"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.
BigTrends from KBIS2015 Part I
Day two of the Modenus Blog Tour was opening day for the 51st annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The Bloggers were given an inside peek into many of the booths at the show and as we toured, trends most certainly did emerge.
"There is a three year lag between Europe and North America when it comes to trends", says Warren Ramsland, President of Top Knobs. Taking that into account, there were many differences between what I saw here and what I witnessed in Italy at Euro Cucina last year. Perhaps the biggest European influence that continues to pick up steam is contemporary design for both the kitchen and bath.
Laminates are enjoying a serge in popularity. This material is more widely used and experimented with by our friends across the pond but we're picking up speed. I was wowed by the offerings at Wilsonart who debuted their "Spirit of Mindfulness" collection of 27 exciting laminate colors and textures. Also introduced were a line of quartz counter tops in a great assortment of neutral, workable hues. By late spring, a selection of 50 patterns will showcase a full range of colors, textures and four structures: Fine and Small Scale, Medium Scale, Large Scale, and Veining and Movement. That is one of the things I love about quartz, the wide variety of pattern, or no pattern at all! I was impressed not only by the innovative product development at Wilsonart but also their philosophy. This press release statement says it all:"Fueled in part by a turbulent economy, today’s more budget-savvy and eco-conscious consumers have responded by making their homes the calm eye in the storm of life. For many, this translates to finding a spirit of mindfulness within themselves and expressing it in their surroundings."
One of the new Wilsonart quartz options showing beautiful veining. Photo courtesy of WilsonartCheck out the Wilsonart Visualizer to help you pick your counter top color. It's easy, fun and very helpfulTechnology is also taking the kitchen and bath world by storm. There were numerous examples but two stood out for me. A company called TechTop took home the Best In Show Award for their counter top charging technology. Simply place your phone, tablet etc. on the counter top and viola' it will charge, no plug-in required. 
This great idea is from LG Hausy, yes it's the same "Life's Good" LG that makes appliances. They make counter tops too. I also loved this Solna articulating faucet by one of my favorite brands, Brizo. How convenient, right?!Fifty Shades of Gray has moved on to what I call "greige". It's the new warm toned beigey-gray which I saw everywhere! Palettes are definitely neutral. A great example is the Tangent collection by Walker Zanger. Love the mid-century inspiration which I also saw a lot of at the show. 
Walker-Zanger deals in tile, marble and stone artistry. Their collections are arguably the most innovative I've seen. Case in point is their Sterling Row collection, inspired by menswear and a favorite at the show. I found it to be extremely sophisticated, eye catching and innovative. The collection was a favorite at the show. 
We saw more of the Sterling Row Collection later on the blog tour in The New American Home, so there's more to come!Perhaps the BIGGEST trend of the show was personalization. I mentioned this in the last post about Thermador but they were not alone. Here are a few more pics highlighting the concept. Frigidaire's SpaceWise Custom Flex refrigerators allow you to totally customize the shelves inside by moving the drawers and shelving to your desired configuration.
How about this great storage system by Rev-A- Shelf? I know we all want this level of organization in our lives, yes? Right now this is a prototype but the response from the industry was good so I think we can expect to see this in the coming year.
Enough for now? Well there's more to come.Up next: KBIS 2015 Part II where I'll tell you about all my great finds for the bath and more.
Perfect Party Mix: Poggenpohl, Blanco and More
One of the most delightful experiences I had on the recent Modenus Blog Tour during Design and Construction Week in Las Vegas (which I'm sure you've all been following on social media) was a penthouse cocktail party located in the Residences at Mandarin Oriental. 
We toured three suites in the sky, more than forty floors up, all featuring products by Blanco, Poggenpohl and Cosentino, makers of Silestone and Dekton. These exclusive residences were host to private events for the press and the design community.
The theme of the evening was "The Art of Performance". Products were complemented by elegant bronze sculptures by California-based contemporary figurative artist Richard MacDonald.
We also had living sculptures in the form of two very talented (and flexible) dancers.
Blanco's Precision Steel Art sinks were on show along with their edgy Culina faucets. Incidentally this popular sink style comes in a 16" smaller size perfect for prep or bar sinks. 
