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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 35 Kitchens MODERN MAT TERS The ultra-matte, soft-to-the-touch Fenix cabinet fronts (an Italian design) have been increasingly popular in North America. And in terms of colours, white continues to reign, but navy blue and green are more common, as is mixing and matching: wood on the bottom with white on the top, say, or green with wood. "There's now an inclusion of three tones rather than the usual two," notes Amy Dillon, lead designer, AyA Kitchens. COUNTER CULTURE White continues to be the leading choice for countertops, says Margles: "Patterns come and go, grey comes and goes, but white is a perennial favourite." That being said, white kitchens can have infinite variations, depending on the shade, the texture, or finish. "We play around with different textures, like a honed polish or a rough finish, and fool around with some marbling. I think there's a white for everybody out there," says Margles. The pandemic only escalated this preexisting trend, as people worried about germs and cleanliness on a new level. So Caeserstone dropped a new White Light collection to accommodate, including shades like Ademina (a warm, sandstone-inspired white) and Arabetto (with vivid veining). Now more than ever, people are seeking surfaces that are both durable and easy to clean. "Homeowners are also drawn to surfaces that do not require regu- lar sealing or ongoing maintenance," says Gerri Chmiel, residential design lead for Formica Corporation. "Architects and designers are now seeking modern and minimalist surface designs that are not only highly durable and cleanable, but also provide a soothing esthetic." As homeowners and architects become more conscious of germs and cleanability, solid surface offers a viable option for kitchen and bath surfaces – and it's not hard to understand why. Something seamless, nonporous, highly durable, and repairable can be used for a variety of horizontal and vertical applications, including sinks and wet walls. "Versatility is key," says Chmiel. Laminate countertops have come a long way. "When people think about laminate, they often think about that brown seam that lined their mother's or grandmother's kitchen countertops," says Chmiel. But new innovations like Formica's IdealEdge Decorative Edging brings a fresh look to laminate counter- tops, islands and more, eliminating that brown seam for a perfectly finished edge. On the opposite end of the spectrum from the crisp white countertop is terrazzo, which is enjoying a moment on the mass market in what Chmiel calls new and modern ways. "This old-new material brings additional surface options to complement a variety of home styles," she says. "Terrazzo provides the perfect canvas to create either monochromatic, fine textural patterns or playful multicolour collages." Whether in small or large scale, the colourful flecks in terrazzo patterns blend many tones in a single surface to co-ordinate with the hues in a space. MAKE IT YOUR OWN Custom is king in 2021. There's a willingness to invest in a beautiful, functional space that will suit the exact needs of the homeowner. "We have been seeing a lot of thin rail doors, open shelving, built-in banquettes, lots of pantry space, panelled appliances, and dedicated coffee stations this year," says Dhillon. IdealEdge Decorative Edging from Formica. ON TIME & COMPLETE. Multi-family cabinetry & public space millwork Proud trade partner of ARIA, Calgary, AB Calgary | Vancouver | Edmonton | cavupro.com Cavupro_AWARD_1220 indd.indd 1 12/10/20 10:01 AM