News — Trends

The story: When we first got to run through the project, the extension that the kitchen was going into hadn’t even been constructed, so this gave us plenty of time to work through our design process. It even gave us time to invite the clients to view another project that we had just finished, which was local to us. Although our showroom serves us well for this purpose, it was nice for the couple to see one of our kitchens in the context of a home – and a fabulous one at that! Designer Q&A: Q) What was your brief...

Between Flintstone-esque nooks and neon-colored floating ledges, we know by now that storage doesn’t have to be boring. Sometimes it can even be a focal point. Case in point: Hay’s powder-coated steel shelving unit, which comes in dusty blue and forest green and is now officially available to buy in the U.S.  Due to popular demand (eagle-eyed fans of the Danish brand might remember when it was temporarily sold at the MoMA Design Store a couple years ago), the retailer is rolling out the best-seller Stateside. The frame is simple enough, with an industrial-inspired aesthetic that makes it perfect for...

With the New Year approaching, we’ve pored over thousands of renovations completed by Sweeten general contractors over the past few years. Our mission: to take note of design ideas with staying power that could prove to become classics, and identify new styles sprouting up with the potential to transcend the word “trend.” As a renovation platform that connects homeowners with vetted general contractors every single day, we consider ourselves lucky to help people create a space that reflects their lives. In the kitchen, the trends range from larger-scale concepts (breaking the “triangle” in the kitchen) to details with big design...

Nigel Slydell can enjoy his wine throughout the day—without ever taking a sip. His ultramodern 1,400-bottle cellar is visible through a glass hatch on the floor of his kitchen-dining area. Bottles are accessed via a spiral staircase that extends 8 feet underground. An array of LED lights at the bottom gives off a warm glow. Mr. Slydell, a 68-year-old real-estate developer, paid about £70,000 for the cellar, or about $86,100, saying that it’s more than just a place to store wine. “It’s a great piece of art—that’s the best way to describe it.” The cellar is just one element of...

Nigel Slydell can enjoy his wine throughout the day—without ever taking a sip. His ultramodern 1,400-bottle cellar is visible through a glass hatch on the floor of his kitchen-dining area. Bottles are accessed via a spiral staircase that extends 8 feet underground. An array of LED lights at the bottom gives off a warm glow. Mr. Slydell, a 68-year-old real-estate developer, paid about £70,000 for the cellar, or about $86,100, saying that it’s more than just a place to store wine. “It’s a great piece of art—that’s the best way to describe it.” The cellar is just one element of...