MODERN VS. CONTEMPORARY

INTERIOR DESIGN

MODERN VS. CONTEMPORARY

Modern and Contemporary designs are growing more popular these days. Both styles have their own unique characteristics. However, many times, it is tricky to distinguish between a modern interior and a contemporary interior. It is difficult to differentiate because they are so similar and we assume they are the same. 

MODERN INTERIOR

Let’s talk about Modern design. Modern design denotes a period in time during the 1920s-1950s. This was a time of new inventions and machination. Modernists were forward thinkers and challenged traditional views. Technology and social norms were reflected through art and design, thus, new artistic forms emerged. Some of the common characteristics of a modern design would include materials of the time, geometric shapes, and artistic trends including minimalism, surrealism, cubism, etc.

Materials that are common in this style includes: natural woods, plywood, plastic, linen, and leather. Furniture is made simplistic with elegant shapes. A modern space will look and feel simple, airy, and clean with colors that are monochromatic and neutral.

CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR

While Modern design is about the 20^th century era, Contemporary design integrates Modernism with today’s trends and movements. This means that Contemporary design is always changing. Today’s contemporary materials will be in lacquer, glass, stone, steel, cork, etc. Currently, sustainability is in demand, so there will be a lot of materials that are eco-friendly and designs will have the indoor-outdoor feel.  Contemporary interiors are also minimalistic, simple, and clean-lined. 

Check out more designs from the Leicht website!
http://www.leicht.com/en/kitchen/modern-style/

What's New for 2017?

As 2016 comes to an end, we look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2017.  If you  have been holding off on that kitchen or bath renovation, now is a great time to go forward and make it happen. 

We at CSI are seeing some very interesting and innovative developments in our industry that makes us very excited about kitchen and bath design possibilities for the coming year.

One trend we love is the use of textured woods for cabinets. Yes, oak is back, and in a big way; but not your grandpa's oak! today's oak utilizes different sawing techniques like quarter-sawn and rift-cut to change the appearance of the graining pattern.  We are seeing rougher textures that include the natural knots and blemishes in wood to create an interesting surface.  The wood may also be wire-brushed to give it a weathered, old barn wood look, and combined with stains and glazes to further enhance the texture.

The other big trend we see in cabinets is in painted finishes.  Grays, whites, and creams are hot, and the combinations of painted finishes with the textured woods are very appealing.  We also see a surge in other colors, like blues and greens, to put a personal stamp on a kitchen or bath.

Lighting is the other major trend we see in kitchens now.  Lighted cabinet interiors are being requested more and more. Glass-fronted cabinets can be lit traditionally with halogens in the ceiling, but advances in LED technology also allows unobtrusive narrow strip lighting down the sides.  There are even glass shelves that can include LED lighting.  And how about lighted drawers and base cabinets to make it easier to find items?  Pendants, chandeliers, and ceiling fixtures have also become major design statements in the kitchen with the bold new designs that are available now.

So, we are very excited about about the new looks and trends that are coming on the market, and we invite you to visit our showroom to see what the future has in store for your next project! 

KITCHEN WISH LIST

What does your ideal kitchen look like? What would you include in your dream kitchen? The answers are different for everyone, but there are certain features that everyone agrees are must haves.

1. Plenty of storage: The ideal kitchen has plenty of space to store all of your cooking equipment. The best way to add storage if you lack square footage is to go up. Take advantage of all the ceiling height you can by installing tall wall cabinets. If you have a high ceiling you can create a dramatic look with stacked wall cabinets that may have glass in the upper portion perfect to display your favorite decorative pieces.

Get creative with custom cabinet features that maximize storage. A blind corner cabinet, for instance can have one of several devices that make it easier to access items. One is a “magic corner” which is a chrome wire pullout with baskets. Another popular one is the “Le Mans” unit which as two kidney-shaped sliding shelves. Tall pantry pullouts make the most of a narrow space, and rollout shelves in base cabinets make accessibility easy. Don’t forget customized drawer accessories like cutlery trays, spice and knife inserts. Don’t forget to provide special shelving for that cookbook collection.

2. Appliances: You, of course, will want your ideal kitchen to have the latest in appliances. One trend, especially if you entertain a lot, is to have two dishwashers to make clean-up a breeze. A professional-style rangetop with a built-in griddle is a feature most cooks would love to have. Double ovens and a warming drawer are a must when cooking for a crowd. And don’t forget specialty appliances like steam ovens, built-in coffee systems, and extra refrigeration space like under counter refrigerated drawers, beverage centers or wine storage units. An extra ice maker is also handy for entertaining.

3. Lighting: Great lighting can make the difference between a good kitchen and a “Wow” kitchen. Lots of natural light from large windows is a must. Of course, you need general ambient lighting, specific task lighting and lighting for atmosphere. Be sure to include under-cabinet LED lighting, recessed ceiling cans for general lighting and pendants or fixtures over islands. If you have glass-fronted cabinets you will want to have interior lighting to sparkle off crystal and china. For special lighting consider rope lighting above the cabinets as well as below the toekick area. Dimmers on most of the lighting are the best way to create atmosphere and set a mood when entertaining.

