A recent Kitchen Cabinet King survey shows stainless steel cabinets, engineered stone countertops and green design are among the top remodeling ideas for 2011. But kitchen designers in the metro area say the real trend here is to avoid being trendy. “Washington has always been very traditional because of the federal government and military,” said Jennifer Gilmer of Chevy Chase-based Jennifer Gilmer Kitchens and Baths. “People tend to be a little more conservative when it comes to design.”

Washingtonians prefer classic styling in kitchen cabinets. “They like the simplicity,” said Gilmer. “Life is so complicated because of all the things going on out there. In the last five years I’ve seen more people asking for more clean-line kitchens.”