What's New for Kitchen and Bath

One-twelfth of 2016 is over, yet a variety of trade shows held this January reveal what's new in the design world for 2016.  I've been keeping tabs via Instagram, and wanted to bring you the trends revealing themselves from afar.  First up, what's new in Kitchen and Bath as revealed at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held January 19-21 in Las Vegas.

1. Tile Introductions

Two new tile collections introduced at KBIS are drool-worthy to say the least.  Walker Zanger introduced their new collaboration with European modular concrete tile manufacturer, Kaza Concrete.  I don't care what anybody says about concrete tile.  I love it and I think it's here to stay.  The potential for pattern and form is limitless, adding tremendous versatility and dimension to kitchen and bath design.

     

Left: Edgy, Lantern (top right), and Seed (bottom right) Kaza tile patterns. Right: Edgy Kaza tile pattern. Photos courtesy of Walker Zanger.

Kaza will be released in the spring in the U.S. with Walker Zanger being the sole distributor.  It's versatility is almost boundless, being suitable for indoor and outdoor applications and in custom patterns and colors.

Another spectacular introduction was the tile collaboration between Ann Sacks and designer Kelly Wearstler.  Kelly is known for her bold patterns and forms and unusual yet glamorous juxtapositions.  Her collections incorporate the finest craftsmanship and details.  It is no surprise that her tile collection for Ann Sacks launched at KBIS is nothing less.

             

                                         Above, from the Maven Collection, left "Breakwater" and right "Solstice."

True to Kelly's love of geometric patterns and symmetry is the Liaison mosaic collection in cut stone.  These tiles have me in ecstasy.  The combination of black and white is so classic in design, especially for the bath.  These tiles complement the elegance of carrara marble, a staple in luxury baths for decades.

     

        Left to right: from the Liaison Collection, Doheny Small, Laurel and Mulholland Small.  Photos courtesy of Ann Sacks.

A trend in tile that continues to evolve is three-dimensional texture.  The Kaza collection affirms that.  But Walker Zanger introduced some other tiles that perpetuate the trend.  Their Knit collection emulates the textures and patterns of fine fabrics.  In names like Quilt, Corduroy and Twill, these tiles, in matte porcelain, feature fine ribbing like their namesake woven textiles but, like the Twill tiles below, can be installed in a three-dimensional stacked shingle pattern.

                      

Walker Zanger and interior designer Michael Berman added to their collaborative Studio Moderne ceramic tile line with the new Hollywood Babylon Suite.  The collection illustrates the trend toward dimensional wall tile applications.  My favorite is the middle tile below, Montclair, which Berman adapted from Neo-Egyptian architecture.

                                                            Photo courtesy of Walker Zanger.

2. Emphasis on Color

Say goodbye to sterile white kitchens!  The salient trend from this year's KBIS is the abundant color choices in everything from cabinets to appliances.

What popped up most in my Instagram feed from KBIS was the Coleur Collection developed by interior designer Suzanne Kasler in partnership with La Cornue of France.  This pink range was a showstopper.  While it may be a show stopper, the question is, will it sell?

    

Continuing in the theme of pastels was this display by Masterbrand Cabinets of a laundry center in a painted pale aqua finish.

                   

Bolder colors also prevailed.  Wellborn Cabinets took its cue from the jungle to craft its jewel-tone green display.

                                                            Photo courtesy of Wellborn Cabinets.

Black continues to be popular for the kitchen.  La Cornue's Dream Kitchen, in the trending combination of black, white and brass, appealed to many judging from my Instagram feed.

                 

                                                                  Photo courtesy of La Cornue

Blanco's introduction of the Ikon sink, an apron front sink in Blanco's composite granite material, Silgranit, combines the modern aesthetic of matte black with the traditional apron front sink.

    

                                                                    Photo courtesy of Blanco.

Next up for reporting are the trends showing at the recently-held Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market, Las Vegas Market, and NY Now.