KBIS 2011 - Top Products

I attended the 2011 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas the last week of April. As I mentioned in my KBIS trends post last week, this was the smallest I've seen the show since I started attending, both in terms of exhibitors and attendees.

Nonetheless, there were some worthwhile products to see and share. These are some of my favorites from the show.

My dear friend, colleague and Gold Notes contributor Dean Larkin, AIA, accompanied me to the show again this year. As an LA-based architect of luxury residences and commercial projects, Dean is a great second set of eyes to have along. Some of the elements shared in this post and the trend post that went live last week were pointed out by his expert eyes.


Game changer steps outside

Finally. At last. Hurrah! Someone has produced a dishwasher for an outdoor kitchen. Dean and I have been asking for one since the 2007 International Builders Show... Gold Notes didn't even exist back then. Surprisingly, it's not one of the established U.S. appliance leaders offering this breakthrough. It's from outdoor kitchen equipment manufacturer Kalamazoo. Their sleek entry is weatherized to withstand the pressures of outdoor living, and available in stainless to coordinate with their cabinets and with other stainless equipment. It will be available this summer. About time!




Better hang-ups

Innovative Product Sales International is bringing Nie Wider Bohren, a multi-purpose German mounting system that lets you secure heavy or light objects to walls without making holes in tile or stone. No Drilling Required, as it translates, can be used in wet or dry locations, even for grab bars. Best of all, whatever you install can be removed without leaving holes or marks. Pretty nifty!




Bath toys

American Standard has found a new way to get your kids to take a bath! Their fun fire engine and princess shells fit over your standard tub and plumbing, while giving your young 'uns - and bath décor - a real kick. They don't call them FunBath for nothing! Their kid-friendly line also comes with a vanity incorporating a pull-out step for younger users.





Slip sliding away

As I mentioned in my trends post, sliders were quite the thing at this year's show. One of the sweetest was Salice's Bortoluzzi Sistemi. These allow cabinet doors to open across each other, rather than swinging out. They're also available with automation for a really slick effect.




Another great leap forward from the Italian hardware manufacturer are hinges that let an appliance garage door to open vertically. No slats to break or stick. No pocket doors that don't align with the standard doors above. This lets you get great, functional access to the space without compromising on style.


Light the way

Hafele's Loox LEDs makes illuminating your cabinets with energy-efficient lighting easy and affordable. Some were slim enough to mount in a frameless cabinet or under a countertop for better storage visibility. Others were still pretty slim, but battery-operated. I like the ones that illuminate a space when you open a door or drawer.



The great entertainer

Lenova showcased a very innovative modular prep Entertainer Sink that lets you store drinks, condiments, dips and other party chow. It's got a built-in drain board and cutting boards that conceal the sink when it's not in use. This ties into a European trend of hiding your sink while yielding extra counter space. I wasn't familiar with this brand before, but am glad I discovered them here, especially since they're also offering a no-drain-ring PermaClean option in their sinks now. The only other brand I'm aware of that offers that is Affluence Seamless Sinks.

KBIS 2011 - Top Trends

I just came back from the latest Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, held in Las Vegas last week. It was the smallest I've seen it since I started attending, both in terms of attendees and exhibitors. More significantly, fewer brands brought game changers to the show.

Nonetheless, there were some interesting trends to share, and that's what this first of multiple KBIS posts will cover.

My dear friend, colleague and Gold Notes architectural contributor Dean Larkin, AIA, accompanied me to the show again this year. As an LA-based architect of luxury residences and commercial projects, Dean is a great trend setter/taste maker to have along. Some of the elements shared in this post and upcoming KBIS entries were pointed out by his expert eyes.


Sliders

I spotted some really nifty sliding mechanisms throughout the show, many contributing to the un-kitchen look that's growing in popularity. Hafele was showing mechanisms to slide countertops open on islands, as they did at LivingKitchen in Germany a few months back. This makes it possible to hide a sink, storage or TV out of sight when they're not in use.

