#KBIS2013 Highlights and Trends

photo credit carmen christensen

Just back from KBIS ~Kitchen and Bath Industry Show~ in New Orleans and I am excited to share with you a few highlights and Trends of the show.  For me a big part of attending the show is to connect with my peers and like minded professionals.  It is an opportunity to meet new people, discover new products and have a hands on experience with the latest and greatest. And here is but a sampling of the trends and highlights I spotted during #KBIS2013.

There was a definate infusion of color throughout the show.  Bright bold colors are definately on trend as was seen in Formica's booth highligting their Laminate Anniversary Collection.  The colorful R.Christensen Spectrum collection Berenson hardware booth and Kohlers Whist Glass undermount bathroom sink was on spot.  Color is in and growing stronger as was evident during KBIS2013.

photo credit formica.com

left is Berenson's R.Christensen Spectrum Collection

right top is Kohler's Whist Glass Undermount Bathroom Sink 

bottom right is Formica's Booth KBIS2013 

Another trend is the growing by leaps and bounds is automation in the kitchen and bath, from Hafele's emphasis on Universal Design and automated cabinetry fittings to Brizo's Charlotte handsfree SmartTouchPlus Technology, Kohler's Moxie Showerhead wireless speaker.  With automation, seeing really is believing so check out these videos and see for yourself how automation and technology is becoming part of everyday kitchens and baths... 

Universal Design and Automated Cabinetry fittings

Brizo Charlotte handsfree Technology

Kohler's Moxie Showerhead Wireless speaker  

And here are a few highlights...

 

The Kalamazoo Hybrid Fire Grill is the ultimate grill. A seriously powerful, professional-grade gas grill that also cooks with charcoal and wood. Changing fuels is as easy as opening a drawer.  Be sure to check out an earlier post about their outdoor dishwasher --> CLICK HERE

photo credit kalamazoo outdoor gourmet

Fiandre Architectural Surfaces - beautiful porcelain tile that comes large sizes 60" x 36" and 60" x 120".  They are amazingly realistic and have a striking appearance. Would be spectacular in a shower surround.

CHROME CHROME CHROME - polished chrome was everywhere.  It was great to see some new modern styling in the timeless polished chrome finish. 

Berensen R.Christensen—Level Art Tech

Berensen— Dierdra Collection

Emtek—Zeus polished chrome entry set

Top knobs—Chareau Collection

Berensen R. Christensen—Axis Art Tech 

In addition to attending the show I was also part of it, as a member of the KBIS Design Studios team of designers, I had the fortune to present my GenX Outdoor Living design to show attendees in conjunction with QueX and Telliris technology.   I will be sharing this with you in a future post.  

Headed to #KBIS2013 New Orleans

I am one of eight designers presenting on Friday and Saturday at the KBIS Design Studios (Click here to learn more about KBIS Design Studios) & (click here for schedule  ~ Design Studios) and I will also be spending some time talking about Facebook and Twitter at the NKBA Tech Bar.

Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Friday Kitchen Find | Outdoor Dishwasher {WHAT? this I gotta see...}

The Friday Kitchen find is, yes you read it right, an Outdoor, and yes I said "Outdoor", Dishwasher!
  

{ Who knew? }

I can tell you who,   Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet™ knew and they did exactly that, they have designed a dishwasher that can withstand the harshness of the outdoor elements and I think it is brilliant!
  

Outdoor living spaces, and especially outdoor kitchens, are becoming the norm in luxury homes.  Everyone is spending more time at home and with the way we are now living in our homes, entertaining in our homes and nesting in our homes, we are most definitely spending more time in the outdoor spaces around our home.  And why shouldn't your outdoor kitchen have the same luxuries as your indoor kitchen? 
 

