ARA) - Nearly five
million kitchens will be remodeled in the U.S. this
year, an increase of more than 10 percent over 1999,
according to a survey of 20,000 consumers by Kitchen and
Bath Business magazine. And, according to the survey,
these remodelers know exactly what they want in their
kitchens - luxury items. 
"Most kitchen
remodelers are experienced cooks. They've lived in one
or two previous kitchens and know what they love and
hate," said Joan McCloskey, Better Homes and Gardens
Executive Building Editor. "These remodelers are very
discriminating about style, durability, features, price
and performance on every element that comprises a
kitchen. They may make tradeoffs to keep their budget in
line, but they'll sacrifice to gain some of the luxury items that bring life to a kitchen."
If luxury
is what consumers want in the kitchen, then what
constitutes luxury? Following is a list of the top 10
most requested kitchen items to create the ultimate
Epicurean's dream space.
Great
Appliances
Rather than standard, four-burner
stoves, consumers are turning to a host of other options
to prepare food quickly and efficiently. One of the most
popular appliances to hit the market is a combination
gas cook top with an electric oven underneath. With this
appliance, the home chef gets the best of both worlds.
Another new choice for quick food preparation is a
microwave that uses radiant or halogen light. Appliance
manufacturers claim these microwaves can cook food twice
as fast as a regular microwave. There are even barbecue
grills, wok burners and steamers making their way onto
the cooking scene. Another new item making a name for
itself in the luxury kitchen is the warming drawer that
keeps food warm for those families putting up with
after-school sports or long hours at the office. And, as
far as the trend in decor goes, the commercial stainless
steel look for appliances is still what's hot in today's
kitchens.
Multi-Cook Centers
Two
sinks, two cook centers, two refrigerators - all of
these "twos" are becoming commonplace in the dream
kitchen. With the popularity of cooking ever increasing
- just note the celebrity status of TV chefs these days
- these dual cook center areas provide plenty of space
for both staging meals and entertaining. Most of these
seconds are appearing on kitchen islands and serve as a
dual workspace. Though most second appliances are not as
large, they do serve their own purpose in the luxury
kitchen. For instance, rather than a full refrigerator,
the second unit in the home may be an under-the-counter
model used for wines and beverages. The second sink may
also be much smaller, featuring just a single bowl, but
is a welcome addition for cleaning vegetables or
preparing drinks.
Water Filtration
Systems
Americans are more concerned about the
quality of their water than ever before - hence the
rapid increase of filtering systems in the kitchen.
While these have included pitchers, faucet attachments
and under-the-counter types, the fastest growing trend
is filtering faucets. These offer the most convenient
and most elegant method to get better tasting water. For
instance, Moen Incorporated offers three filtering
faucet systems in its PureTouch line for making better
tasting sauces, mixes and drinks. These models take out
lead, chlorine and cysts. Another convenience that is a
must in any kitchen - luxury or not - is a pullout
faucet. Pullout spout faucets provide the ability to
both clean the four corners of the sink and fill up
large pots. And many come in dramatic styles and
finishes to complement any kitchen decor.
Kitchen Island
Anyone who has ever
lived in a house with a kitchen island will never be
without one again. That's why it is one of the most
requested items in a remodel project and a definite
selling feature for new construction. And, as previously
noted, islands with functional items like a bar sink are
exactly what consumers want in their luxury kitchen.
With the ability to match the island faucet to the main
kitchen faucet in terms of style and finish - complete
integration of the kitchen is possible. Plus, with the
main counter space usually cluttered with small
appliances such as mixers, toasters, and can openers,
having a separate work area is an added benefit. Islands
with seating capacity are also doubling as an area for
doing homework and for quick, less formal meals -
replacing the old "breakfast nook." If a kitchen island
cannot be added because of space limitations, homeowners
may opt for a rolling work cart that provides extra
counter space when needed and can be rolled back into a
corner when not in use.
Countertops
According to the National
Kitchen and Bath Association, solid surface countertops
are used in 40 percent of all professionally designed
kitchens. The reason? They hold up extremely well in the
high-traffic kitchen area and also provide a durable
surface resistant to scratches and scuffs. For
higher-end kitchens, granite countertops are the
material of choice. As an alternative, there are also a
host of solid surfacing options, which imitate the look
of granite at a lower cost. Another exotic item popping
up in today's luxury kitchen is the concrete countertop.
They are "earthy" in appearance and certainly make a
statement. However, they too, can be expensive and
porous as a kitchen material - and you have to watch out
if you drop a glass or dish!
Composite
Sinks
Move over vitreous china or commonplace
stainless, for many of today's luxury kitchens feature
sinks in customized colors, composite materials and
unique bowl configurations. Homeowners are demanding
style as well as sinks that will stand the test of time
with resistance to normal wear and tear. To provide both
durability and beauty, manufacturers have now designed
composite sinks. For example, MoenStone sinks from Moen
are made from high-strength, molded composite materials
that are produced to withstand everyday cuts, scratches,
scuffs, stains and even heat from hot cookware.
Available in a number of solid colors including the
latest Sapphire and Yellow Stone and even natural stone
textures, these sinks blend beautifully with all types
of countertops, and can be installed in either over- or
under-mount configurations.
Hand-Painted
Tiles & Backsplashes
Looking for something to
truly make your kitchen unique? How about turning it
into a personalized work of art with hand-painted tiles
and backsplashes. Easy to install, these tiles can be
used as a decorative border or intermixed with the rest
of the kitchen tiles to create a pattern. Fruits,
flowers or even animal designs are now gracing the
luxury kitchen with their presence. Not only do these
hand-painted items provide for an imaginative touch of
fun, they also show off the homeowner's personality.
Cabinetry
Cabinetry can account for up
to one-half of the new or remodeled kitchen budget, and
can include a lot more than shelves or cupboard doors.
Decora, a leading manufacturer of semi-custom cabinetry,
notes that some of the latest styles of cabinetry mimic
the look of furniture with bun feet or freestanding
units in the European style. Other cabinet lines, like
Schrock, are also adding decorative elements such as
plate racks, carvings, special trim and apothecary
drawers to their offerings. Upper glass cabinets are
being used for displaying fine china and crystal. And
personalization in the cabinetry category can even be
found in hardware - from knobs shaped like forks to
ladybugs - it's all available to create a unique look.
And finally, the makers of Aristokraft cabinets report
that as the kitchen becomes an extension of the great
room, some non-traditional items such as banquettes or
desks are making their way into custom cabinetry
selections.
Storage Areas
One thing
almost all consumers who are remodeling or constructing
a kitchen are requesting is more - and personalized -
storage space. This includes: cabinets with rollout
shelves to make food and cooking utensil storage easy;
specialized storage areas for spices, pot lids, knives,
dish cloths; pegged holders for plates; or corner
"appliance garages" to hide coffee makers and toasters
when not in use. The size of the kitchen is expanding
too, as walk-in pantries now allow for a variety of
storage options, particularly as Americans are buying
more items in bulk.
Luxury Design
Options
So far we have discussed some of the
items that truly make the kitchen luxurious and
customized, but what about overall kitchen design
options? Today's kitchens feature larger dining areas,
walls of windows, high ceilings and a continuation of
the great room. No longer is the eating area separate
from the kitchen - integration makes it all one large
room that is great for entertaining.
If you are one
of those that will be embarking on a kitchen remodel
project over the next few months, use these tips to
create a luxurious kitchen that you will truly adore!
Courtesy of ARA Content
