There are other factors, however, which seem to be influencing consumers’ interest in natural products, especially at the high end. We are all part of the natural world, and so the textures and colors of natural materials are associated with promoting a sense of calm, peace, and refreshment in the indoor environment.
As a reaction to the pressures of living in a society with global concerns, many homeowners are turning to clean-lined, uncluttered styling made interesting through the incorporation of natural materials as a way to bring order and serenity to their environments.
It’s no surprise that kitchens made with natural materials are more prevalent at the high end of the market — many of those products cost more than their manmade counterparts. Products from the earth also appeal to the luxury client’s desire to own something that is exclusive or special. Whether it’s a basin carved from stone or a countertop fashioned from specialty wood, its organic nature guarantees it is one-of-a-kind.
Natural products may also have a “back story” associated with them that fulfills the luxury client’s desire for an emotional connection with the brand — whether it’s the exotic location in which the material is found or the intervention of skilled artisans from an exotic land in shaping it.
Bamboo has permeated a range of home-furnishings categories from furniture and soft goods, such as towels, to cabinetry and flooring. Natural materials that, in the century past, may have been part of the living room or dining area are making their way into kitchen spaces due to the openness of the spaces to each other.
Tiles include options made of wood or stone, as well as porcelain and ceramic look-alikes. Glass can be shaped, patterned, and inset with other materials to heighten visual interest while maintaining the strength and durability to serve as countertops and eating bars.
Although the use of stainless steel in the kitchen gained popularity at the end of the past century, today the options and applications for using the metal have expanded. Previously used mostly in sinks and appliance fronts, now stainless steel countertops, tiles, and islands are part of established manufacturers’ lines.
Kitchen lighting has seen a breakthrough as well. Under-counter illumination, which had been presented in relatively small low-voltage fixtures, can now be accomplished using LEDs, which have a longer life span than incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen lights. They are relatively cool to the touch and render colors well.
The 21st-century kitchen, then, is filled with space-age wonders. However, those modern design elements and technologically advanced appliances are merely enablers that allow tasks to be performed with efficiency and ease, so that the space itself can be enjoyed as a warm, welcoming socializing center for the deepening of relationships among family and friends.
Wanda Jankowski is a design and building industry journalist based in New York.