Mixing Materials Remains A Timeless Trend

After attending the furniture and design market in Las Vegas, people asked about what we saw as the most important design trends.  

To be frank, we didn't see anything significant that bubbled up to the top.  Certainly the grey-beige colors popular for the last few seasons continue to be seen in fabrics, floorcoverings and cabinet finishes.  And when accented by sharper color statements, these cooler neutrals work well in most any environment, be it contemporary or traditional. 

But one thing that seems to be a consistent and some would say a "classic forever" trend is the mixed use of materials.  It brings to mind the designs we do for many of our clients' kitchens and baths, both spaces where it's not as easy nor inexpensive to change when one gets bored or tired of something.  And besides when you work hard to get everything just right, you don't want to just toss out a design because tastes change.

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Take for instance this kitchen. A mix of wood, stone, glass and metal make for pleasing space to prep the daily meals, visit with the family and entertain guests.  Each of the materials are "soft" in nature. And except for the glass tile back splash, there are no glossy or overtly shiny finishes anywhere. 

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The wood is a quarter-sawn oak designed to have the lines of grain flow vertically and then rubbed smooth to be a "furniture" type-finish. The metal materials including the accent doors, door hardware and faucets are made of satin, brushed stainless. 

Even the inserts in the accent doors, cut from frosted dimensional glass that somewhat obscure what's behind them, has the same "soft" appearance.  But collectively, the materials hang together well, each contributing their own sense of style that will certainly outlast any current design trend of the moment.  

So the lessons are simple.  Trends are fun to follow.  They can re-direct our eye to something that's new and fresh. But in the long run, it makes much more sense and "cents" to mix materials to achieve a timeless and "classic forever" look in your home or workplace. 

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