Home Decor
Our biggest post of the year around here is undoubtedly our kitchen trends exploration in January. You and the internet at large just love to see what’s new in these utilitarian-cum-showpiece spaces in our homes. So we decided to do a mid-year check-in to see what else might have materialized in our research since then, and wow, am I smitten. I think you will be, too.
Let’s deep dive.
#1: Double Bullnose Counter Edges
I have to be honest. I’m not 100% certain that this countertop edge finish is even called a “double bull nose,” but that’s what I started calling it when I first saw it (some Google searches confirmed at least some people also call it this). Then, like learning a new word and hearing it constantly after, I’ve been seeing this absolutely nonstop ever since. It is far and away the most prevalent “trend” I’ve found in the kitchen space (as well as the bathroom) this year and as much as I mentally retreat from a concept the more I see it, I really love this detail. It feels somehow classic and modern at the same time. You can see a close-up here by Decus Interiors.
Prepare yourself because this space by Anne Mcdonald Design for Isla Porter will make another appearance in this post (keep reading), but for now, it’s here to showcase the DBN (double bull nose) edge finish fully. I think this technique works particularly well on a heavily veined stone because it creates a bit more depth in the inset middle line. At full scale (meaning, seeing a kitchen, pulled back), it’s subtle but powerful.
We shared Sarah Sherman Samuel’s delicious kitchen for Semihandmade in our January kitchen trends post for different reasons, but it’s such a glorious space that we had to keep breaking it down to the details, including its use of the DBN counter edge.
Though I know I *just* said I prefer this treatment on a heavily veined natural stone, there is nothing wrong with it on a more subtle stone, either (it’s just a preference!). Our trendy gal, the DBN, looks wonderful here in this kitchen by House Nine Design.
#2: Red Marble
This one is bold, and not for the design meek, but wow, does it make an impact. Red, pink, and burgundy marbles have been slowly edging their way into our kitchen design vernacular, and I believe it’s broken out of the fringes to be more widely accepted. Red marble comes in maybe different types, just like other marbles, and some names you may want to acquaint yourself with if you’re dreaming of adding this to a future renovation are as follows: Rosso Collemandina, Rosso Levanto, Rosso Verona, Rosso Arabescato Orobico, Rosso Peperino, Rojo Alicante…and many more (note that some of the “rosso” labeling could also be “rojo” or simply “red” depending on origin and how the store is selling it). I’ve never typed “rosso” more in my life, but it’s a good idea to study all the different kinds to learn which shades and veining types are right for you.
The one here in this beautiful kitchen by Susannah Holmberg Studios appears to be Rojo Bilbao marble, though it’s hard to tell as the image is dark. One comment on the post mentions it’s an Alicante, but that didn’t look right to me. Either way, it’s a beautiful stone color to use as an accent or throughout.
Some red marbles have a white base and red veining, such as this surface in a kitchen by new-on-the-scene custom cabinetry company Isla Porter. This one is likely either a Calacatta Viola or Calacatta Borgogna, though I’m sure someone with expertise in natural stone could tell you more accurately if you were interested in it for your own home.
This stone in a kitchen by Abhishek Dekate is similar in coloring but far more dramatic. It’s stunning with a dark-toned wood cabinetry and darker bronze accents. A thick edge lip on the counter helps show it off even more. And because it would be hard to find a tile that could compete with this, if budget allows, it simply must be brought up on the wall, too.
No, this isn’t red, but it’s in the family, so I’m allowing it. How gorgeous is this pink stone (a Breccia Pernice marble), which is quieter and would be great with more of a linen or taupe cabinetry, similar to how it’s shown here in a post by the stone gallery, Starel Stones.
Here’s a Rosso Rubino marble from another stone purveyor, SSC Countertops out of Vancouver, BC. Their post mentions it’s resistant to scratches and heat, making it a great material choice for countertops and even flooring.
I’ve been in love with this kitchen by Workstead for nearly two years, having bookmarked it numerous times (basically, every time I see it), on all my inspiration hoarding platforms. It’s where I first saw a red stone and thought OMG I HAVE TO HAVE THIS ONE DAY. This is a warmer, brighter red than some of the burgundies and pinks shown above, but it really comes to life with the matching persimmon cabinetry. I’ll never tire of seeing this one.
#3: Dark Wood Cabinetry & Paneling
White oak and similar blonde woods (as well as white or painted cabinetry) have reigned supreme for well over a decade, but dark wood tones have slowly made a comeback. First in furniture, now abundantly in our kitchens. Unlike the vibrant red-toned cherry cabinets we all held on a Tuscan-inspired pedestal in the early 2000s, this dark brown wood is rich but neutral. You’ll find it both in traditional styles as well as more contemporary profiles, such as in this kitchen by Decus Interiors.
