Until Next Year...

The show is now over, but don't worry, you can still check out all the happenings that took place at the K+BB booth at kbbtv.biz, where you'll find interviews with industry personalities, celebrities and designers, as well as awards announcements including the Best of K/BIS and NKBA/K+BB Student Essay Contest winners.

We hope you've enjoyed our show coverage and all of the interesting and innovative new products we covered here. Don't forget to share your favorites with us!

See you next year in Chicago!

More than meets the eye

By Angela Miller

Now you see it…now you don’t. Like magic, the working zone of the Monos kitchen by Del Tango can be hidden from view beneath a beautifully finished countertop, all with just the push of a remote control button. The working zone features a stunning stainless-steel sink and cooktop, as well as a faucet that is designed to recess easily into the countertop before the snack bar portion of the station may slide elegantly over the work surface. Not only is this new product an exciting way to hide a messy kitchen, it’s a great space-saving solution for any kitchen. Clients will love the magic of this transformable countertop space as it caters incredibly to multiple functions, whether it be preparing a gourmet meal, fixing snacks for kids or serving drinks to friends.

Four Seasons

By Sallie Moffat

There were numerous exciting new products at TOTO USA's booth, but nothing made me gasp quite like the Waza Collection's Miyabe series of toilets and sinks. Handpainted with beautiful floral motifs, each is a work of art for the modern bathroom. In addition to its artistic quality, the line is also mindful of the environment. The high-efficiency toilet consumes only 1.28 gallons per flush, while the sink faucets (which are etched with complementary floral designs) expend only 1.5 gallons per minute.

The line is made up of four designs, each representing a season. Winter features a pine and plum tree design (shown); Spring, a plum tree motif with branches painted in sterling silver paint; Summer has a plum and bamboo design, which is created using 24K gold paint; and Fall features a maple leaf motif in greens and deep reds.

Raising the Bar

By Sallie Moffat

To say Cosentino’s new surfacing material is beautiful would be a serious understatement. It is absolutely exquisite. And for designers with clients who are always looking for unique materials to incorporate into their high-end homes, the Prexury Collection will certainly be a contender.

Merging the natural beauty of semi-precious stones, petrified woods and fossils with modern technology to create a durable surfacing material, the handmade line sets a new standard for elegance and sophistication. As Lorenzo Marquez, VP of marketing for Cosentino North America, said, “We’ve gone from Formica to solid surface to stone, and now the next generation is exotics and recycled-content materials. This collection will allow us to get to a high-end consumer looking for luxurious materials to incorporate into their designs.”

Scratch-, heat- and stain-resistant, the line comes in standard slabs measuring 109 in. x 58 in. x 3 cm and is offered in twelve color options (some with translucent properties): Smoky Quartz, Amethyst, Wild Agate, Angel Jasper, Carnelian, Rose Quartz, Classic Quartz, Retro Tiger Iron, Labradorite, Retro Petrified Wood, Petrified Wood and Red Jasper. Trust me, each will elicit a chorus of oooohs and aaaaahs.

Day Three: Eye on Aging

By Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS, Jamie Goldberg Kitchen and Bath Design, LLC

One of the predominant industry trends on display at this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show was sustainability. Aging in Place (AIP) is the ultimate tribute to this principle, as it employs lasting design concepts to avoid having to replace materials later on. It also helps keep people in their own homes, thus avoiding the fuel, packaging, paperwork and other resource hogs involved in having to move. Many of the products I incorporate into my designs have eco-friendly aspects, as well. I’ve made note of these attributes where they apply to the products I spotted today on the show floor.

Kitchen Confidential

The very clever DrawerVac is designed to tie into, and expand, a client’s central vacuum system (think of it as a DustBuster on steroids!). The unit installs in a base cabinet just below the countertop and pulls out when needed. This makes meal clean-up quicker, easier and more convenient. Anything that saves steps is an excellent AIP candidate, in my opinion, as too many of our older clients suffer from fatigue and balance issues.

