Designers spend their days culling the products world for just the right pieces to please their clients and satisfy the project vision. What looks good on paper or in paint swatches comes to life in 3D with samples of flooring, tile, and door fronts. And 3D is exactly where kitchen design is going, according to Andy Wells, vice president of product design for MasterBrand.
"People are getting confident in expressing their personal design preferences," Wells said during a tour of the MasterBrand booth at the 2015 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. "Home is an expression of self, and we have the capability of texture and color to move that forward." Indeed, Wells says texture - the 3D element that bring a tactile element to design - provides a great opportunity for designers to enhance kitchen projects.
To that end, we've pulled together five texturally diverse products for you to consider in your upcoming projects. Clockwise from left, try them on and see how they feel.
Great Graining
Based on Wells' comments, it's no surprise that Masterbrand has texture in its plans for cabinet fronts. The Diamond brand will introduce the Tranter Textured Horizontal Grain Laminate in fall 2015, shown here in the obsidian finish. diamondcabinets.com.
Mixed Media
Distressed wood and hammered metals come together in the Evan six-light pendant from Kichler. the center column grounds the piece with a furniture-style post shape, while the light wood tones coordinate and anvil iron detailing coordinate with numerous other finishes and fixtures. kichler.com.
Penny for Your Thoughts
Shine is a texture too, and Perth penny rounds from Maniscalco Stone have plenty of shine. The mosaic tiles were created using a special process incorporating sheet-metal caps tightly laminated to a porcelain tile body. Available in copper or stainless steel, designers can choose from polished, brushed and stippled finishes depending on the metal. There's also a black stainless steel tone resulting from a unique anodizing process. Maniscalco says Perth penny rounds can be used in wet or dry settings, but is not recommended for countertops, floors, steam showers, or submerged areas. maniscalcostone.com.
Farmhouse Floor
From the Century Farm collection, Armstrong's 5-inch wide plank engineered hardwood in walnut features a hand-scraped finish and an attractive grain for both visual and tactile texture. Shown here in the Fallen Leaf color, the low-gloss floor features delicate pillowed ends and edges. Other available species include hickory, birch, cherry, and maple, in a range of tones from warm to cool. armstrong.com.
Hold On
Cabinet hardware is an easy way to add textural elements without being obtrusive. DuVerre's Argyle collection is made from recycled aluminum and comes in oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass, and satin nickel finishes. The tactile collection comprises round and square knobs, and 5 3/4- and 9-inch pulls. The hardware is all hand-finished allowing for subtle color variations to add to the effect. duverre.com.
