The Best of KBIS 2016

Bam!  Another show is in the books and although it's been a busy week "back at the ranch", I've been dying to share my finds with you right here on Artful Kitchens.Las Vegas was host to three days of networking and education for the best of the Kitchen & Bath industry.  As a member of the Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine's Advisory Board,  I had the pleasure of appearing on the KBIS Next stage as a part of the panel discussion entitled Trials & Tribulations-Solutions to Your Biggest Kitchen & Bath Challenges. It was an exciting exchange of ideas between both the pros on the panel as well as a savvy and engaged audience. I also had the opportunity to spend some time in the Las Vegas I like best, off the strip! I hiked in the Red Rock Canyon and visited my friends at Retro Vegas on Main Street. My digs for this trip were with my dear pals Karen, Barry & Wink.  They live in a midcentury modern gem that, rumor has it, was briefly home to Lucille Ball!  They are avid Airbnb'ers and wonderful hosts.  Check it out if you find yourself in Vegas. This location is so convenient to the Convention center I could walk, which I did, once.  Mostly I Ubered. Enough walking happens on the show floor!  So without further ado, here's my recap of the biggest and most notable trends and products that caught my eye at KBIS2016. ColorWhite still reigns.  In fact paint giants Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have both selected shades of white as their color of the year.  You know I am a huge white fan. It is always the best backdrop for art and design. It also continues to be the favorite cabinet color in my area.  Remember white is not just white, there are an infinite number of varieties you can have fun with.  If you need more punch in your kitchen you could find some great options at the big show.  I saw bright saturated colors in several appliance brands including Bertonazzi, Viking and BlueStar which offers 750 colors!  Grey has not left the stage.  The newest versions are warm, venturing into taupe territory. Textured wood grains such as cerused oak are really popular. Wood-Mode showed both traditional and contemporary versions of ribbon Mahogany. The Perfect TouchTouch latch technology was EVERYWHERE!  If you prefer a sleek, uninterrupted look for your cabinets and appliances this is for you, a gentle nudge will open your cabinets. This is nothing new but it's taken off.  I also loved the button that allows you to close this cabinet when you're done without resorting to dangerous acrobatics (I'm short).Feeling BrassyActually brass, copper, bronze and myriad versions are hot for plumbing fixtures and hardware.  My favorites were the new BauHaus inspired Litze collection by Brizo Faucets. and Kallista's Vir Stil collection.Not Your Grandma's CorianIf you're like me Corian has been dead to you since about 1998.  That sentiment has now ended in my book.  I saw a 2"thick sleek contemporary version of Corian that was perfectly at home in The New American Home.  The other exciting thing I saw in counter tops was this quartz by Silestone.  Yes, it's GOLD!  I just wish the photo could capture it's sparkly beauty.Thrills from ThermadorAppliance brand Thermador held a press conference on the show floor to introduce a couple of impressive new products, the 60" pro range available with steam and a double oven featuring steam and convection.  These are firsts in the industry.Organize ItJust when I thought we had it all the category of organization it goes to the next level. There was a great representation of brands ranging from Hafele to Rev-A-Shelf to Hardware Resources but Glideware is taking the market by storm.  If you've got a mess lurking somewhere I guarantee there's a way to make it neat and accessibleTile StyleMy two tile favorites were Michael Berman's Collection from Walker Zanger and, of course, Ann Sacks who are featuring a new line by L.A. design maven Kelly Wearstler. Love!I can IKONIf you read my blog you know I love me my Silgranit sinks, meet IKON the apron front version which easily works in any style kitchen from Traditional to Contemporary. Their Artona  faucet perfectly complements the Silgranit sink.Stikwood Rocks!

Stikwood’s line of lightweight, real-wood planking offers designers and DIYers a peel-and-stick solution to achieve that perfect, sought-after blend of rustic and modern. It can be used on walls and ceilings and comes in tons of colors, even prints! I'm thinking this could be great on the back of a kitchen island.