4. One feature that most people would include in a dream kitchen is a large island with seating. The island incorporates many functions. The large surface is great for food preparation, it can double as a buffet for serving, and it contains lots of storage. It is perfect for creating a convivial atmosphere for chatting with friends and family and to keep an eye on the kids as they do their homework.

5. Style: Everyone’s idea of what the perfect kitchen looks like is different, but there are some elements that will elevate your kitchen above the norm. The cabinetry you choose is the furniture of the room and sets the mood. Hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen and adds extra flair. Color is essential in creating mood and making the kitchen a pleasant place to work. Add special touches like barn doors for the pantry, open beams, marble countertops or a special tile pattern for the floor to individualize the space.

Whether you are planning to build a new house, or remodel your current one, plan your dream kitchen for comfort, storage, functionality and beauty and make it as individual as you are.

NARI tour 2015

NARI Atlanta Presents its Fifth Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes

The Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, will present its Sixth Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes Saturday, Oct. 24, 2014 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Eight private homes transformed by NARI members throughout Atlanta’s northern suburbs will be open to the public, with the remodeling teams on hand to discuss each project and answer questions.  Proceeds from the tour will benefit CURE Childhood Cancer (www.curechildhoodcancer.org).  The tour is self-guided and will be held rain or shine.  Tickets are $20 in advance, and $30 the day of the tour, and are available at www.AtlantaRemodelingTour.com, along with a downloadable map showing each home location.  CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio will be showcasing a beautifully redesigned home as part of the tour.  We are very proud to be involved in NARI and to help such a worthwhile cause like Cure Childhood Cancer.

Schrock Makes a Big Foray into the Contemporary Market

Decidedly modern. That's Schrock's fresh take on kitchen design with their new contemporary door styles, Aspen and Derazi. Schrock already had a slab door with their Prestley style--a wood veneer door in maple or cherry in a range of stained or painted finishes.

Schrock's new Aspen and Derazi door styles.

Aspen and Derazi add to the range of slab style offerings by introducing special laminate finishes. 

Aspen is a high-gloss white laminate with a choice of white or metallic edgebanding. Derazi is a textured horizontal grain laminate in Obsidian. These colors pair beautifully with stainless steel appliances. Use Aspen and Derazi together or separately to create a sleek, European look. 

These cabinets feature full overlay doors on a face-frame carcass.  Touch latches are available for a handle-less look, or opt for slim, unobtrusive brushed nickel finger pulls.Specially designed metal brackets, corbels and feet are available for that finishing touch.

Available in Schrock's Fall 2015 product launch at the end of August, and with a quick order time of only three weeks, you can be cooking in your new European-style kitchen in no time!  Call to make an appointment with one of our designers to create your new kitchen today.

Rutt's New Morgan Series

Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry has added a new door style to their Regency Series.  Called Morgan, it is a clean-lined classic Shaker style—but with a difference.  Not just a door style, but a complete system of cabinetry, Morgan blurs the line between frameless and framed cabinetry.  Horizontal and vertical members do not meet on the same plane creating shadow lines and an interesting layered effect.  With specially designed components unique to Morgan, such as soffit and base rails, light rails, and end panels, this system is a complete concept.

New Introductions from Leicht

Leicht is already gearing up for the new year with a preview of new introductions for 2014. We love this new accessory bar for the backsplash area.  It features a narrow shelf at top for small items and has optional accessories like a very attractive knife block, hooks for utensils and a towel rack.

A cutlery tray is a great organizational tool for storing cooking utensils where they are needed.  These are available to fit most metric drawer sizes.

                                                       

Well-known for their aesthetics, Leicht cabinets are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. This photo illustrates a new interior pullout system that will be available in 2014.

Understanding the Kitchen Remodeling Process

At the Build, Remodel and Landscape Expo this weekend, January 26-27, 2013, Tom Strott will present a seminar called "Understanding the Kitchen Remodeling Process."  He will walk you through the ins and outs of making changes to your kitchen that will transform it into one that you truly enjoy and will increase the value of your home.  He will discuss the benefits of remodeling, whether you should do-it-yourself or hire a contractor, the steps involved in the process and current kitchen trends.

Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry Comes to CSI!

CSI has exciting news!  We have just signed an agreement to represent Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry in the Atlanta area!  After an absence of several years from our market, we are pleased to be the only dealer of this high quality exclusive custom line of cabinetry in Georgia.