Kohler Stages is another step saver. This combination sink/accessories/serveware/storage station puts a range of kitchen essentials in one convenient location. I’d particularly consider this product suite for an in-law kitchen.

Bosch has made it easier for users unfamiliar with induction cooking to use this eco-friendly technology. Its Autochef Induction Cooktop provides pre-programmed options for cooking a wide variety of foods—from pork chops to pancakes. I like induction cooking for AIP projects because of its inherent safety features, energy savings and easy cleanability. The Autochef makes easy learning a product feature, too, and even includes an induction compatible skillet.

Two notes of caution about this product for your older clients: (1) The lettering is small and may be hard to read for older eyes. (2) Clients who have—or may need in the near future—a pacemaker, should consult with their doctor about whether the magnetic cooking technology would be a safety issue for them.

If your client has limited counter space, the Kitchen Center by TCC may be a solution worth considering. It’s a built-in, powered, flexible base module for blender, coffee grinder, mixer and chopper appliances. When not in use, it can be covered with a companion glass cutting board. This is another product ideal for an in-law kitchen. You may have seen this product before. It’s not a new invention. However, this may be a new application you hadn’t considered before. (One of the reasons to come to trade shows like K/BIS is to re-think your options.)

Bathing Beauties

One of this year’s Best of K/BIS awards went to Quick Drain USA for its linear drain system. What makes this product ideal for AIP baths is its easy step- or roll-over capability, as well as the fact that it eliminates the need for a standard shower floor slope, which can be a balance issue for some bathers. The fact that it looks a heck of a lot better than a traditional shower drain doesn’t hurt either. Both of the shower systems I wrote about in my earlier posts—one from MTI Whirlpools, the other from Delta/Masco Baths—use comparable linear drain systems.

Healthcraft Products, Inc. showcased a creative new series called the Invisia Collection. Most of the collection combines a standard accessory with a grab bar. These include a corner shower shelf, soap dish and toilet paper holder. There is also an accent ring to top a shower control. I like the ingenuity of the concept, as well as the design. It would be great to see the series expand to finishes beyond the currently available chrome.

All Around the House

Spanish appliance manufacturer Fagor has brought a ventless, combination clothes washer/dryer appliance to the U.S. market. There is also an optional pedestal (shown in image below) available for better ergonomics. This combination could make the laundry chore easier for an older user. It would save them from having to move a heavy load of wet laundry from washer to dryer. It could also be located near the closets where clothing or towels are stored for simpler unloading. I could see this appliance coming in especially handy for a multi-generational household, so that the grandparents could maintain their privacy and independence.

Lutron has upgraded its home automation systems with wireless technology. There are some great applications for older clients, including: Sivoia window shade and Maestro light switch controls that can be placed at a favorite reading spot or bedside; a car visor remote that keeps an older homeowner from entering a dark house; and improved ceiling-mounted motion sensor light controls that can keep clients safer as they move from room to room. Lutron promises that they won’t flip on the lights when a sleeping user rolls over, or turn off the lights when someone sits for a while with a good book. Plus, the control panels come in a full palette of colors to coordinate with backsplashes, paint and other wall coverings.

CaesarStone showed off its beautiful new Motivo quartz surface at the show. Unlike many traditional quartz materials, which try to imitate polished granite, Motivo has a tone-on-tone design embossed into it, giving it a unique, lovely look that I’ve never seen before. Motivo is available in black or white, and in countertop or backsplash thicknesses. While the design is unique, Motivo retains traditional quartz properties: it is non-porous, scratch-resistant, heat-resistant and extremely easy to maintain. For all these reasons, quartz is an excellent surfacing option for AIP projects.

