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 By Elizabeth Richards Appliance design today focuses on fexible design, energy efciency and technology that speeds up and simplifes cooking, clean up and food storage The 48" Viking Brigade Gas Range from Viking Range Corp. features six burners, 12"-wide griddle/ simmer plate and solid oven door. The sealed burner system includes three front burners with 23,000 BTUs and three back burners equipped with 15,000 BTUs. A VariSimmer setting for all burners allows for gentle, even simmering. The 5.8-cu.-ft. oven includes a 1,500° GourmetGlo infrared F broiler system and ProFlow Convection System. Circle No. 170 on Product Card D esigners are charged not only with selecting the best appliances to coordinate with the overall look of a kitchen, but also with fnding top-performing products that improve and simplify kitchen functions. Appliances need to ft the overall design vision, and should also ofer fexibility, efciency, and take into account evolving technology, environmental and wellness issues, say manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News. "As appliance manufacturers, it is important to provide consumers with compact, yet efcient, appliances that will fawlessly ft within their kitchen's design," says Josef Steigmiller, v.p. of Liebherr Refrigeration, The Americas, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. "In the past, home design was driven by practicality, but now homeowners want function and design to align – and it starts in the kitchen," he adds. "Appliances that ofer freedom and fexibility are important to cooking enthusiasts who are remodeling or building new homes," says Zach Elkin, director of brand marketing for Thermador at BSH Home Appliances Corp. based in Irvine, CA. BLEND OR POP? The wide variety of style and fnish options available ensures that hard-working appliances A new line of decorative range hoods from Streamline Hoods can be customized with silkscreened glass designs. Streamline can supply colored glass fronts available in standard colors of red, orange, green, white and black in a large variety of fnishes. Imprinting of photos is also available. Glass color matching is available per the RAL color chart, which allows for matching of cabinet or appliance fnishes. Circle No. 171 on Product Card Vent-A-Hood's JDH/C2 canopy hood from its Designer Series ofers decorative options and several fnishes. The hood features the frm's signature Magic Lung single or dual blower, halogen lights, standard widths of 36" to 66" and 300 to 1200 CFM. Circle No. 172 on Product Card 46 | Kitchen & Bath Design News October 2013 need not look boring, utilitarian or even, in some cases, like appliances at all. With panels that integrate appliances into the cabinetry, and range hoods that look more like art, there are looks that complement any design. "Many brands are introducing new 'looks' for their appliances with fresh, new design concepts. It is creating more competition for the more specialized brands that already had a less 'traditional' looking appliance," says Melissa Haber, director of sales and marketing at EuroChef, USA in Edgewood, NJ. "I think color pops and accents are in demand for kitchen appliances. Consumers and designers want appliances to shine and stand out, not blend in with everything else." At the same time, there is a desire for a professional look, and stainless is still a popular choice. Though Greenwood, MSbased Viking Range, LLC ofers 12 color fnishes, Jane Crump, communications and PR manager, says color is a minute portion of the frm's business. "Stainless does not seem to be diminishing at all," she says. When color is used, it's often as a focal point, particularly on the range, not on all appliances, she adds. The other appliances would then be fnished to match the cabinetry, or have a stainless fnish. Kevin Henry, director of business development for Dacor in Costa Mesa, CA, says, "At the end of the day, stainless steel is the great neutralizer. It goes with anything, it doesn't have to match up, it takes on the personality of the kitchen and it has a perception of high quality. I don't think we're going to see too many changes in the industry away from stainless steel, because there's just The new Wall Pyramid range hoods from Imperial Cal. Products are handcrafted and provide style and performance. Duct covers are made to individual specifcations for a seamless, professional look. The hoods are backed by a 7-year in-home warranty. Circle No. 173 on Product Card The Modular 3000 Series of modular refrigeration from U-Line Corp. features 18"- and 36"-wide appliances that integrate into various cabinetry styles. The 36" Glass Door Refrigerator/Refrigerator, shown, is a two-door, dual-zone glass door refrigerator that features a refrigerator/wine preservation combination, with U-Select temperature control that provides independent temperature zones. Circle No. 174 on Product Card The 36" Overlay Over-and-Under French Door Refrigerator/ Freezer from Sub-Zero features side-by-side refrigerator doors that provide interior space for platters and other large items. The unit features dual refrigeration – separate, sealed systems for refrigerator and freezer that ensure preservation conditions for each type of food. An antimicrobial air purifcation system scrubs the air of mold, bacteria, viruses and ethylene gas to preserve food longer. Digital temperature controls and magnetically sealed doors add to the refrigerator's efciency. Circle No. 175 on Product Card