Two teams picked up a perfect score of 30 from the judges. Domain's Adrian Lowe spoke to them about their victory.
This year has flown by and it is hard to believe that in the blink of an eye it will be 2017. Trend forecasters and designers are already thinking about what will be the next big thing in home design for next year. Many people are wary of following design trends, especially when it comes to their kitchens, but it is possible to keep your kitchen design current and timeless at the same time. The key, as always, is to only include trends that you love and that reflect your taste throughout the rest of the home.
This week on The Block was all important kitchen week. We saw the couples being reminded that kitchens sell homes and of the importance of linking the kitchen to the rest of the living space. Some of the couples delivered beautiful examples of current design trends such as large and well appointed butlers pantries and the use of two or more colours and finishes. Others struggled with creating a cohesive space that successfully blended with the rooms around it.
If you are about to embark on the building or renovation of a kitchen, look out for the following trends for 2017.
Benchtops
We are seeing a move away from the thick, chunky 50-60mm benchtops of the past few years and into a more streamlined, refined look with 20mm or smaller benchtops that work really well with the modern, handle-free kitchen designs coming through. Waterfall island benches will become less popular in favour of the flexibility of a smaller island bench, connected to a lower eating and entertaining table, made in a different material for added interest, such as the successful example we saw in Will and Karlie’s kitchen this week. As far as benchtop materials go, carrara marble has had a good run but it’s time for something new. More rustic, raw materials such as timber and natural stones like onyx and limestone will be the way forward. Products such as Neolith from CDK Stone, available in a variety of colours and textures, are hard-wearing and also offer a seamless way of transitioning from indoor to outdoor entertaining around barbecues.
Appliances
With so many new appliance innovations, the kitchen is becoming very high tech. Julia and Sasha’s gorgeous kitchen ticked all the boxes, with the inclusion of those amazing Gaggenau appliances. Integrated refrigerators and dishwashers give the kitchen a polished look and with the kitchen becoming the entertaining hub of the home, wine fridges, built-in coffee machines, steam ovens and two or more standard ovens are becoming much more common. Wireless charging hotspots with a transmitter hidden beneath the benchtop are pure genius.
Tapware and accessories
Stainless steel and chrome tapware may date your kitchen – dark coloured sinks and tapware are becoming more popular. Burnished metallic tapware will eventually replace the bright, shiny brass and rose gold versions so on trend right now, while matt black tapware has become a design classic. Metallics can be brought in to add warmth via handles, lighting and decor items and are versatile across many different styles.
Butlers pantries
Kitchens have evolved from somewhere to simply prepare food into a space where we relax, do homework, eat, talk and entertain. So with all of that extra time spent there, kitchens need to be kept clean and tidy, which has led to a rise in popularity of the butlers pantry. From a space as small as a cupboard with open shelving for food items, to the palatial examples we saw in this week’s Block kitchens, which included ovens, sinks, refrigerators and dishwashers. Is it necessary? If space permits, why not? The butlers pantry allows you to keep your kitchen organised and tidy, while the everyday work of cooking for family and friends remain hidden.
Cabinetry
There are many options available with cabinetry – some favourites are open shelving, which allows you to add styling elements to the space, integrated appliances and the use of two different materials to add texture, such as timber veneer teamed with white two-pack cabinetry – a fresh yet warm and classic combination. Make sure you choose matt cabinetry. Glossy cabinetry will instantly date your kitchen and the endless cleaning of fingerprints will drive you mad!
Karlie and Will’s kitchen:
Julia and Sasha’s kitchen:
Carleen and Dan’s kitchen:
Kim and Chris’s kitchen:
Andy and Ben’s kitchen: