Current Trends from Mountain Land Design
by Cassidy Mantor
Mountain Land Design started as a small boutique showroom over 30 years ago. Today, the company has a total of five showrooms located in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. Visiting a showroom is the best way to experience everything Mountain Land Design has to offer. The showrooms are merchandised into vignettes that highlight the premium range of appliances, plumbing, and hardware that the company offers.
Mountain Land Design’s showrooms are open to retail customers; however, much of their business comes from partnerships with builders, designers, and architects. The local trade will send their customers to Mountain Land Design’s showrooms to make selections for their projects. With so many options, the process frequently takes several hours and multiple showroom visits to lock in final decisions.
“We are best known for our showrooms and interactive displays,” explains owner Dan Devenport. “Showing our appliances, our decorative plumbing, and our hardware fixtures in a full kitchen and bath displays creates an environment that helps our customers get ideas for their own projects.”
While its showrooms are paramount to the company’s operations, community involvement is an equally integral part of Mountain Land Design’s ethos. The company hosts many events throughout the year, and their favorite is for the Assistance League of Salt Lake City. This charity event is a themed food and wine tasting with eight to ten chefs cooking in the live kitchens. Supporters dress up and sample food and wine throughout the showroom. The event is well-supported and a meaningful contribution is made to the organization each year.
“We are best known for our showrooms and interactive displays. Showing our appliances, our decorative plumbing, and our hardware fixtures in a full kitchen and bath displays creates an environment that helps our customers get ideas for their own projects.”
–Dan Devenport, Owner, Mountain Land Design
FROM INSIDE TO OUTDOOR KITCHENS
Mountain Land Design’s assortment offers a range of tastefully curated options that are both classic and on-trend. Lori Margetts, an appliance salesperson from Mountain Land Design’s Salt Lake City showroom, explains, “We are currently seeing a juxtaposition of modern mixed with transitional elements. This juxtaposition translates to seeing colored ranges, like a La Cornue or an Ilve, being a focal point along with modern elements. Refrigeration and dishwashers are still covered with cabinetry panels.” Lori adds, “Black nickel is a new finish we’re seeing, and polished nickel, which is timeless, is also increasingly popular particularly in tile and faucets.”
Mountain Land Design is also seeing a shift in client preferences to more comfortable home design and functionality overall. Heather Panos, a salesperson in the Salt Lake City showroom, added that there is an increasing demand for “casual settings that are family- and pet-friendly.”
Outdoor kitchens are a focus that can meet those specific needs for livability. Heather says, “Designing the perfect outdoor kitchen begins by asking the questions: How do you entertain, and what do you need the space to do?” She can then make recommendations based on lifestyle, needs, and budget.
As far as key components of an outdoor kitchen, Katelyn James, an appliance salesperson in Mountain Land Design’s Jackson showroom, likes to start with grill and burner options. A warming drawer is a convenient addition, as is outdoor cabinetry. Katelyn says, “If space allows, I always recommend a pizza oven. It’s such a fun way to bring people together!”
Lori seconds the call for a pizza oven as an unexpected element. She also shares that a trash pull-out is a nice convenience outside. Storage drawers increase the functionality of the space as well. Heather shares her must-have in an outdoor kitchen: “Don’t forget the sink! It makes clean-up a breeze and doubles as an ice bucket for your beverage station.”
“Appliances are constantly adapting and evolving to meet the needs of the modern family,” says Katelyn. “I’ve been seeing my clients gravitate towards smart appliances. The beauty of this is that they don’t have to compromise the integrity of the design to accomplish the needs of their lifestyle.” Smart appliances can offer a sleek integrated installation with the option to pick what color, handle, and overall style is right for you.” She also sees the same trend as Lori, “Bringing color into the kitchen has been a fun pop this year.”
“Bringing color into the kitchen has been a fun pop this year.”
–Lori Margetts, Sales, Mountain Land Design
WELLNESS AT HOME
Considering recent events, bidets have also become an essential focus of Mountain Land’s work. Marilyn Pawar, one of Mountain Land’s plumbing salespeople, says, “Consumers have embraced the concept of Washlet toilet seats. The opportunity to get cleaner and reduce the use of toilet paper has put these toilet seats on the list of options homeowners are requesting.” The options range from installing a fully integrated system, Like Toto’s 700H Neorest, to incorporating a Washlet seat that connects to an existing toilet.
Marilyn has noticed more customers asking about touchless kitchen faucets with sensors and smart flush toilets for their powder rooms. “We are seeing more homeowners plan for steam showers,” she says. “They have proven health benefits, including improving the respiratory and circulatory systems, skin cleansing, and stress relief. Wellness at home has become a focus for many of our clients.”
“Wellness at home has become a focus for many of our clients.”
–Marilyn Pawar, Sales, Mountain Land Design
For more information, visit mountainlanddesign.com.
