Going To The Kitchen Show in Vegas, Baby!

It's Friday at 5:45 pm, the week is offically closed, although I'll be working my head off till the moment I leave early Sunday morning for Vegas to attend KBIS!

I'll be working hard, trying to fit everything in, the fabulous food samples on the show floor by top chefs like Marcus Samuelsson, from the major appliance manufacturers, the massages from Moen at their press event, the press events at top nightclubs...and, oh yes, the products at the booths, l promise to find all kinds of great stuff and dutifully report back. Whether from major manufacturers, or very small, wonderful artisans, the show has it ALL. You'll hear from me during the show!

I got this great new voice recorder thing that does something special with podcasts, so if I can figure it out, I'll be putting up podcasts. I hate my voice (doesn't everyone?) played back, but I'll sacrifice vanity to give you information right from the sources. I'm so revved up for this as I am every year....see you in Vegas, baby!

March Toward KBIS - New Kitchen Design Products!

Du Verre hardware is launching three new collections. Sophisticated new works called Kuba and Primitive have been designed exclusively for Du Verre by the innovative designer, Clodagh. Rio is an exotic, sculptural series created by Gina Lubin, founding partner of Du Verre Hardware.

I'll be looking for this at the show, looks just beautiful, doesn't it? I always call hardware "jewelry", and I'd put any of these on a chain around my neck! -susan

 

Erin Adam's new tile collection at Ann Sacks

Erin is known for her award-winning custom mosaics and innovative fused glass tile patterns, which have elevated surface tile design to an entirely new level. She has designed several notable collections, including Quilts, a hand-made glass mosaic tile line inspired by Americana folk art and 1960s graphic design; Lume, a lighting collection; Facet, a glass mosaic tile line inspired by ornamental block walls and 1960s wallpaper; and Luna, a fused glass and aluminum tile line.

I love the hand made quality of these tiles, can you see in the image? They look gorgeous! I see tile happening in larger ways throughout the home. I think more risks are being taken with tile than ever before, and it can truly be seen as an art form such as we see here.  -susan 

march toward KBIS - new product introductions

My separate KBIS folder is packed full of emails, I lost count. Invitations to special press events, new product information, sneak peeks...I love this time of year! Spring is definitely the kitchen season and I'm all geared up for the show, as I am every single year. So here are a few of those sneak peeks.

GE

First up, GE is launching a new line of appliances called the GE Cafe Series. "The new GE Café series offers a suite of appliances for those who not only love the look of stainless steel-wrapped technology but who actually love to cook and entertain family and friends. The freestanding line of appliances also makes this an easy upgrade for nearly everyone."

Not everyone wants or can afford high end built in appliances. It's very important to have a source for appliances "for the rest of us," as my clients ask for from time to time.  -susan

Kalamazoo

"Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet introduces the Edo, a new sculptural grill inspired by Japanese design and cuisine. Form meets function as the lustrous, hand-textured stainless steel top glides open to reveal the controls and the 432 square-inch grilling surface. Closed, the sleek, simple form could be mistaken for a beautiful outdoor table or piece of sculpture.

There are two control zones with a total of 50,000 BTUs, powered by Kalamazoo’s signature cast stainless steel dragon burner system. The fuel tank is concealed in the base of the grill. Liquid propane is standard; natural gas is an option. Hidden casters make for easy movement. Kalamazoo’s unique customized grilling surfaces are also available."

With outdoor kitchens so hot, it's great to see some innovative designs for grills. I'd much rather gaze out my kitchen window and look at something scuptural than a big, old, common grill...or kettle. But, that's just me. Very cool. -susan

Swanstone

"Quite possibly the most innovative sinks in the world. Swanstone's newest granite kitchen sinks blur the lines between single and double bowls, offering the advantages of both. The Ascend and Large/Small Bowl combine the most sophisticated design with the functionality, durability, and quality for which they are known."

