Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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Product Trend Report The Movable LED Wafer Puck Track Lighting System from Outwater Plastics Industries has been specifcally designed to change with varying lighting requirements by enabling the user to create adjustable vertical or horizontal linear illumination by sliding the system's puck lights into any position along its low-profle track. Comprised of the company's integrated 'LED Diamond Light Technology,' the lighting system's small 2-1/8" diameter, 1/4"-thick puck light is available in Cool White and Warm White. The adhesivebacked track is ofered in 3', 4', 6' and 12' lengths. Circle No. 189 on Product Card ProClosets supplies highend custom cut storage systems for closets, pantries, garages, laundry rooms and other living spaces. Among the options ofered are adjustable shelving, glass racks, slide out wine racks, pantry tray dividers and open beech pantry drawers. All designs are ¾" thermofused melamine laminate. Circle No. 190 on Product Card The Wall Series 9 Bottle Wall Mounted Rack from VintageView is available in a wide variety of standard fnishes – Satin Black, Platinum Series Brushed Nickel, Black Pearl and Chrome, as well as custom fnishes of Copper or Brass. The wine racks are easy to install and can be modifed to ft any size space. VintageView also ofers complimentary CAD design services for use with its new wine storage system. Circle No. 191 on Product Card Peele says fttings that can be used in any kitchen cabinet or drawer are an easy solution. "Simple, space-saving devices with universal applications can help to maximize the existing usable space," he says. ADDED VALUE While a slow economy obviously has an impact on the optional products consumers and designers choose for a project, manufacturers say current economic conditions haven't had a large impact on the market for accessories and interior fttings. "Economics will always play a part in the decision-making process on a project as large as cabinetry, but because the kitchen is such a major part of one's lifestyle, the longevity of the purchase will outweigh the cost. Homeowners will fnd a way to purchase what they really want, especially in the kitchen," says Fitzpatrick. Shimm says that storage options have matured in recent years, becoming more refned, as well as easier to use and install with each new generation of product. As these storage aids and organizers have become more commonplace, their cost has been reduced and this type of product line is more readily accessible to consumers in a wider range of fnancial brackets, he says. Nauman states that the market varies by price point, but nearly all price points in kitchens now include some accessories, such as a pull-out waste unit in starter kitchens. "As kitchen size has tended to shrink in this economy, squeezing maximum use from this smaller space has tended to increase the use of items such as blind corner storage units," he notes. McPeek says the current economic climate prompts people to be more conscious of their purchases. "They are doing their research online and reading reviews. They don't necessarily want the cheapest price but instead want to be sure they are purchasing the best product within their means," she says. The 5100 Series Soft-Close Single and Double Door Mount Waste Containers from Rev-A-Shelf is the only brushed aluminum system with the company's RevA-Motion Soft Open-Soft Close slide technology that provides EasyHeat Warm Tiles Elite foor warming mats from Emerson Industrial Automation measure smooth operation. The versatile base works with 35-quart and 50-quart containers for easy upgrade to full-height cabinet applications. Built-in rear storage is featured on all single units. The units come with adjustable door-mount brackets and feature a durable and easy-to-clean polymer base. Containers are available in 27-quart, 35-quart and 50-quart polymer and 30-quart stainless steel. Circle No. 192 on Product Card less than 1/8"-thick for ultrathin installation under ceramic, porcelain, terrazzo, glass mosaic, marble, natural stone and agglomerates, engineered wood and laminated foors. Warm Tiles Elite mats are available in both standard rectangular sizes as well as custom layouts ranging from 6to 138 square feet for areas with irregular shapes. The mats, which are UL and CSA approved, can be ordered in either 120V or 240V. Circle No. 193 on Product Card 36 | Kitchen & Bath Design News July 2013 Brun adds, "Interior fttings of high quality are more sought after, including items that add value to the overall space." Radiant foor heating systems, long considered a luxury home accessory, are also becoming more accessible, says Hudoba. With the recession, he reports, simple, smaller and more afordable radiant systems are becoming more popular. Uponor recently introduced the Radiant Ready30E, a preassembled mechanical system, to address this need in the market. "Essentially, the radiant heating segment continues to remain strong in the luxury residential market, while expanding into the 'standard' home and also the residential remodeling market," he says. EFFICIENT ELEMENTS Components added to the kitchen should help consumers get the most out of their space in limited amounts of time, say manufacturers. "We are an overly busy society," says Cannon. "Efciency and convenience are important for those of us who are always on the go and rush through making meals – as well as for those of us who fnd solace in cooking. Any time designers can create a kitchen that exudes efciency and convenience, the homeowner will be happier in a kitchen that evokes this kind of harmony." Nauman says issues of efciency have a big infuence on the products people choose. "Parents in busy households don't have time to rummage through cabinets while packing their children's lunch in the morning. Everything needs to be organized, visible and accessible. Kitchens tend to be beehives of activity and need to accommodate times of heavy activity with multiple tasks being done. Simple items like extra counter surfaces that pull out of drawers come into frequent use to create temporary extra work space during these highactivity times." Peele adds that efciency demands keep the market moving forward with innovations. "There will always be a demand for incorporating new ideas into traditional concepts," he concludes. ORGA-LINE accessories from Blum, Inc. include wrap and foil dispensers, knife holders, spice trays and plate holders. The accessories keep the A-Line by Advance Tabco features three Professional Stainless Steel Wall Shelf designs that can help organize wall storage space. The FWS series is a foating wall shelf that mounts to the wall on a concealed bracket, while the WS series is a traditional restaurant-style wall shelf. The PS series ofers a hanging utensil rack below the shelf surface. Circle No. 194 on Product Card cabinet drawer organized, and are removable. The aluminum foil dispenser, shown, holds the roll of foil secure while the dispenser cuts quickly without tearing. Circle No. 195 on Product Card Solid Wood Closets specializes in Closet Organizers and Closet Systems made with real solid hardwood. The systems feature full panels, furniturequality fnish, quality metal hardware and easy installation. Circle No. 196 on Product Card