2012 Trends Post: Cabinetry (Guest Post by Sarah Reep of Masco Cabinetry)

I met Sarah Reep, Masco Cabinetry's Director of Designer Relations and Education, at the 2011 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and found her to be one of the best-informed folks I’ve met about what’s happening in our industry these days.

Chances are, you don’t know the Masco name. But I'll bet you've seen their very popular KraftMaid brand, if not budget-minded Quality or builder line Merillat. When I designed kitchens and baths at The Home Depot, KraftMaid was my most-frequently used brand. I still specify it through local dealers.

I will share that Masco Cabinetry isn’t a cutting edge trend-setter, the way many of the high-end European brands are. (Those trends currently include luxury laminates, integrated handles and frameless construction.) What Masco brands do offer, though, is a reliable indicator of the trends you’re going to see in your neighborhood this year, not just in magazines or design centers. That's why I asked Sarah to pen this post for us.

In Sarah’s words then…

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This year, cabinetry will be anything but bland. From finishes to layouts, more and more homeowners are experimenting with cabinetry design. The trends right now are all about style, functionality and customization. If you’re designing or updating your kitchen in 2012, look to these trends for inspiration:


Dark Finish, Contrasted with a Splash of Color

Dark, rich finishes have been increasing in popularity. This trend will continue into 2012 as homeowners choose darker, warmer colors over more traditional natural and mid-tone finishes. Look, too, for painted finishes in vivid tones and colorful door inserts that show off a homeowner’s sense of fun.

Dark finishes like KraftMaid's Onyx with pops of color will continue to trend in 2012

Multi-generational Planning

It’s not uncommon to find relatives at both ends of the age spectrum living together under one roof these days. As the number of multi-generational homes continues to rise, home design will need to take each generation’s needs into consideration. Staggering countertop heights with shorter cabinets is one way to cater to all generations. This variation can create areas for small children, wheelchair users and those who prefer to sit while preparing meals.

A multi-generational kitchen includes counter-height cabinetry, lowered microwave and universal design-friendly Passport cabinets from KraftMaid

More Storage Accessories

According to a recent research study conducted by Merillat Cabinets, 84 percent of consumers consider storage features to be the most important in their cabinetry decision process — in fact, this consideration is second only to price. In 2012, look for an even wider availability of storage accessories to be available for your cabinetry needs.

Pull-outs, roll outs and other great accessories are now available for builder cabinets, as seen in this Merillat kitchen

Soft-Close Doors Now Standard

This year, Masco Cabinetry has made soft-close doors standard on its Kraftmaid and Merillat Masterpiece lines. This was once a feature available only to custom cabinetry clients. We’re proud to make this anti-slam technology available to more builders and homeowners than ever before this year. Plus, new hardware technology incorporates the soft close feature right into the hinge for a cleaner, simpler look, too.

Soft-close doors, once a custom-only feature, are now standard on Merillat Masterpiece cabinets (shown here) and KraftMaid via Whisper Touch new, integrated hinge

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Enjoy more cabinet trends in these Kitchen, Bath and Living Spaces Ideabooks on Houzz.com.

SENSIBLE STYLE - Pet-friendly Kitchens

Curiosity actually can kill your cat. And an old dog's new tricks may leave messes around your kitchen. So how do you make this hard-working space friendly for both four and two-legged occupants? That's what this edition of Sensible Style is all about.

Since this is an area in which I have blissfully little experience-being happily pet-free for the past nine years-I decided to bring in some experts for this post. They include a veterinarian, a custom cabinetmaker and a professional organizer.


About that killer first line...

I asked Dr. Holly Trief, VMD, of San Francisco, a veterinarian for 24 years and my older sister for, well, longer than that, what kitchen-related injuries she sees most often in her patients.

These are the first three on her list, and all are preventable with some changes to your kitchen:

• "Burns to cat paws from jumping on stoves.


• "Digestive upset/obstructions from [eating] items in the trash, such as chicken bones, plastic wrappers, sponges, Brillo pads, and [eating] items off table and counter tops, most commonly seen in dogs but occasionally in cats too.


• "Electric cord injuries, especially in kittens. Dogs will also chew on electrical cords.

Burn free

You can reduce the chance of your cat burning its paws by changing from gas or electric cooking to induction. An induction burner will only heat up when there's a pot covering it. It will also cool faster than an electric or gas burner.

