elements, lumber, fixtures and more, The Green Project manages the only paint recycling facility in the Gulf Coast, diverting over 20,000 gallons of paint from our waterways each year. “We take that leftover can of paint underneath your sink and process it into new usable paint to beautify another home or art project,” says Executive Director Catherine Crowell. “We have a variety of colors as well as brushes and the tools you’ll need to paint a room.” According to Crowell, another fun way to spruce up your bathroom or kitchen is through making your own ceramic tile countertop. From simple, all-white tile to a colorful mosaic, tile countertops can achieve a number of looks. This fall, The Green Project will host a tiling workshop to show how easy creative reuse can be while helping the environment. Whether your countertop consists of stone or tile, tile is undoubtedly one of the most popular materials for a backsplash. At Floor & Décor, Chief Executive Merchant Lindsay Swenson has seen a number of backsplash and kitchen wall tile trends come and go. “The longstanding trend of creating a small framed focal point above the cooktop is definitely lessening,” says Swenson. “We’re seeing more clients select a single beautiful mosaic and use it throughout the entire backsplash for a more cohesive design.” According to Swenson, subway tile remains popular with whites and cool grays still prevalent. However, she’s seeing an uptick in graphic designs and the use of bold colors and shapes. And while many people are still sticking with neutrals, colors like taupe and mushroom are growing in popularity. “Instead of picking a single neutral pallet such as all grey, all white, all cream, clients are embracing the use of multiple neutrals in the same space. We’re also seeing this same trend in bathroom and kitchen hardware, with the use of mixed metal finishes,” she says. The trend of using neutrals extends beyond the kitchen’s common area and into storage, pantries and butler’s pantries. According to Don Wise, Owner of Louisiana Custom Closets, lighter colors such as gray, white and off-white
The Green Project
are currently most popular in these areas as well. These areas of the kitchen are changing in function, too, moving away from being utilized simply for storage of canned goods and non-perishables. “Customers want more from their pantries than just shelving. In some cases, we’re adding countertop work spaces for coffee makers, microwaves and other appliances, which makes the pantry an extension of the work space in the kitchen,” says Wise. “They also want storage for trays, linens and even wine.” As a New Orleans general contractor working in homes all over the city and specializing in historical renovations, H. Peter Becnel III, Owner of HB Remodeling, has seen trends come and go. He echoes what a number of design experts are seeing in kitchens: clean lines and simplicity. This includes opening up the space more by removing cabinets above cooktops and refrigerators, opting for single-tiered islands and adding separate pantry/storage space. While tile still remains popular, an uptick in the full painted glass backsplash also adds to the clean, simple look. In bathrooms, Becnel notes a trend away from Jacuzzi tubs in favor of soaker tubs and showers with multiple functions and adjustable shower heads. At Nordic Kitchens and Baths, President Randall Shaw also sees built-in
tubs giving way to freestanding tubs. Top selling items include spoon-shaped soaker tubs made of easy to clean cast materials instead of acrylics. Floor- and wall-mount fillers are taking the place of faucets mounted on the deck of the tub with a rise in brushed brass and champagne fixtures. Frameless glass walk-in showers continue to be popular, according to Shaw, with more people opting for rain heads overhead and hand-held shower heads on the wall. Additionally, toe niches (small recesses in the wall about 12 to 18 inches off the ground) are a rising trend that adds convenience for leg shaving. Marble continues to be popular in bathrooms, and Shaw is currently seeing the introduction of large sheets of porcelain for nearly seamless, solid-surface walls. Popular quartz surface brand Silestone recently introduced solid shower bases, and Shaw expects other quartz manufacturers to follow suit. This enables use of the same material on the shower floor and wall, and even sinks and countertops as well. So, while some designers and manufacturers are making it easy for you to use one color and texture, still others are giving the go-ahead for a little mixing and matching. For kitchens and bathrooms this season, go bold or go neutral – according to local experts, the trends go both ways.
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