Did you know that 85% of homeowners in South Shore, MA rely on a professional designer when they want to create a dream kitchen? There are many good reasons why that percentage is so high.  Building a dream kitchen involves numerous processes and details. Principal roles that designers play are that of guide and curator. Homeowners in South Shore, MA spend hours, days, weeks and even months researching options before making an appointment with a designer. We know that the Internet is both our friend and foe. While the Internet provides access to every product and service that you could ever need for a remodeling project, the amount of information available online can be overwhelming, is often incorrect, is likely to cause analysis paralysis, contributes to unrealistic expectations and elevates stress levels. That’s where a professional designer and showroom can be your greatest asset. Showroom professionals specialize in making order out of chaos.

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Cersaie is the International Exhibition of Ceramics, Tile and Bathroom Furnishings that opened its doors to the public at the end of September for the first time since the pandemic started. Cersaie is an important international exhibition because it reveals the trends of tomorrow for kitchen designs, baths and other rooms in the home that use ceramics and porcelain.

The top trends from Cersaie that will influence renovations for homeowners in South Shore, MA are as follows:

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The kitchen is the epicenter and most used room in the home for almost everyone who lives in South Shore, MA. Homeowners in South Shore, MA come to our showroom armed with months of research, having scoured kitchen design magazines, home improvement television shows, the Internet and friends and family who have recently renovated. They finally make the decision to move forward.  It’s both an exciting time, but also a bit disconcerting. Remodeling your kitchen is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. After homeowners in South Shore, MA make the decision to remodel, there are certain steps we advise that they take to make the renovation process less stressful, costly and time consuming.

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Imagining what a dream kitchen would look, feel and act like gives many of homeowners in South Shore, MA goosebumps. Planning your dream kitchen is exciting, invigorating and thrilling. Homeowners in South Shore, MA spend months researching on Houzz.com, Instagram and other sites to curate products and concepts that they want in their new kitchen. It’s great to dream. Too often the latest and greatest products and kitchen design concepts only tell half the story. Our role is to turn your dreams into reality and part of effective kitchen design is discuss both the opportunity and challenges of different concepts and products so that homeowners in South Shore, MA have realistic expectations and the kitchen design meets their lifestyle needs. Here are several of the pros and cons of trending design concepts and products.

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Increasingly, homeowners in South Shore, MA need their homes to function more effectively and efficiently. As the role of the home continues to serve multiple functions including office, gym, café, lounge, restaurant, studio, etc., homeowners in South Shore, MA are remodeling bathroom and creating in-home spas that serve as a refuge, a place where they can enjoy a few quiet moments daily all to themselves and wash away the stresses of the day.

Homes are getting smarter and the primary bathroom is no exception. Especially in the last 18 to 24 months, demand for smart bathroom design has skyrocketed and manufacturers are responding to that demand with technologically advanced and connected shower systems, toilets, mirrors, faucets, medicine cabinets, leak detection devices and lighting, among other bath features and components. Technology in the bath makes life a lot easier, healthier and more enjoyable.

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COVID-19 has transformed the role and functionality of modern kitchen designs in South Shore, MA.  While the kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home, it now serves multiple roles that include classroom, office, hobby center, restaurant, study, game room and conference room, among others.  Increasingly, homeowners in South Shore, MA are creating the kitchen of their dreams for the long term, that includes design considerations for a multi-generational household and for aging in place.  Aging in place is the term to create spaces that can be used by anyone regardless of age, physical condition or mobility, employing universal design principles.

Access is a key to universal design.  Open floor plan kitchen remodels are ideal for multigenerational and aging in-place kitchen use because they typically provide access to other living spaces and feature multiple pathways that can accommodate those who may be confined to a wheelchair or need to use a walker.  When homeowners in South Shore, MA request a kitchen where they can age in place, we look at entryways into the kitchen. If we can eliminate doors, that’s great.  If not, we determine if they can be expanded.  Most doorways are 24 inches wide.  You need at least 36 inches to accommodate a wheelchair. 

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Modern and contemporary kitchen designs and motifs have increased among homeowners in South Shore, MA. Modern design offers clean lines, open floor plans and a clutter-free pallet. They often feature natural materials such as stone, quartz and solid wood framelesscabinets. Color options for modern kitchen remodels are almost limitless, allowing homeowners in South Shore, MA to push the envelope and make distinctive and personal design statements.

A potential downside to a modern kitchen is the look and feel. Some modern designs can appear to be cold and austere. That’s not a problem. There are numerous ways homeowners in South Shore, MA can add warmth and bring joy to a modern motif. Many modern kitchens feature vivid contrasts and that’s one strategy for softening the edges of a modern kitchen. Wood tables and chairs and kitchen knobs or even a countertop caddy that holds wooden spoons, spatulas and other utensils can create a different vibe.

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Historically, significant economic changes have been followed by the emergence of new design trends. Following the Great Depression, design favored bright, bold colors, sexier silhouettes and fun elements.  Coming out of the 2007-9 financial crises, we saw the advent of ruffled miniskirts, low rise jeans and rhinestones seemingly everywhere.  Similarly, COVID-19 has pushed kitchen design in a new direction.Many homeowners in South Shore, MA are moving away from the sleek, clean and stark lines of minimalist kitchen remodels“, opting instead for a bigger and bolder pallet.  We believe this is the result of spending so much time indoors at the expense of experiencing the hustle and bustle of the outdoors, cafes, restaurants, stores, airports and so on. 

The trend towards maximalism, which is defined as more of everything, involves using more colors, fabrics and accessories that are repeated throughout a space.  Maximalism isn’t about trying to create a perfect space; it’s simply about creating a space that represents your unique personality.  In kitchens, this translates to pops of bright or bold color and patterns in backsplashes, accent walls, kitchen artwork, kitchen cabinets and countertops.

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Realtor.com recently revealed the results of a survey that identifies the features that help homeowners sell their homes fastest and at the best prices. Identifying improvements that generate the most significant return on investment is more critical now than it has ever been. In 2017, homeowners spent more improving their homes than in any year since 2006, according to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Not surprisingly, the top two rooms that captured the most interest and dollars are kitchens and baths, according to Houzz.com.

Realtor.com surveyed more than a million single-family home listings in February to identify the top features that help owners to sell their home fastest. The top features are as follows:

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If the kitchen is the epicenter of the home, then countertops are the epicenter of the kitchen. It’s where almost every kitchen activity begins and ends. Because countertops are one of the first things you see when you enter a kitchen, they naturally serve as a focal point. And the good news is that choice of color, shape and material is virtually unlimited, enabling you and your designer not only to make countertops the functional workhorse of your new kitchen but the ultimate expression of your design and personality.

On the South Shore we are finding that our clients want to invest in high-quality, high-performing, statement-making countertops. Not only because a high-quality countertop makes it easier to prepare meals, but they are also used to cook, eat, entertain, do homework, charge electronics, read, relax and spend quality family time together.

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