Simonini Builders Charlotte, N.C. In the Charlotte, N.C., custom home market, kitchens are all dressed up for company with cabinetry that has the solid look of furniture and glazed finishes to bring out its detail. Granite countertops are still the standard choice, but buyers are now starting to look at alternative stone and materials, says Kimberly Brewer. And on the kitchen floor, buyers want wide-plank wood flooring in the walnut family, unless the house is French country. In that case they opt for natural stone.
In Simonini Builder’s larger custom houses, Brewer is seeing a trend toward pantries “concealed” behind two full-size doors milled to match the kitchen cabinetry and set within a wall of those cabinets. Another strong trend is for a massive kitchen island—a “gathering island”—that separates guests from cook and traffic from work area.
The built-in furniture look is invading the master bath. Brewer says she often ties upper cabinets into a valance that is tied into the tub surround. Mirrors are framed and free hanging. There is a greater emphasis on lighting and fixtures for these dressier baths. Buyers want sconces on the mirrors and big crystal chandeliers.
“Organization has gone to the top of the charts” for master closets, Brewer says. Clients and closet planners map out in detail what the owners have and how best to store it. Many Simonini clients want a stacked washer/dryer in the master closet, especially if the master suite is on the first level and the children’s rooms are upstairs. One trend that is really starting to take off is the more elaborate laundry room. “It’s all about more organized and polished housekeeping,” says Brewer. In addition to the washer and dryer, a laundry room will also have a place for hand washing, dry hanging, a valet, a small mangle, cabinets to store cleaning products, and facilities for pet care. “There’s a lot of demand for pet care.”
