Surfacing was front and center at this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Held in January in Orlando, the show brought to light several new trends in countertops. Whereas granite has been the tried and true “go-to” for many years now, designers, architects, builders, and homeowners are branching out into new and exciting realms.
Manmade finishes are touting some amazing attributes and more than ever, the consumer is listening. Today’s most intriguing finishes focus on “high performance.” Cutting-edge technologies are helping to create products never seen before. And new finishes are offering new options for those looking to break away from tradition.
Industrial design is one interesting trend to point out. While some designers and tastemakers say this is a design style that’s run its course, we’re still seeing several new product introductions that coincide with this “rustic chic” style of décor. For example, the concrete look is exceptionally popular. We’re seeing surfaces in varying shades of gray, all of which call to mind the industrial feel of concrete. This goes hand-in-hand with a general rise in weathered and worn finishes and simulated metal patinas that we see on cabinets, accessories, and other home furnishings.
Manufacturers of ultra-slim Neolith surfacing, TheSize unveiled a few new shades of gray at KBIS. A dark grey matte shade, Aspen Grey is inspired by the beauty of natural Aspen stone. It features “micro elements” randomly scattered throughout help to add a sense of depth and the illusion of texture. Another grey tone, Zaha Stone pays tribute to the incredibly talented Zaha Hadid, a true inspiration to the architectural community who passed away last year. Persian inspired Zaha Stone reflects a richer, industrial grey tone, with white veins etched onto the backdrop in perpendicular directions. Also, Concrete Taupe has the look of a well-loved finish that’s developed a patina over time. It is designed to look as if natural rusting has occurred and it contains micro flakes to add the slightest sparkle.
Following along the grey trend, taupey beiges and shades of “greige” are the neutrals in today’s décor. Caesarstone’s new Nordic Loft shade, for example, is a neutral light taupe with a hint of gray. It’s inspired by Scandinavian natural tones and complements many material finishes and timber tones.
Then, of course, there are the classic shades that will never go out of style. Whites like Carrara and Calacatta are as timeless as ever. And the trend toward more “natural” looking engineered surfaces continues to pick up momentum. These materials give homeowners the elegant look of real Italian marble in a material that’s more durable and easy to maintain. Another new shade from Caesarstone, White Attica features a clean white base with dense, dark grey interwoven veins—a look inspired by the classic natural marbles.
Another impressive new color of Neolith reflects this trend as well. To create Blanco Carrara, TheSize had in-house designers meticulously review dozens of actual slabs of real Carrara marble from Italy. From each one, they selected the exact quality and characteristics to be replicated in the Neolith slab. The end result is a truly unique entity comprising natural aesthetic elements. There is literally no natural or manufactured stone like it. Two versions have been created: one with more subtle veining and the other with more prominent, high-contrasting veining.
While white is always right, black is quickly becoming a “new” classic too. Since black pairs well with just about any other color you can think of, it is really a very versatile shade. Quartz maker Silestone, for example, has more than a handful of black shades in their repertoire of new colors. And Nero Marquina is Neolith’s answer to the timeless monochromatic shade. Inspired by Spanish marble, it features bright white veining on a pure black backdrop. TheSize developed an exclusive technique to achieve the stark contrast and distinctive fine lines.
The variety of engineered surfaces available on the market today is unprecedented. It’s interesting to see how far this niche of the market has come in such a short time. And with new technology being developed every day, it will be fun to see where it goes!