Closets Closets Closets Among Trends
You may have already heard that cabinets made a really big showing during Design and Construction Week 2017 (aka KBIS and IBS). And even if you haven’t, that translates to closets being included in many of those cabinet displays.
The takeaway is that closets continue to be on the leading edge of higher end design. All kinds of companies, lots of them European, have incorporated a closet line into their offerings. And many are “repping”, and not manufacturing, the products.
The most dominant elements are 24” deep panels and modern looks that resemble Poliform or have backing and brackets that support the sections.
So if you’re speaking with client and they want their closet to look “just like this one”, be sure you’re designing a comparable system (versus a 14” deep, 84” high system).+
One of the companies I noticed this year is Hans Krug, a fine European cabinetry line with US locations in New York, Seattle and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Hanak is actually the manufacturer and Hans Krug reps their product in the US.
I also saw another really interesting company named Velart out of Florida. They have these incredible closet systems that look like leather and according to the rep I spoke with, pricing seems reasonable. They highlighted their ability to do designs (not appealing to me, I’m a designer, but I digress).
These closets aren’t for everyone, but for clients who want high end, unique, contemporary design, these are the bees knees!
Following cabinets comes hardware trends.
It started showing up three years ago in the United States and is now going full force. And that’s shades of gold (though we’re still seeing shades of grey in cabinets) My first reaction in 2015 was similar to the thought of resurrecting avocado appliances (yuck). But as it has evolved, it has grown on me. The golds and brass aren’t the same as they were in the 90’s. They’re warmer or they’re coated with a layer of antiquing or they’re rose gold. And rose gold against greys and blues looks fantastic. Northern Contours showed an example here:
And Wisdom Stone knobs and pulls showed the most unique and best priced bling I’ve seen - as they would say - dazzling adornments for your home.
Hans Krug
Wardrobes and walk in closets are the two tabs on their website
Closets continue to appear at The Kitchen and Bath Show, and this year I noticed a couple of incredibly beautiful options. One that plays to my obsession with leather and two that are “fine, European cabinetry”, and very elegant looking. The interesting twist on the two European players actually plays out in the next two photos. They look the same, don’t they? So my guess is that they’re manufactured by the same company and “private labeled” to high end kitchen cabinet companies.
Here’s how that can help you. If you manufacture your own products currently, you can likely recreate these looks with some good design insight and the right hardware. According to our very own Mayor of Hardware, Richie DeMarco, you can purchase the hardware needed to recreate this look. That hardware includes
Vertiko = wall system
Lago = bracket systems
The two most notable differences from your own manufacturing standards/practices are that these high end systems are 24” deep and the drawers have a look that’s closer to an “inset” drawer.
One is Hans Krug, a fine European cabinetry line with US locations in New York, Seattle and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Richie -
“The European look is just getting established in the US markets. It’s typically sleeker, so there are less buyers in the states. But it’s a great look and I’m happy we’ve got hardware solutions to help our US partners replicate the look.”
Here is the metal stanchion system. Logo II and V
The bottom of the page has spec sheets.
The Vertiko wall system isn’t on Richelieu site yet.
I have it on my blog along with a video and a pic.
http://themayorofhardware.com/new-vertiko-closet-system-in-stock/