Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/396142
elements of stainless steel, clean lines in crown mold- ings and doors, not too much radius or rounded units, very uniformed in vertical and horizontal lines in the home and a simpler door profile on the cabinetry. We're doing more stainless steel elements in the panels of the drawer fronts and adding touches like polished nickel on feature pieces such as the vent hood and islands." Dearsley says Baby Boomers that are downsizing are looking for a contemporary feel with some classic kitchen elements, while still keeping a modern design. "With countertop selections, specialty marble, quartz, stainless steel tops, acid washed, sandblasted or glass tops are coming into play. These are the products that are leading the industry." Colour choice in flooring is also important. "With my estimations, I start with the floor because light reflects upwards," says Dearsley. "If you want a light, bright kitchen, the floor should be white or a very light colour. Even if you stand in a room that has dark cabi- nets, without looking down you'll feel the brightness of a light-coloured floor." Vancouver-based Excelsior Kitchens Ltd. brings designs that span the globe and options for the most discerning clients. "Today, especially in the Vancouver market, every kitchen cabinet manufacturer tailors specifically to each project," says Mark Skakun, presi- dent. "Years ago, manufacturers were all selling prod- ucts they designed and produced with an outward marketing plan. Now interior designers, developers and marketers are driving the changes in kitchen design." One of the major trends that came from Italy and Germany a couple of years ago is textured laminate for cabinet doors. "These units are high-gloss acrylics with a mirror finish, which are significantly stronger than high-gloss polyester doors," says Skakun. "This textured laminate is so good, people are challenged to determine if it is wood or not." One special feature that Excelsior Kitchens offers is the width of the cabinet base. "We are a three-quarter- inch cabinetry company, which means that we build to true European standards," he says. "The one-piece shelf that houses undermount lighting is one-and-a- quarter-inch thick, giving clients better grade mate- rials. Developers are comparing selections with the competition to ensure that the cabinetry is the best available. Our cabinetry is manufactured to the exact- ing AWMAC (Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada) standards required of high-end millwork, and is the only regionally-produced product to boast this level of quality." Private residence, Finch Hill, British Properties, West Vancouver, B.C. Cabinet material is Douglas fir; countertop on the island is engineered stone; and the surrounding countertop is stainless steel. The backsplash is stainless steel on the right side and glass on the left side. Courtesy CAC Cabinetry & Millwork. october 2014 /37 Kitchens For all your Millwork aND kiTCHEN NEEDs EsTablisHED 1960 547 Clarke road, london oN N5V 2E1 Tel: 519.455.3830 Fax: 519.455.9993 www.continentalcabinet.com Continental Cabinet.indd 1 14-09-23 11:08