K+BB - December 2008 - (Page 20)

T rends Keeping It Simple Minimalist and modern hit the mark with Generation X No longer the grunge-rock-listening, Starbucks-drinking, ﬂannel-donning slackers of the 1990s, Generation X has matured into young professionals with a distinctive sense of style. Now in their 30s and early 40s, Gen-Xers are keenly aware of the latest trends in minimalist architecture and interior design and are willing to splurge on homes that are “simple, contemporary and utilitarian,” said Roderick Shade, principal of Roderick N. Shade Interior Design in New York. The same is true of their kitchens and baths. For these rooms, this hip demographic prefers a more understated and uniform aesthetic, noted Steve Hermann, founder of Los Angeles-based Steve Hermann Design, which has designed homes for some of Hollywood’s young stars. “I think every generation goes through a period that inﬂuences the way they want to live,” Hermann said. “For Generation X, less is more.” Shade agrees. “Gen-X is unique,” he said. “They feel less concerned with fancy aesthetics and want pure form and function.” list are quartz countertops with thin, subtle proﬁles; backsplashes tiled in glass, porcelain or even metal; and porcelain ﬂooring tiles, especially ones that resemble aged metal. “Across the board, Generation X is leaning toward a more modern kitchen experience, regardless of the style of the home,” said lifestyle expert and interior designer Erinn Valencich, of Los Angeles-based Omniarte Design. “I am putting modern kitchens in Spanish-style homes and big mansions.” A CLEAN BATHROOM But the taste for streamlined, modern designs is not just limited to the kitchen. As Shade noted, “With this age group, they want simple, clean lines in everything.” For their bathrooms, Gen-Xers are fond of limestone countertops, which offer a soft, clean look, and high-end natural wood vanities, preferably in oak or teak, that not only ensure ample storage but also convey a sense of reﬁnement. Equally popular are integrated sinks, wall-mounted faucets and ﬂoating washstands, which can add a feeling of weightlessness and elegance to any bath setting, said Hermann. Bathroom colors and ﬁnishes should also be uniform. For walls and ﬂoors, porcelain, metallic and glass tiles are seen as ideal and fashionable complements to natural stone, as are European-inspired chrome faucets with contemporary, spare lines. The minimalist emphasis may confound the parents of Generation X who remember their children as slackers. But Gen-Xers have always been independent thinkers, said Hermann. And as they take on more of the challenges of adulthood, their sense of style, like their attitudes, has evolved. Hermann noted, “This generation has ﬁnally come into its own.” s —Matthew Marin THE UNIVERSAL KITCHEN Disenchanted with the old-fashioned style choices of their elders, Gen-Xers are looking for kitchens with sleek, sophisticated appeal. According to Hermann, their products of choice often include hightech, stainless-steel appliances and upscale European cabinets, especially those with a glossy lacquer finish and flat, front-overlay doors, which can up the chic factor in any space. Automotive-inspired aluminum cabinets are also gaining momentum, he noted, while faucets with an industrial edge and luster further enhance the modern bent. In terms of surfacing, Gen-X is fond of uniﬁed and simple colors that can complement a variety of decors, noted Shade. Topping their wish 20 + K BB December July 2004 2008 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of K/BIS www.kbis.com http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of K+BB - December 2008

K+BB - December 2008
Contents
Online Contents
Online News
Editorial
Dates
Focus
Trends
Product Innovator Awards
Products
Options
Profile
Abroad
Design
Linear Thinking
Miami Heat
Green
Access
Additions
Practice
Editorial Index
Ad Index
Favorites

K+BB - December 2008