Thoughtful Designs

This year’s honored kitchen and bath spaces incorporate bold tones, clean lines, elevated finishes and exceptional details that combine to stir the senses.

Personalization is key when it comes to today’s kitchen and bath designs, and the entries for the 2023 Kitchen & Bath Design Awards, sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News, were brimming with individuality. Clever design, meticulous detail and expert problem solving were evident in the 31 rooms that were honored by the prestigious group of judges for this year’s awards. 

Over 250 projects were judged in 11 categories: Best Kitchen Over $225,000; Best Kitchen $150,000-$225,000; Best Kitchen $75,000-$150,000; Best Kitchen Under $75,000; Best Specialty Kitchen; Best Master Bath Over $100,000; Best Master Bath $50,000-$100,000; Best Master Bath Under $50,000; Best Powder Room; Best Showroom, and Best Specialty Project.

The judging panel for the awards included: Danielle Burger, CMKBD, Kitchen Vitality Design in Charlotte, NC; Nar Bustamante, Nar Design Group in Sacramento, CA; Rose Ott, Rose Ott Design in Long Beach, NY; Toni Sabatino, Toni Sabatino Style on Long Island, NY; Karen Swanson, New England Design Works in Manchester, MA, and Chuck Wheelock, Wheelock Design in Greenwich, CT.

Each project was evaluated on multiple points, including: aesthetic appeal, functionality of the space, attention to detail, handling of unusual situations, originality, selection of colors and finishes and overall impression. The judges also provided design feedback to all entrants.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Whether it was tying into inspirational artwork, creative spins on architectural styles or a connection with nature and natural elements, the winning designs all struck a chord that created a connection. Though several design trends were cited, more general concepts were also discussed by the judges. 

Bustamante notes that the real trend, as he sees it, is to be authentic, “to be unique and yourself as a designer. When you see a project that comes from the soul, one that immediately evokes emotion, you know that’s the trend.” 

Designers shouldn’t copy something that’s safe, but instead need to push limits, he contends. “Anyone who is pushing limits is definitely at the top,” he remarks.

Bustamante focused on the thoughtfulness he saw in the designs. “The projects that rose to the top were from designers who really dive deep into the projects, who think about every detail and add plenty of warmth to the project,” he offers. “It wasn’t just one design style but kind of an eclectic gathering of their expertise.”

When it came to the winning kitchen entries, Swanson notes it was often the details that impressed the judges. They were drawn to kitchen islands that resemble furniture, and woodworking that tied into the overall design. For the designs that stood out, even the art on the walls and lighting were very deliberate. “There were projects that got knocked out for the wrong bar stool or hardware choice, or a misplaced electrical outlet. It was really about the details,” she stresses.

“To me, the biggest emerging trend is personalization,” agrees Sabatino. “I loved to see the storage solutions, the innovative floor plans that really look at design from a sociological point of view. How are these people going to live in this space and how can you improve their lives?”

“I’m very appreciative that there is more contemporary design than traditional,” adds Wheelock. “We’re seeing much cleaner and sleeker lines but great detailing. When you look at the design, you really have to study it to see the detailing and appreciate all of the thought that went into it.”

Among those trending details are textures, patterns and mixed finishes. 

“I’m seeing a lot of patterns, but pattern on pattern – maximalism. There are a lot of different textures and patterns coming together,” notes Burger.

“The trend of mixing metals is the way to go,” offers Ott. “Everyone is so afraid to mix metals, but we love the intrigue. It creates interest, it creates drama. I say don’t be afraid to mix your metals.”

“We’re also seeing a lot of wood grain and some of that added warmth from brass fixtures, hardware, plumbing and accessories,” adds Burger.

“The projects that I saw had a lot of warmth, but weren’t necessarily all wood. There were some industrial looks, some grays and blacks,” notes Bustamante. 

FROM WHITE TO WOW

Darker colors are definitely being embraced, and designers are using them to create jaw-dropping dark, moody spaces. “This is really on point right now, whether it’s a powder room, a kitchen or a library,” Bustamante stresses.

“We’re seeing a theme of dark and moody spaces, with heavy colors like gray and black, and black on black,” says Burger. 

“White shaker cabinets have had their day,” affirms Ott. “What’s coming in now is swinging in the complete opposite direction. We’re seeing a lot of bright and dark colors.”

She reports that brighter colors are adding a certain whimsy to spaces. Bustamante agrees, noting that he is seeing a playfulness with color.

“I’m really happy to see bold colors,” remarks Wheelock. “There are far fewer white-on-white schemes, and we’re seeing some great contrast and colors you don’t see often – teals and oranges and colors like that. These are great accent colors.”

“We’re seeing less of the monochromatic and more of these bold statements of color, and I think that’s just kind of a rejection of the classic white kitchen,” agrees Burger. “There is a desire for something with a little more visual interest.”▪