DesignNJ_FebMar2023_Digital Issue

editorinchief | LETTER
Kitchen colors can be an interesting
reflection of the times. From the deep Art Deco colors of
the 1920s and ’30s to the pastels of the 1950s, from the mod shades that washed
ashore in the 1960s to the nearly neon hues of the booming 1970s, kitchen colors
often followed suit. As the busyness of the new tech world took over our lives in
the 2000s, colors started to fade to calming neutrals, a trend that continues today.
Through it all, white has been a constant option for kitchens, thanks to its
association with cleanliness. Without the skill of a designer, however, all-white
kitchens can look sterile and downright boring — and homeowners have started
to notice. All-white kitchens have started to decline in popularity and are
expected to continue to do so this year, according to a new study by the National
Kitchen & Bath Association. White will remain an option, of course, but it will
be paired more often with colorful accents and wood in natural finishes.
Our editorial team found these trends already in play in New Jersey when
selecting projects for this Kitchen Issue. Our cover story features a black and brass
Moorestown kitchen by Bluebell Kitchens and Michelle Plachter Design. (“Double
Vision,” 42). The NKBA study cites this color combination as one to watch.
White gets an infusion of interest with a black, gray and gold wall covering; black and brass range and
faucets; and wood cabinetry with a natural finish in designer Jackie Currie-Taylor’s own Rumson kitchen, based
on one she saw on a trip to France (“Remembrance of Things Past,” 48).
Warm white cabinetry takes on a glow when paired with a walnut island, two glass-front cabinets with walnut
interiors, a black granite backsplash and deep gray vent hood in designer Michele Wesson’s Bergen County
kitchen, which she transformed with help from Valerie Corsaro of Ridgewood Kitchens (“View Points,” 52).
Designer Alison Nifoussi mixed bright white cabinetry with a black island and a black vent hood with brass
trim when updating a 1990s Morganville kitchen. The adjacent bar/beverage area features soft beige cabinetry
and a backsplash of black tile (“Quest for Contrast,” 56). In Wyckoff, Yana Bouchkanets combined white
cabinets with a white oak island as well as brass and black accents when replacing a 1960s kitchen sporting pink
and green highlights (“Aligned with the Times,” 60).
Each kitchen design involves far more than color, of course, so be sure to read the behind-the-scenes stories
for more details.
Also in this issue, we’re pleased to showcase the Bergen County home of Paul Connell and Dolores Catania, a
cast member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Vanessa Deleon created a sophisticated contemporary home
for the high-profile couple (“Savvy Style,” 34). And as the winter winds blow, dream about summer at the Brant
Beach vacation home of architects Stacey Ruhle Kliesch and Gary Kliesch (“On the Waterfront,” 24).
With the bustle of the holidays behind us, we hope you will take time to relax and be inspired to add some
color and style to your rooms with ideas presented throughout this issue.
REN MILLER, EDITOR IN CHIEF
rmiller@designnewjersey.com
14 February/March 2023