NanaWall, famous for its accordion-style patio sliders, introduced a window-door combination that slides open to remove all barriers between indoor kitchen and outdoor living spaces.

Innovative Products showed off the S-Box system they're distributing in the US. It slides up from below a countertop, bringing a knife holder, iPod dock, electrical charging station, mini TV screen, key or spice holder into use when needed, and out of sight when not. Right now, they're showing it only in stainless steel, but it will be available as an integrated product later this year.




Hardware manufacturer Salice had several terrific sliders to share. One automated doors to slide open like the passenger doors on a mini van. A light touch opens a pantry, entertainment cabinet or other large storage space, and closes it again. The system is available with automation or manual opening mechanisms. Both include soft close operation.

The final element that illustrated the slider trend was Brizo's new Solna faucet. Its pull-down nozzle slides completely out of view, into its gracefully-curved neck, when not in use. Sleek!






iStyle

Another trend that's not new, but showing up in more places, is tech-oriented personalization. You can now get a shower system that lets users pre-set features before they step in at a cost in the $1K range. Kohler introduced this capability in their affordable DTV Prompt system.

They also debuted a high-tech, high-line toilet called the Numi that does everything short of zipping your fly. You can choose your personal wash settings, accompanying music from your iPod, and about a dozen other features.

Another iStylish entry from Kohler brand Robern was the customizable medicine cabinet. Need refrigeration for your medicines or water? Build it in. Need a charger? Build it in, too? Need to watch TV while you brush and floss? You can build that in, too.

Technology for personalization was widespread at the show, and not just for the kitchen and bath. Lutron's technology now lets you automate most of your home from your iPad.




My favorite techno entry was by Hettich, which was previewing the kitchen of tomorrow at their booth. More on this in a KBIS post to come.


Warm and lustrous

On the decorative end, I saw a trend toward more decorative styles than I've seen at recent shows. Finishes got warmer and darker. Hardware and even faucets showed jewelry-caliber style. Cabinetry warmed up a bit - walnut has especially grown in popularity.

I particularly enjoyed seeing Native Trail's entry into the cabinetry sector. I've always loved their copper sinks. This year, they were showing off vanities and mirrors made from wine barrels... Not for everyone, but nifty for someone wanting a warm, casual old world look.




Rohl and Brizo showed off beautiful new faucet styles. Rohl's featured crystal-inspired knobs. Brizo's brought a matte, cocoa finish to the show, pairing it with polished nickel for a super-rich stylish look.

Everywhere I turned, decorative faucets and hardware were showing off more detailed, decorative, bejeweled embellishments - like the Top Knobs Passport Collection shown below - a noted, welcome departure from the more modern looks that have dominated recent shows.





Check back next week for more KBIS 2011 coverage.

S IS FOR SEPTEMBER'S SMART & STYLISH KITCHEN STORAGE

Last week, I kvetched about the hurricane and financial market havoc and indulged my retail therapy craving. So I did some shopping for smart and stylish bath storage. I warned that it could be a two-parter. This week, I conclude with smart and stylish kitchen storage. I hope you enjoy! (BTW, if you're interested in this topic, please refer back to my multi-taskers posting for more storage tips.)

Back It Up

Don't let those unused inches between your countertops and wall cabinets go to waste! Put them to work with the Linero Backsplash System that frees up cabinet space with spice, wine, utensil, lid, plate and knife holders. I absolutely LOVE this concept! (Hafele)

Basket Case

Another often untapped storage source is the space above your cabinets. I love tall baskets for those spare inches. Like the Michael's samples shown here, hey look great and hold all those items you need to keep but don't use all that often. Other affordable sources often include: Marshall's, Ross, Pier1 sales, CostPlus World Market and sometimes Target. Shop around!

