Bring the heat with upscale kitchen designs

Stately stone countertops, paired with a modern backsplash, upscale cabinetry, and gleaming, state-of-the-art appliances –it is a kitchen worthy of a chef’s kiss.

With all the popular cooking shows on TV today, it’s easy to imagine why homebuyers have high expectations when it comes to the design of their kitchen. But achieving that chef’s dream kitchen can take a little bit of planning.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, design experts agree, and it can also easily be the most expensive. It is where most of the appliances are located, cabinets and counters take a big chunk of the budget, and if you have a centre island that can add to the cost – especially if you opt for stone countertops.

Even if you don’t plan on using the kitchen to cook, it is still a centrepiece for your entertainment and everyday needs, so it needs to look the part.

There’s a lot of moving parts so coming up with a cohesive design can take an awful lot of concentration. Think of it as a Rubik’s Cube, each move will affect the next. Getting some expert opinion might help, so we spoke to a couple of home design vets who can help

Heart of the home

Jolene Fielden, design coordinator at Coventry Homes, says that the kitchen provides nourishment literally and figuratively for the home. This is where meals are prepared every day for the family and takes even more importance by providing a stylish and comfortable environment to host parties or large gatherings of guests.

“Whether you cook or not, the kitchen is the heart of the home and the main hub for homeowners and guests. This is where people gather and spend majority of their time whether it’s cooking or visiting with friends and family,” she tells Edmonton New Home +Condo Guide.

Kristina Plank, marketing manager at Excel Homes, agrees, adding there is also a pragmatic reason to want a lovingly designed kitchen. “The kitchen design can significantly impact the resale value of the home,” she says.

“Especially in open concept homes, kitchens can influence the entertainment/social aspect of a home as they usually function as places to gather,” she adds.

Fine functionality

Fielden says functionality is, of course, the main purpose for any kitchen design, explaining flair without the function is a kitchen fail. She says the efficient use of space – keeping in mind abundant storage space – is key in any kitchen design.

“Overall layout and ease of access are key aspects for kitchen design. Spacing out the high traffic areas to reduce overcrowding when working in the kitchen is essential.”

Plank adds that Excel Homes’ kitchens employ the “The Work Triangle” design to elevate efficiency in the kitchen. “The design should also flow with the rest of the home’s design, especially along the main floor.” Excel makes it a point to mirror kitchen counters and backsplashes in the bathroom design to form cohesion and continuity in the overall design of the home.

Putting the pop in popular trends

At Coventry Homes, quartz countertops remain the top request among buyers for their kitchens, which Fielden explains is because of quartz’s “durability, low-maintenance, and simplistic design and colours” that will be easy to match with the rest of the home.
Stainless steel appliances, she says, remain the top choice for its homeowners. “They are classic, low maintenance and more readily available to clients as opposed to some of the more special-order finishes such as black stainless steel.

“In cabinetry we’re seeing a lot of high-quality melamine cabinets as they come in a variety of trendy colours. Black and gold hardware continue to be the top choices,” she says.

The two-tone design is still very popular, she adds, but with a twist. “As opposed to just a different colour of island, we are seeing more colour-blocking in cabinets – a different colour or material on a pantry cabinet, wall oven built-in or large bank of wall cabinets. Tri-tone colour palettes have also become a very popular option which we will be showcasing in our upcoming Nouveau showhome in St. Albert.”
Plank says Excel’s homebuyers usually go for the quartz or granite countertops, and that black hardware are especially popular these days.

The two-tone kitchen colour scheme remains a popular trend and is used to efficiently create a wow factor in most of their showhomes. “Stainless steel appliances is the most consistently chosen but we are seeing black stainless appliances gaining popularity.”

Speaking of trends

Trends come and go, but there are some timeless designs that bring the glamour and will not stand the test of time.

Plank says Excel homes is seeing the ever-popular open shelving as one of the main trends in kitchen design today, as is the accent cabinet colours that go well in the two-tone kitchen design. “Rustic or colourful backsplashes are also on trend,” Plank says. But most of today’s fashionable kitchens focus on the centre island.

“We are seeing island designs that resemble furniture rather than just cabinets,” Plank says. “Also, the waterfall island design remains quite popular.”

While at Coventry Homes, Fielden says warmer colour pallets, as well as more dramatic colour choices have been the norm of late. “We’re seeing a lot of black and rich greens, and deep beige,” Fielden adds.

Custom-built hood fans as opposed to stainless steel models are also a popular choice. “Functional accessories such as additional pot and pan drawers, garbage drawers and roll out trays are also on trend,” she says.

Showhome examples

Coventry Homes’ Kail in Crystallina Nera, Fielden says, is a “terrific representation of great, functional and stylish design.”

The 2,338 square-foot, front-drive garage two-storey home is great for families and the kitchen is its crowning glory.

The Kail’s kitchen features an expansive island which provides ample prep space and additional seating. The built-in wall oven and microwave created an opportunity to add banks of drawers under the cooktop along the back wall for convenient storage. The cabinets are a luxurious black with oversized gold pulls – functional and beautiful. Go to Coventry-homes.com for more details.

Excel Homes has the Hartwell in Vita Crystallina, which opened this year. The 1,862 square-foot three-bed, two-and-a-half bath showhome, is masterfully crafted and the perfect size for a first-time front-garage home buyer.

“It features many of our new popular designs such as two-toned cabinets, a large island with extra storage, black hardware and fixtures, plus black stainless appliances. A stunning design that’s functional too!” Plank says. Check out excelhomes.ca to find out more.