It’s that time of year again, where I share with you readers the trends I have enjoyed seeing in design over the past year. Some of them are just starting to emerge while others have been around, but we’re seeing more of them being used within our network of talented designers. So grab a cocoa, snuggle up on a sofa, and see if you have any favorites from the many designs below!
Aluminum Frame Doors
Aluminum Frame Doors have been around for some time, but are typically associated with more contemporary styled designs. While that remains true, more and more designers are using them as a great accent in more traditional style cabinets with wood doors, and I’m loving it. Dura Supreme Cabinetry offers several different styles of Aluminum Frame doors, with various different inserts that can be used as well, and we’re seeing more designs that are showcasing this feature.
The below project features a lot of details that are trending in design; larder wall storage cabinets, a gorgeous stone range alcove, two-tier island, as well as aluminum frame doors, all mixed together with the warm hickory cabinets with a transitional door style. The Hudson door with Morel stain works beautifully with Aluminum Frame Style 4 in Onyx matte black with clear class inserts, while the Chroma Beaded Inset door in Cast Iron on the kitchen island adds a colorful contrast.
Design by Aaron Mauk of Mauk Cabinets by Design | Tipp City, OH
Design by Aaron Mauk of Mauk Cabinets by Design | Tipp City, OH
The two stunning designs below both feature the Aluminum Frame door in Style #1 with clear glass, and is a great example of having tall doors with a clear view into the cabinet. The project on the left features the Reese door style in Dove paint on the perimeter and Quarter-Sawn White Oak with Sesame stain on the kitchen island. The style of Aluminum frame matches perfectly with the skinny shaker style of Reese. The project on the right shows off our Alpine laminate door in White Cypress. Since this door style cannot be prepped for glass inserts, our aluminum frame doors are a great way to add glass into a design, and the matte black makes a striking contrast to this design.
Design by Kitchen Design Gallery with Fox Signature Homes | Jacksonville, FL
Design by Bonnie McKesson of Kitchen Design Gallery | Jacksonville, FL
Photo by Kim Lindsey Photography
Aluminum Frame Style #4 in the Graphite finish with Satin Glass adds a soft contrast to this kitchen featuring the Reese door style with Dove paint and Quarter-Sawn White Oak accents with Sesame stain.
Design by Tominka Creighton of Dezine to a T with KSI Kitchen & Bath | Ann Arbor, MI
Below is another example of the Reese door style combined with Aluminum Frame Style #1 in Onyx matte black in this beautiful kitchen. The cabinet doors are inset style in our Crestwood framed line, while the Aluminum frame doors are full overlay using our Bria full access line. Who says you can mix and match both your overlays as well as your cabinet construction? Sesame stain in low sheen was applied to the Quarter-Sawn White Oak cabinets and combined with Linen White paint.
Design by Autograph Cabinetry and Design | Cornelius, NC
Design by Autograph Cabinetry and Design | Cornelius, NC
The below contemporary design mixes materials and finishes to create a stunning kitchen. The Jace Matte Foil door in Black is accented with Cherry overlay end panels with Cashew stain. Can you spot the aluminum frame doors? They are above the range, creating the alcove space. Aluminum Frame Style 10 with back painted glass in Bronze was used to add to the drama in this moody room!
Design by Ana Gomez of Evolo Design | Cincinnati, OH
Design by Ana Gomez of Evolo Design | Cincinnati, OH
Arched Openings
I love the look of an arched doorway or niche in a home. It harkens back to ancient Rome, as well as to homes built between the 1930s to 1950s. It’s classical design never goes out of style, and adds a softness to the architectural details. Arches are becoming more popular in home design, and even remodel projects are adding the aesthetic back into the home.
The below photos showcases arched openings used in this whole-home remodel by the talented team at Honeycomb Home Design in Arroyo Grande, CA. Each arched opening showcases the built-in cabinets with floating shelves created with the Carson panel and door in Knotty Alder with Sesame stain.
Design by Honeycomb Home Design | Arroyo Grande, CA
Photo by Lisa Maksoudian
Design by Honeycomb Home Design | Arroyo Grande, CA
Photo by Lisa Maksoudian
Double arched doorways lead into the back kitchen of this project, featuring the Hudson shaker door in both Quarter-Sawn White Oak with Cashew stain and Dove paint.