As a kitchen designer, I know Swanstone to be a well made, well priced, reliable product. I think these sinks have style and function going for them. I'll be looking at them at the show. It's all about the low divider between bowls offering more options for our favorite activity, washing stuff as efficiently as humanly possible. -susan

 
KWC

For that new sink, you need a new faucet...

"This smart new kitchen faucet has an operating lever made of robust yet astonishingly thin, hardened stainless steel. The innovative movement system means that joints and edges which could become dirt-traps are kept to a minimum, while the stream of water flows elegantly and precisely. The “highflex” spring hose, with its accurate and wear-resistant flat-topped spout also swivels 360 degrees.

The KWC ONO HIGHFLEX also produces two types of water stream because of the unique two-stage operating system. At the first stage, a practical filtered stream, and at the second, a powerful pressurized stream for removing tough food residues."

To me, it looks useful and stylish. I happen to appreciate clean lines and the beauty of simplicity. The combination of straight lines and curves is also an interesting aesthetic. While at KWC, check out Eve as well. susan  

march toward kbis...new product introductions

Here is a sneak peek at new products being shown at KBIS...

Delta's newest kitchen faucet: The Allora

"What makes the Allora stand out is the completely new magnetic closure that joins the pull-down spray to the body of the faucet. Now, consumers can enjoy the convenience of a pull-down spray, without the extra step of twisting and locking the spray head into place because the magnetic closure engages the spray head and wand in a snap."

 
Me, I think that's neat. Another one of those thing that make you say, why didn't they think of that before?? -susan 

EVERPURE....S.Pelligrino, watch your back!

"Everpure unveils the latest in home water filtration with the launch of its Carbonated Chiller. Join us for an exclusive tour of this industry-first, and experience a delicious Italian soda the way it was meant to taste: with crisp, clean Everpure-filtered carbonated water. "

That's my cue to stop by the booth at KBIS and check it out, which I will be sure to do. -susan

The Padova, BYOM (Bring Your Own Materials) a customizable hood

"A new concept from Fu-Tung Cheng is designed to be customized with the materials of the homeowner’s choice. So whether they prefer mosaic tiles, ribbed glass, or the many possibilities Italian Marmorino plaster, a homeowner can work with their own designer or one of Zephyr’s seasoned designers to make Padova a signature addition to any home. Specifications: Size: 42”, 48”, 54” Internal blowers: 600 cfm External blower: 1000 cfm"

I like the idea of being able to create a transitional piece like this...adding materials, particularly in the more warm or rustic areas, which would add a very exciting eclectic element to this sculptural, thoroughly modern, hood. Imagine barn wood veneer? Why not? Antiqued copper or zink, so many possibilities.  -susan

Kitchens In The Blogosphere

Kitchens are popping up like spring flowers around the blogosphere. All sorts of good stuff I am finding on kitchen design, kitchen products, kitchen remodeling too.

I was almost blown away when I saw images of Julia Child's kitchen on The Happy Living Blog. I suppose the kitchen is pure function! I remember hearing about the pegboard somewhere being in Julia's kitchen. Here is a link to the exhibit at the Smithsonian of Julia's kitchen. Thanks for this reminder of this interesting kitchen! And, what is this about a kitchen consultation you were at, as seen on your blog? Keep me in the loop!

 

 
A great segue to The Kitchen at Apartment Therapy, filled with not only recipes, but lots of stuff for the kitchen, including tips on products, cooking methods, and more.

What really blew me away this morning were the images on Desire to Inspire. The kitchens! They're filled with soul, and earthy textures. Eclectic, with pieces of this and that, thrown together, yet, warm and welcoming, which is what a kitchen should be, right? The image is from Desire to Inspire, by Elle Decor.

Luxist is talking about this new product from LG Electronics. It is a combination toaster/microwave and toaste/coffee maker in two different models  I suppose there is something to be said for saving space, and the toaster is wide enough for bagels, a good thing. They are not overly wide in width either, compared to other microwaves. Makes you go hmmmm....

