Blanco Makes a Splash!

For the last few years I have been honored to be a member of the Blanco Design Council.  This means I’m on the main line when it comes to inside information about their products. BLANCO, of course, is the German manufacturer of finely crafted sinks and faucets.  Their SILGRANIT II sinks are a particular favorite of mine and you should definitely know about them if you’re considering a kitchen remodel.  If you don’t know about SILGRANIT II, see my previous post here.   As a kick off to KBIS2013,  I got to see the newest BLANCO happenings  in New Orleans with a Cajun-styled experience called The Kitchen Unmasked.  This joint venture featuring Blanco, Poggenpohl and Silestone was held at the beautiful Nordic Kitchens showroom and was one of our stops on the Modenus Blog Tour.

The latest SILGRANIT II color, Cinder, is all the rage.  It’s a stormy striking combo of dark gray with some black and rich brown thrown into the mix.  I think it’s the perfect color to go with all the new luscious shades of gray we’re seeing.  It’s on trend yet neutral at the same time. The new SILGRANIT II series of sinks also includes HYGIENIC+PLUS^™ a patented formula that acts as a shield against dirt and bacteria. Independent laboratory tests confirm that the unique built-in hygiene protection reduces bacterial growth by an average of 98%.My favorite addition to the SILGRANIT II collection is the Modex sink (at top).  The next kitchen I design for myself (hoping) will have this sink.  I love it.  It adds a bit of architecture to the kitchen!  Modex features a unique 3” profile that sits on the counter and includes a large integrated cutting board.  It’s not just a sink, but a workstation.Speaking of work, did you know your faucet is the most abused item in your kitchen?  BLANCO's well known German engineering ensures that you have a product that will stand up to the test.  BLANCO also launched a new line of water saving faucets including Grace II, Alta, Highland and Napa. “Our latest collection of faucets offer livable style,” stated Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. “When we say livable style, we are referencing style that leads trends while integrating into any kitchen design. At the same time, we are talking about the faucets’ functionality. We engineer BLANCO faucets to last, to use less water, to provide unmatched cleaning and to be as easy to use as they are to maintain.” I’ve had a blast telling you about all the products I learned about on the Modenus Blog Tour.  A big thank you to Veronika Miller and her team at Modenus as well as all the fabulous sponsors including Blanco, Poggenpohl, Cosentino, National Kitchen & Bath Association, Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2013, Mr. Steam, TOTO and Du Verre Hardware.   It truly was a most memorable and enjoyable experience to see New Orleans in this way.  To me, the best part of all was the people, both meeting the sweet good- natured, perservering locals as well as enjoying the community of those who I’m honored to call my peers.  I hope you’ve enjoyed following along and have learned a thing or two in the process that will help you know what to look for when shopping for kitchen and bath products. Click here to see ALL my photos and commentary from Blog Tour NOLA!     

TOTO, Total Luxury with a Conscience

There's nothing more luxurious than a TOTO toilet.  There, I said it.  Even the "design civilians" know about the TOTO toilet with tush cleaning features but since learning about this amazing company, in depth, I have begun to notice that TOTO toilets are literally everywhere!  When you visit restaurants, airports, hotels and any number of commercial locations, check the toilet.  It's probably TOTO.  There's a good reason for that.  Their products start with really listening to people and discovering what they need.  They call it "People First Innovation".TOTO is the world’s largest plumbing products manufacturer offering a complete line of commercial and residential decorative plumbing fixtures including, not only toilets but showers, faucets, lavatories and more. They're at the top because they achieve a seamless integration of performance, conservation, technology and innovation.  No small order and they've been doing it for over 90 years.  TOTO was founded in Japan in 1917 and continues to be a global company with TOTO USA headquarters and state-of-art plant located in Morrow Georgia.We both know a TOTO product is an investment so let me tell you what you're paying for.  Countless layers and hours of research and development are spent which results in superb performance and products that are environmentally responsible.  Quality and worry-free fixtures  translate into money savings and, even better, peace of mind.  I'm not joking when I say research.  While on the Modenus Blog Tour, I spoke with Lenora Campos, TOTO PR guru, who explained that TOTO studies, in depth, every possible type of matter that is likely to end up in the bowl.  They are intrepid.   TOTO's Dual-Max® flushing system, found on several of their most popular High Efficiency Toilets, offers the option of a 1.6 gallon flush or 0.9 gallon flush based upon need.  I've heard consumers complain about the inefficiency of the one gallon flush.  My answer to that is that quality varies in all products.  The one gallon flush is not going away and I can tell you with TOTO it's a win-win concept.  Even the materials used help conserve your time and water.  SanaGloss® ceramic glaze - prevents debris, mold from sticking to ceramic surfaces, leading to fewer chemicals and less water in cleaning.In addition to the famous NEOREST toilet, TOTO also makes what they call a Washlet toilet seat which offers the  same personal cleaning system that uses warm, aerated water to clean (similar to a bidet) and can fit right onto your existing bowl.  All you need is an electrical outlet in the vicinity.  Still not sure?  You can actually try one out for yourself at a number of establishments.  Click here to see where they are.I was able to view many of the TOTO products at the recent Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) last month.  The product selection extends beyond their famous toilets.  I loved the Rain Showerheads.  Not only are they lovely to look at but somehow they are able to make less water feel like more! The Wyeth Collection  also embodies TOTO's People First Innovation philosophy.  A part of that is it's extreme "environmentally friendliness".  It consumes only 1.5 gallons of water per minute without sacrificing an ounce of performance.  The transitional design is also the product of consumer research.  This look will be at home in a variety of decors.   Wyeth tub and shower faucets are also available. Click here to visit TOTO's comprehensive website where you can see the many features and technologies they incorporate into their products.           

