Written by: K+B Insider Paloma Contreras, Paloma Contreras Design and La Dolce VIta, Katy, TX
Dwell on Design Los Angeles is an annual three-day exhibition hosted at the LA Convention Center featuring more than 2,000, modern design product introductions, 300+ exhibitors and a lineup of speaker sessions lead by industry thought leaders—all curated by the editors of Dwell magazine. This year’s show included a first-ever collaboration with Germany’s International Interiors Show IMM Cologne, expanding Dwell on Design’s reach and global presence and supporting and exploring the design industry’s hottest trends from an international lens.
The NKBA sent Houston-based K+B Insider Paloma Contreras to join the 30,000+ architects, interior designers, and consumers alike who attend the show to spot the latest trends in home design. Below, Paloma highlights the top four emerging kitchen and bath trends as seen at this year’s show:
1. Floating Vanities
First up, floating vanities continue to have a major moment in bath design this year. As two of the most popular styles in home design are modern warmth and casual vintage, it’s easy to see why sleek, floating vanities—like this marble vanity from Ronbow—are so appealing. They certainly cross over into both of these aesthetics. As more and more people downsize into smaller spaces, floating vanities are a natural fit for maximizing space, style, and creating the illusion of a larger footprint in microbaths.
2. Curated Details
Personalization and curation were also major trends spotted at this year’s show. Gone are the days of clients wanting to choose from a few standard finishes—everyone wants to tell their individual story in their own style. Companies such as True are introducing alternatives to the ubiquitous stainless steel appliances, including the Pearl Slate finish, which was showcased with a mix of unique elements including black lacquered cabinetry, walnut countertops, and aged brass hardware.
Fireclay Tile also highlighted personalization in product design, displaying their tile collection offering a slew of colors in both gloss and matte finishes. In addition, the company encourages clients to create custom color combinations for a completely unique, individually curated look—whether it’s a small stretch of backsplash or stunning floor-to-ceiling application.
3. Sleek Forms
Various companies, including Italian surface company Fenix NTM, offered amazing acrylic resin surfaces available in multiple colors and matte finishes. The surface is hygienic, scratch-resistant, easy to clean and does not show fingerprints, making the product truly effortless and capturing the essence of modern, sleek and low-maintenance design.
4. Stylishly Integrated Designs and Seamless Efficiency
The quest for efficiency—whether it’s greener, energy saving or space-saving—has been on the rise in K&B design throughout 2016. Many manufacturers built off this trend at Dwell on Design by combining functionality and smart engineering with sculptural product design. Wet Style, a Montreal-based manufacturer of premium bath furnishings, introduced several sculptural, free-standing bathtubs made of WETMAR BiO™, the brand’s own eco-friendly natural stone composite material.
Separately, Matthew McCormick, a lighting design studio based out of Vancouver, displayed one of their most popular designs Dodeca, a gorgeous 24-carat gold leaf LED light fixture. McCormick’s designs, sculptural in appearance and efficient in output, prove that eco-friendly lighting can be just as beautiful and luxurious as traditional fixtures while still offering the added benefit of energy-savings.
Throughout 2016, the NKBA K+B Insiders will report on the latest industry trends from across the globe, must-attend events and top industry trade shows. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends with #KBInsider on Twitter and Facebook, and through the K+B Insider’s guest blog posts on the NKBA blog. For more from #dodla, follow @TheNKBA on Instagram.
