Designers for this Arclinea Boston, Boston, Mass., kitchen incorporated natural light whenever they could with tall windows and materials such as acid-etched glass cabinets that capture the abundant sunlight. Products: Bosch cooktop, oven, dishwasher; Blanco sinks; Dornbracht faucets.

photo credit: John Horner Photography

Bamboo cabinetry in this kitchen by Goode & Murray Construction, Renton, Wash., was chosen for its Asian-inspired design and the sustainability of the natural material. Products: Milgard windows and sliding doors; Wilson Art Laminate; Mirage engineered hardwood flooring; custom bamboo cabinets.

photo credit: Jo Ann Hill

This Silver Master Design Award winner from Kitchens Direct, Hillsborough, N.J., was designed to reflect the homeowner’s passion for music, with a baby grand piano as the focal point and countertops custom made to match its elegant curves.

photo credit: Ron Tobia

Universal design continues to be an important trend as many aging homeowners want to stay in their current homes. Abbie Joan Enterprises, Naples, Fla., remodeled this bathroom for children and for visiting family members with accessibility needs, yet retaining an elegant style. Products: Grohe faucets; Kohler bathtub; Showplace cabinets; Great Grabz grab bars.

photo credit: Brynn Bruijn Photography

Eco-friendly flooring materials, such as the cork used in this kitchen by Doug Walter Architects, Denver, are reflective of the green trend. Products: Eko cork flooring; Ultracraft cabinets; Weather Shield windows.

photo credit: Estetico

Super showers, in addition to the popular soaking tubs, are making statements in the bathroom. With an increased square footage, body sprays and oversized showerheads are being installed for a spa-like atmosphere as shown here by Excel Interior Concepts, Lemoyne, Pa. Products: Kohler Sok Tub and ceiling mount bath filler; Mr.Steam; Velux skylights; Trimline windows; Grohe body sprays.

photo credit: RDB Imaging

Better space flow and additional counter space in this Gold winner by Grossmueller’s Design Consultants, Washington, D.C., allows two cooks to work comfortably together in the kitchen. Products: KraftMaid cabinetry; GE refrigerator and dishwasher; Amana range; Dacor rangehood; Pella windows.

photo credit: Tsantes Photography

Natural earth tones are leading the way in the bathroom, as shown here by Bauer Interior Design, San Francisco. Products: American Standard sink and toilet; Dornbracht faucets and fittings.

photo credit: David Duncan Livingston

These days, the old adage of “keeping up with the Joneses” is hardly the case, as homeowners are seeking ways to do exactly the opposite — differentiate themselves from the Joneses. Not only are homeowners asking for unique, individual designs, but they are personalizing their spaces to better suit their needs. Unlike the cookie-cutter world of building, remodelers are faced with a different set of challenges and must be flexible, creative and always on top of the next “It” thing in design.

Kitchen and bath remodels are still the top contenders in terms of what homeowners are requesting and continue to produce a favorable ROI in a slower housing market. With those encouraging facts, the following showcase of 2006 Master Design Award winners represents the latest trends popping up in homes across America.

Personalization

Layouts that incorporate multiple zones within the kitchen are still gaining ground in the kitchen. These zones are designed to meet the needs of each family member. For instance, cooking stations are being designed for multiple users, including space for entire families to cook together. These cooking stations can include a baking zone, food prep zone, etc. In addition, homeowners are requesting nontraditional zones that truly represent the technology-savvy era that we now live. These include specific areas for charging cellular phones, MP3 docking stations and laptop plug-ins.

Many times, older homes don’t have the footprint that is required for these additional amenities. Remodelers such as Grossmueller’s Design Consultants, Inc. of Washington, D.C., however, made the difficult look easy. They took an impossibly small 83-sq.-ft. space in a Silver Spring, Md. home and, by redoing the configuration of the first floor, expanded it to 120 sq. ft. Then they loaded the space with lots of thoughtful detail that met the clients’ goals, namely to update the kitchen, include a dishwasher and gain a bit more space. The kitchen floor plan allows both homeowners to cook together comfortably.

Adding to the trend of multiple cooks in the kitchen - dual appliances, placed at the point of use are also gaining traction. These appliances include dual cooktops, sinks, ovens, etc. Many of these products now include drawer appliances — warming drawers, refrigerator drawers, microwaves hidden in a drawer in the oven. This design element is a way to streamline the appearance of the space and provide point-of-use function.