The leader in high-performance outdoor grills and kitchens partners with award-winning designers to curate the latest color palettes for outdoor living spaces.
CHICAGO (January 21, 2020) Outdoor kitchens are among the most popular remodeling projects according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). These projects result in the expansion of a home’s living space by increasing usable square footage outside the home. One way to connect these spaces is by using color. Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, a leading manufacturer of premier outdoor kitchen appliances and cabinetry, has partnered with four world-renowned designers, Kelli Ellis, Kelli Ellis Design, Young Huh, Young Huh Interior Design, Lisa Mende, Lisa Mende Design, and Mary Douglas Drysdale, Drysdale Design Associates, to curate new color palettes which reflect the vision for where outdoor living color trends are heading in the new decade.
“Like the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year – Classic Blue (19-4052), the shades of blue and grey selected by Lisa, Mary, Kelli and Young reflect a timeless undertone that establish roots and bring a sense of contentment to an outdoor kitchen,” explained Alexis Hiller, head of marketing, Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet. “They each also incorporate pops of unexpected colors of orange, green and red into their palettes, reflecting the lighthearted and relaxed feeling people experience in outdoor living. The dancing of the firelight, a breeze of fresh air and the allure of a bright green lawn. This connection to nature is welcoming and inviting. It encourages people to savor these moments, which is the experience we want people to have when they are cooking with Kalamazoo.”
Kelli Ellis, Kelli Ellis Design
Kelli Ellis attributes the inspiration behind her color choices of azure blue, turquoise green, pearl beige and ruby red to Barcelona decadence. As stated by Ellis, “Living in Barcelona, I am inspired by the decadent colors used in architecture and design – bold color choices paired with subtle additions and Gothic architecture enhanced by modern touches. These colors create an element of surprise mixed with elegance and excite my creativity. Experiences are more memorable when we have a heightened emotional reaction to a space. When you walk into a space wide-eyed, interested, and curious, you remember the space and experience.”
Lisa Mende, Lisa Mende Design
Lisa Mende’s color palette was influenced by outdoor living for all seasons and features pastel turquoise, salmon orange, sapphire blue and anthracite grey. “In the south, we are fortunate to be able to entertain outdoors all year long. Each season has its own color personality,” said Mende. “This palette is my interpretation of those personalities. Springtime is often associated with rejuvenation, renewal, and regrowth. Summer is hot in the south. People gravitate to the beach or lake to spend time on the water and to cool off. In fall, the leaves on the trees change to autumnal colors of orange, yellow, and rust. Wintertime can be rather bleak in the south. We trade our colorful wardrobes for black, grey, and brown to support the mood the dark winter nights evoke.”
Young Huh, Young Huh Interior Design
Young Huh attributes her choices of opal green, signal white, signal black and grey aluminum to lush, classical gardens. “We often design homes set within beautiful landscapes surrounded by lush, classical gardens and plantings. I love the juxtaposition of classic and contemporary: a modern outdoor kitchen set within a formal garden is a striking design moment,” says Huh. “This palette acknowledges the industrial design sensibility of the outdoor kitchen while not competing with the scenic natural milieu. A classic black and white combination mixes with a deep opal green and a subtly shimmering silver—a palette that feels at once timeless and of today.”
Mary Douglas Drysdale, Drysdale Design Associates
Leveraging the surrounding landscape of Washington, D.C., Mary Douglas Drysdale added violet blue, silver grey, concrete grey and papyrus white to her color palette. She states, “Washington, D.C., my hometown, is a city of many walled gardens connected to historic homes. Like interior kitchen appliances, an outdoor kitchen, especially the grill, are often the focal point of an outdoor space. The timeless stainless steel marries beautifully with aged or new brick walls and stone paving. I love the idea of seeing the grill as an object of pure design, in addition to its obvious utility. By adding in unexpected colors like blue, the practical is transformed into an artful presence. It reminds me of the LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana, and its remarkable presence in front of architecture.”
These new color palettes chosen in conjunction with expert design professionals will be available to see firsthand in the Kalamazoo booth (C9304) at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), January 21-23, 2020, in Las Vegas. To help homeowners create a truly custom and one-of-a-kind outdoor living space, Kalamazoo’s Arcadia Series Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets are available in more than 250 RAL color options, as well as oiled ipe wood or charcoal gray powder-coated stainless steel. The Arcadia Series complements all Kalamazoo grills, smokers, cooktops, and refrigeration, and includes a full line of appliance surrounds, sink base cabinets, and finishing panels as part of the robust outdoor kitchen collection.
ABOUT KALAMAZOO OUTDOOR GOURMET
Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet is the leading manufacturer of premium appliances and cabinetry for outdoor cooking and entertaining. A passion for the joy of outdoor cooking and a deep commitment to exceptional design, quality and performance are the keys to the company’s success. Kalamazoo’s rich history of craftsmanship and expertise in metal fabrication began more than a century ago in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The company prides itself on its meticulous hand-craftsmanship and its spirit of innovation that continuously pushes the industry forward. Kalamazoo’s distinctive products are available globally through select retailers, certified design professionals and the company’s website.