Wilsonart Redefines Modern with Concept Kitchens Designed by Eco-Lifestyle Expert Danny Seo

New and Unexpected Uses of Decorative Surfaces Refresh the Look of the 21st Century American-Made Kitchen

(February 4, 2014 – Temple, TX) Sustainable and American-made are two key attributes that redefine modern in the “Modern Luxe” and “Modern Country” Kitchens Wilsonart will unveil at this year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, Booth #N1327. Wilsonart engaged eco-lifestyle expert, designer and bestselling author Danny Seo to create two distinct designs showcasing the versatility and unexpected applications of Wilsonart^® Laminate, Solid Surface and Decorative Metals.

“I’ve had a long admiration of Wilsonart for not only creating stylish designs but also their long-term commitment to sustainability and to manufacturing in America. Together, we’ve created what I’d call ‘pin-worthy’ kitchens with touches of retro and modern that use the gorgeous Wilsonart surfaces in both traditional and fresh new ways. At the same time, everything we’ve done is affordable and functional and allows consumers to make truly beautiful statements that are also about comfort and convenience,” says Danny Seo.

In designing the kitchens, Danny demonstrated three refreshing and unexpected uses of laminate: adorning vertical surfaces, mixing with metals and using as a sustainable alternative for hard stone, marble and wood.

Here are three overarching design themes that permeate both kitchen styles:

Think Vertical for an Innovative Wall

Backsplashes and walls are sometimes forgotten as the blank canvas on which to design a kitchen. Danny created his interpretation of the Modern Luxe Kitchen by marrying two different stone-inspired laminate surfaces (Wilsonart^® Premium Laminate in Calcutta Marble 4925K-07 and Wilsonart^® Laminate in Pearl Soapstone 4886-38) to create a gorgeous herringbone pattern as a backsplash. Combined with the deep Wilsonart^® Skyline Walnut countertops found in his own home, this kitchen exudes masculinity and richness, a bit “Mad Men.” The clean lines of these deep woodgrain tones on the countertops blend the seams together for a continuous look. The darker tones give an edgy feel for a kitchen that needs to perform as both a cooking and entertaining space.

Alternatively, light-toned hardwoods such as Truss Maple, a Wilsonart Premium Laminate design, gives the walls of the Modern Country Kitchen a rustic and warm backdrop with the fun of textured barn woods in Blue Barn, White Barn and Red Barn on cabinetry for a subtle American theme that is inviting and soothing.

Bejewel Your Hearth

Taking a cue from the fashion runway, Danny gives the Modern Luxe Kitchen some “bling,” by incorporating Wilsonart^® Decorative Metal in Satin Brushed Gold Aluminum for cabinet fronts complemented by a gold sink and faucet with gooseneck spout to make a bold and sleek statement. Rounding out the modern design is a glass-front refrigerator, a drop-in cooktop range and pendant lighting.

The Modern Country Kitchen is bejeweled in a more subtle fashion with soft iron cabinet hardware, a stainless six-burner range, and wire pendant lights. The metals offset the natural walls, the warm red linen tablecloth curtains and natural fir wood stools.

Counter-intuitive: Mix Woodgrain Textures with Neutrals and Stones

Both kitchens mix woodgrain textures with neutrals and stones to add aesthetic appeal. The island in the Modern Luxe Kitchen takes center stage with a bold geometric design with new Wilsonart^® Solicor^™ Laminate in Calcutta Marble. The matte finish looks incredibly realistic and mirrors real marble without the expense, weight and difficulty of fabrication. The Calcutta Marble design gives a great natural neutral to let the shiny vertical surfaces shine. Too much color can be overwhelming, so this neutrality is a great balance for the deep tones of the walls and cabinetry.

Deep-veined, marbled Wilsonart^® Breccia with a Crescent Edge complements the Wilsonart^® Truss Maple walls in the Modern Country Kitchen. To draw on the same colorways as the walls and countertops, Danny re-imagined the original reclaimed wood kitchen island, which had a marble countertop, with Wilsonart^® Solid Surface in Avalanche Melange, with neutral speckled tones. The rich mix of textures makes for a clean Scandinavian-inspired look, yet the durable countertop surface becomes the workhorse of this cozy kitchen. Whether used for food preparation, crafting, game-playing or just doing homework, the Solid Surface and Laminate countertops stand up to the daily wear and tear of any family activity.

“While our Wilsonart design team has sourced patterns that speak to a variety of lifestyles, we believe the unique and refreshing perspective Danny has brought to using Wilsonart Laminate will give consumers and fabricators alike a chance to rethink how they apply it in their own homes. He has imbued a sense of fun and whimsy that really captures the versatility of our products,” says Wilsonart director of marketing Alison Pulver DeMartino.

All materials featured in the two Wilsonart Kitchens are available through home centers and kitchen and bath retailers nationwide. Visit www.Wilsonart.com for the full line of Wilsonart products.