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FEBRUARY 2023 HOME 3 MILWAUKEE — "In addi- tion to extra counter and stor- age space plus more room for seating and dining, a kitchen's island can also serve as a statement piece in your kitchen's design," said Danni Maddison, a designer with Callen Construction, Inc. in Muskego. One highly favored option for enhancing the aesthetics of a kitchen island is to incor- porate a waterfall edge, where the material of the island's countertop seamless- ly flows along one or both sides of the island at a 90- degree angle. "This design style creates a lasting impres- sion on your space and really highlights the aesthetic appeal of your countertop material, especially when there is veining present," said Maddison. As the waterfall edge reach- es all the way to the floor, it's important to also consider how the countertop material will complement the kitchen's flooring and vice versa. Natural stone, quartz, and wood are popular coun- tertop materials due to their versatility and natural beau- ty. Although rectangular- shaped kitchen islands are standard, opting for a more unique shape is a sought- after design choice too. For instance, circular or oval- shaped kitchen islands are gaining traction in modern kitchen design. "The curved lines are not only considered an intriguing stylish detail, but also better accommodate smaller kitchens as a round- island shape generally takes up less room than a tradition- al rectangular island," Mad- dison said. It's often said the kitchen is the heart of the home, and if the island is typically located in the middle of the kitchen, it is often appropriate to install a kitchen's key fea- tures, including the cooktop, oven, and sink into the island itself. This placement allows the cook to face and entertain friends and family while preparing meals, fostering a more welcoming and social environment. "Not only will this free up space in the rest of the kitchen and enhance flow and efficiency throughout, but it also reinforces the notion that the kitchen island and the cook are the focal points of the space," Maddison said. In the zone "If you choose to incorpo- rate a large multifunctional kitchen island into your space, then you may want to consider dividing the island into clearly defined zones for enhanced dimension, depth, and functionality," she said. Zone examples include the seating and casual eating space as well as the meal prep and cooking area. Strategic design elements would ensure each zone would be visibly different. In other words, different colors, tex- tures and countertop materi- als would be incorporated in the kitchen island to clearly signify each zone. Speaking of colors and materials, two-tone kitchens remain on-trend and can be easily applied to kitchen islands to further maximize dimension in the space. "For instance, white granite coun- tertops against navy blue cab- inetry, or dark walnut cabi- nets with chrome hardware and a matching chrome faucet are prime examples of high contrast design that cre- ates pleasing visual aesthet- ics within the space," Maddi- son said. Lighting is also key as it serves as the kitchen island's literal spotlight. "Pendant lighting is an especially desir- able option as it can create a unique modern aesthetic," she said. "It's also useful to consider different intensities of light for different purpos- es. For instance, bright task lighting would be ideal for the meal prep and the cooking area, while soft, warm light is more suitable for the infor- mal dining area." To achieve a fully modern kitchen, it's important to also incorporate smart technolo- gy. "Although the specific design style and functions of your kitchen island will high- ly influence the type of tech- nology that can be incorpo- rated, examples include installing hidden outlets for charging phones and other devices, Bluetooth or smart speakers, a touchless faucet, a flat surface stove, and a smart oven," said Maddison. The usability of a kitchen island is unmatched. Whether you plan to use your kitchen island for added counter or storage space, cooking, entertaining guests or eating, a kitchen island can be custom built for your personal needs and lifestyle. "However you choose to use and construct your kitchen island, it's sure to make a powerful and lasting impact on the kitchen's overall design," Maddison said. Make a statement with the kitchen island Submitted photo A design trend for 2023 is the re-emergence of kitchen islands in different colors and shapes.