If changing your range or cooktop is not an option right now, and you have a curious cat, you can keep the burners covered when they're not in use.

Protect your pet's paws from burning with a Burner Kover from Range Kleen

Doggone it, Fido's gotten into the trash again

Our childhood German shepherd would do this. So did my lab stepdog, on occasion. What both dogs' kitchens had in common was a tall, open trash can. It was an invitation to mayhem, if you think about it. You can minimize the likelihood of this happening in your kitchen by moving the trash to a closed cabinet. Even if Fido smells something yummy inside, chances are he can't get to it.

Consider a trash pull-out for a base cabinet as a solution. Often, they'll fit in the open space below the sink, which happens to be a very convenient spot. Pull-outs come in various sizes and configurations. A two-can model will hold both recyclables and trash. They're available online and at many home centers.

Stop your dog from trashing your kitchen with a cabinet accessory like this Rev-A-Shelf pull-out

Shockingly-simple solutions

The simplest way to save your pets from electrocution is to unplug your countertop appliances when they're not in use. This will also help save money and the planet by using less electricity. However, that won't solve everyone's problems, especially if the pet chews an appliance cord when it's in use.

Dr. Trief recommends a baby gate to keep pets out of the kitchen while you're cooking. That would greatly reduce the chance of an electric cord mishap, or a cooking burn, for that matter.

If your kitchen entrance doesn't lend itself to being closed off, (as is the case in some open plan layouts), an appliance garage could be an alternate solution. Keeping the toaster oven out-of-sight can keep your pet from hurting itself. (Just be careful not to forget about the appliance yourself if it's in use, and read the manuals for ventilation requirements!) Garages are most often installed during a remodel, and can be factored into your next update.

An appliance garage, like this one from Armstrong, can keep your cat from chewing appliance cords

More vet cautions

Dr. Trief shares these additional pet hazards:

• "Some people bathe their pets in the sink. Be careful about drain traps that have holes that claws can get caught in.
  


• "Open dishwashers can be a hazard, especially if people load them with the knife blade pointed upwards, (particularly for dogs).
  


• "Fumes from overheating non-stick pans produce chemicals (polytetrafluoroethylene) can be toxic to birds. Smoke and fumes from other burnt items in the kitchen are also dangerous for birds.
  


• "Cleaning products and dishwasher detergents can cause chemical burns and digestive upset, (diarrhea and vomiting). This is seen mostly in dogs.

All of these, in my opinion, speak to exercising a level of caution with your pets that you'd give to a toddler. In fact, this experienced vet points out that pet-proofing your home is not unlike baby-proofing it.

Planning around your pet

Pets, like babies, come with a lot of gear and their own set of nature calls. Some, like St. Bernards and Newfoundlands, slobber quite a bit. Others, especially pups, chew like crazy. Cats jump onto whatever they can reach. (We won't even tackle claw sharpening!) Aging pets and cuddly young ones have accidents. How do you factor all this into your kitchen redesign?

If you're planning a remodel, you just build it in. In addition to the components listed above, you have numerous other options available to you. Let me share a few off the top of my own head.

I'd select Corian for its repairability, or engineered stone countertops for their durability and non-porousness as a hedge against jumping cats and large bird claws. After all, you don't want whatever they've eaten on the top to seep into it. Nor do you want permanent damage from their claws.

I'd specify rectified porcelain tile flooring for its durability against large dog claws, and for its minimal grout lines, which also makes clean-up easier.

I would design in a place for pet food, pet bowls and other pet gear you need to keep handy, maybe even a bed if the kitchen is where you want your precious pet to sleep. More about this in the next section.

I'd also choose a scrubbable paint for your walls to easily remove pet marks.

Choosing the right paint, like Sherwin-Williams' Duration Home Interior Latex, can make pet marks so much more cleanable.

Satin and Semi-gloss are both great kitchen paint finishes. Semi-gloss, in particular, is perfect for frequently-cleaned areas like kitchens. It can also be used on cabinets, as well as walls, for an affordable update.

Designing around your pet

Just as you create spaces for your dishware, cookware and glassware, consider creating spaces in your kitchen for your pet and petware. You can achieve this with the help of a professional kitchen designer in your area--find one on NKBA.org--along with good space planning and the right cabinetry configurations.