Top Drawer

If you've ever hunted for a mixing spoon or a particular Tupperware container, only to come up empty and frustrated, you'll love these wood drawer organizers from Rev-A-Shelf. I always incorporate storage accessories into my client projects, and have added them to my own kitchen, as well. Drawer organizers are available for utensils, knife storage, pots, lids and plastic containers and even small spice containers. (Rev-A-Shelf)

Splashy Trasher

This Stainless Steel Compost Keeper will store handsomely under your sink while saving your septic tank and the environment. It looks great and, from what past purchasers say, smells great, too. Plus, it's from my all-time-favorite discount chain -- who'da thunk! (Target)

I Was Blind... But Now I See

I detest blind corner cabinets. You know, the kind where you have to get on your knees with a flashlight to see what's back there? If I absolutely, positively have to use one in a remodel or new construction kitchen, I always go for the unit with swing-out shelves. These Pivot-out Blind Corner Units are now available for existing kitchens, so that you, too, can re-discover the darkest reaches of your most inaccessible cabinet. Note: Be sure to read the specs carefully before ordering! (Knape & Vogt)

Swing Low, Sweet Casseroles

If you have a low ceiling, you probably didn't think you could have a pot rack in your kitchen. And you probably have an older, smaller kitchen that could use this cabinet-liberator, too! Enclume has made several Low-Ceiling Pot Racks that let you have the best of both worlds: ready-access cookware and more space in your base cabinets. (Amazon)

Oh So Pretty Powder Kegs

So maybe you don't have a few thousand spare dollars hanging around the house for stainless steel appliances right now. That doesn't mean you can have a bit o'bling in your kitchen. All-Clad has a nifty set of three stainless steel canisters that will brighten your countertops and keep your flour, sugar and coffee safe and dry at the same, stylish time. (Amazon)


Final Words

As I noted last week, I didn't include page links or prices with this posting. That's because items occasionally go on sale or get discontinued and I don't care to mislead my readers. So, I'm supplying links to the company sites instead and citing related product names.

You may also be interested in knowing that I provide local design shopping services in the Tampa Bay Area. If you need help coordinating your kitchen or bath furnishings, you can hire me to shop with you, (and take advantage of my trade discounts at the same time). E-mail me at jamie@jgkitchens.com if you'd like to know more about this service.

MULTI-TASKERS THAT ADD FUNCTION AND STORAGE TO YOUR KITCHEN

I multi-task all the time. You probably do, too. So why shouldn't your kitchen? It's already the busiest room in your home. Here are four multi-tasking tools to make "family central" live larger, work smarter and store more.

ICE MAKER/FRIDGE/FREEZER

This handy unit, shown here, from U-Line, is the ideal party zone appliance. It can make ice, keep frozen treats frozen and store your cold drinks in the same 24" space a standard beverage fridge would normally occupy.

MICROWAVE/SECOND OVEN/FOOD WARMER

If your microwave is only reheating left-overs and making frozen vegetables, consider it an under-performer. In the same space, whether built-in or over-the-range, you can add a second oven to your kitchen by upgrading to a microwave-convection combo, and even a microwave-convection oven-warming 'drawer' unit. Most of the major manufacturers are adding these capabilities to their offerings and they're well worth considering, especially at holiday time when turkeys, side dishes and pies are all vying for the same cooking space! One combo unit that I've specified for numerous happy clients trading up from a standard micro is the GE Profile Advantium.

BACKSPLASH/STORAGE ZONE

Sure, your backsplash looks really pretty with all the decorative tile you've got on it now, but those 18 typical vertical inches between your countertops and your wall cabinets are sure under-worked! Put them to work, too, with a backsplash organizing system that can free up countless square feet of drawer space. It also puts added storage exactly where you need it most. For example, place a spice shelf above the space where you prep your food for cooking. Or hang a utensil rack near your cooktop, where you can reach a spatula when you need one. Hafele is a good source for these organizers. Home centers carry them from time to time, too.

CEILING/POT RACK/ISLAND TASK LIGHTING

Just like your backsplash, your ceiling is sorely under-tasked. Sure, it's providing a space for your lights and maybe a ceiling fan and vent. Put it to better use with a lighted pot rack. This will take some stress off your overworked base cabinets and make it easier to find the pots you use most often. It will also provide some focused task lighting on your island or peninsula, if you have one. (If you don't, please skip this option so no one hits their head!)