Kitchen Design A Dragon Could Love

2012 (4709) is the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Of all the symbols in the Chinese calendar, the dragon is the most revered. People born under this sign (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, and 2012) are said to be free-spirited, creative, innovative and self-assured. They favor big ideas, often ignore rules and regulations, and are fearless in pursuing their ideals.

Interestingly, many of the kitchen design trends being touted for 2012 seem to match up very well with a dragon’s sensibilities.

Reinvent Tradition
The roles of living room and dining room as centers of dining, entertainment and other non-food centered activities are increasingly being filled by the kitchen and adjacent great room. And, with the shift of activity into the kitchen area, functional zones are replacing the familiar kitchen triangle.

Mixing materials and textures is another tradition-bending kitchen trend that’s moving to the forefront. Natural wood and stone finishes are accented with glass, metallics and crystal. Quartz, granite and stainless steel co-exist as counter/island toppers, while the modern backsplash may be tiled to match flooring.

How Bold Can You Go?
More kitchens will be “seeing red,” this year, experts predict. Almost every color trend report is showing some version of red, with hues ranging from orange-red to rustic clay shades to fuschias.

How will these bright colors make their kitchen appearance? You can count the ways. The new rules say reds can be matched with neutral woods like maple, stainless steel and even other related colors like pinks or purples. Red cabinetry or a red appliance (not more than one) can work beautifully in the right setting, as long as neutral shades are used to balance the look. For a less risk-taking approach, you can incorporate red shades into furnishings or accent pieces such as bar stools or small appliances.

Embrace the Green
Eco-friendly furnishing and lighting are here to stay, and certainly should be a part of the  well-appointed 2012 kitchen. Choose compact fluorescents when possible for task and room lighting. Select bamboo for flooring or work surfaces, or a laminate from Neff of Chicago’s Euro-Laminate line of cabinetry for tree-free beauty and durability.

What exciting design ideas will you embrace as you plan a 2012 kitchen remodel? You don’t actually have to be a dragon to unleash your creative side. The trends are certainly with you.