Cosentino: Leading Innovator of Quartz Surfacing

 As a kitchen designer, quartz has been my long time favorite choice for kitchen counter tops.  The reasons include durability, ease of maintenance and all the available choices for color and visual texture.  Cosentino, maker of Silestone as well as other new counter top products, is the world’s largest manufacturer of natural quartz.  I love the fact that Silestone is nonporous- so it doesn’t require sealers.  It’s also incredibly hard and stronger than granite.  This makes it naturally scratch, stain and scorch resistant.  One thing that really sets Silestone apart from their competitors is their use of Microban.   Since 2005, Silestone® has incorporated Microban® antibacterial technology to give extra hygiene protection and they are the first quartz kitchen worktop in the world to use it.Silestone also boasts the largest color selection (70+) in natural quartz.  My term “visual texture” refers to the different looks you can get varying from large particles, reminiscent of granite, to totally solid blocks of color which are perfect for more contemporary applications.   Thickness varies from 1.2cm to 3cm with 15 edge detail choices.  "Suede"  is a new matte finish that is smooth to the touch, giving the surface a softer, velvety appearance with little reflection, like honed marble without the upkeep.Silestone comes with a 15 year transferable warranty so if you buy a house with Silestone tops already installed, you’re covered.  One interesting bit of trivia I learned is that Silestone is used in such places at The Tower of London and the Bellagio in Las Vegas!

Cosentino isn’t just about Silestone, they are also the makers of ECO. We spent a great day with the folks from Cosentino as a part of the Modenus Blog Tour.  We traveled to the, Katrina devastated,  Lower Ninth Ward and saw ECO, on site, as a part of the "Make It Right" project.   Cosentino has partnered with the "Make It Right" foundation which is dedicated to building 150 affordable green, storm resistant homes to enable families to return to the area.  Click here to read my post about the "Make It Right" project.ECO is a green counter top choice made of recycled and natural materials including glass, mirror, porcelain, industrial furnace residuals, quartz, stone scrap and corn oil- quite the recipe!  It has much the same properties as Silestone, as far as non-porousness and durability, and is available in 14 colors. (Photo at the top of this post is ECO in a color called Grey Moss)Cosentino also had a lot to offer at KBIS2013 where we were able to preview new colors, featuring the movement and graining of natural stone, coming out later this yearThey also presented the highly anticipated new ultra-compact surface Dekton for the first time in North America.  This is an entirely new product which can be used for interior as well as exterior applications.  It's UV resistant and will come in extra large and extra thin slabs.  Cosentino products are produced in Almeria, Spain and distributed globally.Next up:  We're heading back to the bath for a peek at what's new at Toto!

Poggenpohl, Ultimate Form and Function

Whether your in the market for a new kitchen or you're in the business of selling kitchens one of the first questions that comes up is, “what’s your style?” Are you traditional, transitional or contemporary?  If the answer is contemporary, the elements to look for include seamless integration, totally efficient function and clean sleek lines.  These happen to be the standards at Poggenpohl, founded over 120 years ago as the first German kitchen brand and now  the best known kitchen brand in the world – present in more than 70 countries around the globe.  Poggenpohl can show you what true European contemporary design is all about.Today they continue to think outside the box (pun intended) to offer some of the   most cutting edge cabinetry in the industry.          

