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Until recently, filling your home with the latest technology was the ultimate sign of luxury. But something has shifted. Today, the most coveted tech is the “invisible” kind you barely notice. Oversized TVs, refrigerators with built-in screens, and bulky sound systems have lost some of their appeal, replaced by discreet virtual assistants tucked into every room and televisions that double as works of art.
In the kitchen, where recipes are passed down and conversations unfold over shared meals, Lindsey Koren, director of communications at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), says the greatest luxury isn't technology at all. It's human connection.
In the latest episode of The Next Issue, House Beautiful’s Carisha Swanson chats with Koren, as well as designer Richard Anuszkiewicz of Raith Design and India Doris, executive chef and co-owner of New York City–based restaurant Markette, to talk all about the kitchens of today.
Koren explains that with all of the technological advancements and AI automations in the home, “what ends up becoming the luxury is those elements that tech and AI cannot give us, which is the human connection, being with other people.”
Long has the kitchen been a carrier of culture, especially outside of the United States, and Koren explains that today’s designers need to keep that passing of traditions and heritage in mind when creating these cook spaces. However, this doesn’t mean that tech is simply being left out of the kitchen, but it is shifting into something even quieter. “Tech is integrated, and it just almost becomes seamless, melts away into the background,” she adds.
Take the above kitchen, for example: When designer Eryn Houck of Bellwether Design & Interiors was designing her own home, she put in an electric pulley system to raise and lower the backsplash behind the range, creating a window that looks into the scullery. It’s a simple advancement that doesn’t just make her kitchen seem cooler but encourages conversation. Houck’s husband loves to cook, and this allows him to be part of the action in the main kitchen while preparing the meal.
Even at NKBA’s latest Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), where brands showcase their latest innovations, it was less about adding screens or Wi-Fi capabilities to everything, and more so about adapting to how people actually live their everyday lives.
“We have spaces that are really encouraging people to come and stay and gather with one another,” Koren says. As this desire for connection continues to grow, expect to see even more innovations with a focus on family and emotions appear in this space.
