Kitchen options follow buyer tastes
Domestic chefs have never before seen the assortment of kitchen opportunities that are now offered through townhomes in and around Calgary.
Builders are at the table with variations in size, specs, appliances, design and location within the floor plan. So, what have been the top cooking space considerations from townhome buyers this year?
“So far in 2016, customers are looking for practical design that allows for a partial seclusion of the kitchen while maintaining good flow into the rest of the main level,” says David Zanini, area manager for Excel Homes in HillCrest.
“Customers prioritize a kitchen with maximized counter space that flows into the great room,” Zanini says. “Having the TV in sight while preparing dinner is now considered favourable. ”
Zanini says another trend in his sales centre is an uptick in interest for lighter cabinets, such as ivory and/or white.
“The key features a homeowner is looking for relate to the layout and function of the kitchen,” says Christine Turner, Mattamy Homes director of customer care and the design studio. The U-shaped kitchen is a sales centre favourite.
“With the U-shape, there’s a breakfast bar at the end, so then it’s open to either the dining area or the family room,” Turner says. “They still get a large amount of cabinetry by having the U-shape, but then it has the open-concept ... They’ve got the breakfast bar overlooking their entertaining space.”
Mattamy is building and selling townhomes in Cityscape in northeast Calgary, and in Airdrie at its Southwinds community and the Gates at Hillcrest.
Turner has also seen an interest in solid surface counters, stainless steel appliances, kitchens that include or have the opportunity to add a pantry, and cabinets in a slab style, which represents cleaner lines and a more contemporary look.
Brad Logel, area manager for Walden Place by Cardel Lifestyles, says the kitchen is “kind of like the engine for the house so it’s typically the most important area for any purchaser.”
Walden Place has apartmentstyle condos and townhomes in the community of Walden.
Cabinets are among the key elements to a successful kitchen with solid slab or classic shaker as the favourites. “Home buyers prefer soft-close doors and drawers and love our high-quality real wood dovetail interior cabinet drawers,” Logel says.
But overall, Logel says, kitchens need to let the sun shine in. “High ceilings and a large window over the sink along with modern lights which include island pendant lights that say something about the homeowner’s personal style. The brighter the kitchen the brighter the mood of the homeowners.”
But what about what’s beneath our feet? Logel says the top pick from his purchasers has been low maintenance luxury vinyl. “It looks great and is very easy to maintain. Most purchasers are choosing to go with a colour that contrasts their lighter cabinet choice.”
For Diseno by Landmark Homes in Sherwood, the biggest emphasis on kitchens in its townhome segment has been an open-concept design, says sales representative Andreas Angellakis.
“A lot of our demographic are young professionals, first time buyers and downsizers and they want to share their home with family in friends, this often times centres around entertaining in the kitchen area,” says Angellakis. “The kitchen is also one of the largest areas for customization in multi-family (development). You have quartz counter top options, lighting options, stainless steel appliances, backsplash varieties.
“It’s where home buyers make it their own.”