The Wall Street Journal's Anjali Athavaley article, Kitchens Play Hide and Sleek, highlights the move away from in-your-face status appliances to a subtler, more covert aesthetic. Instead of placing that $10,000 fridge on display for all to see like a pair of Jordache jeans circa 1983, Athavaley reports, people are requesting panel-ready appliances that mask their appearance and blend into the cabinetry.

Well, I don't know exactly how new a trend it is, but I have definitely seen an uptick in panel-ready appliances available even at  the mid-range level from retailers such as Sears. Apparently, this has been going on for years in Europe, dating back to the very un-fashionable 1970's. While Americans were busy scaling up, clearing square footage for the biggest and most industrial looking stainless steel appliances they could get their fingerprints on, the quietly understated Europeans were discreetly camouflaging their dishwashers. Tastes evolve and now Americans are also trying to minimize the presence of big appliances. Especially today, at a time when the open floor plan dominates, people don't necessarily want to stare at their fridge while casually dining with friends. Instead, the focus is on more furniture-like cabinetry that blends with the decor of the house. "Minimalist" and "streamlining" were the kind of words Athavaley used to describe this new aesthetic.

Chicago based designer and master of the kitchen, Mick  de Giulio states that "every great kitchen has a hook," referring to a feature of visual interest that centers the space. There are different elements that can draw a person's interest to a room, such as a great sink, a bold work of art or a antique piece of furniture are examples of this. Visual statements that define a space are important. But concomitantly, hiding appliances behind cabinet-like fronts is also important. This creates serenity in the living space by extending the living and dining area into the kitchen by eliminating the usual visual clues--refrigerator, dishwasher, etc. 

The Bakes Pull is a stylistically versatile hardware line, available in a range of sizes. Compatible across design genres, the Bakes Pull transcends time. A new classic is born

Whether or not this is a new trend, Horton Brasses is happy to help out by expanding our line of kitchen appliance pulls. Previously we carried just two appliance handles: AD-4000 and AD-4020, 14" and 8-3/4" brass handles as well as AD-4060L, our 14" Macintosh appliance handles. Available for pre-order, however, is our new line of kitchen hardware, including the 14" Bakes Pull, perfect for appliances, as well as our large Queslett Pull. Like our original appliance pulls, the Bakes and Queslett are part of a larger series of hardware, providing a continuos suited look throughout your entire kitchen. Classic design and exception quality, the Bakes and the Queslett are certainly poised to become the new standard in luxury kitchens.

Prior to the Queslett, there was only one manufacturer of larger sized bin pulls available in America. Not anymore. The Queslett raises the stakes with superior craftsmanship, sublime details and a tactile beauty unavailable elsewhere. Use the largest pull on a paneled appliance and forget that you are even in the kitchen. Until someone asks for help washing up the pots.

Interested in the Bakes or Queslett lines? Give Orion a call to pre-order for your new kitchen.