 Rutt is made the old-fashioned way--hand crafted by skilled artisans in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Here are just some of the features that go into the craftsmanship of Rutt cabinets:  Woods are hand selected; grains are hand matched; drawers and accessories can be crafted from cherry, mahogany, poplar or walnut; mullion doors are hand made with individual panes; finishes are oven-cured and protected with clear varnish; many paint and stain finishes are available--or you can request a custom finish.  Styles range from contemporary to traditional with hundreds of combinations of door designs, wood species and finishes. 

Rutt makes exquisite cabinetry in traditonal and contemporary styles.

Curved cabinets and custom mulllioned doors are possible with Rutt.

  And, of course, Rutt belongs to the KCMAs Environmental Stewardship Program for cabinet manufacturers that adhere to high standards of safety, environmental responsibility, recycling and sustainability. 

We will have samples and displays soon, but in the meantime, please visit the Rutt website at www.ruttcabinetry.biz and www.ruttregency.com. 

European Kitchen Design Trends

Eurocucina, the huge biennial trade show held this year in Milan, showcased the latest trends in contemporary kitchen design.

The trend continues for the increased integration of the kitchen with the living room to promote family togetherness and to function as an open, multiple-use space.

A major theme of exhibitors was the use of natural woods for kitchen cabinetry.  Oak was especially dominant in dark and natural finishes with sharp, crisp edges.  The look is very natural with the wood treated as simply as possible.  Integrated handles were used extensively for cabinetry rather than traditional applied handles.  Open wall shelving was also seen as a dominant trend with most exhibitors.

Another big trend noted was the return of white and black for appliances.  After years of the dominance of stainless steel, white and black are now seen as more sophisticated.  If stainless steel is used, it is in a matte finish or one that is treated to resist fingerprints.

In countertops, quartz, glass and wood are favored materials. Textured and matte finishes emphasize a natural look to go with the natural cabinetry.  Thicknesses were explored as well with both extra-thick and extra-thin materials used.  Also waterfall countertops were used for a more contemporary look with the countertop material extending to the floor as a leg.

A fun trend is the integration of indoor gardens into countertops.  With proper lighting, one could grow herbs and snip them when preparing a recipe.  What could be fresher?

Tour of Kitchens

CSI was proud to participate in the Junior League of Atlanta’s annual Tour of Kitchens, for the 8th year in a row on a beautiful Saturday in March.

Our homeowners graciously opened other rooms as well, so tour-goers got to see the master bath, pool bath and outdoor kitchen as well as the beautiful pool atrium. All the cabinetry for the house was from our Leicht line from Germany, except for the outdoor kitchen which we did in stainless steel cabinetry from Jay Rambo Co. The kitchen features dual islands each with a sink and dishwasher for easy clean up for the homeowners who love to entertain. Four colors of cabinets from Leicht were chosen for a state-of-the-art contemporary look including cherry, Sahara lacquer, stainless steel and oak in a dark anthracite finish.

The master bath was equally spectacular with a barrel-vaulted ceiling covered with glass tile that extends down to the vanity. Leicht cabinets in dark oak anthracite were chosen for the vanity and topped with low vessel lavatories. An oculus window under the barrel vault provides light in the huge double shower, and a relaxing spa tub is set in its own niche. At the other end of the room is a large walk-in closet that we outfitted with Jay Rambo Co. closet components.

Visit Our New Leicht Site!

CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio has proudly represented Leicht Cabinetry from Germany since 2001, and we are the exclusive dealer in Georgia--so, we are very pleased to announce that we have recently launched a new website devoted exclusively to Leicht at www.leichtstudiobycsi.com.

Leicht is the leading cabinet manufacturer in Germany and they are famous for their innovation and award-winning style. They have the coolest of contemporary styles and finishes, and some great "country in the city" looks, too!

Check out our site and let us know what you think! And visit our showroom to see Leicht cabinetry in person!

Living the Loft Life

Loft living is a popular lifestyle. It's a great way to create green living spaces by recycling vintage apartment buildings, offices, warehouses or factories. And typically, it gets people into the inner city where they have easy access to all sorts of cultural amenities, parks, and shopping--often within walking distance.

Since lofts are usually large open spaces, it is possible to configure the space to suit your needs or lifestyle. The kitchen especially is well-suited to an open design, and clean-lined, unfussy contemporary cabinetry is the perfect choice for lofts. And we happen to have the perfect modern cabinetry to create a loft kitchen--Leicht cabinetry from Germany.

Leicht is the leading kitchen cabinetry manufacturer in Germany and they are on the cutting edge in style and innovations. When you have such an open interior as a loft, you want your kitchen to be neat and uncluttered, and your appliances concealed or integrated as much as possible. With Leicht you will find clever, and beautiful, storage solutions for all your kitchen equipment behind all the doors and drawers. And there are many styles and colors to choose from and price levels to suit any budget.

Check out our ad in the current issue of LoftLife, Spring 2010; and visit our special website devoted to Leicht cabinetry at www.leichtstudiobycsi.com. And be sure to visit our showroom to see displays of Leicht in person.