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26 | Kitchen & Bath Design News December 2014 faucet brands on display, showing of some interesting new releases. Rohl added to its high-end Jewel Collection with new handles for cus- tomizing the lav look. Italian faucet maker Fantini also ofered customization in its newest Milano H shower system. It works indoors or outdoors with a new stain- less steel fnish. The H (for Horizontal) allows clients to choose from a rain shower, cascade head or hand-held showerhead and mount the con- trols horizontally or vertically. The Milanoslim system includes body sprays, hand-held and narrow rain showerhead in a compact modern set, and is also stainless for indoor or outdoor use. Despite their multi-func- tion features, both H and Slim can be Cal Green-friendly, though the H re- quires a three-way diverter to achieve compliance, according to the company. French brand Pyrolave was there with its integral lavastone lavatories and custom color program. "Forty per- cent of the North American market is custom color-matched," noted U.S. representative Jean Pauwels. French manufacturer Blackbody ofered customization, as well, in its Organic LED-powered mirror lines. OLEDs are recyclable after their long life, adding even more sustainability to an already sustainable category. The company lets designers custom- ize mirrors to their size and shape specifcations with an easy no-CAD submission process. All you need to supply are measurements and a drawing and the company will make a mirror to your spec. Here are some of the fxture trend takeaways from WestEdge: • Customization is a strong and growing trend, especially in the high-end market; • Sustainability is being driven not just by consumer demand, but by local environmental codes demanding water and energy savings; • European brands are compet- ing heavily and strategically for North American market share. OTHER NOTABLES It didn't take very long to cover the compact exhibit hall. WestEdge took about one-tenth the space of Dwell on Design (35,000 square feet to 346,890 in the Los Angeles Conven- tion Center's South Hall), but packed an impressive roster of creative ex- hibitors in its tiny footprint. Bauformat Kuchen will impress cabinet dealers and independent de- signers looking for a new European cabinetry line. Eric Mnat, the brand's California-based representative, shared that while being customizable to one millimeter, the KBIS 2014 debut line is afordable and deliverable in 28 days. T he Ga l ley of fers U.S.-made kitchen sink workstations. There are modular sinks, cutting boards, drying racks, colanders and other accesso- ries. With a major new corporate investor purchasing a major stake in the company this year, the Oklahoma- based company is looking to continue expanding its oferings and consumer awareness. CABA Barkskin is a family-owned surfacing company in Santa Fe, NM. It makes wall coverings from tree bark (called Barkskin), harvested in Mexico. The colorful and creative designs won an originality award at WestEdge, and can be used between glass or resin panels for countertops, furniture or backsplashes. If used on their own, they should be installed away from moisture for the longest life span. Here are some other trend take- aways from WestEdge: • Creativity is alive and well in the kitchen and bath industry; • New market introductions and new investments hammer home the industry's post-Recession recovery; • Competition in the cabinetry sector continues to ofer new benefts to consumers. LAST WORDS WestEdge was a big, delightful sur- prise in a small, manageable space, and defnitely a design show to add to your 2015 industry coverage. Plan on a single trade day in October 2015 and make a Santa Monica weekend out of your visit. The show's Web site is westedgedesignfair.com. Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS is an indepen- dent designer in San Diego, the author of New Kitchen Ideas That Work (Taunton Press), and a blogger, design journalist, seminar developer and in- dustry consultant. Trend Spotting 6 AGA debuts a compact cooker for urban homeowners. 7 Italian style adds pizzazz to indoor or outdoor showers. 8 Lavastone provides a dramatic design impact, and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. DISTINCTION is in the details 1 800 361-6000 (CANADA) 1 800 619-5446 (US) www.richelieu.com THE BROADEST SELECTION OF DECORATIVE HARDWARE IN THE INDUSTRY Bold Elegant Vibrant Artful Circle No. 16 on Product Card 6 Photo: AGA Marvel Photo: Fantini USA Photo: Pyrolave 7 8