Another one above by Decus Interiors, but I wanted to show it because of the lighter floors they paired with the dark cabinets. I think these would also work well with a creamy-hued stone floor, such as limestone, or even something like slate if you get enough natural light (otherwise, it may feel cave-like).
Unnecessary Projects paired their warm wood cabinetry with a black stone, but kept it from getting too heavy with a blonde herringbone floor. (Note the wood handles and pulls in the same stain as the cabinets…beautiful.)
I always enjoy seeing the work of Norm Architects—possibly because it’s the complete opposite of how I envision my future dream home—including the quiet, simple luxury of the kitchen here by Danish cabinet makers Kolon. I can’t imagine making any kind of mess in here, let alone leaving a rogue crumb, but the tidiness and warmth of the materials is a nice vacation for my mind.
#4: Paneling > Tile
We can thank the rise in popularity of the English kitchen with the onslaught of paneling use, where tile was king. I love a good tile moment (like LOVE), but you have to admit shiplap, tongue and groove, and beadboard sure do up the ante on the charm factor in a kitchen. To keep it more “now,” opt for a modern tone like the earthy brown in the kitchen above by The Misfit House.
Jean Stoffer is American cabinet royalty IMHO, and she and her team love leaning into the use of paneling in a kitchen to achieve that pie-cooling-on-the-window-sill vibe (but make it elevated). Here, the wood is used throughout all walls and the ceiling, though you’ll often see it just along one or two walls where you might otherwise see tile.
Beadboard painted in the same color as your cabinetry can be much more affordable than solid slab marble (not to mention lighter without needing as much reinforcement for an added shelf). In a saturated burgundy like the vignette here by Uns Hobbs Interiors, the look is classic but forward-thinking.
Interior designer and content creator Lauren Costello revamped her 1930s Cape Cod kitchen for just over $1,000 (with no demo), including the MDF she used to cover her existing wall tile that no longer suited her aesthetic.
#5: Custom Edge Shapes On Slab Backsplashes
Slab stone has been popular as a backsplash material for a while now (it gives a kitchen a clean, luxurious vibe), but the new iteration of this is custom edge shapes. Here is one example—by Theresa Ory Interiors—I’ve been seeing more often, with an arabesque-style design around the range up into the hood. It’s lovely.
I cannot stop looking at this photo (the home was designed by Anna Knight Interiors). The sinuous, tapered shape up from the countertops around the windows is subtle but striking.
I warned you I’d be showing you Anne McDonald’s kitchen for Isla Porter again, this time to call out the gorgeous marble detailing around the windows. It would be stunning in just a straight angled cut, but it’s so much more romantic this way, dontcha think?
Gotta love a good ol’ scallop detailing. Thank you, Intimiate Living Interiors, for the beautiful inspiration.
As all the examples I’ve shown of this trend have been fairly classic and traditional, I wanted to pull something more modern to show that custom edging details on a wall slab can work in a contemporary setting, too. I’m particularly smitten with the delicate nosing trim here by Caroline Andreoni.
#6: Butter Yellow
Butter yellow has had a chokehold on cabinetry in the last year, and I am Here*For*It. It’s such a wonderful departure from all the white, cream, and green we’ve seen so much of over the past five or so years. Sherwood Kypreos used Farrow & Ball Matchstick here, which works beautifully with the red on the island and the teal floor tile for a buffet of color that still somehow feels subdued.
We first explored this beautiful kitchen by Sarah Sherman Samuel for her new paintable line for Semihandmade when we were discussing the double bull nose edge, but it’s such a perfect creamy, hand-churned butter color, it also had to go down here. It picks up the warm golden tones of the marble beautifully, and is in harmony with the stone floor.
Butter yellow seems to be primed for use with an accent color elsewhere on the cabinetry, like the grassy green on the island here in a space by Plain English. This hue has a way of looking like it’s been there forever, marinating in the sun, yet still feels really refreshing in terms of cabinetry colors we haven’t seen much of prior.
Just when you thought whipped butter yellow was just for traditional kitchens, in comes this modern, cool and edgy room by Sarah Chirazi. Peep the handles shaped like corn and leeks (and even the pedestal table that, according to the caption, is adorned in bronze figs, peppers, and whatever a “gombo” is.
And since it wouldn’t be a kitchen roundup without something from deVol, here’s a peep into one of their kitchen designs (slide 1) featuring the color du jour.
