Kitchen Tour

ASID Kitchen Tour '09 Showcases the Latest Trends in Kitchen Design, Storage, Surfaces and Appliances

This year's American Society of Interior Designers' Kitchen Tour '09 is a cornucopia of the latest trends and innovations in kitchen design. The one-day self-guided tour on Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. showcases nine kitchens, including two designer homes. The projects range from cost-conscious remodels to extensive great room renovations to innovative new construction.

"Kitchens used to be designed cautiously -- to appeal to the next buyer," said Tina Koch, ASID, event chair, and president of the San Diego ASID chapter, who is a professional restaurant designer. "Now they are more imaginative and bold with a hefty dose of personal style. Kitchens have definitely taken their place as the hub of the home and kitchen furnishings have become more warm and inviting," she said. "Design elements such as crown molding, furniture-finished cabinetry and chandeliers bring living room comfort to the kitchen."

The growing trend toward sustainable materials and eco-friendly design is evident in several kitchens. Designers used concrete as both a flooring material and a counter surface. Other ecological choices on display are strand-woven bamboo flooring, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, energy-saving appliances, and natural wood stains. The tour also features out-of-sight waste management solutions that encourage recycling.

Design influences from around the world are also evident. M. Enid Arckless, ASID, combined a former kitchen and dining room into one large, resplendent kitchen with exotic African Sapelle wood from the Ivory Coast inlaid with Anigre wood from West Africa. For extra drama she paired butterscotch-colored granite with Bluefire granite accented with veins of butterscotch.

Bold color is also center stage in the home of designer Kristy Kropat, Allied Member ASID. She used bright orange Caesar Stone counters and other orange accents to create a cheerful space inspired by European modern design.

An emerging trend that is new to San Diego is the addition of a second "workhorse" kitchen. "There are several forces behind this trend," said Koch. "Some homes in the $5 million plus range include secondary kitchens for a personal chef or catering staff. Increases in ethnic households that favor strong or pungent spices, such as Indians and Indonesians, have also spurred the proliferation of secondary kitchens to keep the kitchen odors separated from the living areas."

Anjum Razvi, ASID, of Razvi Design Studio, Inc., completely customized two kitchens in a new Scripps Ranch home, working within the constraints of the new home builder, Davidson Communities. Razvi personalized the primary kitchen with hand-made Moroccan tile, two-toned cabinetry and stone flooring. The secondary kitchen, destined for the major cooking projects, is highly functional and features a concrete floor that is scoured with diagonal lines to mimic large tiles.

The tour also showcases the latest storage solutions, including pull-out racks for canned goods, stylish wine storage, appliance garages, and walk-in compartmented pantries. The latest appliances by American and European manufacturers are also on center stage.

"Whether you're considering a quick kitchen facelift or an extensive remodel, the ASID Kitchen Tour will provide enormous inspiration," said Koch. ASID designers will be on hand to discuss all phases of the design and construction process and answer questions.

The ASID Kitchen Tour '09 also includes projects by Renee Allison, Allied Member ASID, Carly Blalock, Allied Member ASID, Titiana Machado-Rosas, Allied Member ASID, Kathy Novo-Shumante, ASID, Etta Osborn, Allied Member ASID, Afshan Rahmati, Allied Member ASID and Natalia Trepchina-Worden, ASID.

Additional Publications about the Kitchen Tour 09

San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyles article

Asia Magazine

Our Kitchen Tour 09 Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Coming this Fall - October 23, 2010