STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Jamsicle · BCBG

The New Kitchen

NCshopper · Hermes

Everything I've seen lately is very sleek-looking with clean lines and stainless appliances (we're currently halfway done installing new kitchen cabinets, so I've been living this stuff for a few months now).

Anyway, I actually don't think the trends really matter all that much, but it depends on what your parents are after. If they plan to stay in the house for at least 5-10 years, then I say, they should do whatever they want. If their style is country, then go for it--a super sleek, modern kitchen would never feel right to them if that's not their style or if that's really out of sync with the style in the rest of the house. However, if they don't plan on living there much longer and just want to make the kitchen look nice for resale value, then I'd maybe look into some of the trends and figure out which ones work with the style in the rest of the house.

To get some ideas, I'd go to HGTV's website, or go to the bookstore and look at the kitchen magazines (there are gobs of them!).

Also, for what it's worth, I'm not necessarily sold on the idea that one "has" to go the stainless steel route for appliances. I know that everything you read and will see on tv says otherwise, but I don't think it's an absolute must. We're doing white cabinets in our house and keeping with the white appliances because they blend in nicely and are much less expensive than the stainless. I think as long as the appliances are the same (all black, all white, or all stainless) and look good with the cabinetry and countertops, then it doesn't really matter.

Hope this helps!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I think it depends on the house. If the rest of it is "country" the kitchen won't look bad if it is. I do think that for resale purposes, sleeker is the way to go though. I also think there is a way to do a sleek modern isalnd (like those ones with the flat stovetop on them, or where the sink is on the island...its all in the soutertop and the style of the base.

We're in the process of replacing appliances, and we thought we were going to go with stainless, but ended up going with black. STainless was just too "much" on the big appliances for us (our countertop appliajnces are all stainless). When we redo out cabinets and counters, we'll definately go with a granite or other heavy countertop. Cabinet-wise, I really like the one that go all the way ip to the ceiling- sometimes its even almost like a small cabinet on top of a regular one- rather than the ones that are set lower and leave that gap. We have the gap now and it just looks unfinished to me.

cahabo · Kate Spade

I don't see how islands can ever be out. Too me it is very nice to have all that counter space. If I were to do my own kitchen it would have an island, probably dark colored granite counter tops, dark color stone floors, and definitely stainless steel appliances. I would go with a light maple wood cabinet, but that's just me. Keep in mind those articles are pretty much just opinions, do whatever you want! Your idea of the little fridge in the island sounds neat!

Suasoria · Chanel

The risk of going with what's trendy is that in three or five years, it isn't. As NCshopper says, their plans for the house are more important. If they plan on living there forever, they should do what they want without regard to other people's tastes.

If resale is in their future, they may want to consult a local real estate broker about what clients shopping in that price range want and expect in a kitchen. Granite countertops are obviously the number one selling point.

I think a realtor who shows homes all day would be very surprised to hear that islands are "out." Watch any househunting show on HGTV and you'll hear all day long, "I was hoping for an island."

As mentioned above, the style and age and architecture of the house should dictate the decor of the kitchen (midcentury, Spanish/mission, ranch).

We redid our kitchen in 2005-2006 in a 30s-40s style that is in keeping with the house, down to rescuing the ironing board cabinet door. The only thing I'd do differently is the floor - it's black granite and white marble, and white on a kitchen floor was a BAD idea.

Wood is also a bad idea for a kitchen floor - my BIL now has to spend about 10,000 to redo his after a couple of freak floods.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I don't see how an island makes for a "country" kitchen.

If your folks are planning on living there for quite some time, I think they should do what ever fits their style and budget. If they are planning to sell the house within 3-5 years, I'd go with whatever the market and neighborhood can handle.

That said, I would avoid lino floors (ceramic or nicer tile, or wood or wood laminate) and would budget for non formica counters. (I also wouldn't do tile, only because the grout can be a pain in the kitchen to keep clean of stains and dropping something on them from an upper shelf could crack a tile). Granite, Corian, or concrete would be my choices. (if you are unfamiliar with concrete, it's not as weird as it sounds.

I think having simple stramelined appliances, nice simple hardware and good lighting will keep it from looking overly country.

Maybe they can visit a home center and see what is out there. I can not believe all the new options available in kitchens. Our local paper just featured an article on faucets for the kitchen. Did you know that fancy kitchens not have a "pot filler" faucet that swings away from the wall, will fill a pot while on the stove, then swing back? All so the cook (well, let's call them a chef in this instance) doesn't ahve to walk the heavy pot across the kitchen.

Suasoria · Chanel

I love my pot filler! But it's only practical if you're building new or doing a total gut, ripping out the walls, moving plumbing and appliances and so on. Retrofitting would be way too complicated and expensive.

Jamsicle · BCBG

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies! You're the bestest :)

Su, my brother installed a pot filler in his house last year. He had stainless steel appliances three or four years ago before they became uber trendy, and now wishes he had desisted. He's the ultimate home design guy. He put in a pot filler without any major structural changes in his forties era kitchen, a swivel faucet with graduated hot/ cold, a touch dimmer switch, and this amazing long oval hanging light in his kitchen. My arms just about fell off holding the suspended light up while he was installing!

You guys have definitely inspired me- I'm going to look at granite counters in our kitchen odyssey. And my mother wants- yikes- to replace her old lino, which admittedly is about as good as lino gets- with NEW lino, so I forsee a battle royale about to take place. Who says that parents have the right of self determination?