Kitchen tips and trends at Laubri Kitchen & Bath, a certified kitchen designer.

Cabinets & Counters

Although lighter woods are still preferred by some homeowners, the vast majority are split between dark rich stains and painted and glazed finishes. While the darker colours favour simple lines, the impact is generally more formal. Painted finishes open the area up, yet using more ornate mouldings & door styles still give the "wow factor".

Some exotic woods such as wenge,anegre, and zebra to name a few, are now becoming more popular within our area, even just using a mix of these woods as accents within more conventional styles. A more economical version of these are reconstituted veneers, which simply use a more viable species, such as aspen, and simply mimic the grain. The colurs are a little more limited, but the finished product is amazingly close to real thing.

Green Design will soon be on everyone's mind, as manufacturers find new ways of using more sustainable resources, and limit formaldehydes, and other toxic chemicals. Here at Laubri, we are ready to adress these concerns.

Functionality, has increasingly come to the forefront in design, as the kitchen user no longer will settle for crawling into the back of deep dark cabinets. We at Laubri, concentrate on having full extension drawers, and shelves, so there is easy, full access to all you have, without getting on

your hands and knees. Function meets style with flip up doors on upper cabinets, which introduces some modern horizontal lines within the area, and give full width approach to all the smaller items stored above the counter space. You can also notice the minmal use, or complete absence of upper cabinets, as some are using the walls as accents, and focal points with art, lighting and hoods.

With todays technology, obtaining ample storage within only the lower cabinetry is no longer impossible.

Colours and Lighting

Bolder colours and accents on the walls keep gaining in popularity, as most seem to be leaving the mindset of the more generic beige and whites, and enter using colours that reflect personality. Textures are intoduced to the walls with the use of different backsplashes, like metals, mosiac tiles, and slate.

No suprise that granite still leads the way, as the number one choice for counter tops by home owners. Quartz, unfortunately, because of its costs, is not chosen as much, but will, as Kitchen lovers learn its amazing proprties, and benefits. The laminates and solid surface tops seem to get better with every new year. All manufacturers come out with new exciting textures and colours, a large majority of them, made to mimic natural stones.

Using some accent areas of the counter in stainless steel or butcher block, add a differnt flare to any kitchen. Depending, on the style your after, either one of these are worth the little extra effort of maintanence.