First, consider which pet products you want to keep in the kitchen, and which pet needs you want to meet there. (Hint: I wouldn't place the litter box within sniffing distance!) Your designer can help you determine the optimum space allowance and location for your pet station. That's going to vary widely from one household to another.

You don't need a custom cabinet line to achieve your pet center either. A skilled designer can weave together elements from a stock or semi-custom cabinet line to create the storage you need.

A talented designer can create an affordable pet center, like this one using Merillat cabinets

Building around your pet

If you are using custom cabinetry, you'll have more options in creating a pet center tailored to your home and animal.

Nadja Pentic of Case 540 in Alameda, Cal. recommends MDF core with a melamine finish for the cabinet's construction. (MDF stands for Medium Density Fiberboard, a very durable, non-warping wood composite.) "I think MDF would be more resilient than particle board to constant spills and messes and give the cabinets more longevity.. Melamine is also very easy to clean."

Pentic suggests glossy laminates for a contemporary kitchen's cabinet exteriors. While laminate can be damaged by pet claws, it's affordable to replace, she notes. She also believes the glossy exterior will have less scratch-appeal. (It's also very 'in' right now for Euro-style, I might add!)
I asked her to design a pet center for Sensible Style readers, which you can see below.

Pentic-designed cat center by Case 540, with space for feeding and storage

Here's a large dog center design by Pentic, as well.

Organizing around your pet

Professional organizer Jessica Barna of Kitchens Resolved in San Diego suggests organizing your pet cabinet to hold medicines and vitamins, toothbrushes and paste, flea and tick medicines, waste bags, grooming tools, treats, food and even your pet's medical records. Locate their food and water dish nearby, too, she suggests.

Barna also suggests:

• "Inside of your pet cabinet, group like items with like. Also, group items together that you use at the same time.
  


• "Traveling supplies can be in a small box in the back of your pet area - they are needed rarely, and they need to be grouped for easy grab-and-go.
  


• "Have a "vet kit" that you can grab when you are headed to the vet (or in case of an emergency). This can be a small folder or accordion file with pet history, list of meds, a few treats, etc.


• "Are you your own pet's groomer? Have a grooming container: store brushes, nail clips and files, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. It will be very easy to pull out your grooming container, groom, and put it away."

Final thoughts from a pet-free blogger

Even though I may never need these tips myself, I'm grateful to my editor for suggesting this topic, and to animal lovers Dr. Holly Trief, Nadja Pentic and Jessica Barna for their invaluable insights.

If you're an animal lover, too, and want to honor your pet with a beautiful personalized kitchen element, consider a custom wood carving or mosaic to celebrate your beastly beloved's fine, furry, finned or feathered self.

A fish lover's stunning mosaic aquarium by New Ravenna

If you have pet-friendly kitchen insights to share, please feel free to comment below. Also enjoy my other Sensible Style posts by clicking on one of the links on the right column of this blog.

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If you enjoyed this post, please check out more pet-friendly kitchen ideas at Kitchen Views, which included quotes from me and other professionals on their informative blog.

Live from the International Builders Show 2010

The show is coming to an end this afternoon and attendees are heading home. Like the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show last spring, it was a smaller event than in past years, but exhibitors were happy with the quality of leads they got, if not the overall quantity of traffic.

My goal in attending these events is to see the latest products my readers and clients would find appealing for their homes. IBS2010 didn’t disappoint in that regard. Here are those I found most notable.


Kohler

Kohler always has innovative and stylish products. On the innovative end is the Conceal Mirrored Cabinet and Lock Box. What a terrific way to keep prescription medicines secured from curious children, prying guests or open house shoppers.


On the stylish end, Kohler has introduced the Vault 18-gauge stainless sink that works as a drop-in or undermount. While good-looking contemporary sinks are easily found in the undermount class, they’re much harder to find for drop-in applications. This one has a very sleek edge that separates it from its clunky cousins! It's also available in a single bowl style.


Brizo

Always in style, Delta’s upscale Brizo brand, introduced an elegant new faucet series called Virage. It’s available in numerous finishes and a non-aerated water stream that accentuates its clean, classic lines. I personally loved the polish nickel. Not a game changer, just a lovely looker worth writing home about.



