This year has proven the value of having a home that is comfortable, functional, and adaptable. With summer just around the corner, spring is the perfect time to plan and renovate your home. We asked Kerry – the All City Colour Consultant – about trends for bathrooms and kitchens.
What is on trend is a question I am always asked!
In Bathrooms and Ensuites, freestanding baths, large shower heads and coloured or black tapware are still on trend. More recently, gunmetal and brass finishes have also become more popular for bathroom tapware.
Terrazzo tiles are a popular choice for bathroom walls and floors. Made using chips of marble and granite embedded in concrete, Terrazzo tiles add interest, texture and a bespoke finish. For a statement, you could choose terrazzo with over-sized aggregate pieces or bold black-and-white tiles.
Subway tiles, which originate from the subway station walls of New York in the early 20th century, have also become a timeless element regaining popularity in recent years. As tiles come in many varieties, it’s important to choose the right finish, colour and size to suit the space; this is my area of speciality with All City clients.
For Kitchens, a new trend is adding your own little coffee nook – a bit like the appliance cupboard with the machine and everything else you need to make that perfect cup of coffee (or tea if you prefer!). Kitchens are still white or light in color with the real focus on selecting a beautiful stone for bench tops or highlighting the island bench. Timber is being added for warmth – whether its floating shelves or legs to an extending breakfast bench.
In the living area, a study nook or built in desk is very popular to transform unused space and accommodate the home office or places for the kids to study. All City can design and build a home office area within an existing living area, spare bedroom, garage etc. As the Colour Consultant, I work with clients to ensure a newly renovated space compliments the existing surrounds in the home.
The bottom line
With everything said, trends can be deceiving. We can be exposed to many opposing ideas via social media and advertisements, but the trends don’t always work with the style and design of a home. Ultimately, when working with a client my job is to personalize the space and make sure the renovation is both functional and cohesive with the rest of the home.
I might ask, what is the client’s favourite colour?
Rather than what colour is on trend. For clients wanting to resell their home in years to come, we might consider popular styles that also suit the client’s personality and entire home. When a client is unsure about where to start, I ask them to begin collecting pictures from social media, magazines etc. to discover their stylistic preferences. A common theme will evolve and that is our starting point.
When I walk into a tired or dated space that isn’t serving its purpose anymore for the client and in most cases, they don’t know where to start and I love having a client return to see their dated or unusable space completely transformed by All City. They are often overwhelmed with excitement and grateful for our work – that’s why I love my job and am passionate about genuine collaboration and quality design.
Kerry Raeburn – All City Colour Consultant
| Kerry Raeburn has been in the design industry for over 20 years, including 15 years specialising in the tile industry. Kerry has a fantastic eye for interiors, and she knows how to tailor a new renovation to an existing homes’ age and style. Kerry is passionate about supporting clients to make the best selections for hard surfaces within bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries. For a busy person, the selection process can be stressful and overwhelming. When you become an All City client, Kerry will guide you through the selection process of the colour scheme and style, tiles, joinery finishes, bench tops, paint colours etc. Kerry makes the renovation process an enjoyable experience from the planning to completion. Instagram: @raeburndesign |