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PrintWhat's in/what's out
Donna Hoke
Appliances
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| IN: Oil-rubbed bronze STILL IN: Stainless steel OUT: Colored enamel | IN: Dual-fuel ranges STILL IN: Induction cooking OUT: Electric ranges | IN: Microwave drawers, and other hidden appliances STILL IN: Refrigerator and dishwasher drawers OUT: Expanses of clunky appliances that break up clean design. |
Countertops
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| IN: Quartz | STILL IN: Granite | OUT: Formica |
Lighting
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| IN: Separate ambient, task, and accent lighting | OUT: Single overhead fixtures |
Seating
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| IN: Banquette seating | OUT: No table at all in the kitchen; kids need a homework spot! |
Workspaces
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| IN: Removable cutting boards built into the countertop. OUT: Cutting boards that take up space and trap germs. | IN: Recycling your old kitchen cabinets through organizations like Buffalo ReUse OUT: Throwing huge piles of perfectly good cabinetry into landfills. |
| IN: One big island area | OUT: Multiple work triangles—they clutter easily and are inefficient. |
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| IN: Full-height, artistic backsplashes in ceramic, glass, or mosaic tile designs | OUT: Four-inch backsplashes that are a continuation of the countertop. |
| IN: High-tech options that let you convert fridge drawers to freezer drawers, or start your cooking from your office computer or cell phone. OUT: Throwing meat on the counter to defrost, or hoping your kids will see the note you left about starting dinner. |  |
| Colors | Sinks |
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| IN: Neutrals—white, off-white, brown, beige, bone—the colors of natural materials OUT: Color, in general | IN: Huge sinks (two is better) OUT: Tiny, divided sinks |
Cabinetry
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| IN: Freestanding furniture, drawers below thirty-six inches OUT: Wall-mounted upper cabinets, cabinets below thirty-six inches | IN: Glass—on all doors from refrigerators to cabinets, and in tile everywhere STILL IN: Cherry still reigns, though mixing woods in high-end (though not small) kitchens is in vogue. OUT: Distressed cabinets, painted cabinets |
Floors
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| IN: Big ceramic tiles, porcelain, natural stone | STILL IN: Hardwood | OUT: Linoleum, small tiles |
Appliances left and Seating photos by kc kratt. Backsplash photo supplied by the artist, Lori Desormeaux. Photo of sink and fridge by Jim Bush.
