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White Alabaster from Formica. The Pebbles Collection from Caesarstone. Bahia from Vicostone. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 | 39 Kitchens Kitchen trends for 2022 and beyond take a more organic route by LAURIE JONES I nnovation and creative design continue to be the foundation for features in the heart of the home – the kitchen. Technology, sus- tainability, and style combine for a unique selection of offerings in 2022. Alicia Meeker, architect and design accounts manager at Vicostone Canada Inc., notes matte and honed finishes are quite popular in countertops for 2022. "With our quartz, every- thing we do is A-grade across the board. We use a technology called Breton – a state-of-the-art Italian technology for manufacturing quartz, and all the quartz is made in Hanoi, Vietnam." Meeker explains that although quartz is not heat or stain proof, it is much more resistant to damage than natural stone. "We've also seen movements towards subtle colours and patterns, as well as concrete finishes. One colour that we are featuring is called Bahia, which is a unique, grey, blocky design as opposed to the standard white veining design," she says. Meeker adds that another popular choice is the Amarcord design, a pure white marble base with a brown-grey vein. "Thirdly, the Gan Eden, random veined design simulates gentle clouds wandering among the sky." Rounding out the trending selections is Vicostone's Bettoglio, representative of Calcutta Gold Marble. Many colours are available in jumbo size, 65-by- 130 inches, which helps utilize material yield and avoids seams over long spans. Half Slabs are also available in all colours. With the use of quartz on backsplashes and other areas of the home, Vicostone stocks 2-centimetre (cm) and 3-cm widths for hor- izontal and vertical applications, and can special order 1.2-cm. "With warehouses spanning through- out Canada, Vicostone provides an extremely efficient delivery network," she says. The Pebbles Collection from Caesarstone Canada brings calm to the kitchen with its sense of move- ments of pebbles by a river. "We developed the Pebbles Collection specifically to address the need for people to bring nature back to the heart of their home after all the anxiety created by the pandemic," says Yael Goldshmid, senior marketing manager. "We see it with different types of trends, includ- ing design, where people are trying to change the way their home is servicing them, creating a place of calmness where the house becomes a sanctuary." Goldshmid notes the Caesarstone products use raw materials, are non-porous so there is no need for sealing, and there is no concern for bacteria. "Caesarstone is a pioneer in the industry, having invented quartz products back in 1987," she explains. "Being heat, stain, and crack resistant, our quartz products clean easily with soap and water." The colours on the Pebble Collection range from dark to light, offering a choice for cus- tomers. "It starts with a very light off-white finishing to a very dark, prominent colour," she says. "And they all come in a honed fin- ish that gives a silky, natural feel to the stone." Many designers are using the same stone for backsplashes and outdoor kitchens. "We have our own outdoor quartz collection, which is made specifically for outdoor use," she explains. "It can sustain temperatures as high as 50 and as low as 30 degrees. People are using this prod- uct for their outdoor kitchens, outdoor patios, and poolside bars. This product comes in three colours and is patented by Caesarstone." Formica Canada launched its 2022 Living Impressions Collection with organic patterns, mod- ern marbles, and a trove of sophisticated surfaces for elevated interiors, balancing serene and minimalistic looks with artisanal materials and eclectic elements. A Journey Through Light & Colour

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