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OCTOBER 2015 | 49 Kitchens PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KITCHENCRAFT CABINETRY T he kitchen is the heart of any home, so it's no surprise that designers and homeowners spend so much time contemplating the look and feel of this space. "Kitchens are being asked to do it all, and as home sizes are decreasing, the kitchen size is increasing as a percentage of the total home," says Gerri Chmiel, senior design manager for Formica. "People spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and they're starting to realize it's the main feature of the house," agrees Alok Kansal, president of Hari Stones. His com- pany carries over 600 colours and designs, and he sees his clients agonize for hours over the design of their dream kitchens. "Selecting a countertop and backsplash has become a very important issue for people." It's an investment many homeowners are making as habits shift from going out to staying in. "Homeowners are renovating their homes – primarily the kitchen and master bath – rather than moving," notes Ron Di Vincenzo of Del' Arte design – beta Group. Anthony McGillvrey, senior VP of sales and marketing for Valley Countertops, has noticed the trend, too: "Everybody's nesting, choosing not to go out." Rob Kotsopoulos from Häfele Canada agrees, adding that creating the right ambi- ence is essential to ensuring the kitchen is inviting and homey. "Kitchens are no longer just a place for cooking, they are a focal point for the gathering of family and friends," says Kotsopoulos. "Häfele has seen a dramatic increase in our LOOX LED Program in furnishings and kitchen cabinetry. Light is a fundamental part of life, one that noticeably impacts our well-being. Incorporating the right light in kitchen furnishings can blend them harmoniously with the lighting of the room, adding yet another level to the functionality and design elements." When it comes to experimenting with the look of your kitchen, there is no bet- ter time than now, according to Chmiel: "With a more promising financial outlook right now, homeowners are relaxing and having more fun with design while still being careful of the bottom line." Increasingly, homeowners are ditching the din- ing room in favour of a large, open-concept living area. "This makes consumers more inventive and creative with how they design their homes and especially the kitchen," says Chmiel. Open concept is also an attractive option for homeowners as it allows for easy entertaining. "Everyone's ripping out walls and opening up," says Cathy Mercier, sales designer for KitchenCraft. Homeowners are installing storage wherever they can get it: drawers into the island, wall cabinets around the fridge. Right now, open shelving is proving particularly popular, as it allows homeowners to display their favourite pieces and find items quickly and easily. It's no surprise then that the island gets the star treatment in many kitchen redesigns – it is, after all, the central hub of the room. "They provide additional storage, food preparation space and a seating area for eating breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner," says Joe Capone, VP of sales and marketing for Cartier Kitchens. "Islands are replacing kitchen tables in the eating area when space is at a premium." Today's islands may also incorporate cooktops, wine fridges or enclosed micro- waves, cementing their status as the gathering place. Islands are becoming larger to accommodate these uses. Many are now being designed with a "real furniture" look, says Capone. Features like elegant legs, dummy doors that wrap around and sleek slab door fronts add a polished look. In fact, when it comes to doors MDF has long been a popular choice, but it's only now they're surpassing traditional wood products. These doors allow for some bold colour options: bright hues like red, blue, orange and green are picking up momentum. Cooking Up A Storm Clean lines and natural finishes give kitchens a fresh look by STACEY MCLACHLAN

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