Fall Trend Report
Layering in style with bold pattern, surprising color, all-natural texture, and plenty of moody contrast
Layering in style with bold pattern, surprising color, all-natural texture, and plenty of moody contrast
“Dark blue is a great choice for a small kitchen as it can make the cabinets appear to recede,” says Kari McIntosh. “Paired with white counters like Cambria, the space looks larger.” Cambria design shown: SMITHFIELD™ Photo by Christopher Stark.
Like many Edwardian homes in San Francisco’s Noe Valley neighborhood, this one had a compact kitchen and no room to add on. But its sociable owners wanted a space that would invite entertaining and reflect their love for moody jewel tones. Interior designer KARI MCINTOSH maximized the plan with extra storage and prep space, using rich color—deep blue cabinets paired with classic marble white Cambria SMITHFIELD counters—to visually expansive effect.
“It’s always important to choose materials like Cambria that are both beautiful and durable, so you can spend your time enjoying your life, not worrying about something getting damaged,” attests Traci Connell. Cambria design shown: BENTLEY™ Photo by Michael Hunter.
After a fire damaged much of her own Dallas home, designer TRACI CONNELL took the chance to reimagine its interiors, creating grown-up entertaining spaces—like a living room complete with a wine bar. To help the new bar stand out within the all-white room, Connell made high-drama Cambria BENTLEY countertops the star of the show, pairing them with earthy wood tones and a geometric-print wallpaper. Not surprisingly, the bar has turned out to be a favorite new feature. “It has made entertaining at home during the past few years feel special,” says Connell.
“We wanted to balance all the wood with a bright backdrop,” explains Charissa Surine of this kitchen remodel. “So we painted the walls in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, plastered the range hood in white, and topped the counters in earthy cool Cambria Buxton.” Cambria designs shown: BUXTON™ (island), SMITHFIELD™ (perimeter) Photo by D&M Images.
For the kitchen of a new home outside of the Canadian city of Saskatoon, interior designer CHARISSA SURINE chose materials inspired by its breathtaking views of the surrounding woods. She relied on a mix of natural textures to create that strong indoor-outdoor connection, incorporating plenty of rich wood throughout, plus a painted brick backsplash and Cambria BUXTON on the counters. “The cool concrete look of Buxton adds a little industrial edge that just works,” says Surine.
“The most interesting spaces have lots of layers—color texture plus something natural, and something old or very personal. Those layers are what brings any room to life,” says Leah Alexander. Cambria design shown: BRITTANICCA WARM™ Photo by Marc Mauldin Photography Inc.
When updating an Atlanta loft kitchen, interior designer LEAH ALEXANDER let the owner’s personality guide her design. “My client owns a yoga studio, she’s a world traveler, and a big houseplant enthusiast, so we brought those influences into the space.” The revamped kitchen works beautifully for entertaining and easy living, thanks to its open layout and large island topped with BRITTANICCA WARM countertops, a classic in Cambria’s design offerings.
Michael Smith Boyd suggests, “Juxtapose masculine and feminine sophistication with streamlined cabinetry, hardware, and floor tile paired with the soft, dramatic swells of veining in Cambria’s Skara Brae.” Cambria design shown: SKARA BRAE™ Photo by Tomas Espinoza Photography.
Interior designer MICHEL SMITH BOYD creates gorgeous luxury spaces for his clients. His special power? Tapping into his years of design expertise, getting creative with savvy shopping techniques, and sourcing ultra cool vintage finds that keep upscale design within reach.
“We designed it to allow the colors and textures of food and the vibrancy of the kids who learn in the space to take center stage,” share the designers. Cambria design shown: IRONSBRIDGE™ Architecture by Benjamin Andres, photo by Ellen McDermott.
When KIPS BAY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB secured funding to create a culinary arts center, interior designers Ellie Cullman and Alyssa Urban of the design firm CULLMAN & KRAVIS were thrilled to take on the project. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to help Kips Bay teach its young members about nutrition and healthy cooking,” says Cullman, who also serves on the organization’s board.
To transform the existing space in a Bronx, NY, clubhouse, the designers chose a simple white palette, including IRONSBRIDGE countertops. “Cambria is a longtime supporter of Kips Bay and we knew these counters would look great and stand up to heavy-duty use from students and teachers,” says Cullman. Accents in primary colors add a hint of youthful energy throughout.
The new space is practical, safe, and very inviting. “For kids in this neighborhood to be able to learn about healthy eating, cooking, and shopping habits in this beautiful, state-of-the-art environment is very meaningful,” says Daniel Quintero, executive director of Kips Bay.