Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994 TAG: 9404140298
SECTION: TODAY'S HOME PAGE: 20 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DONNA MUSSELWHITE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
White is in for both kitchens and baths, say Ben Burch of Home Center Kitchens and Richard Baldwin of Kitchens Komplete.
"White cabinets continue to be very popular," Baldwin said. "And the washed finishes are also popular."
Natural oak is a mainstay in the cabinet business, Burch said. "No matter what the actual style of the cabinet, whether it's more contemporary or traditional, people are really buying solid white or else the very lightwood," he said.
Many customers are going with white cabinets and appliances, and using colors in their countertops, floors and backsplashes.
"Years ago, we stocked 10 colors of countertops and everything we sold was butcher block or white or almond. Now we stock 22 colors, and we put through tons of special orders. People want specific shades of colors and they're willing to place special orders to get what they want," Burch said.
Darker colors, marble-like finishes, or counters edged with a different color tile are all popular. In Home Center Kitchens, one display features cherry cabinets, a shiny green marble countertop edged with white tile, a white sink and brass faucets with white knobs.
Solid surface materials such as Corian for countertops continue to be popular, and a number of different types have come out that are less expensive, but still high quality.
Wood floors in kitchens continue to be popular, but tile has made a big comeback in recent years, Burch said, because the quality of the product and the variety of colors and patterns available has improved so dramatically. "The patterns are wonderful now, especially things like an ivy on white tile or a cobalt blue with a crystalline finish. You can really create nice effects with the tiles they have out."
Hardware for cabinetry is also available in a variety of materials and patterns. Brass knobs work well with either contemporary or traditional cabinets, and ceramic knobs in different colors or featuring decals work well in personalizing the look of kitchen or bathroom cabinetry.
Baldwin's best advice to anyone considering remodeling their kitchen is to "act like a kid at Christmas with the Sears catalog - pick out absolutely everything you could possibly want, and then scale back if you have to."
Most people who remodel their bathrooms are doing so "because the tiles were falling down at their feet while they were taking their shower that morning," Burch said. "When they get around to remodeling the bathroom, it's time to do the whole thing."
He tries to advise people to go with white or other neutral fixtures, but many people still want dark or unusual colors. "The problem comes later on when they need to replace a toilet seat or some other part, and that color isn't made anymore. Colors are very cyclical, and the safest thing you can do is go with white and use colors in your decorating."
Products like Corian and Swanstone used for kitchen countertops also show up in the bathroom now as shower walls. Ceramic tile is very popular for floors and walls, although Burch says, he often advises a vinyl floor with ceramic tile accents down the wall or around the edges.
As with kitchens, bathroom cabinetry in white, lightwoods or pickled finishes is hot. Burch often uses kitchen cabinets cut down for the bathroom. "They're sturdier, plus it gives you a lot of flexibility for depth," he said.
by CNB