Kitchen material trends for 2018

1. Natural unpolished timbers and attractive veneers

With consumers more mindful about the use of materials we’re likely to see an increase in the use of characterful` veneers such as Pippy Elm & Walnut for 2018.

These materials add texture and intrigue to the kitchen and when working in a bespoke manner can be used for everything from statement wall veneers to unique cabinetry and shelving. The use of high quality wood to create statement rooms is going to be big!

With this trend in mind, we designed an oak kitchen and breakfast room for an impressive Georgian manor house within close proximity to Bristol in South West England.

Whilst most of the kitchen is finished in an oak veneer with crisp clean lines and beautiful textures, the sink run is to be finished in an opulent Calacatta Oro marble which we sourced direct from Italy.

The overall appearance is set to be quite show stopping with the grains of the wood and natural materials taking centre stage.

2. Brass

Brass has been hot for the latter part of 2017 but this will continue into 2018 with the material being paired with warm colourways and acting as statement features within the kitchen.

Don’t just think about taps; you can create striking focal points with Brass doors, door handles, ovens, sinks - it’s all about thinking outside the box. Mixed metals are still a key trend too and mixing with metal appliances can work well. SMEG have a range of coloured metal appliances in black, white, red, blue, mint and more which look great mixed with other metals like brass,

silver and bronze.”

3. Faux marble and stone

The latest material we’ve seen a surge in for kitchen worktops is Neolith. A well thought out range of finishes to suit the modern worktop requirement and also very practical, unlike the recent marble trend.

NeoLith's revolutionary manufacturing process uses 100% natural materials, extreme heat,

and intense pressure to produce the most durable surface material available in the market

today. We confidently say “extreme” heat and "intense" pressure because NeoLith slabs are

cured at about 2200° Fahrenheit (1200+°o Celsius), and compressed to over 5900 pounds per

square inch.

In comparison quartz counter tops are only cured at about 200° Fahrenheit, and

like other counter top surfaces, this results in a surface finish that can be easily damaged by something as simple as a hot pan without a trivet or hot pad underneath.

The range includes finishes in silk, satin, river washed and polished. Our favourites are “Aspen Grey” which look like a natural grey stone, a great alternative to polished concrete, and “Belgian Blue”.

The marble effect finishes are the best alternatives to marble we’ve seen to date and lastly, the Iron series collection is also well worth investigating if you are looking for the industrial look.

4. Iridescent copper

The trend for metals like copper and brass continues, but a shift towards treating the metals to achieve interesting patinas is becoming more popular.

It seems as though metals have been a ‘trend’ since the beginning of time itself with new metals becoming the focus every season. Why can’t we get enough of it in our homes? Reflective surfaces create a lighter room and a sense of opulence even when you use smaller focal points such as pans or storage containers.

There are various ways to achieve a more popular patina finish by oxidation, chemicals and heat, all of which give dramatic and different finishes. We have recently installed a kitchen with heat treated copper on the ceiling - the effects were fantastic and created beautiful patterns on the copper panelling of the kitchen more like a work of art than a sheet of metal cladding.

Story by: Matt Prall and Stephen Garland