Hostess with the Mostest

By Angela Miller

It turns out that in some cases bigger really is better. As the host of a dinner party, you might find yourself missing out on a lot of the fun as you are compelled to keep returning to finish load after load of dishes. Imagine being able to load up all the dishes for your two dozen guests all at once. Dacor has come to the rescue with its latest 30-in. residential dishwasher. It features all the same quality bells and whistles we're accustomed to with Dacor’s great appliances, but in this case size is the big new deal. With extra interior space, you can simultaneously wash twenty-four place settings. And the company didn’t leave out the adjustable upper shelf, carefully designed dish dividers and multiple wash settings. Thanks to Dacor, we can leave the dishwashing to them and enjoy the party.

Treasure Chest

By Lacey Madsen

I always feel like a little princess, or even the teen anticipating the prom, when I walk into Robern's booth. Its medicine cabinets are an absolute wonder, making women feel like queens. The cabinet/mirror combinations are sleek and classy with beautiful form and perfect function. They come in various sizes, fitting all the desirable accessories and amenities of either the stay-at-home mom or the working business woman. But Robern doesn’t leave out the men. Right beside his wife powdering her nose in the mirror, the husband can watch the morning news on the TV (cabled right into the cabinet) while bushing his teeth. Need a glass of chilled water right before bed? Robern has you covered with its refrigerated cabinets. What we dream of, Robern creates. I can’t imagine anyone walking away from this booth without thinking they've found a true treasure.

A Winter Grill

By Lacey Madsen

Having lived in an area the past few years where the winter is truly a wonderland, I often wonder where in the world all the snow comes from and when summer will ever come around. I will always remember this past winter when my brothers shoveled 72 inches of snow off the back porch so my dad could get to the barbecue. Mom wanted a break from cooking supper and had come home from the grocery store with steaks and ribs for my dad to throw on the grill.

When Christmas comes around this year, with songs of winter wonderlands in the background, I think I’ll gift my dad a Kenyon Indoor Grill. It gives the look and flavor of the outdoor grill, but was designed to be used in the comfort (and warmth) of home. Not to mention it comes with a great griddle for bacon or other delights. It’s Christmas for mom, too, when she finds out it’s easy to clean, with most parts able to be popped in the dishwasher. In fact, it sounds like such a wonder, we just might have Christmas in July.

So Fresh and So Clean

By Lacey Madsen

Recently I went to visit my parents who had just moved into a new rental home. Knowing my love for kitchen and bath design, they were sure the minute I stepped through the door that I would make a beeline for the kitchen and immediately critique it. I proved their assertions correct. The one detail that bothered me the most was their induction cooktop. Though it lived up to its cooking potential, it was an eyesore. It’s easy in our family to get distracted while we laugh with one another as one pot after another boils over during meal preparation. And no matter the elbow grease, the soap, water or cleaning solutions, the remnants are there for the rest of history to know what we had for supper.

After a stop at the Kenyon booth, I finally have a solution for my parents. Kenyon offers fun, brightly colored silicone mats, sized to your induction cooktop. Set it on top, laugh away with family when the potatoes boil over again, enjoy a great supper and then throw the mat into the dishwasher and leave a beautiful cooktop behind. Kudos to Kenyon and their induction cooktop mats.

In Your Dreams

By Lacey Madsen

Pancakes are the way to start out the day. Warm with a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup, or perhaps a dollop of whipping cream and a scoop of berries. Sounds like a dream, until you turn on the cooktop. The first pancake comes out undercooked, the second not quite there. You blink and the third is charcoal black with a center of goo. Three strikes and you pull out the box of Cheerio’s instead.

But dream again. With Bosch’s Sensor Autochef Induction Cooktop your dream breakfast can come true.  The cooktop has specific zones, which interact with your pans to sense and maintain the perfect heat. These zones have 9 different settings, from pancakes to meats to eggs. Induction cooking is 90-percent efficient (compared to the 30-percent efficiency of regular electric cooktops); add sensor cooking and you are well on your way to not only saving your bacon, but also your energy bill.