Product Focus RISING TO THE SURFACE

High-tech countertops, multi-service islands among emerging kitchen trends

BY TED M CINTYRE

ISLAND LIFE has never been more appealing. Yes, we could all use a vacation, but the expression also applies to the modern home, where kitchen islands are increasingly expected to serve multiple purposes, according to 2023 Design Trends report from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).

How much so? In identifying emerging trends, NKBA members, from designers and retailers to contractors and manufacturers, cited “areas for charging phones or other devices” as actually outranking “areas to eat meals” and “areas for food prep” as the most prominent features for islands in the next three years. But all three functions rank almost equal in importance as clients demand more and more from this central anchor.

As far as the industry as whole goes, NKBA, the world’s leading notfor-profit trade association for the kitchen and bath industry, says “the overall market index of 63.2 is the lowest it has been since Q3 2020, and the ‘future conditions’ rating of 55.4 is at its lowest level since Q1 2020. Both are indicative of industry professionals’ prediction that the current economic slowdown will continue.”

On its 100-point scale, any rating above 50 indicates industry growth, but flexibility is still vital in these economic times, the report notes. “As a result of current trends, industry professionals are proactively adapting their business strategies. Design firms have altered materials/finishes used on projects; building and construction firms have limited estimates to 30 days, and retailers have scaled back on orders from manufacturers.”

For Q4 2022, 31% of design firms were expecting a decrease in new project leads. The good news is that “the kitchen & bath industry still has pricing power,” the report adds— for now anyway. “Despite steadily increasing inflation impacting nearly every product category, 61% of industry professionals report margins on par with a year ago. As consumers become increasingly budget-conscious, however, they are pushing back on price increases and/or pausing remodelling projects, likely causing pricing power to wane.”

“One lesson we have all learned over the past two years is that adaptability is the key,” says NKBA CEO Bill Darcy. “For instance, we see it with design firms currently leveraging new brands for better lead times and availability.”

Another takeaway from the report is that “remodelling will sustain the industry in 2023,” since 86% of outstanding mortgages are locked in at rates below 5%, meaning “these homeowners are choosing to remodel rather than to move.”

And while growth may have slowed to a crawl, the average project scope decreased for only 2% of respondents, with 60% noting a typically similar project size, and a whopping 38% reporting larger, more involved kitchen projects than the previous year.

That’s in line with a recent NKBA interview with Sam Kim, president of Home Appliances for LG Electronics USA. Despite the slowdown in home sales, “the luxury space seems to be a little more resilient than the core part of the appliance business,” Kim says. “We anticipate some mix-down, as customers may choose a lower-priced alternative to finish projects.”

To support the trend, Kim’s

Large islands that function as dining tables

Taking down walls so kitchen is open to other areas of home

A working pantry

Easy to clean flooring

Outdoor living areas

Sanitary counter surfaces

Wall/doors for hidden workspaces, appliances, food prep areas

Attached mudrooms

Flexible space for home office activities

Touchless fixtures

Large fresh food storage

Flexibility for multiple generations

Extending home footprint to increase kitchen size

Double islands – one for food/meal prep & other family activities

Open visible storage for frequenly used items

Cozy conversation areas

Sustainable food sources in the home

Secure areas to leave deliveries

Study space for children

Adjustable countertop heights

Traditional stand-alone kitchen tables company has relaunched “the LG Studio brand, aimed at the mass-premium category, which we expect will keep growing,” although “the luxury segment continues to have extended lead times to just produce products that were sold over the last year.

“Replacement is still the lion’s share of the appliance business,” Kim says. “Inflation is a big factor, and I think it makes most people evaluate where they can save. Instead of replacing both washer and dryer together, they might just replace the unit that’s not working.”

As far as new tech goes, LG’s SKS (Signature Kitchen Suite) has brought the first-of-its-kind 48” French door refrigerator to market, “allowing designers to offer clients unprecedented capacity and functionality in the French door configuration,” Kim says. “We’re also bringing some exciting additions to our culinary lineup, and a new dishwasher with a one-hour complete cycle.”

In the luxury market, SKS has also launched ThinQ Care, “a unique customer support innovation that uses artificial intelligence to help homeowners proactively monitor and maintain appliances. This comprehensive AI service analyzes usage patterns, reports on product performance and alerts the homeowner if a potential service issue is detected. It also provides guidance on optimal usage and informs homeowners when supplies are low.”

Counter Argument

Both from an aesthetic and performance standpoint, though, some of the most intriguing developments have been with kitchen surfaces. Burlington’s Select Stone, for one, has launched the Select Cascade, a North American limestone that is custom-fabricated to spec and comes in a variety of finishes. Although often used for custom landscapes or as architectural elements for custom homes, this particular product is also ideal for kitchen countertops and backsplashes, thanks to its low absorption. And it can be fabricated in large sizes up to 5x10 feet and comes in two formats: Fleuri-cut, studded with marine fossils; and Vein-cut, showing the sedimentary layers that make up the stone.

New to the Canadian market is Laminam, a global leader in innovative interior and exterior Italian surfaces. With new earth tone-inspired colours added to its extensive catalogue, its In-Side collection features a gradient of soft, muted colours that are deeply rooted in the Italian way

NKBA’s Prominent Kitchen Styles in the next 3 years

of life. The collection reveals new and unique architectural perspectives, particularly for interior design and facades, thanks to Laminam’s superior body and surface continuity being maintained even after cutting.

A part of that collection, the ‘Le Terre’ series features three new colours, including Terra di Pompei, which “captures the essence of hot magma dried in the Naples sun.” Featuring warm brown hues with light intrusions ranging from beige to champagne, the colour draws inspiration from volcanic earth, moving between form and structure. It’s offered in two finishes—Natural (a smooth to touch finish) or Fiammato

(a flamed textured finish)—both inspired by the effects of natural forces on the Earth.

Quartz surfacing pioneer Caesarstone, meanwhile, debuted its multi-material portfolio at IDS 2023 in Toronto in January, adding Porcelain and Natural Stone to its offerings. In the new Porcelain range, Caesarstone captures the visual qualities of a wide range of material types: from natural marble to the industrial aspects of concrete and metal. The heightened veining, textures and dynamic patterns are available in a range of 22 options.

The Porcelain line marks a leap forward in technology, functionality

16783 orndale Rd. orndale, Ontario, N0M 2P0

Tel: 519-461-1180

Toll free: 1-800-265-7086

Fax: 519-461-0903 www.trscomponents.ca and design specifically developed for countertop application, the company notes. Among its attractive properties is exceptional durability, enabling it to withstand heat, stains, scratches and outdoor elements—all with the same non-porous hygienic health and easy maintenance benefits as the company’s quartz offerings. And there’s the added design element of striking colour schemes and bolder veins, textures and patterns.

Since 1974, TRS has o ered builders a single source supply network of wall panels, roof trusses, oor panels. Our supply and install expertise will make your next job faster, easier and more e cient.

Natural Stone, for its part, is a curated collection of responsibly sourced, high-quality natural stone. “Stock will vary from location to location and will include some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic marbles, granites and quartzites,” the company says.

Certified as low-emitting by Greenguard and SNF-certified, “all Caesarstone manufactured surfaces are made from naturally occurring