Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2016 - 15

Trends

ARTISTIC TILE's Calacatta Gold

slabs are the quintessential
classic Italian polished white
marble. These slabs are accented by soft gray and gold veining,
are sourced for the highest
quality and come in 2-cm. and
3-cm. polished slabs.

are also finding increasing interest in niche countertops - such as recycled materials or concrete
- to stand out from the crowd.
"We've been seeing mixed countertop materials
trending, with different materials serving different
purposes and functions in the kitchen,"said Hytry
Derrington. "Countertop materials are selected
based on their function - hard surfaces for prep and
cleaning,wood surfaces for cutting and even leather
surfaces for general living activities in the kitchen."

The ultra-thin, stick-on heating pad from FEELSWARM
attaches to the underside of
stone countertops to address
the common problem of stone
feeling cold to the touch. The
countertop heaters can be
applied to both new countertop installations, as well
as overhangs/unsupported
areas of existing countertops.

COLOR CRAZE

Although white is always a coveted countertop
color, more creative hues are making their way
into the marketplace.
"Based on trends in Europe, we anticipate a
movement to darker and more opulent palettes with
rich drama, depth and vibrant color," said Summer
Kath,senior vice president of business development
at Cambria."Designs will combine ornate and eclectic details but always in a purposeful and elegant way.
There will be infusions of glam and sparkle, bold
colors and mixed metals but incorporated tastefully
to achieve a sophisticated and modern aesthetic."
Kath explained that the popularity for white
and gray hues, found in marble, will also continue
to grow. Marble has a luxurious connotation, but
it requires more maintenance and has a sensitivity
to acid that clients should consider.
"We like to point to European restaurants, cafes, bakeries and wine bars - most of which feature
classic white marble countertops - that embrace
their aging as a feature," said Joshua Levinson,

ABOVE LEFT The 2017 Specialty

Collection from FORMICA
includes the deCOLeather
Recycled Leather Veneer,
which brings sustainable
luxury to interiors by reusing
and reinventing a precious
resource and making it
more affordable. Available in
three richly grained finishes,
deCOLeather channels the
texture of exotic crocodile,
the warmth of walrus or the
remarkable wild buffalo.

ABOVE With bands of stately
gray pebbled with notes
of black, slate and cream,
Roxwell quartz from CAMBRIA
recalls the stonewalls of the
14th-century Anglican church
in the village of Roxwell,
England. Credit: Cambria

president of Artistic Tile. "We think it lends a
natural grace to refined spaces."
Currently, gray marble with faint black veins
and white marble with gray and gold veins are
both popular. Some marble-loving clients are
drawn to the creamy white of Italian marble, while
others prefer a locally sourced material.
HARD AS STONE

Arguably the most classic choice for countertops,
natural stone will probably always have its place in
the kitchen. Homeowners love the unique look of
stone and the luxury associated with it, but the demand for what type and style of stone is changing.
"Our clients are seeking quality over quantity,"
said Peter Fraser of Richmond, Va.-based Fraser
Design Associates. "They would prefer premier
countertop materials, perhaps in combination
with other materials, rather than a large area of a
single, medium-priced stone."

SILESTONE introduces its
Super Stellar Series with two
colors that exemplify the
multi-dimensional design of
quartz through sparkle and
movement: Moonstone and
Ocean Jasper. Shown here,
Ocean Jasper replicates the
beauty of granite with gray
and beige tones throughout.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2016