Page 34 - HW FEBRUARY 2022

painting & decorating
NKBA members predict 2022’s kitchens will be about warmth and natural finishes ousting whites and greys (design by Toni Roberts of Kitchen Architecture).
+ Retail Colour Maestro Award was snapped up by the peppermint-and-chocolate stylings of Waffle Haus by Steve Rosling of Element17 in Christchurch (photo 8).
Despite being just one of many eateries along regenerated New Regent Street, Waffle Haus stands out for being “Tantalising and tasty ... the fun placement of these colours gives a sense that this building is literally drizzled with colour, oozing chocolate from top to toe.
“The colour is ever so carefully wrapped over all spaces, with pipes and rails that are reminiscent of striped paper straws. It’s a totally delicious escape from reality.”
KITCHEN TRENDS: WARM AND NATURAL
According to the latest annual trends survey from the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association of New Zealand (NKBA), timber and porcelain are predicted to be most popular finishes in kitchens and bathroom around New Zealand in 2022.
NKBA designers say they are at least as busy as the rest of the home renovations industry, with over 60% saying they are busier than they were before Covid-19, driven particularly by homeowners working from home being inspired to create a space they really love.
So, what can we expect from kitchen design in 2022? According to the latest survey, timber is on trend in a big way.
Indeed, 39% of NKBA designers predict the warmth of naturally finished timber to be the most popular cabinetry finish of 2022, with oak and walnut named as the most popular, even
ousting hardy perennial whites and greys.
In terms of cabinetry finish, 34% of designers picked matte
as the 2022 finish of choice, however texture is also on the rise, with homeowners seeking a more natural, organic look & feel, with some definition to the veneer, rather than an ultra-sleek finish.
One out of the box prediction this year is for porcelain as the benchtop of choice. Ultra-durable, non-porous and temperature resistant, porcelain has been slowly increasing in popularity over the years, says the NKBA, and is now the preferred material for many designers, with almost half of members predicting it to be in every new kitchen in 2022.
Looking to splash backs, for 2022, fully half of NKBA members said splash backs will be seamless with the bench, without grout lines, for a contemporary and high-end finish.
Overall kitchen trends in 2022 are for more modern and contemporary spaces with integrated appliances and smart technology.
In terms of bathroom design, NKBA members say we can expect to see more standalone baths, two-person showers and creative lighting.
Like most other sectors in and around home renovation, the kitchen & bathroom specialists are not only expecting delays thanks to supply chain issues but also longer lead times thanks to the high level of activity, with over 45% of NKBA members saying clients can expect to wait at least 6-12 months for a new kitchen.
32 NZHJ | FEBRUARY 2022
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