Au Naturale
Interestingly, while smart appliances are
becoming more and more popular, so too
are more natural touches and materials.
Rustic, reclaimed woods are being used
as kitchen backsplashes or countertops.
Expect to see more and more butcher block
countertops, as well as islands, tables and
other finishes with "live" wood edges. Raw
materials such as stone are also increasingly
popular for backsplashes, sinks,
countertops and other decorative touches.
Part of the popularity surrounding natural
materials is the interest in sustainability
and, for some, the desire to get closer to
nature without actually living in a forest.
Artisanal Intelligence
Last year saw the rise of the machines—
or at least the rise of the smart home, with
appliances and accessories all connected
through Wi-Fi, controlled by the touch of a
finger or the sound of your voice. is year,
technology maintains its center-stage focus
in kitchens everywhere, with ovens that
can be preheated on your way home from
work, refrigerators that can share grocery
lists and show you a real-time feed of what's
inside, and crock-pots that let you control
temperature and cook-time from your
phone. anks to smart appliances, keeping
your kitchen stocked has never been easier.
V U E N J . C O M
73