The latest trade publications are filled with design trends and industry updates.  We have taken notice of some of the most interesting and present them here for your review:

•There seems to be a great deal of interest in faucets that turn on and off when your hands pass in front of the built-in sensor.  This was first introduced in bathroom faucets and is now showing up as a trend in kitchen faucets where it may have more “green” impact with potential water savings.  The downside of these faucets for bathrooms is that they are often not “ON” long enough to reach the desired temperature.

•The American Hardwood industry is reporting that harvesting levels are far below the levels of growth.  Across all hardwood trees (oak, maple, cherry ash poplar and others) in all American forests, there is nearly twice as much new wood growth as there is wood removed through harvesting.   These woods are effectively “green” materials in abundance and a self-renewing supply.  “Sustainability” is meeting today’s needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

•The cabinet industry (KCMA) launched an environmental certification program (ESP) in 2006 as an environmental certification program for cabinet manufacturers.  To date more than 120 manufacturers and cabinet brands have achieved certification.

• A recent industry studied consumers buying habits and the “green” trend.  While going “green” is a popular trend among the press and within the manufacturing community, consumers are not really selecting “green” materials over cost effective designs.  Price is still the overriding factor with consumers – and if that can be achieved with green materials, all the better.  But consumers are unwilling to spend more money to achieve green compliance.

• Masco Corp. , which has owned Merillat cabinetry since 1985, recently announced it will close its Adrian, Michigan factory in the second quarter of 2009 and move production elsewhere, and eliminate 330 hourly and salaried jobs.

•The top design trends in 2008 were reported to be… rustic designs, apron-front farm sinks, bold hardware, ceiling details, clean & sleek modern designs, decorative lighting, combination of textures, wood plank flooring and use of natural elements (stone, glass, grass, etc.).  While these trends may make the magazines, we are finding that clients in the Midwest are still most interested in raised and recessed panel wood doors in maple, cherry and oak with both light and dark stains.