Behind the scenes storage is also a Poggenpohl hallmark.  A wide range of  available drawer inserts can be customized to your needs.  These kitchens are not designed, they’re engineered!  This includes not only cabinets but thin counter tops, offered in glass or stone, and even integrated glass front cooking appliances!  One can be sure that their kitchens are as pleasurable to look at as they are to work in.  I also love that although the elements are integrated they seem to also stand alone as individual sculptural statements.  (Spoken like a true kitchen designer channeling her inner artist.)A modern European kitchen utilizes the easy to reach back splash area under the upper cabinets.  Other elements to notice include horizontal graining, mid-height cabinetry and a mix of texture and materials. I enjoyed learning about Poggenpohl and their design philosophy as a part of the Modenus Blog Tour New Orleans.Next up:  We’re gonna get steamy at KFL!  Adding luxury and health benefits to your bathing experience with Mr. Steam

Trend Spotting at KBIS 2013

The last two days of my exciting visit to New Orleans with the Modenus Blog Tour centered around the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS).  This annual trade show is produced by the National Kitchen & Bath Association which is celebrating 50 years as the industry leader (more on that later).  I love to attend the show as it allows me to see the trends emerging in the American market and keeps me up to date with products and technology.  This year I had an additional behind-the-scenes perspective as a member of the Tour.  We were there for opening day, Friday April 19th and enjoyed a whirlwind tour of products followed by time for solo exploration and networking on Saturday.  Every year has a theme and this year I thought it was particularly appropriate. The show as all about the concept of "evolution".  This is really a common theme across the board as it applies to everything from design and products and how we are evolving the way we do business in 2013.  Here are some of my discoveries:Let there be lightLighting always plays a crucial role in kitchen and bath design but this year it was all about the light within.  Why didn't we think of this before?   LED lights inside cabinetry, particularly closets is a great idea!   The look of leatherLeathery textures made a big appearance.  Silestone by Cosentino debuted  their new Suede line of quartz counter tops.  Gator Mills ( a very local Louisiana company)  showed leather (and leather look ) vanities and Richelieu is offering recycled, reconstituted leather veneer.   Sliding doorsCabinet doors no longer have to swing out due to new hinging technologies that allow doors to slide.  Hafele calls theirs FrontinoGlaminates take the stageIt's not your grandma's laminate anymore!  Taking a cue from our friends across the pond, American laminate manufacturer Wilsonart has upped their game introducing two new seamless edge details and increased durability and sustainability. Blingy to sculptural When it comes to handles you can go for the bling or the sculptural.  Cabinet hardware manufacturer  Duverre  is all about very artful sculptural shapes and while I saw a lot of matte finishes, very shiny made an appearance too.     Look, no hands!Hands free faucet technology has quickly become the norm across the industry and was shown by not only the original, Brizo but also  Rohl, Kohler and Moen and Delta Faucets.This year's best in show award went to Toto for their awesome Neorest 550H toilet.  Believe me when I tell you it can just about do anything but drive you to work!  Stay tuned for an entire post about Toto and the Neorest 550In a nutshell KBIS2013 was largely about technology and texture.  Cabinet manufacturers are touting what's inside more than ever as they maximize the ease of living in the kitchen.  White cabinets, cleaner lines and pops of natural and engineered wood veneers are strong trends.Next up:  Poggenpohl, the cutting edge in kitchen cabinet design, inside and out  

Cosentino helps "Make It Right"

Can you even believe we're still on day three of the NOLA blog tour adventure?  There's just so much to write about!  After our visit to Gentilly we enjoyed yummy lunch at Mondo with the folks from Cosentino followed by an excursion  to the Lower Ninth Ward.I remember hearing a lot about the area during and after Hurricane Katrina.  It's where the levees over flowed and wreaked the most havoc.  It's also a community already struggling to make ends meet before the devastation. Today the Lower Ninth Ward is one of the areas being assisted by Make It Right, a non-profit organization founded by Brad Pitt.  This foundation builds healthy, green homes for communities in need and is aiming to bring 150 families back into affordable, green and storm-resistant houses.  So far 90 homes are complete with work continuing. Homes are designed by high profile local and international architects including world famous Frank Gehry!  What I like is that they really do collaborate with the home owners who have a voice in the final designs and all the color selections.Countertop maker Cosentino, famous for their amazing Silestone quartz tops, supplies their ECO line of counter tops to the project.  Not only is it beautiful and durable but it's composed of 75% recycled raw material, including glass and mirror.  You can find out more about it here.  More about Cosentino to come.  They introduced all kinds of new products, colors and textures at KBIS. I have heard it said, no good deed goes unpunished and I'm afraid this project is no exception.  Many feel slighted by the ultra contemporary designs that do not reflect the typical New Orleans style and architecture.  Architects were simply instructed to "use the city’s existing narrow lots...elevate houses out of the way of future flooding and include rooftop access to simplify rescue; feature prominent porches or front stoops for socializing; and use materials that are tough enough to survive hurricanes but that also approach “cradle to cradle” re-usability "  The foundation states that homes  being replaced were substandard post war tract homes. There's some interesting commentary over at  Curbed that addresses the controversy here.  I'd love to hear your thoughts. Next up:  KBIS2013 new products and trends for your kitchen and bath