<i>Kitchen designs, such as this from Grovewood, are keeping pace with changing tastes</i><p></p><p><b><b>New is meeting old in kitchen design with Europe the main influence. Tim Palmer uncovers the trend for new kitchen cupboards and worktops</b></b><br><b>&amp;“When it comes to trends for kitchen furniture in the UK we tend to follow the continent.&amp;” Martin Lowe, business development manager at Bushboard, continues: &amp;“Basically, when it comes to worktop colour trends in the laminate market, it&amp;’s proving the blacker the better - natural wood colours aren&amp;’t as popular as before. Consumers are leaning towards the darker, richer looking wood finishes. Solid wood, granite and marble are still proving popular at the top end of the market but prove too costly for many aspiring to them so similar looking laminate options are great alternatives.&amp;”</b><br> Lisa Charles, Grovewood marketing manager, says. &amp;“Beech woods, blond woods and simple styles still dominate the kitchen furniture market. However, we&amp;’re seeing woods such as light oak growing in importance as well as a modern twist on traditional materials and styles. Painted doors retain steady demand but no sign of growth. As demand for doors tends towards lighter colours, worktops and other kitchen coverings are becoming darker which creates dramatic contrast. …