Page 40 - BusinessWest May 26, 2020
P. 40

   With a wave of her hand, Lori Loughlin makes the water flow from a touchless kitchen faucet.
Home Improvement
Upscale but Simple
Kitchen and Bathroom Designs Reflect How People Live Today
While interior-design trends in homes can be slow to change — and, in many ways, have been, as evidenced by the white and grey colors that still dominate — the way people are using their homes did change somewhat over the past year. That, and a growing desire among older homeowners to age in place, has influenced what people are looking for in kitchens and bathrooms — and they have no shortage of options to achieve their vision.
WBy Mark Morris
hile homebuyers want to put their own stamp on a new house, Scott Keiter said, when it comes to kitchens, they tend to think alike.
In fact, the owner of Keiter Builders currently has six new homes under construction, and for every one, the owners want kitchens
that provide plenty of light, an airy feeling, and enough room for people to gather. “We’re seeing less of a distinction between the kitchen and living area and more of a
merger as the two morph into one space,” he said.
In many cases, the anchor to this space is the kitchen island. While islands have
been popular for years as a way to provide more counter and cabinet space, during the pandemic, they saw increased use for food preparation as people ate more meals at home. The island also served as a desk for many who suddenly found themselves work- ing from home. As a result, Keiter said, islands have become more multi-purpose, and the kitchen is now seen as a multi-use space.
“On top of the normal cooking and food prep, we’re seeing a movement to make the kitchen a more communal room. It’s becoming a place to work from home, as well as a place for guests and friends to congregate.”
 40 MAY 26, 2021
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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