The Newest Kitchens Are Smart, Stylish—and for Kips Bay Designer Gil Melott, Inspired by Tilda Swinton

One of the standouts of this year’s Dallas Kips Bay Decorator Show House, the annual design showcase benefiting charity, was Studio 6F designer Gil Melott’s multifaceted kitchen.

Inspiration for this outstanding kitchen comes from an unlikely source. “We wanted to make it a central hub that could change moods all day long,” Melott told Veranda. “We became fascinated by Tilda Swinton and her chameleon-like ability to be so refined and play Queen Elizabeth and then transform to a rock-and-roll diva while all those things remain a part of her person.”

From the totally on-trend palette with two expertly-paired shades of Benjamin Moore green to cutting-edge, tech-savvy appliances, the thoughtfully-designed space checks all the boxes. Smart. Stylish. Functional. And especially important in post-pandemic design, immensely livable.

A 14-foot window provides panoramic backyard views along with an abundance of natural light. “We wanted our kitchen to be a place for cooking, quick stops between activities, and a place to land after an evening out at a concert or a long afternoon of soccer practice,” says Melott.

The design team mixed refined, custom pieces with the latest technology in kitchen appliances. In the former category, a stunning island reminiscent of Italian marble furniture; in the latter, a Dual Fuel Pro Range complete with built-in sous vide, induction, and steam-oven capabilities.  

“Ovens are the latest ‘ooh, ahh’ thing for homeowners who love to cook and want a kitchen that reflects that passion,” says Herb Zetley, co-owner of his family’s 70-plus year company, Zetley Distributors.  

“People who used to go out for exquisitely cooked meals are now making them at home.”

Here, a closer look at some of the most noteworthy innovations in kitchen design.

Go Pro

Across the board, homeowners are putting their kitchens to work. High on the renovation list are professional-style ranges, cooktops, and ventilation appliances—an offshoot of time spent in quarantine attempting to cook on less than desirable mediocre ranges, according to Reviewed.

Steam ovens are especially popular. “Being able to cook food perfectly but still keep its nutritional value intact is just one of the benefits,” says Zetley. “Leftovers also taste better—far more like the original than when you microwave them.”

What else is trending? Artificial intelligence-powered refrigerators that keep track of inventory, generate shopping lists, even provide recipes using ingredients with ingredients that are about to go bad. Major appliance brands are also adding features that address accessibility (hands-free and voice-activated capabilities), hygiene (touchless faucets), and sustainability (cooktops with energy-efficient induction technology).

Aesthetic Serenity

According to Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens, natural light and greenery are becoming as essential as appliances. “If one thing is clear, it’s that having a large window or a doorway into a greener space is a must.” Case in point: Melott’s first order of business in the Kips Bay kitchen was replacing the butler’s pantry with a window running the entire length of the room.

Many designers are also opting for appliance garages: built-ins that hide high-traffic appliances like toasters and coffee machines. And if space is not an issue, some homeowners are turning to secondary prep spaces—cooking happens in one area, dining and entertaining in another.

Hue New

Green is emerging as 2022’s rising star—think Sherwin Williams’ Evergreen Fog (a tranquil gray-green), Behr’s Breezeway (a silvery green mimicking sea glass), and Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green (the most cheerful of the company’s offerings).

Soothing evergreen shades only increased in popularity during the pandemic, according to Southern Living. “It’s clear that subdued greens have solidified themselves as go-to neutrals for homeowners.”