As late as 2006 homeowners were clamoring for large kitchens and wide-open home designs just as they had in previous years since the new century began. And the bigger the better. This is when the commercial concepts really took hold and exposed copper and stainless cooking implements were the adornments. That is being replaced with a "minimalism" seen last in the 1970's only with matching colors. No one wants to see stainless steel mixmasters and pots. These are being tucked away.
These must-haves of the '90's were large islands with cooktops, sinks large granite countertops and expanses of butcher block. The fact that these large concepts contravened the basic ergonomic laws of the kitchen seemed to be lost on both the designers and end-users. Imagine a poor person under 5' 5" racing across his or her large concept-kitchen to fetch a small step ladder to get up high enough to grab a colander before the pasta sticks in the pot - and back. In short, islands can be a detriment to the functional triangle arrangement between the refrigerator, sink and stove.
Cabinets, appliances and paint schemes are also taking a kicking. No longer do the cupboards have to match the island and there can be more than one color in the kitchen.
Floors are being warmed and are soft to walk on and granite and Corian for the countertop are not the only games in town anymore. In fact, it's pretty exciting because the hollow restaurant-look is being replaced by a more down-to-earth look which used to grace the rural kitchens.
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