Remember when you had your last cookout and afterwards you and all of your guests carried the plates, pots and pans indoors to be put in the dishwasher? Those days are a thing of the past. Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet™, the leading manufacturer of high-end outdoor kitchen equipment, makes doing barbecue dishes easy and faster with an outdoor dishwasher specifically made to work outside. Able to withstand the harshness of the elements, it features a unique wash system designed to clean dishes that have been sitting outdoors or pots and pans that have been over the fire of a grill.

photo credit Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet

 

kalamazoogourmet.com

KBIS Design Studios | Today's Tomorrows

I am headed to the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, more commonly referred to as KBIS.  It is the trade show of all trade shows for the Kitchen and Bath Industry.

Having worked in the kitchen and bath industry for what seems like forever I still remember the first time I attended KBIS.  I never imagined all those years ago that I would be asked to present one of my designs on the show floor.  

I am one of eight designers, from across the country, invited to participate in KBIS Design Studios.  Powered by QueX Technology we will be demonstrating QueX's new concept called the QueX Experimential Showroom.  It is sort of like Today's Tomorrow.....where we are and where we are going...a way to change the engagement of design professionals, their clients and the products they design, specify and sell.

Cheryl Kees Clendenon, Corey Klassen, Carmen Christensen, Andie Day, Lori Gilder, Meredith Heron, Tyler Wisler, Susan Serra

The eight of us were asked to design a space based on our interpretation to meet the generational lifestyle of Baby Boomers, Generation X and the Millennials.  I was given the challenge to create and design an Outdoor Living space based on my interpretation of the Generation X lifestyle.   

We were each given the freedom to design our perspective spaces how we choose, to include our choice of products and materials.  We will each present our design at the KBIS Design Studios, using QueX's advanced technology that will allow us to show how we can interact with our clients in more engaging ways.

Technology is evolving the way we design and how we do business with our clients.  This is a great opportunity to experience first hand a new and exciting way to evolve my business.  How are you evolving?

The presentations will take place at the KBIS Design Studios Space 3352 Friday April 19th and Saturday April 20th.  I am scheduled to present my GenX Outdoor Living space on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. ~ See you at the Show!

The Kick Off Event – Beignets and Bubbly
The KBIS Design Studio space will host a Beignets & Bubbly Tweet Up, to introduce the designers and the demonstrations to bloggers and general media on day one of the show.
10:30am-12:00 noon
April 19
KBIS Design Studio Space 3352

“QueX’s patented technology allows designers to create interactive client profiles tailored specifically to the client’s product needs and requests,” says Mark Lenhart, managing partner of QueX, based in Chicago.  “the KBIS Design Studio powered by QueX will enable collaboration among clients, designers, architects, builders, and others to take place in real time allowing for a more productive project management experience. It will also allow designers to see their designs come to life in full scale before they are actually constructed.”
 

My Eye on Design ~ Hanging Chair

This hanging chair caught my eye and I just had to share...a fun, modern, very stylish hanging chair by Spanish designer Alberto Sanchez of MUT design studio & atelier.  What a great place to sit and read a book.  I hope to see it in person when I attend Dwell on Design in L.A. in a few months.

photo credit www.mutdesign.com

Friday Kitchen Find | Easy Open Cabinets

As a designer, a homeowner and a lover of all things kitchen I am always on the lookout for ways to make a kitchen the most efficient and functional space.  Even though everyone uses their kitchen in a way that suits their personal needs, some simple things can make easy work of simple tasks.  Blum's Servo-Drive system does exactly that.  It makes opening and closing of cabinet doors and drawers easy and effortless with a simple light touch.  The silent opening and closing action allows for ease of movement and function.  

Check out this great video and see for yourself... 

photo credits blum.com

DESIGN | INSPIRATION | NATURE

It is hard not to be inspired by the beauty of nature.  I took this photo because the variation of color in the leaves contrasted against the tree trunks captured my attention.  It is in moments like this that give pause to a day and remind me how blessed I am to have seen it and how excited I am to have captured it so that I can share it with you.  What inspires you? 

(photo credit ~ Carmen Christensen)