Design by Jessica Hamilton of Arc Interiors | Charleston, SC
Photo by Nick Cann Photography
Another project featuring huge arched openings – one leading into the kitchen and another creating a bar niche. This design was created by Hannah Start of H Glory Designs in partnership with Autumn Blaschka of Standale Home Studio, Grand Rapids, MI. The cabinetry used is our Reese door style in Quarter-Sawn White Oak with Cashew stain. A classic detail meeting a contemporary cabinet style for the win!
Design by Autumn Blaschka of Standale Home Studio | Grand Rapids, MI
Design by Autumn Blaschka of Standale Home Studio | Grand Rapids, MI
The below primary bathroom features arched alcoves that contain the vanities and free-standing tub. The cabinetry showcases our Parker Beaded Inset door in Software paint, with reeded center panels on the doors for added texture.
Knotty Alder Cabinetry
I’m sure many of you have noticed how stained cabinetry is slowly making a comeback, and what better way to show off beautiful brown stains than applying it to Knotty Alder. Knotty Alder is a smooth hardwood with coloring similar to cherry, but without the upcharge. The natural knots and cracks add the visual texture that is so popular in design right now, while the low sheen of the stains adds a softness to any room. You’ve already seen this wood species in a couple of previous projects, but lets look at some more!
The project below is a beautiful example of Knotty Alder being used, and it even has dual-stained finishes for a soft, two-toned look. The design created by the team at Creative Kitchen Design of Anchorage, AK, used the Hudson door with both Sesame and Poppy Seed stain applied to warm up the room. Take note of the arched doorway going into the dining room as well!
Design by Creative Kitchen Design | Anchorage, AK
Design by Creative Kitchen Design | Anchorage, AK
Another stunning project from Honeycomb Home Design is shown below. Knotty Alder cabinets with Cashew stain applied to the Carson door was used for a soft, rustic feel on the perimeter cabinets. Everything about this project feels raw and natural, including the quartzite waterfall countertop. And check out the arched window letting all the outdoor light in!
Scroll through the gallery below to see more projects using the rustic appeal of Knotty Alder cabinets for any design style.
Dual-ing Faucets
Another trend that I have enjoyed seeing in design is a single large sink with two faucets. Sometimes it’s hard to add additional plumbing to a remodel for a secondary sink. Adding a second faucet to a larger sink can be a game-changer when it comes to different tasks in the kitchen. Busy families can use one faucet for cleaning food while the other can be used for cleaning hands and dishes, and no one is fighting over a single faucet. Sometimes it just makes sense!
Beautiful gold double faucets are highlighted in this kitchen using our Alpine door style in White Cypress Laminate with black matte Onyx, Style 1 Aluminum Frame Door.
Design by Bonnie McKessan of Kitchen Design Gallery | Jacksonville, FL
Photo by Kim Lindsey Photography
A workhorse sink with dual gold faucets shine in this kitchen project featuring our Reese door in White paint and Cast Iron paint.
Design by All, Inc. | Plymouth, MN
The below contemporary project features not only two faucets, but two different door styles as well. The contemporary styling of our Moda-Vertical door in Cherry with Butternut stain was mixed with the Dempsey door in Black paint. Add Aluminum Frame Door #1 in matte black Onyx and you get a striking contrast between the materials.
Design by Hilary Souminen of Kitchen Design Gallery | Jacksonville, FL
Photo by Kim Lindsey Photography
Design by Hilary Souminen of Kitchen Design Gallery | Jacksonville, FL
Photo by Kim Lindsey Photography
The project below offers warmth in abundance with a combination of full overlay and inset cabinetry using the Meridien door. Cherry cabinets with the Praline stain were mixed with painted Cast Iron and accented with gold hardware and fixtures, including the dual faucets.
As 2025 comes to a close, I’m excited to see what 2026 brings in the way of design and trends. In the meantime, I hope you all have an enjoyable and safe holiday season, and I look forward to seeing more great projects from our dealers in the future.
Inspired by all the wonderful projects shown? Connect with your nearest Dura Supreme Showroom here for more inspiration and ideas for your project.
Until next time, Be Well!
