Color Trends Follow Natural Course for the New Millennium  

White might have been right for the ‘90s, but it's back to nature as we approach the new millennium. At least that's the opinion of some of America's leading manufacturers of fine cabinetry. As we move into the new millennium concern for the environment continues to make its impact on the color preferences for every room in the home. Instead of the stark white and high gloss of days past we're now seeing an increasing variety of greens, blues, and earthy tones being played against white, black, and off-white backgrounds. Similarly, consumers are seeing more yellows, reds, and some oranges making a strong showing in ethnic or regional themes. Purple, too, is continuing to play an important role, primarily as an accent but as a neutral in very pale versions as well.

In fact, all of the above colors are increasingly used in values that range from intense, saturated hues to lightly tinted whites and pastels. In general, there is an overall influence of warmer colors, either reds or yellows and including blues, greens, and purples in values that tend to be clear and clean rather than grayed or brown. Less definite are design trends for the '90s. While there seems to be no single strong direction, traditional designs remain popular because of the sense of stability and heritage they convey. Included among those more traditional designs are both the Shaker look, with its emphasis on clean, no nonsense lines, and the Country look, now more reminiscent of rustic log cabins and the Old West. A growing influence is also found in the Arts & Crafts or Mission look. Its turn-of-the-century association with the earth, craftsmanship, and sense of individuality mirrors many of the values people now want to return to. These more traditional design themes create further movement away from the "all-white syndrome" back to the light to mid-range wood tones -- the honey, amber, cider, and autumn shades on maple and cherry provided for elegance. The desire for a simpler, more humane life -- one more in-sync with Nature -- continues to be a driving force in design matters.


EXPERTS OFFER ADVICE ON MISTAKE-PROOF KITCHEN DESIGN
Taken from a variety of expert sources, we have compiled a list of the 10 most common mistakes people make when designing new or renovating old kitchens.

SHOPPING CABINET PRICE, RATHER THAN CABINET QUALITY AND SERVICE
"As always, you get what you pay for."

UNDERESTIMATING THE VALUE OF EXPERT INSTALLATION
"A bad leveling job alone can set off a chain reaction with the doors, moldings, everything."

NOT PUTTING POWER/ELECTRIC VENTS IN THEIR PROPER PLACES FIRST
"This is especially important with renovations where outlets have already been moved multiple times."

ASSUMING ALL APPLIANCES ARE "STANDARD" WITH REGARD TO SIZE AND INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
"Bosch dishwashers from Europe and SubZero refrigerators are just two examples of appliances requiring non-standard installation or outlets."

USING THE WRONG APPLIANCE FOR THE JOB/LOCATION
"For example, a middle island range should be a down-draft range for safety purposes."

NOT VERIFYING FIELD MEASUREMENTS
"All the doors, drawers, appliances, and islands must allow for proper clearances."

NOT ENSURING WHAT'S BEHIND THE DOORS, DRAWERS, ETC. WILL BE EQUALLY ACCESSIBLE
"Base cabinets without rollouts should be against the law."

NOT ALLOWING ENOUGH COUNTERTOP OVERHANG TO ACCOMMODATE DOOR STYLE
"A typical 25" deep countertop will not adequately overhang a full overlay door."

FAILING TO PLAN FOR ENOUGH KNEE ROOM UNDER BREAKFAST BAR
"People will end up having to sit sideways."

USING CERAMIC TILE FOR COUNTERTOPS
"They're almost never level, hard to clean, and difficult to repair should you need to replace a tile or two later on."

Those are the mistakes. Here's how to avoid them: Consult with a trained kitchen professional! Generally speaking, home centers have neither on staff. That's why we keep seeing some of these same mistakes over and over again. Even the computer programs aren't foolproof. Many times, they give buyers a false perspective of what the real-life kitchen will look and live like. Your best bet is to consult a professional -- the sooner, the better. More often than not, the fees for those professionals are included in the price of the cabinets. Even when there is a separate design fee charged, it's typically minimal and better regarded as an investment than a cost. Over the long run, using a professional up front is actually more economical in that you end up with better design, fewer mistakes, enhanced function, and an all-around safer kitchen. Better yet, because good design is timeless, there's also the potential for higher resale values should you move in the future.

FINE CABINETS OFFER STORAGE SOLUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE HOME

before there were laminates, quaint cottage finishes, and two-tone kitchen cabinets were more basic. They had doors and drawers, with shelves. And they stored "stuff." End of story. But Now, fine cabinets can be found in every room of the house. And they are any thing but basic.

Just as cabinetry has become more sophisticated over time so has its function. Cabinets are being used for storage still, but `storage' has a new meaning. We're not just somewhere to keep your stuff, dishes or cookware. Indeed, in just the bedroom, cabinets take the form wall systems, tables, sweater chests, armoires, even hide away Murphy beds. In living and dining rooms, people are using buffets, entertainment centers, china hutches, and display cases crafted from artistic cabinetry. Other places we are seeing a lot of work on display is in dens and offices with bookcases, desks, file cabinets, wet bars and even wine racks.

Of course, the basic "cabinet" in the kitchen has changed over time as well. Today's innovative inclusions are things such as spice drawers, mixer cabinets, and knife blocks. Are among today's more popular storage solutions.

 

Please call Al's Finish Carpentry at: 714-664-8824

 

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