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STORAGE
SYSTEMS & INTERIOR FITTINGS:
The trend to fewer wall cabinets and more
furniture pieces in the kitchen has led to an increase in
walk-in pantries with extensive storage features such as
pull-outs, baskets and wine racks.
Consumers want better quality in their storage
systems, with wood and chrome the predominant materials of
choice for a mid- to high-end kitchen.
Pull-out twin waste baskets for recycling are
increasingly a staple in today's modem kitchen.
Base cabinets are increasingly replaced by
large drawers for storing pots and pans as well as dishes, with
drawer organization accomplished by large dowels, or with a
two-tiered system that allows separate spaces for pots and lids-
Even kitchen staples such as the lazy susan
have gotten an upgrade with such innovations as a segmented lazy
susan whose segments maybe pulled out individually.
Computer stations are increasingly a kitchen
staple, and designers are adding monitor lifts and keyboard
trays as part of cabinet organization.
Kitchen and bath designers are increasingly
getting involved in designing master bedroom suites, creating
large, luxury closets with custom- finished cabinets in premium
wood grains such as cherry and maple.
Some master bedroom closets become little rooms
in themselves, with a chaise for reading, and a mini-breakfast
bar that might include a coffeemaker and a mini-refrigerator for
juice.
Laundry rooms also feature new innovations such
as drying cabinets and fold-down ironing boards for greater
convenience.
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