Kitchen & Bath Design News

JUL 2014

Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.

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July 2014 ForResidentialPros.com | 45 troduced at KBIS allows for access from three sides, and has non-slip surfaces inside, completely adjustable shelves and many fnish options to complement the overall look, says Tripp. In addition to using space in the most efcient way, acces- sories and fttings need to allow for multiple uses and extended functionality. "Designers are looking for accessories that are multi-generational," says McPeek. Beyond aging-in-place con- siderations, multigenerational accessories are functional for those households that have several generations using the space simultaneously. A Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) study showed the need for "stations," she says, such as beverages, and medical storage solutions. The 5UPD from Rev-A-Shelf fts the bill, says McPeek. It pulls down from the cabinet for easy access, and the scalloped inserts allow for storage of varied prescription bottles. PRACTICAL VALUE Value and quality are particularly important in accessories and interior fttings, as this category of products is more specifc to individual consumers needs. "People are willing to spend more on items that improve their lifestyle," says McPeek. "They are staying in their homes longer and are adding items that not only help organize and maximize their space, but that also add longevity to it – in short, products that make day-to-day items more accessible." "Items that can be easily removed for cleaning and can be rearranged to the customer's specifcation are a plus," says Fitzpatrick. "Interior fttings and accessories for drawer and cabinets are very attractive now – it's not hard to fnd something that looks good. But functionality is the key; it ranks very high in value." "Kitchens are working harder now than in the past," says Tripp. People are staying in their homes longer, and using their kitchens more, he states. "People are willing to spend more on their functional accessories in order to get a good quality item that's going to last," he adds. Hall says consumers are looking for more, but want the perception of paying less. "In the end, they will pay for an ac- cessory if there is a lifecycle cost that shows savings," he says. They will also pay more for convenience, as well as having the next best thing. "They want to save money by not paying for wasted space. If you can do this, then your products have an appeal in the marketplace," Hall says. Functional hardware can't be forgotten either. Although hidden, it's an important part of the design, says Kearns. "Al- though today's consumers are more cost conscious than ever, it's important that designers communicate to their clients that using quality hardware ensures long-lived performance and reliability," she says. "Designers should follow through with their cabinetry sources to confrm the hardware originally specifed is used in the fnal construction to ensure the integrity of the design." She adds that people are looking for unique and customized solutions that are going to be reliable and last a long time, especially when they have remodeled or upgraded and plan to stay in their home through retirement. Straight lines and a sleek design defne Legrabox, the new full- extension box system from Blum Inc. Three diferent drawer side heights for standard drawers and two drawer side heights for interior roll-out drawers enable a wide range of design applications. The slim drawer profle of 1/2" is straight on the inside and outside to maximize the usable interior space of the drawer. Legrabox is available in a smudge-proof brushed stainless steel or a steel with an epoxy- coated gray matte fnish. Circle No. 172 on Product Card Outwater Plastics Industries has expanded its selection of Soft Closing Door Lifts and Stays for cabinet doors to complement its line of standard and specialty application hinges and accessories. The company's vertical and lateral door Soft Closing Door Lifts and Stays can be used with wood and aluminum cabinet doors of varying weight and require no lubrication. The pieces enable left and right cabinet door installation with specifc degrees of opening and closing speeds. Circle No. 173 on Product Card Nuheat's Signature is a WiFi-enabled thermostat for in-foor electrical radiant heating systems typically installed in kitchens and bathrooms. Homeowners can use this smart-home product to remotely access 7-day programming and energy monitoring features in up to 16 zones on an application developed for iOS or Android smart phones and Web browsers. Circle No. 170 on Product Card The Contemporary Series wine storage system from Kessick Wine Cellars is a modular system that cantilevers of the wall for a free-foating appearance. Face frames for these black lacquer components come in a variety of fnishes, including Mahogany, Black Lacquer and Brushed Aluminum. Circle No. 171 on Product Card The HBF-ELAN Bi-Fold Assist Mechanism from Sugatsune America provides a combination of light opening, multiple stop and soft closing functions on one stay with bi-folding doors. Doors stay open where placed. Circle No. 169 on Product Card The Environmental Lights Modular Premium LED undercabinet lighting line features three interchangeable lighting options – ultra thin LED light bars, angled LED light bars and surface-mount LED puck lights. The plug-and-play system includes built-in difusers to evenly distribute the light and eliminate hotspots. The ultra thin and angled light bars have built-in switches and come in three lengths: 12", 20" and 40". Circle No. 168 on Product Card Accuride International has introduced the enhanced 3832 Easy-Close (EC) slide, which has been re-engineered to include new features while ofering smoother movement and soft- close action. Components were refned to eliminate drag and friction, and the new slide better absorbs variances in cabinet construction and materials, easing installation. The Easy- Close mechanism has been reshaped, resized or replaced, and the mechanism housing the material has been strengthened. Circle No. 175 on Product Card WarmlyYours Radiant Heating introduces FeelsWarm Countertop Heaters for stone countertops in custom designs or fve standard sizes. The low- profle heaters adhere to the underside of countertops and raise the temperature of natural and man-made stone 20 to 25 degrees F. A programmable timer can be added for users to schedule times for the low- voltage heater to turn on/of. Circle No. 176 on Product Card EasyHeat Warm Tiles Elite foor-warming mats are less than 1/8"-thick, which results in virtually no foor height buildup. The mats are available in both standard rectangular sizes as well as custom layouts ranging from 6 to 138 square feet for areas with irregular shapes. The mats can be ordered in either 120V or 240V with up to 15W per square foot. All Elite mats are UL listed and CSA approved. Circle No. 174 on Product Card KBD_42-47_PTR.indd 45 6/16/14 2:36 PM

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