Historical Overview:

Cabinet elements designed in blocks, or sections, that maintain an emphasis on architectural shapes creating strong lineal interest, is how contemporary has been defined for the last two decades. Today, contemporary styling still maintains a foundation in sleek and simple architecture using structural materials plain in ornamentation.

Cabinetry/Millwork:

Straight grained woods such as birch, maple and bamboo are the most prevalent. Often, however, contemporary cabinet doors aren't wood at all. In this case they can be painted or have an acrylic finish in gloss or can sometimes be stainless steel or aluminum. Occasionally the doors can have stiles and rails but slabs are by far the most common.

Hardware:

Nickel, chrome and stainless steel are the most appropriate.

Countertops:

Natural stone, quartz and concrete are your best options.

Colors:

The sky's the limit for the contemporary style. Stainless steel can be used as an accent color, but vibrant colors of blues, oranges, reds and yellows predominate. The only limiting factor is the designer's imagination. Recently, dark black-brown colors used on open grained woods such as oak are becoming more popular.

Surfaces:

• Floors:
  Concrete or cork floors are always an option. But in an eclectic setting, which is sometimes the case with contemporary, wood floors in a light maple or a dark wenge can also be used.
• Walls:
  Simple paint colors are the most common but brick is also appropriate.
• Ceilings:
  Enhancing the ceiling with skylights or other architectural features is appropriate as is simple paint colors.

Accents:

Functional carts and open stainless steel racks are seen often as is commercial style cooking appliances. Soft naturalistic wood furniture in chairs and tables are also popular.