By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team As homeowners streamline their kitchens, integrating their appliances for a more clean, organized look, they are honing in on an important element of the overall design — the cabinets. “Cabinets set the mood of the home,” says Tina James, sales and marketing manager of Custom Creative Marble and Granite. And according to Rosenthal, homeowners are moving away from the mainstream woods and gravitating toward the untraditional, including tamo ash, macassar ebony and block-mottled makore. “They’re holographic, so when you walk by them, they actually move,” says Rosenthal. “They have a beauty to them unlike anything else, and they’re just spectacular materials.” Tamo ash, from Japan, has an unusual, swirly-grain pattern and is famous for its “peanut” figure. Macassar ebony is somewhat similar to Zebrawood with a reddish-brown body and darker brown to black stripes. Block-mottled makore is deep reddish brown in color with a block-pattern figure. All three types of wood give off a dramatic effect. Rosenthal goes on to say that not only can these untraditional woods last forever, but they can also handle moisture well, especially the areas around the sink.

The laminate look

Johnson, on the other hand, says he’s seen much more movement away from the woods altogether, with homeowners opting for laminates that look like wood. These laminates give kitchens a simple look; plus, they’re easy to clean, maintain and repair. “If a wood door got damaged, and you had to replace it several years later, it’s very difficult to find one to match 100 percent,” Johnson says. “Whereas with the lacquer finishes, you could change it up 10 years later, and it’s still going to match.” Laminates are also a great element for creating what Johnson says continues to gain popularity: an all-white kitchen. “People are going more and more to white kitchens in the last two years,” Johnson says. “People just want that clean, crisp, white look. They’re tired of the down economy, and they don’t want their home to look heavy and dark, and they just want light, bright white — clean and uplifting. White never goes out of style.” James agrees, saying she’s seen a growing trend in white. “But my favorite that I think will catch on more next year is grey. Contemporary,  more modern styles are getting to be more popular.” What has gone out of style, according to Rosenthal, is the Tuscan-inspired design. “Tuscan is gone for the most part, and modern will be around for a long time because it’s timeless. You never get tired of it.” Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team One of the biggest design trends we have seen over the last couple of years is the color grey.  It is being used everywhere- from walls to flooring, in stone, paint, wood finishes and fabric.

Cool Design Trends in Color

Grey is popular as “the new black”- it is softer and more friendly, and is a great neutral that works well both paired with other neutrals and bright colors.  The grey design trendwas first spotted in fashion (as is often the case) and very quickly moved into home decoration and furnishings.   The look can be modern or traditional yet updated- it feels fresh and different, much like espresso brown was a few years ago. For walls, a medium dove to dark tone of charcoal seems to be the direction most designers are going.  Paired with white trim and dark wood the effect is elegant and rich.  With bright pops of color, the room becomes very stylish and modern, an of-the-moment space.

Grey in Materials and Finishes

The grey’s we see most often are rich and warm, and they add a nice layer of drama to a room without being overpowering.  When used as a wood finish, a grey wash or cerused oak is a great look for floors, cabinets and furniture.  Both the wash and cerusing process brings out the grain in the wood, and when applied to oak it is very dynamic and visually interesting. Marble is also surging in popularity, especially carrera marble with it’s gorgeous grey swirling veining through pure white.  It is being used as floors, backsplashes and even kitchen countertops.  Marble can be very contemporary or very traditional, depending on the other elements in the room.  Some limestones and travertines are also available in a silver to stormy shade that is a nice change from the heavily used creamy beiges that have been popular for many years. Polished concrete as floors or countertops is a very eco-friendly choice, and the natural beauty of the material is allowed to show in an honest, elemental way.  Other man-made solid surface materials such as Caesarstone come in a range of cool shades that are stunning and extremely durable. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team If you are a judicious buyer who is searching for luxury real estate, Scottsdale, Arizona is just the right place for you. Scottsdale is known all over the world for its luxury real estate, catering to those with refined tastes and superior expectations. Scottsdale luxury real estate is incredibly wide. From vacation homes, high-end estates, modern-urban condominiums, and single family homes, there is so much to choose from. Plus, luxury real estate in Scottsdale is renowned for providing magnificent scenery, world-class golf courses, top-of-the-line resorts and spas, and state-of-the-art health centers to their occupants for enjoying a comfortable and exciting lifestyle. Private swimming pools with decks, large and spacious gardens, terrace with BBQ, rooms that open to balconies overlooking soaring mountain vistas and endless views of azure blue sky are some unique features that are offered by none other than the luxury real estate located in Scottsdale. Further, if you wish to live in the heart of the city where you can enjoy all major amenities like shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels, in addition to the luxurious amenities included in most luxury communities, such as 24 hour security, private parking, house-keeping, gym, pool, and a lot more, you may look for luxury condominiums near the center of the city. These condominiums are replete with unmatchable style and elegance and let one enjoy the best of living. But if you prefer quiet and peaceful settings and wish to live in a quaint village-like atmosphere, you may choose single family homes in Scottsdale. The particular luxury real estate boasts of idyllic settings and offers most of the modern facilities that one requires for a comfortable, urban lifestyle. For large families, these Scottsdale homes for sale are really a good option as they have 5-6 bedrooms, magnificent dining hall, living room, patio, garden at the back and front, and large outdoor spaces. No matter where you choose to buy your luxury real estate in Scottsdale, you and your family would feel proud of owning such a superior house. Beautifully designed homes, thoughtfully planned neighborhoods, and a host of luxurious facilities and amenities create an ambience for home owners to live in safety, comfort, and style. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team History: With 35 years of experience, Kirk M. Butler knows the tile and stone business inside and out. The CEO of Cactus Stone & Tile travels the world searching quarries and manufacturers for distinctive materials. So, when he first set eyes on the SICIS line of mosaic tiles 10 years ago, he knew he had discovered something unique. “It was the most interesting thing I’d ever seen,” he recalls, noting the impressive color palette and designs. Soon after, Butler began planning a showroom to display SICIS products alongside an array of other tiles and unusual slabs, including sliced agate and slabs incorporating petrified wood from Madagascar. Philosophy: Butler explains that he always strives to seek out and carry top-notch, high-quality products. “We will do this right, or we won’t do it,” he says, adding that his intent is to showcase materials that spark the imagination and make an impact. What’s in store: Customers enter the showroom through the SICIS display area. Here, examples of colorful mosaics range from floor-to-ceiling backlit wall panels, to tile-clad bathtubs, to intricate hand-cut tile rugs. The applications and options are vast, with marble, glass and metallic tiles available in multiple finishes, shapes and sizes and more than 150 colors. A line of SICIS tiles made with platinum and 24-karat gold is offered. All of the mosaic tiles are produced in Italy and can be customized. The 14,000-square-foot space also houses a slab gallery featuring granite, marble, semiprecious stone, travertine and quartzite from around the globe, along with craftsmen-made art panels. In addition, a design center/workroom has a sample library filled with tiles, trims, liners, decos and more. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.