Three major design styles, traditional, transitional and modern, are influencing everything from color to shelving to faucetry, with designers and homeowners taking a concept and adding a personal twist. “The good news,” Dixon says, “is that whichever style you prefer, and however you choose to express it, you can find GROHE fixtures that coordinate and complement it beautifully.” GROHE spoke with three highly-regarded interior designers about these trends to learn about their own particular ways of developing them.

TRADITIONAL
“Basically,” continues Dixon, “traditional style exudes a timeless, sophisticated elegance with such classic components as uncomplicated color schemes, warm woods, stone floors and accessories like a gorgeous chandelier which affect a visual link to the past.”

A proponent of “eco elegance,” designer Rachel Winokur, headquartered in Los Angeles, explains there are three easy ways to instill your kitchen with this 2015 version of a traditional motif. “Just incorporate one of the following ideas and you’ll be in step with the times,” she says.

First, “Artisanal elements will be prevalent in many areas, including hand-blown glass lighting, hand-scraped wood floors constructed of reclaimed or sustainably harvested wood, handmade tiles, often with recycled content, and such accessories as handwoven, fair-trade dish towels.”

Second, “Brass will be a popular finish especially in lighting, where there will be many more LED options. It offers a nod to Old World charm while being presented in fresh and modern shapes.”

Third, try a “furniture-style island,” something Winokur believes will become very popular as “They help to join the kitchen to the rest of the space in an open-plan format.”

Appropriate for such a kitchen embracing the past without sacrificing 21st-century performance is GROHE’s Bridgeford® dual spray faucet. The detailing is perfect with a wide-set bridge and bar faucets, while the pull-down dual-spray model features innovative Grohe SilkMove® technology for effortless water control.

TRANSITIONAL
According to Dixon, “Injecting a contemporary twist into classicism, a transitional style creates a modern interior that is welcoming and friendly because it juxtaposes progressive with established types of furniture, fabrics, materials and finishes. It’s an easy style in which most everyone feels comfortable.”

Along those lines, Boston-based Gary McBournie, who is known for incorporating the best of present and past in his designs, says, “We’re not just seeing all-white kitchens anymore. Perhaps due to a renewed confidence in the economy, people are willing to experiment a little more. For example, many are asking for fanciful colors to line kitchen cabinet interiors.”

In addition, “There seems to be a resurgence of man-made materials for countertops. Materials such as Corian, Caesarstone and Silestone are popular, being stain-resistant and easier than others to maintain,” says McBournie.

Last, McBournie mentions that anything referencing “industrial” is fading in favor of a warmer, more finished style. “Large, stainless-steel appliances and hood fans are being replaced with integrated appliances that are affixed with front panels to blend into the surrounding cabinetry.” Dixon notes, “Exhibiting this transitional design are GROHE’s Parkfield™ faucet and LadyLux³® Café pull-down faucet.” They couldn’t be more au courant; each recalling the past with their gently curved silhouettes. Parkfield comes in finishes like GROHE SuperSteel Infinity™, GROHE Starlight Chrome™, and Oil Rubbed Bronze, while LadyLux³ Café pull-down is available in GROHE SuperSteel Infinity and GROHE Starlight Chrome in addition to GROHE RealSteel®, produced from 304 stainless steel.

MODERN
“Modern designs,” says Dixon, “usually feature bold colors, subtle patterns and straightforward silhouettes within a minimalist setting.”

New York-based Laura Bohn was quick to respond when asked her thoughts about the hottest kitchen trends for 2015, “First and foremost, technology-oriented items, like GROHE’s Minta™ Touch pull-down faucet, are at the top of the list.”

“And I love those fantastic under-counter coffee machines because the only part of it in sight is the small hand-held device that allows you to schedule, select and monitor your brew,” Bohn continued.

“Whenever possible I build a pantry next to the kitchen where I put the fridge and all the appliances one uses daily, such as toasters and microwaves.” Also along those lines is her mantra, “drawers not doors,” meaning that cabinets have gone the way of the pot-bellied stove. “They add to a clean, neat appearance and with soft-close drawer slides, are a joy to use.”

An increasingly popular product that is truly advanced is GROHE Blue® Chilled & Sparkling, which combines a fashionable designer faucet with a high-performance filter, cooler and carbonator – and is as easy to use as an ordinary kitchen faucet. The right lever on the faucet is used to mix hot and cold tap water as usual. A single turn of the left handle gives you fresh, cooled and two settings for sparkling water.