Residential kitchens? Not entirely sold, especially in a smaller kitchen with only 8’ ceilings. Or if the person reaching for that triple-stainless bottomed roaster needs to stand on tiptoes.

I think they look better in a kitchen that is set-up as more commercial, and look better against the wall than over the island. I even prefer Julia Child’s method of hanging pots on hooks on the wall.  I would also think that if you were in the kitchen preparing all day, it (and a kitchen helper) would make some sort of sense.

But for those of us who cook on the weekends and evenings between our day jobs, my question to you is, do you like them? If so, why?

For the record, I agree. I'm seeing color in backsplashes, in lighting, furniture, and artwork. Strong, bold, vivid color.

TIRED OF PLAYING IT SAFE?

I’ve noted this particularly in the last few recessions that people want to “play it safe”. Neutral colors, neutral patterns. Somber even. This time, beige and brown tones came back, so did variations of gray.

Now, in some areas, the economy is improving. Brighter outlook, brighter colors. More patterns, more textures. Which is a good thing – there’s nothing so bland as “playing it safe” and “pleasing everyone”. We all know how that works out.

Are we all going to rush out and pick the color of the year?  *cough* Some people are bolder than me. Or maybe everything that is old is new again. In Color Trends 2012 via Kitchens.com, I first saw this orange as a kitchen cabinet color in…wait for it…1979.

 (Photo credit: Kitchens.com)

For some, this would be the perfect color. I will say that having designed cabinets out of all sorts of colors over the years – blue, green, black, gray, yellow (yes, bright eye-watering yellow), I’m all for a more muted viewpoint. Or as my designer mother says, “Keep the big-ticket items neutral so that you can change items around them.”

COLOR DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LOUD

It’s not that we can’t like browns and beiges (Heh, in looking around my place, I’m a lover of warm-toned mahogany with cream and green, so there you go. Trend-setter extraordinaire!) But there is tone-on-tone, textures, and a few other tricks designers use to get details interesting, like designer Cheryl Kees Clendenon’s coastal design:

(Photo credit: Cheryl Kees Celendon: Coastal Kitchen with a Twist!)

Perfect example of breaking my mother's rule, yet with a versatile, soft color.

The only thing I disagree with in the news article -- homes with color can indeed sell.

Pros, what are you seeing in your neck of the woods?

Homeowners, what colors are you thinking of adding to your home?

(Photo Credit: Susan Serra via The Daily Basics. Cabinets: Poggenpohl)

We're seeing sweeping changes in kitchen design. Many of us in the mid- to high-end design have discussed how the ever growing custom choices are causing some preliminary design fatigue on the part of both clients and us ("are there too many choices?"), but there are also a lot of exciting advances in everything from cooking to cleaning to surfaces. 

The biggest change is how, in less than 3 generations, have turned from the back position in the house to front and center.

"Will we ever want to put walls around the kitchen once again?" -- Susan Serra, CKD

What do you think? Has the kitchen really become the most important room of the house?

If you're new to design, and are just beginning to plan your kitchen remodel, see what Susan has to say about induction, textures, and kitchen design. The link is here -- or comment here and let me know what you think.