen countertop and backsplash, and the main and master bath vanity countertops, along with the tub deck, are all surfaced with Caesarstone quartz — a type of engineered stone made from crushed or ground quartz stone (90%-95%) and polymer resin.
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In this inventive project, the architect and builder collaborated on a rolling island to sit in the center of the client’s hardworking kitchen. Topped with natural butcher block and set atop locking caster wheels, the island is mobile and can serve as a work surface or serving buffet when entertaining guests.
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SPONSORED: Introducing London Sky from the Zodiaq® Pietra Collection. The cloudy beige London Sky motif on the countertop and backsplash elegantly contrasts with cabinets in a dark wood veneer to create a sophisticated kitchen decor in an urban townhouse. Discover new colors at zodiaq.com/2017newcolors.
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This beautiful and functional kitchen sink counter is an exceptionally handsome piece of design. The house in Maine was originally built in 1807, but a new owner who was having modifications made to the house had this sink unit built in 1859 — and it still stands today.
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This was a complete remodel using the existing space. The kitchen is highlighted by Carerra counter tops, a white ceramic subway tile backsplash, a beadboard ceiling, and antique stained yellow pine wide plank flooring.
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This remodel of a 1921 kitchen started with a gut-out right down to the framing. This redesign features a better visual connection to the covered back porch and yard, more counter space, more natural light, and light-colored surfaces. The floor is 6-in. by 36-in. porcelain tiles with urethane quartz grout; these complement the new quartz counter tops.
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SPONSORED: Introducing Versilia Grigio from the Zodiaq® Pietra Collection. Clad in the eye-catching veined pattern of Versilia Grigio, the sleek island is set against traditional parquet flooring and becomes a striking kitchen centerpiece. Discover new colors at zodiaq.com/2017newcolors.
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This kitchen features a variety of top materials to create a striking space. Granite, stainless steel and natural wood are all arranged based on specific kitchen tasks. Granite is used for its durability, stainless steel for its cleanliness and natural wood for its soft to the touch comfort. Perfect for an entertaining and dining bar.
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Thoughtful design and careful production of this kitchen counter solves a nagging problem in most kitchens. By having permanent grooves in the counter to drain the drying rack’s water back to the sink, the typical unsightly and ineffective drain board is eliminated — an elegant solution.
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This new kitchen on the coast of Maine features granite countertops in tones and patterns intended to replicate those found at sea.
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What are the blue patterned tiles for the backsplash?
Oh, don’t even remember kitchen trends. I recently made repairs to myself in the kitchen and I had seen enough of them: European style, Asian, Gothic, post-modernism. It just freaked me out. But, the benefit of this nightmare soon ended and the only thing that pleased me was the new dishes that we bought after the repair. A particularly cool thing is the ceramic dutch oven from https://skilletdirector.com/reviews/ceramic-dutch-oven/. I can now cook the most exquisite recipes thanks to her. Thanks to the manufacturers for the masterpiece