There is a reason kitchens and bathrooms have been considered the most important rooms in the house to keep updated. A sophisticated, fresh and functional kitchen or bathroom elevates a home and makes everyday chores feel more luxurious. “Since they aren’t frequently renovated, it is essential to carefully consider materials and finishes to strike the balance between timelessness and trend-driven design,” says Tansu Ulu, design and brand manager at Marble Systems, which has locations across the country, including NYC. Today, homeowners are looking for sustainable materials, natural and organic colors and shapes, and rich hues, all of which add depth and character to your most frequented rooms of the house, says Antonio Matres, principal and founder of Architecture and Interior Design in NYC and Madrid.
Go Natural
“Homeowners are continually drawn the warmth of natural stone that offers texture and dimension, yet also serves function,” says Ulu. “Natural stone is often the most durable, versatile and timeless choice for kitchens and bathrooms specifically.”
Marble, granite and limestone all offer one-of-a-kind patterns and colorways that allow homeowners to give character and uniqueness to their home. Plus, they are heat-resistant, making them ideal for countertops.
“In kitchens, a sculptural stone island as a central piece, with the right light fixture where everyone can gather around, brings the spectator attention,” says Matres.
Andrea Viscuso, a real estate agent with Forte Compass in Fairfield, CT, and a skilled designer who has gut renovated a number of homes in her market, says “there is nothing like natural stone.” For clients who are hesitant to choose marble because it is prone to etching and staining, she recommends TuffSkin, which she uses at home. The product lets you have the look you want and protects it from staining and etching.
On floors, terracotta, which has been used for centuries, is returning to popularity, particularly for its known thermal properties, which enable it to better stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. With warm earthy colors trending right now, the look is appealing to a lot of homeowners as well.
Natural Hues
Nature has always served as inspiration when it comes to design, and colorways are being influenced in a big way this year. Natural hues like creams and grays or deep shades of slate, olive, brown and terracotta colors are popping up on Instagrams everywhere. “Wood is trending in kitchens, and in bathrooms for vanity colors, from dark to warm to very light tones—every natural wood color is very in. The quality and allure of a solid wood vanity is unmatched,” says Viscuso. In kitchens, wood is still a common choice for flooring, particularly where the space is open to a living and dining room. It’s softer on feet (and dishes). However, it is important to be mindful that wood is prone to water damage.
Feeling Good
Overall décor decisions are including a variety of textured surfaces, using everything from marble to wood and even microcement. Microcement is a cement-based coating applied to walls, floors or other surfaces to create a look of concrete. “Microcement is one of the most cost-effective materials used lately,” observes Matres. “It’s a great solution that’s waterproof, moisture resistant and that, when well done, ages really well.”
Fluted marble tiles have also made a big impact in kitchens and baths, providing rich texture to a backsplash or bathroom wall. Meanwhile, wood grain porcelains give the classic look of wood without the high maintenance. Marble systems has a line of textured tiles called the Forte Brick Studio collection, which are decorated with tactile patterns in vertical and horizontal applications. “A space being effortlessly natural continues to be very much in style, says Ulu. “Clients are showing a strong appreciation for texture, especially in materials like stone, quartz or even rattan and other woven elements in their overall décor decisions. This adds depth and dimension to a space, making it feel more dynamic and layered.”
The Shape of Things
Regardless of what material you choose, there are countless shapes and patterns to choose from, and popular choices are running the gamut from designs that allow for linear and vertical grout lines, to softer, more undulating lines of handmade or rounded shapes.
Ceramics are a favorite for wall tiles and backsplashes because they are versatile, and easy to clean. Because they are considered natural material and they can be designed in innumerable shapes and colors, many homeowners are selecting them in rich hues or bold patterns to add a transformative element to the bathroom or kitchen. “Clients are increasingly drawn towards materials that offer the feeling of movement—think curves and organic shapes,” says Ulu.
For her own kitchen renovation in Fairfield, CT, Viscuso selected a graystone marble slab from Ciot in NYC to top her island and handmade clay tiles from Riad Tile for the backsplash. Her kitchen cabinetry is custom designed from Kingswood Kitchens in Norwalk. Her friend Stephanie Purzycki, owner of The Finish in Southport, CT, helped design the kitchen layout. A custom plaster range hood and Warehouse Loft Shade pendants from Shades of Light complete the look.
Whether you select a look that is decidedly modern or gives nod to history, certain materials and shapes are timeless and will keep your bathroom or kitchen feeling on point for years to come. “Historical design with a modern approach is a great way to go—those ‘diamonds’ are forever,” advises Matres.
