Stainless is going out because of the difficulty of cleaning. There is a lot of cheap granite still going in the mid priced homes because it is perceived to be very high end but the quality of the material being used leaves something to be desired. I would rather have quartz. As to cabinets, we are seeing lots of cherry and distressed off white finishes that look very nice.

I read the other day in a design magazine that the "hot floor item" last year is on the way out now...Bamboo.  Guess it didn't have the durability they thought it would.

I would like to rephrase Howard's comment; Kitchens are going out because of the difficulty of cleaning.

I am amazed by what all my young buyers want in a kitchen, but #1 is a bulletin board with the phone number of the pizza delivery people.

I subscribe to alot of decorating magazines and the distressed off white finishes have caught my eye.

I don't get to show newer homes very often so I am not sure what the trends are here, but from what I have seen the granite is still on top.

Sharon,

Here's my input:  Free standing furniture style islands, supersized appliances...you know, double doors, double drawers. Granite is still strong, but I'm seeing more black appliances. Wine storage, butler's pantry. In Arizona, its anything Tuscan.  Oh, and the outdoor kitchen is a plus.

Stainless may be hard to clean but they are still in trend here in Virginia. Wood flooring, pantry, undermount sinks, granite are also in high demand.

Good Evening everyone....what a wonderful subject! I'm making a personal move in just 7 more sleeps!!! ....but with 3 teenagers, and somehow finding myself backing right on to the highschool...I've decided to go with vending machines....and anything that can be hosed down! lol I find that up here, the granite and maple is still hot, however, I think the light distressed look and quartz is absolutely gorgeous! I visited the home show in Toronto last weekend....where a new counter had surfaced....fossil...it was absolutely beautiful. Yes, big appliances are really staying in favour...wine fridges...everything and anything for fun living!

Donna

I am trying to sell my own personal house. It is in Connecticut. I have it listed with a Realtor there, while I am in Florida. (I am not licensed in Connecticut, and Fsbo would be difficult from Florida) I am having difficulty because I hear the same "reason" over and over as to why the buyers didn't want it. They want granite countertops and "high-end appliances". I have regular countertops that were custom made, and have a maple bullnose. I have very nice perfect working order appliances in white: GE wall oven, GE built-in microwave, a gas cooktop, a Kenmore Elite Dishwasher, and a bottom-freezer Amana refrigerator. The other thing that seems to be an issue for buyers is the pavement on the street ends 1/3 of a mile from the house. (You might get your yuppy SUV dusty?)Other than that, it is a beautiful 4800 square foot house on 11.85 wooded acres, with a private gate to access the driveway. It has a pond and a brook, and is abutted to an 18 acre Land Trust owned by the town for conservation purposes. Anyone have a buyer for an ultra-private secret hideaway nestled in Nature? (Dunkin Donuts is 2 minutes away, and supermarket ans Wal-Mart are 8 minutes away. Airport is 30 minutes away.)

Bull nose is a 1/2 round edge- gives it a finished look, rather than a straight edge.

I don't have a problem with Kenmore. I love that dishwasher- it has a sanitize feature, hot temp scrub, child lock-out, and it actually CLEANS the dishes! No crusty, crumbly, sandy leftovers stuck to the plates or glasses! And no spots! :) Do I sound like a commercial?  

Central Texas Kitchen Report:

Everything must be OPEN in feel

Appliances: SS - still a good bet, Black a close second

Countertops: Granite, natural stone of any kind, Silestone/quartz, SS, butcherblock

Sinks: Undermount or farmer's sinks

Cabinets: Dark Finshes, painted & distressed anything, free standing furniture feel, different finishes in the same kitchen & lighting on the top, under & inside glass fronted doors

Floors: Stone, slate & hardwoods

Also, a chandelier somewhere, be it wrought iron, gilded with crystals or real candles

Tuscan has hit here hard, combined with standing seam roof and a courtyard with an outdoor kitchen to make a Texas feel.

