KBIS 2017 Countdown- Newest in Kitchen and Bath Design

I don’t know about you (actually I might) but I’m ready for a fresh new start so I’m welcoming 2017 with open arms.  I’m excited about all the new adventures in store. First up is the always inspiring and exciting Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)

This year KBIS takes place in Orlando, Florida and will host 500+ leading brands in the kitchen and bath industry, including over 100 NEW companies.  Once again I am proud to be one of 24 design bloggers and social media influencers included in the Modenus Blog tour.  Modenus, in case you don’t know, is all about design connections.  Through their website and blog tours Modenus  connects design pros, brands, media and savvy homeowners.

You can follow along as we provide “real time” coverage on Instagram, Twitter and FaceBook.  Just follow the hashtag #BlogTourKBIS

You can find me here on Instagram, Twitter and  Facebook.  Follow me if you haven't already.  This is a great way to find the perfect products and design details if you're thinking of a new kitchen or bath in the new year.

KBIS is where I source the latest industry designs, products and technology and bring them to my readers and clients. This trade show is a part of Design & Construction Week and takes place from January 10th -January 12fth at the Orange County Convention Center.  The Modenus Blog Tour is an all expense paid trip however I retain control over all editorial content. I only recommend products or services I  believe will be good for my readers and clients.

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

5 Elements of an Artful Kitchen

Summer projects are underway in South Florida!  In fact, it's the height of the busy season for most design professionals here.

I don't have to tell you that a new kitchen is a big investment, in fact the kitchen is the most expensive renovation you're ever likely to undertake. It stands to reason that you'd want a kitchen that is tailor-made for you whether you can afford custom or not. This is what we're all about at Artful Kitchens.

The concept of an "artful kitchen" has many different facets.  It is not just about budget or the amount of space you have but the skill you employ using what is available to you. Here are five tips to consider along with some visual inspiration featuring products I saw this year at the Kitchen & Bath Industry (KBIS) trade show in Las Vegas. Implement these with style and confidence and you will be the proud owner of an artful kitchen!

1. Flawless Function

I'm all about artistic expression but a major part of creativity in the kitchen comes from devising flawless function. This quality is not something you see but something you can experience if artfully accomplished.  When I say function, I mean work centers comprised of cooking, clean up and food prep areas.

Those are the basics but you could have more such as a beverage center (think coffee, tea, wine), a computer station or a baking center.  If you have a two-cook kitchen, your layout should be designed so that any one of the major functions can be performed without anyone getting underfoot.

Following the guidelines set by the NKBA is a must to make sure all clearances are adequate. Sometimes we don't have a lot of choice about where to locate our sink or appliances but we can organize our utensils, dishes, pots and food items in a more efficient way.  Don't forget the more flawlessly your kitchen functions the safer it is. You don't have to be an expert at this, just think about how you use your kitchen so that you will be a good collaborator when it comes time to work with a professional.

2. Personalization

This is, without a doubt, the biggest movement in the design world.  An artful kitchen is your own personal statement customized to the way you live.  It could be a steam oven because healthy eating is your passion or it could be a lovely furniture piece with glass doors to display your grandmother's china. Include the colors you love.  Even though you must be mindful of your budget (everyone has one), strive to retain the essence of what you see as your dream kitchen.

3. Harmony

Harmony is one of the principles of design and a must for your kitchen.  Whenever I design a two-toned kitchen I like to ensure that different finishes and details are carried through the space to create a cohesive whole.  It's about how the floor relates to the cabinets and  how the cabinet hardware relates to the faucet. You get the picture!  It does not mean that everything has to match perfectly, it means elements should relate to and complement each other. It also does not mean that every element has to be perfectly symmetrical.  In fact, consider this permission NOT to be! I find that the best rule of thumb is to follow the architecture and style of the home you're in.  If, for example, the kitchen window is way off center you should work with that not against it.  Never force solutions by sacrificing function.

4. Focal Point

Every piece of great artwork has a focal point.  It is the "star of the show", so to speak.  In a kitchen it can be a sculptural range hood, a granite counter with big bold movement or actually a piece of art! It is the item that makes you say WOW when you enter the kitchen.  Just remember less is more here.  One great focal point is probably enough.  Too much and the statement gets lost. Less is definitely more.

5. Texture

The element of texture involves at least two of our senses, touch and sight.  The textures you are likely to come across include the glossy finishes popular in contemporary design, prominent wood grains which can be traditional or modern and smooth honed surfaces that are more matte.  A flat slab cabinet door is a great choice if you plan to use a wood with a lot of pattern and graining.  In this case the material is the decorative element of the cabinet.  On the other hand, if you are traditional and you are using white cabinets you can select a door with some molding or detail.  Also let the wild patterns either be on your cabinets or on your counter, both would be busy and distracting.

This is only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.  There are many more tricks and methods to create an artful kitchen. What are yours?  Please keep in touch and contact me. Whether you need a quick consult or a full design layout I can help in person or virtually.

I'm located in the West Palm Beach area, so if you're local I can also help you shop for your kitchen products.

Getting Personal with Thermador

The Kitchen & Bath Industry show (KBIS) is like Christmas morning for a designer, full of excitement and new discoveries.  That's exactly what my experience was like this year as a member of  the Modenus Blog Tour.  Not only that, I also had the opportunity to meet and mingle with some truly awesome designers, the rock stars of our industry.  Before we get to that, on Monday our group visited the Las Vegas Market located in the World Market Center, also the location of Modenus Talks, a meeting of the minds where the topic of the day was: The Power of Great Design - Improving Well Being at Work and at Home.So awesome to think that the way we design our homes and work spaces impacts our health and well being, including mental health!  Combine this with personalization, a significant trend across brands, and you have a winning recipe for client and designer.Personalization means  more options and choices to suit your individual needs.  One example of this is the innovation at  Thermador.  Zach Elkin, Director Luxury Division at Thermador, spoke about how the brand embraces the culinary enthusiast.This year, at KBIS, they introduced a new 30” professional style range with innovative features that provide more design possibilities.  Sister company Bosch also introduced a line of smaller appliances proving that very good things come in small packages Another big healthy trend is steam cooking.  Trust me, you are going to be seeing much more of this.  You can cook ANYTHING except popcorn in a steam oven and it comes out great, even pizza, crispy too!  Steam is not just for veggies anymore.I can't leave without telling you about Thermador's new Freedom Induction Range, the first full-surface induction appliance in the luxury appliance category.  That means that there are no "burners", in fact the whole thing is one big "burner"!  It has sensory technology that "just knows" ;) Next up:  The Perfect Party Mix: Blanco & Poggenpohl

Blog Tour Preview

As you know, I'll be heading off on Sunday to immerse myself in all the magic of KBIS2015, courtesy of  super design site Modenus.  This is a HUGE show for our industry and you can be sure I'll be partying taking careful notes and lots of pics to share with my blog peeps!  I'll be posting recaps here upon my return but if you'd like to follow along in real time please LIKE my new Face Book page, Kitchens for Living or you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram. If you're planning a new kitchen, listen up!  We're about to unleash upon you all the latest product and design info you need to plan for your home.Don't forget to check Modenus to see what all the Blog Tour Bloggers are saying. These pics are a preview of the Blog Tour sponsor line up.  That means that you'll be hearing more about this diverse group of industry favorites as I learn about them.Now if you made it all the way to the end of this blog post, ladies (and certain gents), you shall be rewarded. Stay tuned for more about all these brands and more!