Our Insiders predict distinct design directions for the year ahead. By Carolina Gentry and Beth Dotolo, Pulp Design Studios, NKBA Insiders

 

Bold, Black Bathrooms

We love to inject a sense of adventure into our designs and this look is definitely not for the faint of heart. Particularly in powder rooms, people have been moving toward bolder looks, and nothing says drama like black walls!

 

Enclosed Wet Rooms

Clients want more of the amenities they experience at a world-class spa, and enclosing the tub and shower in a large wet room is a part of that. It also allows the homeowner to show off more sculptural tubs without worrying about spillage or floor-mounted hardware.

 

 

Muted Brights

We definitely see 2019 as the year of muted brights — colors that are highly saturated, but with a tint or shade that makes them more subdued, like this gorgeous blue we used in a winery project. Look for muted blues and greens to take the lead next year in this trend.

 

 

 

Acrylic Furniture

Of course, there’s nothing “new” about acrylic furniture, but thanks to recent runway shows that showcased acrylic shoes, jewelry and even capes, this is going to be an even hotter look in 2019. One thing acrylic has going for it is that it works with any design style or color palette in a room.

 

 

Darker Countertops

As clients move away from the all-white kitchen trend, we’re definitely seeing a trend to darker counters in all materials. It’s a safe bet for most people who want to add more color and depth to the kitchen design. Marble will never go out of style, but we’re seeing darker tones specified in that material, too.