All around good stuff too in Appliance Notes.  This blog is authored by my friend, Peggy, and I think she'll be coming up with all kinds of interesting pieces of good information in this new blog of hers. Take a look.

march toward KBIS - wood countertops & induction range

Continuing our sneek peak at kitchen products coming out in preparation for a debut at KBIS, here are two to look at. Craft Art countertops are all wood, and this year they will be introducing reclaimed wood tops. How wonderful is THAT? I have used Craft Art before, and they're great. I'm ALL OVER reclaimed wood!

Also got word of the first induction range with a five burner cooktop from Diva. If that wasn't enough, they're offering a free massage at their booth at KBIS. (Note to self: check out all the technical details at the Diva booth till exhaustion sets in, then go for the massage.)   ;-)

 

New franke sinks!

Check out these new Franke sinks. I'm at their website all the time, looking for one client or another, and this just popped up today. I think these sinks are very cool. Here's what Franke says: "The new Mythos line generation has all the ingredients of a new classic. This stainless steel, ergonimically proven sink, makes work a real pleasure. The mobile sink insert fits exactly into the large working sink and into the spacious draining sink, and is ideal for rinsing, draining or thawing. The flexible preparation board is made of tempered satin glass that you can slide right over your sink."

And, a new line of faucets, commercial in concept, made for home use. Franke says: "Restaurant efficiency and professional style to meet your epicurean requirements." I must say I really do love those restaurant type faucets. And, these new styles on the theme make me want to run and wash something! Did I say that?

These are not the only new product introductions by Franke. There is a fine collection of new sinks and faucets of varoius types and styles on their website. This is just a preview of lots of good stuff.  

March toward KBIS - LG Electronics

"March to KBIS" means it's time again where an influx of press releases are sent to members of the press to either announce or give a tease about their new products, which will be debuted at KBIS in May, a huge show, with approximately 50,000 attendees. KBIS is the Kitchen Bath Industry Show, held this year in Las Vegas. Don't expect me to tell you anything about my trip other than news items...you know what they say about Vegas...

So, here is what I got today from LG:

• "New high-end kitchen series
• First-of-its-kind Dual Convection Electric Range and LG's first Gas Range offering
• Unique refrigerator innovations such as a French-door model with extra-tall vertical ice and water dispenser and the world's first high-definition TV Refrigerator
• Expanded laundry portfolio including new additions to the award-winning SteamWasher line and new designers colors"

Once at the show, the press kits will show images of these new items, and of course, I will see all the new products myself, wearing my awesome gold sneakers. Up till then, you can only ponder what's to come.

Stay tuned for more "March to KBIS' info HOT off the fiber optic cable! 

Blogging The Architectural Digest Home Show, Kitchen Stuff

Went to the Architectural Digest Home Show Saturday, at Pier 94, in New York. It's a good show. There are awesome, very cool, and one-of-a-kind things to be found here.

 
I dressed for a client meeting I had in the morning. It was an outfit I got in Norway from a Swedish clothing design company. Gauzy, with a charming print, which went down to the knees and then with some leggings in a close, but different, pattern that went along with it. So far so good. Meeting went well, on to the city to meet the husband who worked that morning.

My feet hurt in the shoes I was wearing. I didn't know till after I left for my meeting that we'd be going to the show, so I needed desperately to buy a new pair of shoes before I walked the show. We went to Foot Action on 34th street and 7th avenue. The music was louder than I've heard at any party I've ever gone to, how is that possible? The staff was dancing with whoever walked by. I guess I got in a party mood, my husband's feet were tapping to the music, and so I picked out a pair of lightly sparkling goldy sneakers with orange trim and laces. I'm READY. I'm hip. The only problem was that we went to the Javits Center, only to find it was at Pier 94. A fight with a stupid cab driver later, we finally got there. I swear, they purposely take the long way. You know what I mean.

Back to the show. The items seen here are to die for. They are mostly innovative, luxury, items...a highly stylized point of view. A fair number of companies were showing green/sustainable products, nice to see. Of course, I concentrated on looking for kitchen related items and vignettes.