#7: Bold Cabinet Interior Colors
File this one under Fun & Flirty. I love the idea of a peek-a-boo bold color inside a cabinet or drawer. It’s likely most impactful in one or two areas, say, in an appliance garage or a coffee bar. The electric blue in this kitchen by Himlekök is a perfect complement to the terracotta cabinetry.
Scroll to the second slide to see the gorgeous interior of this already gorgeous pistachio-tinted modern kitchen by Murray Barker. The orange interior is a callback to the earthy clay stone on the countertops and backsplash, but with a bit more punch.
This is the first time I’ve heard of Pluck out of London, but I had so much fun scrolling through their colorful account, particularly to see all their enthusiastically hued larders (a.k.a. a large cupboard with pantry-type storage).
The persimmon interior of this chocolate brown Plain English cupboard sure does bring the dark, neutral outer shell to life. Imagine the surprise of opening that door and being met with an unexpected shade like that. Fun!
And just one more by Plain English, which clearly uses this interior paint pop often in their designs. (Scroll to see the second slide.)
#8: Sculleries
I first encountered the term scullery when I saw the space Lauren Lothrop Caron of Studio Laloc designed in her own home. (Perhaps I was late to the party, but better late than never!). Since then, I’ve seen these prep kitchens explode in popularity, which seem to have reached a fever pitch recently. For anyone not familiar with the term, a scullery was essentially a kitchen behind the main kitchen used to prep food and wash dirty dishes. There were maids who specifically tended to that space. Most of us wash our own dishes now, but more and more homes have been converting pantries, powder bathrooms, and even back patio spaces (like Caron did), to create the utility space.
The one above is technically not a scullery but rather a “flower room” from the Pasadena Showcase House, but functionally speaking, it’s essentially a (beautiful) scullery.
Even with its compact size, I’m sure most of us would gladly take this sweet scullery (by Winter McDermott Design) as our main kitchen. The rooms typically have a prep sink, plenty of counter space, and storage for food and large appliances.
Anna King & Co. converted a powder bathroom into this light and airy scullery. It may be just wide enough for a single person to work in, but it does the trick.
I started this section talking about Studio Laloc’s scullery, and here it is. Compact but functional, it seems to function as an “everything” utility room that just so happens to be so stinkin’ charming.
#9: Warm Scandinavian Modern Cabinetry
So far, we’ve seen a lot of traditional kitchens, heavy on the English design, but there’s another region making some (quiet luxury) noise in the space. Modern Scandinavian kitchens, particularly with this type of hardware-less drawer and door design seen above by Norm Architects, are everywhere right now. I think they’re an answer to the desire for something clean and contemporary that doesn’t feel sterile and unwelcoming.
Of course, Scandinavian design has been synonymous with light, blonde oaks like the wood used in the above kitchen by Nordiska Kök. The drama from the marble veining somehow grounds the modern design.
Here is a similar look in a more medium-toned warm wood by A.S.Helsingö, a Finnish company that sells retrofit cabinet fronts for IKEA kitchens.
This is another one by A.S.Helsingö but in a parchment color, melding two kitchen trends together in one space.
#10: Eat-In Kitchens
And finally, in the home stretch of all the beauty shared here today is the last trend: the eat-in kitchen. I grew up with an eat-in kitchen, where we ate all of our meals together as a family (the dining room had a formal table in it but was more a showpiece than an eating space). I’ve noticed an onslaught of kitchen rooms that skipped the coveted island in place of a large table and chairs that seem to have a life beyond the more quaint breakfast nook. It’s rustic, communal and functional, as the table can surely operate as a work and prep surface as well, especially with a marble top like in this kitchen by Parsnip Design.
A clever 8-seater table takes pride of place in this compact gallery kitchen that might be short on space but long in style. This Madrid home was featured in Clever.
Bigger isn’t always better (or possible), especially in compact Parisian apartments. This one, by Orsini Daventure via Architectural Digest, fits in a small but functional kitchen with plenty of dining space thanks to a comfy banquette.
Having an eat-in kitchen is ideal for families who want to be close to each other while doing different things in a more closed-up floor plan. I can imagine my kid hanging out in that booth and table (this one is another by deVol), having a snack, coloring, doing homework (eventually) while someone else cooked. Does an island also accomplish this? Sure, but frankly, I do not like sitting and eating at an island.
The best of both worlds here: An island and an eat-in kitchen, by Nordiska Kök.
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So much to digest there, I know, but so much good! As I mentioned here and basically every article I’ve ever written, I don’t love a trend for trend’s sake, but I do love seeing beautiful ideas take foot and become more accessible to all of us. Drop your thoughts or any observations in the comments below and let’s chat about it!
Until the next time…
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