Modern Cooks Rattle Those Pots and Pans
by Bonnie Brownell

   Maybe Grandma’s stove was coal-fired, or she might have been among the first to have a harvest gold oven in the wall. Both appliances were light years behind what she could have today.
   But the kitchen’s miracle makeover isn’t restricted to equipment that performs near-human services for modern maestros of cuisine. It’s also the changes in the scenery that pump up eye appeal and accommodate new, kitchen-centered activities.
   Contemporary looks, such as high-gloss cabinets, are in the forefront of the evolution. Cabinets in slick red or cobalt blue? Grandma might swoon into her apron, but new millennium buyers are tantalized by the prospect.
   Ted Platon, president and founder of EuroKitchen, shows upscale Italian products in two Fort Lauderdale showrooms. He said the new, hot colors are being delivered in polyesteric lacquers. His Italian manufacturers put a lot of curves in their cabinetry, making squared-off, conventional shapes seem so, well, “square.” Exotic woods are in wider use, Platon revealed, and countertops are diverting from popular granites to a variety of intriguing alternatives.
   Ask Poggenpohl president Lothar C. Birkenfeld, CKD, CBD, about high-gloss finishes, and he enthuses about Parapan solid acrylic doors. “They are not laminated lacquer veneers, but solid acrylic material,” he explained. “They’re not only tough, but so glossy, a woman can apply make-up in the reflection.”
   Parapan colors are black, grey and white, but red is available in another series. Not just any red, but Spanish Red, a hue used by Leonardo Da Vinci and one that company researchers predict will find favor with current buyers. Birkenfeld acknowledged that an all-red kitchen might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but a piece or two in accent mode might be very appetizing.
   And that is another trend gaining ground: mixing materials. According to Birkenfeld, there’ll be lots of combining of lacquers and veneers, or stainless steel and lacquers in concert with greater use of exotic woods, such as zebra.
   While some innovations will improve the kitchenscape visually (cabinetry will “disappear” into walls) others will upgrade it audio-wise. Poggenpohl has engineered its drawers to close more quietly and its cabinet doors to shut more softly.
   SieMatic is another major player seeing red, hibiscus red that is. “Red was chosen because of the trend we are seeing towards color in the kitchen,” said company spokesperson Linda Jennings. “Consumers are looking for drama when it comes to cooking, and nothing adds drama better than red cabinetry. It’s sophisticated, glamorous, yet also warm and inviting. It’s a great way to add instant personality and bring an otherwise drab space to life.”
   Jennings reported that red kitchens are popping up in metropolitan areas such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and upscale areas in the South.
   High-gloss exotic veneers, such as teak and rich hardwoods, are durable as well as beautiful, she declared. “We are talking about exotic veneers built upon a durable substrate. This, combined with a durable topcoat finish, makes these woods extremely resistant to oils and spills. Exotics create a warm, contemporary kitchen style rich in texture, color and pattern.”
   Storage issues are addressed by the company’s new MultiMatic, a system that allows users to compose, add to, and modify storage options. It won a “Good Design Award” from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design.
   Such industry upgrades are no surprise to local experts in the field. “The kitchen has evolved into a space that’s used for much more than cooking,” said Meriam Reed, of Dreammaker Bath and Kitchens. “Our clients are expecting space for a home office, an entertainment center, a place where the children do homework and everyone works on hobbies.”
   The kitchen is no longer a stand-alone room, she explained. Its looks are changing, with deeper-toned wood finishes and more interesting counter surfaces that better harmonize with the rest of the home.
   Reed said her Naples-based franchise firm, one of 250 throughout the world, effects the changes with a blend of cus-tom designs and industry innovations. For example, fold-down, flat-screen television sets are popular options for those who like to watch televised cooking shows and the latest weather forecasts.
   The island is morphing into a gathering space, a hobby center and/or an expanded work area. It’s also going glamorous with feet, new angles, multi-levels, and decorative moulding.
   New cabinetry finishes are boosting the wow power of the environment. White is out, Reed declared. Hot colors, such as red, yellow and blue are finding favor with homeowners anxious to break with tradition and create a space equally hospitable to whipping up an omelet or a Scrabble battle.
   According to Paul Erwin, of Paul Erwin Design Inc., cabinetry configurations are less rigid than they used to be. Now, there are stand-alone features, such as coffee bars and wet bars, to break up the routine. In his North Naples custom cabinetry shop, Erwin has seen a move toward a more contemporary look for Southwest Florida kitchens, with traditional, raised panel cabinet doors replaced with cleaner-lined doors and more exotic woods, such as anigree.
   The contemporary flair in cabinetry is also expressed in new detailing on doors, according to Darlene Quindel, senior staff designer at Kitchens, Kabinets & Kounters.
   “Rope detailing, applied moulding and beading are among the ways that cabinetry is taking on new character,” said Quindel. “Also for those who like contemporary, there are stainless steel doors and lacquer finishes in bright colors.” As the kitchen becomes less one-dimensional and more multipurpose, wood finishes are darkening, she said. Sable, for instance, is a black glaze, currently elbowing out the lighter browns of the recent past.
   Watch for countertops to start wearing new faces. Quindel and Erwin said that quartz and cement surfaces are growing in popularity, both of which rate high in hardness and durability. Irwin mentioned Riverstone as an intriguing option, a product that captures real pebbles in a resin adhesive.
   The shift toward contemporary should not distress lovers of traditional style. Troy Ellis, showroom director of Clive Christian, Naples, said the kitchens his company produces in England are classic examples of traditional craftsmanship. The local firm’s current location is Miromar Outlets in Estero, but it will move to the new design center slated to rise across the street.
   “We specialize in hand-painted furniture,” said Ellis, “and dedication to detail. Our most popular color is our trademark antique buttermilk.” But the traditional Clive Christian kitchen does not exclude modern conveniences. There are options for integrated coffee makers, bread warmer drawers, pullout shelves and wirework accessories.
   Granny — and her grandchildren — will all like that.