Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2023 - 24

L UXUR Y
DE SIGN
Moving Mainstream
Sumptuous kitchens and baths are becoming something for everyone and every budget
DESIGNERS ARE NOTICING a subtle shift in
client requests for luxury in their projects. What's
become apparent is that it no longer simply represents
opulence; rather its defi nition has evolved
to represent not only a certain level of materials
and fi nishes but also something more intangible.
Luxury today can also be described as more
experiential, representing comfort, convenience,
indulgence and an elevated personal experience.
A frequent request amongst homeowners embarking
on a bathroom project is for a spa-like
retreat, a feeling that is commonly evoked in a
high-end luxury hotel or wellness center. Th at
may be achieved through the introduction of
specifi c materials such as natural stone and different
wood species to bring a sense of warmth
and calm to a space. A luxurious spa bathroom
may include a freestanding soaking tub, a large
curbless shower or a washlet toilet.
OPULENCE AT A LOWER PRICE
The challenge is how these elements can be
incorporated without the costs typically associated
with luxury design. Designers often are
tasked with this and are skilled at fi nding creative
solutions. Under the direction of an experienced
designer, clients can be guided through the selection
process while being mindful of the budget so as not to break the bank.
A balance often can be achieved when one crucial element comes with a
high price tag, so others can be adjusted to stay within the budget without
compromising the integrity of the overall design concept.
DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS & NEEDS
When customers indicate they are interested in a luxury experience, what
that means for one is not necessarily what it means for another. For some
homeowners, it's not just about the overall look of the fi nished project;
creating a personalized space is an indulgence that evokes a feeling of luxury.
Some may view luxury in terms of high-end materials. Solid-brass
hardware plated in a beautiful fi nish or unusual natural stone in the form
of a slab or a waterjet-cut mosaic are examples of luxuries frequently found
in both kitchens and baths. Luxury items in bathrooms can also include
heated towel bars or radiant heated fl oors for chilly mornings.
When client requests include a focus on wellness, items such as water
fi ltration or products with low VOCs may be high on the list. For some,
fi nding contractors who use sustainably sourced building materials that
reduce their environmental impact may be the ultimate luxury.
BELOW Many luxury elements
can be found in this
transitional kitchen designed
by Zanelli, including custom
cabinetry and hand-blown
glass pendants. Photo by
John Bessler, @johneeebee
INCLUDING THE TOP REQUESTS
Most kitchen and bathroom design projects begin with a wish-list so that
when choices need to be made, the priorities are clear. On that list there may
be items in a kitchen such as a refrigerator of a specifi c size or a range from a
certain brand. Perhaps that wish list includes a specifi c countertop material
or a special light fi xture. For a large family, luxury may mean two dishwashers
or a walk-in pantry for food storage. Designers often are tasked with the
challenge of working through a layout while at the same time factoring in
those items at the top of the wish list. As a result, they need to fi nd creative
solutions to assist clients in identifying what's important and invest there.
Similar to a bathroom project, a client may request a kitchen design that
evokes a feeling such as comfort or coziness. A moody kitchen, for example,
can evolve with the right mix of paint colors and metal fi nishes and can
exude a feeling of luxury. For others, it may be cabinetry that is hand-crafted
and built to last. A luxury kitchen also may relate more to function than
to form. One with a variety of third-party inserts for the organization of
baking essentials and other tools for meal prep may be the highest form of
luxury where there is a place for everything and both food prep and cleanup
have been streamlined.
As luxury in design has become more mainstream, designers today
are fi nding creative ways to introduce these elements into their projects
through a variety of diff erent means. As a result, clients are experiencing
the ultimate luxury: a design built to suit their personal needs.
By Courtney Zanelli, CMKBD, courtneyzanelli.com
24
/ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023
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Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2023