Believe me, all this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.  There was so much more to see and learn about at KBIS 2016.  Check out this year's winners of Best of KBIS for more info and of course if you'd like any more info on what you see here email me at artfulkitchensbyglo@gmail.com

Architecture Inspired Furniture: Brasilia by Broyhill

I often tout the benefits of designing to the architecture of a building.  Integrating your interiors with your architecture makes for a look that is always right.  This is the best way to avoid a strictly trendy or out-of-place look.For example, if you have a MidCentury ranch style home, honor that and incorporate it with your furniture, cabinets and finishes.   If your choices go with the house they'll never go out of style. Look to the structure for cues.  If you have arched windows then complement them with a few arch details in the kitchen.One style that exemplifies this concept on a grand scale is Brasilia furniture by Broyhill. Contemporary architecture of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil circa 1956-1960, was the inspiration for this style of furniture.  The line was first introduced at the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle.  It is easy to see how the city influenced the furniture inspired by it.One place you can find Brasilia furniture today is at Retro Vegas on Main Street in Las Vegas Nevada. Owner Bill Johnson says, "The principal architect of Brasilia, Oscar Niemeyer, loved the parabolic arch and used it frequently.In addition, the aerial view of the city was designed to look like a plane or bird from which Broyhill used a bird symbol in some of the tiles and fabrics on their pieces. For more on the latest pieces and prices at Retro Vegas, please visit their website  www.retro-vegas.com 

An Artful New Adventure!

Let’s face it, things change.  As we navigate those twists and turns of fate we can only hope to move forward, seeing new things with a fresh eye. Like it or not, change is a constant.  You can dread it (understandable) or you can choose to embrace it.  That said, it has been more than five years since I began my adventure as Kitchens for Living. I believe I have been true to my promise to share the latest design trends and product info for the heart of your home. We have frequently ventured out of the kitchen and even around the globe! I am so grateful for all the wonderful and talented kindred souls I have met along the way, fellow bloggers, designers and great organizations such as Modenus, Blanco, Brizo, Tile of Spain and many more.  This blog has afforded me the opportunity to travel and bear witness to marvelous destinations and inspiring trade shows. Before this starts sounding too sad, let me tell you I have never felt so excited about the future and eager to explore new opportunities.  This will be the last post for Kitchens for Living.  From now on I will be able to merge two of the things I love,  kitchen design and art with my new site, Artful Kitchens.  A big THANK YOU to Leslie Carothers of The Kaleidoscope Partnership for her guidance and insight which lead me to discover a new path full of promise and possibilities. Artful Kitchens will focus on all the ways you can use  creativity to personalize your kitchen. Artful spaces reflect who you are and the way you live.The stunning tile above,  by Walker Zanger, was featured at KBIS 2015 which I had the pleasure of attending with The Modenus Blog Tour Vegas. New products like this perfectly white quartz by Wilsonart enhance the kitchen with a feeling of crisp clean freshness!  Color is a primary element of the Artful Kitchen. We'll be talking a lot about that in an upcoming interview with Amy Wax of Color 911We will continue to incorporate new products and technologies as they emerge and we will explore all the artful ways of creating a kitchen that reflects who you really are. I’m so excited, I hope you’ll join me and spread the word.  Last but certainly not least, whether you are a brand or a consumer, I want to collaborate with you! Continue the conversation on Face Book or email me at ArtfulKitchensbyGlo@gmail.com 

The New American Home, Inspired by the Possibilities

In some ways, although it was all fantastic, the Modenus Blog Tour saved the best for last.  On our final day we made a trip to Henderson, Nevada to visit The New American Home. This project was to showcase the latest technology in home building and featured flooring by Mohawk Flooring and Karastan, a division of Mohawk.  Believe it or not this is not a custom home but a production model in the Sky Terrace community.  The purpose is to showcase what can be done with different finishes and technologies for varying budgets so that it feels custom to the homeowner.  In my opinion, that's where creative design comes into play.  I love to be inspired by the finest and be able to translate that for a specific lifestyle and budget.  I know it can be done.  Notice how the neutral color palette reflects the desert landscape.It wasn't all eye candy and hors d'oeuvres, we also learned about Mowhawk and Karastan's SmartStrand made from 37% corn product.  This bio-based material is eco-friendly and stands up to stains!   The protection is there for life because it's built into the fibers.  SmartStrand can be found in both Mohawk and Karastan carpets. They have a fun and interactive website here.Thanks for following along on my adventures with Modenus Blog Tour Vegas.  For more coverage check out what all the bloggers had to say.  You can find them here. Stay tuned for recaps of my trip with Tile Of Spain to Cevisama.  It's all about tile, with maybe a little sangria in the mix ;).  I'll be on the road from Friday February 6-13.  Follow along on FaceBook, Instagram and Twitter!

