Last month after returning from Milan trendspotting with Cosentino, my Silestone friends asked me and a few other design pals to assist in creating a new countertop collection. You can imagine my excitement—this is like my very own Kerrie Kelly Design Lab action figure! The process for this new endeavor would be kicked off by a trip to New York to experience the 42nd Annual Kip’s Bay Showhouse held in the historic Villard Mansion at 457 Madison Avenue. There we will be briefed on the actual design process for our new sleek tops, but in the meantime we needed to bring the inspiration from our hometown—Sacramento for me—interior design trends along with trends we have seen in other parts of the world.
Photo credit: Elle Decor
What common themes have I seen that are universal and pertain to this project? What are some of my favorite trendspotting designs? Here is where I started:
– Sleek solid surfaces paired with reclaimed or textured elements.
– An industrial chic vibe that gives a rugged feel to modern functionality.
– Bold contrast in color, textures and patterns.
– Classic elements paired with modern details to create a timeless aesthetic.
– A noticeable injection of the color navy blue. While we love purple and celebrate the color of the year, Radiant Orchid, navy blue has truly hit the scene.
Photo credit: Babble, Happy Interior Blog, French by Design
Going beyond what reports say and manufacturers have to share, I spent time considering what would be relatable and meaningful in a countertop offering. What significant story could I share with clients when specifying their surfaces? What exclusive design could I provide while adding value and a classic look to my clients’ interiors?
Here is what I have come with—and who knows, in the process it may completely morph into something else. I will share the journey and those details, too, but for now, check out the ideas brewing—all stored on Pinterest.
Inspired by the Moon Exception Exhibition in Milan, I dug into the details to begin to create a new collection of Silestone highlighting a very special characteristic via the moon’s reflectivity or “albedo”. The Moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite, directing travelers, creating romantic evenings and reminding us how small yet connected we all truly are to each other. The Moon is the most luminous object in the sky after the Sun. Although it appears a very bright white, its surface is actually dark, with a reflectivity just slightly higher than that of worn asphalt. Since ancient times its prominence in the sky and its regular cycle of phases have made the Moon an important cultural influence on language, calendars, art, and mythology. Digging deeper, the albedo is important in climatology, astronomy and calculating reflectivity of surfaces, for example in LEED sustainable-rating systems for buildings. Leveraging this concept allows this Silestone collection to play with movement through crater patterns, contrast and cloud formations while creating sustainable residential and commercial projects world-wide.
Photo credit: Design Seeds
I am looking forward to sharing the Albedo Collection with you—or whatever shakes out of the design process with my friends at Silestone! In the meantime, I will be going through the product development process with the team in Spain this July. The grand reveal will occur in January 2015 during our next visit to Las Vegas’ Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS)—wish me luck!