It features angular lines, something really original and different from your standard stainless steel sink.
I had the pleasure of interviewing the lovely Christy Emens, Communications and Marketing Manager of Blanco. She touts "livable design" which is Blanco's version of personalization. This involves not only a variety of sink and faucet sizes, but also accessories to add convenience in the kitchen. 
The Blanco One is a bit larger but still compact, plus you can trick it out with all kinds of goodies.Back to the party, The Art of Performance is all about how kitchens and baths can be beautiful as well as functional and I think they proved their point.
Cosentino showcased their new Dekton color, Aura. I love the continuous veining!
Poggenpohl's design statement continues the theme of "personalization", a major trend at the show. Your kitchen should be a reflection of your lifestyle.As a 123 year old company, Poggenpohl was instrumental in the development of the first modern day kitchens. The German company remains cutting edge in its design philosophy and use of materials. In 2014 they introduced Poggenpohl P´7350 Design by Porsche, the latest incarnation by Porsche Design Studio. The collection features a sleek new look achieved by the use of industrial mitering technology. Love!! 
Back to the party. Poggenpohl kitchen designer Anne Kramer, says “Our vision is to personalize each kitchen to the homeowner’s needs for entertaining, for cooking, for storage and for lifestyle. Unlike traditional homes, these residences are at the height of the Las Vegas strip. A rarified atmosphere where anything is possible." I think they succeeded. Next up: The Big Show: KBIS Trend Recap
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
New Year, New Kitchen?
Happy new year! We're back to the beginning again. There's just something about the early days of January that can make you believe all things are possible. That's the right frame of mind to be in when you start any new venture. It's all good; the editing comes later. There's a lot to look forward to in the new year. In less than three weeks I'm off again on my next big, great adventure. I will be traveling with the awesome folks from Modenus and a select group of my esteemed peers to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas. Follow me here, on Twitter, Instagram and on my NEW Face Book page to hear about all the new products and design trends. Wheels up on January 18th. Are you ready? Until then here's a little inspiration to get you started. 
If your new kitchen is going to be an expression of who you are and how you live it's helpful to have a little inspiration. One of the things I frequently mention is the benefit of something I call "kitchen scrapbooking". When you get your first inkling that a new kitchen may be in your future, begin collecting pictures and ideas. Use magazines, the internet or your camera. Then pay attention to that inner voice. That's your intuition and your cue to tear, print or click that shutter. Look for everything from specific details to general feeling. Let's begin today. I will share with you all kinds of interesting tidbits. Keep a file (real or virtual) of your inspirational loot. Before you know it you'll have all kinds of useful information and you will begin to see the patterns in your selections. For example you may find that in 5 out of 7 pictures, you selected kitchens with white cabinets, or glass doors, or shiny finishes. Oh, and remember it doesn't even have to be a kitchen! Your heart-of-the-home can also be inspired by non-kitchen images such as art, architecture, nature and more. Here are some images to start you off. 
I love the juxtaposition of modern and African tribal elements in this photo above of a Nolte kitchen. 
This one, from luxury-ideas.com, is all about feeling natural, open and a little luxurious. Notice the interesting open shelves, the open island design and the lovely use of texture.
Lastly, I just love the feeling of this black and white kitchen. It represents a comfortable easy British Colonial aesthetic to me. How about you?
Viva Modenus!! KBIS 2015, Las Vegas
Yes! I'm excited to announce I will be off on a new adventure to cover the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas this coming January courtesy of uber design resource Modenus. KBIS is the BIG annual event where industry professionals learn about new technologies and get fueled with creative inspiration. 
I will be in great company, as you can see, meeting most in person for the first time. I'm looking forward to sharing ideas with them but most of all I can't wait to share it all with you, my blog peeps. Wheels up on January 18th but until then I will be covering all sorts of interesting tidbits leading up to the big show. Follow me here, on Twitter, Instagram or on the new Kitchens for Living Face Book page. Oh, and don't forget to check out all the Blog Tour Vegas designers. It's always fun to see different perspectives. After all, don't you want it ALL?