Honor Mother Nature with Style at TOTO

"People First Innovation" is the guiding principle behind Toto, the world’s largest manufacturer of bathroom fixtures and fittings. TOTO is an un paralleled luxury brand creating beautiful and functional fixtures for the bath.  What really impresses me is that at the same time the are heavily focused on water conservation, a leading global concern that needs more attention here in the US. In 1989, in response to the state’s dramatic drought conditions and the growing need for water conservation, TOTO USA was established in California.  Today they operate three manufacturing facilities in the US. I was amazed to know that 80% of all toilets on the Las Vegas strip are, you guessed it, TOTO! The brand first started nearly one hundred years ago in Japan.  Today there is still a zen aesthetic to both the design and experience of the product. The Washlet is a must have in my opinion.  There are lots of choices to make when creating a new bathroom.  A few judiciously selected "special items" can make your bathroom awesome and this is one I'd pick.  TOTO reinvented the toilet seat by creating the Washlet, which gives people a new way to be cleaner and more comfortable every day. Washlet seats can be installed on virtually any toilet and use pure, clean water –along with several TOTO technologies – to make their users cleaner and more refreshed. Ok we're taking personalization to a new level here but you must admit... In case you're wondering, there are many public restrooms you can visit and see for yourself.  Here's where they are.  If you do, get back to me.  It would make a great blogpost ;) Speaking of blog posts,  I also found this great post by engadget.com A Westerner's Guide to Japanese Toilets .In addition to this, TOTO uses a lot of technology designed to preserve both the environment as well as your water and energy bill.  This even includes something called SanaGloss. TOTO’s patented, super smooth glaze that repels visible and invisible waste, making it difficult to adhere to porcelain.  I'm all for less toilet cleaning!Accessible design and real showers were a part of TOTO's interactive booth at KBIS2015!   Up next:  The other item not to be missed for your bath, Mr. Steam!  You can easily plan it into your bathroom renovation.

Big Trends from KBIS Part II

The Modenus Blog Tour recaps continue! Last post I shared some of my kitchen trend discoveries from KBIS2015, the 51st Kitchen & Bath Industry Show held last month in LasVegas.  Today I've got the scoop on what's trending in the bath. I have to say it, personalization is also at the top of the list for bathroom style and function.  I saw lots of new options for faucet finishes.  Were you getting tired of brushed nickel? Nice to see something new in that arena. I saw a lot of contemporary design for the bath, minimal clean lines, simplicity but with quality materials.Affordability is definitely achievable.  For example you can have the quality of Kohler with their basic Sterling line or luxury of their exclusive Kallista line.Brizo introduced its new Rook collection for the bath, with a subtle reference to chess.  Its their latest suite of luxury faucets, fittings and accessories for the bath. This collection combines a low spout architecture and crisp octagonal details for a stately yet modern design.Brizo also has something for you if you're a little "twisted" and I love it.  It's the Virage Collection Free standing tubs and tub fillers-  The popularity of free-standing tubs created a whole new plumbing fixture, the tub filler.  They were everywhere!Creativity with tile- It's not just subway tile anymore although there are even a lot of interesting variations on this popular style. I can't leave you today without a nod to the number one booth in my opinion.  I wasn't alone as it was also voted most innovative booth of the show.  The award went to AquaBrass for their Buckminster Fuller inspired geodesic dome.  This innovative concept wowed me but they went all the way with my favorite combination art + design.  With and artist on site creating beautiful artful bathtubs!  This was to introduce their new Kanvas collection.  It brings art to the bathroom in a limited series of hand-painted freestanding bathtubs, each one signed by the artist. The tubs are stone resin and offer a choice of three hand-painted exteriors: bright and bold Graffiti has a youthful, urban edge; nature-inspired Pax invites bathers to a soothing Zen-like experience; and architectural Mosaik brings timeless elegance with its classic yet modern look.Aquabrass also introduced something that's going right on my dream list. The Aquazone,  a revolutionary shower and bath concept that provides the best of both worlds. Molded into a single, space-saving wet zone unit requiring only 60"X60" of space. North American-built, its strong, one-piece construction is solid Lucite acrylic with a reinforced base. And with two integrated wheels and six adjustable levelers, it rolls into place easily, saving time, materials and labor costs.Not only was the  booth full of great new products and finishes with the occasional thoughtfully placed message, they thought outside of the box and into the dome!! Kudos to the creators and congrats.Up next: We're not done in the bathroom yet! Here's the Jeopardy question: "The number one plumbing fixture supplier in the world" Who is ??????