KitchenAid

KitchenAid has come up with a new French Door refrigerator that answers the prayers of moms everywhere who want to show off their kids’ photos and art. Rather than magnets and paper, parents scan juniors' artwork onto a memory stick and upload it to the fridge's USB port, where it will "hang" for as long as you want to display it. The LCD panel has other functions, as well, like displaying recipe substitutions and measurement conversions, but to my mind, the ability to personalize it with kid pics and vacation shots tops them all! (FYI, I mentioned to KitchenAid's brand manager that a future version with food preservation guidelines would be another great feature to include. She agreed.)



Amana

Also in the Whirlpool family is a fun new fridge called the Amana Quick Tap. The dispenser can be filled with any beverage of your choice, and would be ideal for game rooms. It’s adorable and affordable.



Whirlpool

Whirlpool also introduced a super-convenient feature to its newest refrigerator called MicroEtch. What it does is prevent spills from escaping from a shelf and leaking down the sides and bottom of the fridge. I wish I would have had that last month when a Coke glass tipped over on the top shelf just before a house showing! This fridge also has good lines, LED lighting and excellent capacity, too. The anti-spill feature, though, is what makes it a must-have.




Merillat

Merillat's builder cabinetry line has also addressed leakage with its new CoreGuard feature for sink base cabinets. These are the most vulnerable to plumbing leaks and can be a real hassle to replace once damaged. CoreGuard replaces the standard wood box with a plastic one. Only the removable face frame and doors are wood, to offer a consistent look. The floor is also tilted forward, so that leaks are easier to identify. Cleanup of household cleaning products is easier in this storage area, too. Let’s call this concept a Game Changer!




Cedar Mountain

A vanity line that you’re not likely to find in a builder model, home center or kitchen and bath showroom is Cedar Mountain’s custom log vanities. Each one is customized from a different tree for the homeowner’s space and sink choice. I could see them fitting in beautifully in a mountain home or log cabin. Not for everyone, certainly, but beautifully made and highly specialized.



Aquatic

Another bathroom innovation is Aquatic’s Ava Bath. This accessible tub is a departure from the standard walk-in model and offers nicer design points than is typical in this class. As I told one of its executives at the show, it’s not quite designer quality yet, but it’s a huge leap forward. It’s also not going to meet every user’s accessibility needs, but neither do the walk-ins. Aquatic is definitely on the right track with this Game Changer.



New City Door

I really like the door offerings from this Israeli company. New City Door's styles are sharp and a homeowner has the option of changing out the panels if their taste changes in future years. They offer glass and laminates in bold and subtle patterns.


Bertch

This well-respected cabinetry maker has just launched a line of exterior doors that can be coordinated with its cabinets. Imagine having the capability to have your kitchen door stain and door style coordinate with your cabinets and the glass inserts repeat in your cabinetry's focal points. I love the design possibilities of this capacity. Bertch also makes coordinating interior doors, which would work great for walk-in pantry applications. The exterior ones are so new that there is no official photography yet. This is my iPhone floor shot.




Cree LED Lighting

Cree is offering LED remodeler recessed light kits with color rendering far superior to what’s been on the market in the past few years. They’re also developing a real game changer: an LED bulb that will replace incandescents in every lamp, chandelier and wall sconce in your home. Consider the energy savings inherent in this capability. These should be available by the end of the year. Look for them in your local home center after Halloween; your electric bills will be less scary as a result!


Kanaflex

Not being a plumber, I wasn’t familiar with this company before the show. Known mostly for hoses and the like, Kanaflex has gone in a new direction with a super-lightweight stone composite panel that can be used for countertops, shower surrounds, baseboards, backsplashes and fireplace surrounds. KanaStone has numerous design applications and various sizes and thicknesses to meet them. They are as beautiful as their granite and marble skins, but more affordable and easier to work with. They’re so new that there is no official photography. Here's my iPhone floor shot.



Shirestone Custom Countertops

Shirestone is another great surfacing option. It is not new for 2010, though their highly-textured outdoor tops, I’m told, are. This material is non-porous, making it highly stain resistant and low maintenance. It is also a pour-in-place product, like cement, so that it can surround columns or extend great distances and curves without seams. It can even go over existing tops, like outdated laminates, making a small scale remodel possible with a huge visual impact.



Click here for companion post, More from the International Builders Show.