Three dining areas seem to be a must: a Breakfast bar, a breakfast room and dining room. Seems like there might be a cure for the obesity problem right there!

In SC I am seeing a lot of mixed finishes, cherry with black dental molding, distressed woods, SS, and the smooth finish black appliances.

Sharron and Steve,

I'm in NW NC Mountains....Boone...and I see A LOT of granite, although Quartz is making it's way in...and Black/SS appliances are popular.  Don't have a clue what Tuscan is...will have to look that one up.  THe outdoor kitchens are big in the luxury homes here.  People are DEFINATELY looking for appliances from the ninetys to today...if the stove has eyes....people look elsewhere here.  Shelly

You can have a bullnose on any counter top- I was looking at granite countertop websites- (might have to put in granite to sell my house)- and they do a bullnose edge, as well as other edges. It really adds a nice touch. Don't be afraid of wood- especially if that's what you like. You can see my house and kitchen at:

www.ginnow.com/house/sale

let me know what you think. It was built in 2000. We are asking $695,000. Anyone want to move to Connecticut? :)

It is actually a Georgian house! Have you ever heard of Frank Betz and Associates? He is from Georgia, I think. Or at least his business is there. Nothice the returns on the roof gables- one of his common qualities. Another thing he likes is a sitting room in the Master suite. And you should see the huge closet! It is the size of most people's bedrooms! I chose to build this house because I love the style, space and amenities. (Like the Laundry on the second floor!) The open staircase is a great focal point , with 22 foot and 24 foot ceilings on either side.

It also has a Butler's Pantry.  Well, I could go on and on. But you can see for yourself.

We deal with lots of new construction here.  

Hot counter tops are concrete, glass (omg - these are awesome!), natural stone (sealed well).  

Hot appliances - black is in as are retro designs (modern function - just retro look).  6 burner stoves and double ovens are the norm.

Cabinets are still wood - knotty oak, and alder are the most popular.

Unique backsplashes are the rage as are huge islands with bar stool seating.

Granite rules in Georgia.  Kitchens are getting larger and we are back to wood grain.

Thank you! Now can you tell me who would not want it? and Why?

Or better yet, send someone who will buy it! :)

NW Chicago suburbs ... I don't do much new construction but when it comes to rehabs, I have seen a lot of IKEA cabinets lately ... they have a very clean look. Plus a lot more freestanding islands and other pieces as was mentioned above. Haven't seen much maple lately. Granite still seems to be the #1 for new countertops.

Titianum is going is pretty cool for appliance finishes. Lighter in color but same concept. Shows no  finger prints. It looks almost like a white silver. Very crisp clean look, not a lot of product choices yet , but think it will start to take over those how like the stainles steel look.

I am remolding my kitchen and have been shopping for new appliances and like the stainless steel look but the finger print problem is realy causing me to think twice, I am going to go with the new Titianum finish, it is selling pretty good in my area.

Natalie...Small world.  I've shown your house.  It's gorgeous.  I bet I could move it. I've got some good New Hartford connections, and my office is 10 minutes away.

I checked the titanium at Home Cheapo- err-I mean Depot- and they had one on clearance because of a dent. It wasn't as shiny as stainless steel, and that dent sure looked awful. Now I am not opposed to buying a scratch-and-dent, but this was a gouge-right on the front of the door. It looked cheap, and plastic-like. I didn't care for the titanium. Just my opinion.

As far as the pine floors, you can go a little darker, but I wouldn't go cherry, mahogony or walnut. They would take away from the knotty look. If the floors are blond now, you could go for a dark honey with a slightly reddish tone, or a deep golden color. If you like a reddish color, you could try a cedar stain color. We used the cedar stain on pine around our hot tub, and it really looks like cedar! Is this for your ouwn house, or for a customer?

http://www.woodfloorsonline.com/woodspecies/heartpine.html

http://www.wideplankflooring.com/eastern-white-pine-flooring.aspx?Category=easternwhitepine1