18 AUGUST 12, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
AT HOME
Emerging design trends for today’s lifestyles
Events from the past year have all
of us reconsidering what we want
and need out of our homes. From
work and play to wellness, our homes
have become the epicenter of, well,
everything - leading to an emergence
of design trends focused on adapting
to a new normal. The design experts at
Wilsonart, a world-leading provider of
engineered surfaces, have identifi ed
three new lifestyle trends that are affecting
lasting design changes.
BACK TO NATURE
It’s no secret that nature has the
power to inspire, invigorate, restore
and refresh. Research has shown that
interacting with nature can off er mental
health benefi ts, including decreasing
stress and relieving anxiety. Likewise,
incorporating elements of nature into
the home has been proven to improve
happiness and well-being.
Whether as a room’s canvas or a pop of
color on an accent wall, paint is an easy
and aff ordable way to bring nature’s
beauty into the home with colors that
evoke a sense of calm and serenity. “Dark
blue hues reminiscent of water and the
sky are trending, along with lush greens
that infuse spaces with the fresh essence
of grass and foliage,” says designer Gwen
Petter. “Earthy neutrals, such as tans
and beiges, are also in high demand for
their ability to ground us and surround
us with soothing natural tones.”
Beyond color, 40% of people report
that they want a connection to nature,
particularly in their kitchens, according
to a survey by the National Kitchen and
Bath Association (NKBA). Homeowners
are choosing nature-inspired materials
for focal areas like countertops, cabinets
and islands. Wilsonart® Home off ers
beautiful, on-trend options for virtually
every surface in the home with
performance features and price points
to suit any lifestyle and budget. The
expertly curated collection includes
environmentally sustainable materials
such as high-pressure laminates and
performance veneers that deliver the
authentic looks of exotic woods, stoneinspired
solid surface options and nonporous
engineered quartz.
“RESI-MERCIAL” AND
RUSTIC
Fueled by the drastic decline in domestic
and international travel during
the pandemic, homeowner interest in
replicating the sophisticated style and
comforts of an upscale hotel or luxury
resort in their home has continued to
grow. From plush towels and perfectly
plumped pillows to spa-worthy bathrooms
and chef-quality kitchens, commercially
inspired designs are increasingly
crossing over into the residential
arena.
Carrara marble continues to be one of
the most sought-aft er surfaces to achieve
this clean, sophisticated, “resi-mercial”
look, but not everyone desires the cost
and maintenance that comes with the
natural stone. The Wilsonart® Solid
Surface Craft ed Collection combines
nature’s beauty with cutting-edge design
innovation to deliver the look of authentic
marble in an ultra-durable acrylic
solid surface. This series of movement
designs captures the beauty and drama
of marble typically only seen in natural
materials like quartz and stone with
virtually limitless design applications
for the kitchen, bath and beyond.
Scandi Noir is another “resi-mercial”
design approach that is gaining traction,
particularly in kitchens. This style features
looser rules and is characterized
by the use of dark cabinets combined
with dark countertops or contrasting
dark and light surfaces. “Kitchen cabinets
are still predominantly white, but
more homeowners are adding a pop of
color with contrasting island cabinets. In
fact, searches for black and navy kitchens
are up signifi cantly,” notes Petter.
SUSTAINABLE STYLE
As our lives become increasingly
home centric, our homes need to perform
on a level they may never have
before, and this includes incorporating
materials that work as hard as we do. “Today’s
homeowners are seeking surfaces
that will live up to the rigors of everyday
life,” explains Petter. “There also is growing
interest in sustainable alternatives to
natural products, which can contribute
to deforestation and degraded air quality
from sourcing and mining operations.
Human-made composite materials off er
appealing options that oft en outperform
natural materials, delivering greater durability,
less ongoing maintenance and
fewer harmful environmental impacts.”
Alternative materials like laminate,
solid surface and quartz mimic the best
of Mother Nature without impacting
the environment, off ering appealing
options for eco-conscious consumers.
Many of these engineered surfaces are
UL GREENGUARD Gold Certifi ed to meet
low chemical emissions limits for better
air quality. Additionally, many laminate
products are made with a combination of
fi bers from FSC-certifi ed, fast-growing,
sustainably managed woods and postconsumer
recycled content (PCRC).
— Courtesy of BPT
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