One trend that we have seen in Europe for a while now is the use of warm metalic tones. Gold and brass, two finishes not seen in mainstream American design are common place in just about every European shelter magazine. In Japan, the same trend is beginning to be seen as well, albeit with a Japanese twist. Gold is being mixed with crystal, carbon fiber, and bright primary lacquered colors. Japanese manufacturer, Toyo Kitchen, recently unveiled the Ino collection of kitchen cabinets which are available in different finishes such as carbon fiber, Swarovski crystals, and polished steel. The materials are intermixed with brightly colored lacquer panels adding a bit of color. The colors seem inspired by the bright colors of Japanese anime. The look is decidedly different from the clean lines you see in Europe or the more traditional styling in the US. While carbon fiber may not catch on in the US as a standard finish on cabinetry, do look for the gold tones and more lacquer to begin showing up in kitchen and bath products over the course of the next few seasons.