K/BIS Product Preview

Another spring highlight each year: The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), held in Chicago this year from April 16-18. It’s a spectacular gathering of some of the industry’s best and brightest, and one that many a local certified kitchen designer (CKD) knows not to miss.

What are some of the hottest products to be unveiled? Here’s a sneak preview:

1. Rohl’s new Vincent Series collection, inspired by the mountain resort of Saint Vincent in Italy’s Piedmonte region. Italian craftsman contributed to the collection’s design.

2. MAAXBath’s freestanding Viaggi bathtub, a show-stopper in any bathroom. The mod-inspired tub sits on a solid wooden base, and comes in earthy colors.

3. Aquatic’s Ava Bath, an accessible bathtub for homeowners with mobility issues. Automatic doors lowers to open and rise to close, which may make it easier for people using wheelchairs to get enter and exit.

4. The Blanco Salon is a high-tech, built-in compost bin with the technology to collect fruit, vegetable peels, egg shells and coffee grounds.

5. Moen’s Arbor pulldown faucet has a high-arc spout, multi-function pulldown wand and docking mechanism, for tasks such as filing large pots around the sink and keeping control of the temperature.

This year’s K/BIS, the 47th annual show, expects nearly 30,000 attendees and nearly 700
exhibitors. Guy Gunter will keep you informed about the show’s latest news and highlights.

Junior League Tour of Kitchens, March 20-21

Thanks to an insert in the March edition of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, we are getting excited about the Atlanta Junior League’s 14th annual Tour of Kitchens, taking place next month from Saturday, March 20th to Sunday, March 21st.

One general admission ticket buys you into to a behind-the-scenes look at Atlanta’s 14 finest examples of kitchen design in North Metro Atlanta areas of Buckhead, Brookhaven, Ansley Park, Morningside, Midtown, Vinings, Sandy Springs, and parts of Dunwoody.

Always a Spring highlight, the tour also provides special events including chef demonstrations, book signings, Junior League of Atlanta Cookbook sales, and more. Check back here over the next few weeks for more information.

Tips for Remodeling the Kitchen

There’s a great article on SouthernAccents.com about one couple’s remodeling experience, and what they learned when they added an airy kitchen to their 1920s cottage. Their advice, however, is appropriate for any kitchen project.

Do your Homework. Order materials on a rolling basis “so subcontractors always have there next project cued up.” Add room in your budget for unexpected expenses.

Know where you want to splurge, and where you want to save. Love cooking? Splurge on appliances. Take into consideration your lifestyle, and know what you use on a daily basis. Keep a mental list of the “extra” design details you may be willing to concede on.

“Embrace architectural elements that at first seem quirky or out of place but in the end add character and soul…Don’t worry about the transition from old to new; let the home tell the story of its evolution. You can make it cohesive with color, materials, and furnishings.”

Next Page »